34 Feelings Only Someone Who Was Forever Alone in High School Would Understand

This one time in high school, a guy — trying to be cute — asked me to choose between a new box of markers or a date with him. His plan was foiled when I chose the markers.

I wasn't completely socially inept in high school — I had friends, took part in after-school activities, etc. — but when it came to the opposite sex (when it wasn't 100 percent platonic on both sides), I can only describe myself as a cross between Hermione, Josie Grossie, and Chris Brander in Just Friends. If I wasn't friend-zoned, I was running away (literally) from any sort of interested parties and having awkward interactions with guys I crushed on from afar. Spoiler alert: I didn't have my first kiss until college. With the hopes that others will relate to my excruciatingly embarrassing high school experience, allow me to share my journey. To my fellow late bloomers, let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

01
When you saw your crush with his new girlfriend.
Warner Bros.

When you saw your crush with his new girlfriend.

02
How you spent prom night.
Universal Pictures

How you spent prom night.

03
Trying to get the friend you have a crush on to notice you.
Paramount Pictures

Trying to get the friend you have a crush on to notice you.

04
When all your friends were talking about their first time having sex.
Universal Pictures

When all your friends were talking about their first time having sex.

05
When your best friend got a boyfriend.
Paramount Pictures

When your best friend got a boyfriend.

06
How you totally played it cool.
Fox

How you totally played it cool.

08
When all the girls at football games were wearing their boyfriends' jerseys.
CBS

When all the girls at football games were wearing their boyfriends' jerseys.

09
When you went to a dance alone.
Paramount Pictures

When you went to a dance alone.

10
Whenever a cute guy tried to talk to you.
The Weinstein Company

Whenever a cute guy tried to talk to you.

11
When someone asked you to dance.
Searchlight Pictures

When someone asked you to dance.

12
That moment when you thought you were going to get your first kiss.
Disney

That moment when you thought you were going to get your first kiss.

13
When your friends were like, "Why don't you just go talk to him?!"
Fox

When your friends were like, "Why don't you just go talk to him?!"

15
How you felt every time Feb. 14 came back around.
NBC

How you felt every time Feb. 14 came back around.

16
Whenever you watched a romantic comedy.
MGM

Whenever you watched a romantic comedy.

17
What you told people when they asked why you don't have a boyfriend.
CBS Films

What you told people when they asked why you don't have a boyfriend.

18
When you found yourself near that really hot older guy.
Universal Pictures

When you found yourself near that really hot older guy.

19
When no one asked you to prom . . . again.
Fox

When no one asked you to prom . . . again.

20
Getting ready to go out with a group of friends that included your crush.
20th Century Studios

Getting ready to go out with a group of friends that included your crush.

22
But then you were like . . .
Paramount Pictures

But then you were like . . .

23
How you felt at the end of every dance because your crush ignored you.
Warner Bros.

How you felt at the end of every dance because your crush ignored you.

24
What happened after hanging out with the guy you were obsessed with all day.
Nickelodeon

What happened after hanging out with the guy you were obsessed with all day.

25
Pretty much every time you tried to talk to a member of the opposite sex.
20th Century Studios

Pretty much every time you tried to talk to a member of the opposite sex.

26
When you gave up and asked that really boring/nice guy to go to prom with you.
The CW

When you gave up and asked that really boring/nice guy to go to prom with you.

27
When your friends tried to make you feel better by saying, "Guys like you."
NBC

When your friends tried to make you feel better by saying, "Guys like you."

28
What your mom told you every time you had a meltdown.
ABC

What your mom told you every time you had a meltdown.

29
Trying to be happy for all your friends who had boyfriends.
Universal Pictures

Trying to be happy for all your friends who had boyfriends.

30
What your weekends looked like senior year when everyone's coupled up.
Columbia Pictures

What your weekends looked like senior year when everyone's coupled up.

31
When you saw couples making out during lunch.
NBC

When you saw couples making out during lunch.

32
But secretly you wished it was you.
Fox

But secretly you wished it was you.

33
Going to the beach with your crush.
MTV

Going to the beach with your crush.

34
When you graduated and realized you never even had a first kiss.
Universal Pictures

When you graduated and realized you never even had a first kiss.