So I was strolling around Sam’s Club, pushing Emma through the aisles in the cart. I’d passed by all the samples, until we hit the mini eclairs. So I hand one to Emma, and then take one for myself. And just as I’m shoving it in my mouth I hear, “Hello, Michelle.” Which of course makes me pause, cause I’m so used to Shelli now.
I turn around. It’s Bill! Wait, no, it’s not my close friend-almost-more-at-one-point. But he kinda looks like Bill. Cute, goatee, a little extra padding. And all I can think is…I haven’t showered, I’ve got an eclair in my mouth, and I’m officially wearing stretch pants (which I’d given up after high school, because I realized they weren’t flattering on curvy people) Well, technically I’m wearing yoga pants from Victoria’s Secret, but they sure don’t keep my cottage cheese thighs a secret.
“So what have you been up to? Besides getting published?”
Whoa, haven’t seen this guy in 11 years and he knows I’m published? He reminds me that I posted it on classmates.com (great promo tool, use it!) Then he said he’s been meaning to buy one of my books and read it, which of course made me go all kinds of red. Fortunately he said he doesn’t read romances, and I told him he probably shouldn’t read my book (Yeah, way to go Shelli, keep talking people out of buying your book. You’ll be up there with Nora in no time!)
Meanwhile, Emma’s face is sufficiently coated in chocolate as she casts bored stares at the guy. Which, I also couldn’t remember his name, or somewhat had an idea. So I had to do the ‘remind me of your name, isn’t it…’ Nice. Smooth. I’ve come so far since high school.
Which is what sucks about the whole situation, because I have! I was a bona fide geek. I excelled in choir, tried to be a drama geek (I did become a thespian) and I dressed horrid. I used to wear spandex, stretch pants, big shirts with Indians or endangered species on them. And had a short Sideshow Bob haircut and glasses. I just wasn’t cute. It took a few years into college, with some help from people determined to make me cute, but I got my stuff together. I’m a lot cuter now–I’m no glamour girl, but I’m not what I used to be.
I wasn’t ready to face the 1o year HS reunion last year, and fortunately had an excuse with a coinciding writer’s workshop (Deb Dixon’s GMC and The Hero’s Journey. Great workshop!) So running into a guy, who I think loved to tease me in elementary school, looking just as lame as I did back then. Man, what a bummer! *Grin*
BUT he did tell me he opened a restaurant, so I could always try and not look so fugly one day and drop by. And no (stop it you matchmakers!) not to flirt, he’s probably taken or married. And I didn’t check for a ring because I’m not dating until Emma is 12. Because by then she’ll be able to talk me out of it again.
Anyway, long ramble. Sorry about that. Must get ready (yes, makeup and cute outfit) for our local RWA chapter holiday party tonight! Woo whoo! See, that’s me. I’m not, by ANY means, one of those people who don’t leave the house without looking their best. I dress up for conference and special occasions. Which is why I have a, ‘Hey nice to see you again. I look like shit’ reunion with people all the time.
Does this happen to you? Or am I the only one?
That always happens to me. And then I spend the next few days (not weeks…really) obsessing over what I should have said, how I wished my hair had been, what I swear I will never leave the house in again. Sheesh! And I definitely think you should drop by his resturaunt and implant a different memory if the one you left makes you uncomfortable. :)
That never happens to me — I live 500 miles from my high school. :D
BTW, I’m so glad someone has worse taste in photos than mine, LOL!
I haven’t seen anyone from school since school.
And thank God for that!
I suppose I could drop into the state pen to visit my old friends, but those glass windows are such a PIA to talk through.
;))
LMFAO!! No I only read about it in books!!! What a storyline though….maybe you could fit it in a book!
With Love,
Tara M.
You know, it always seems to work that way. You run into people when you totally don’t want to.
This seems to be the only time I see people from the old days. Ya know when I’m in my ‘laundry day’ clothes and my hair is pulled up in a short, ugly-as-shit ponytail.
However it is good to know I’m not the only one.
This does happen to me. Not to old high school chums since I don’t live in my hometown anymore but to people I used to work w/. I usually look like a hideous sweatpant-clad stay at home mom and I’ll run into someone I know. Who looks great while I look like a scum.
Sigh…
Hope you had fun at the party!
Oh, the picture gave me nightmares!
Thanks for not being afraid to share! I’m always running out for a quick errand not looking my “best” but that’s ok, cause like others, I don’t even live near my high school any more.
My problem is going shopping with my roomie. She ALWAYS looks her best, even when she does not try. She’s very young Liz Taylor in her exotic look, and there is just no way for a Dragon to compare. Even when I’m ‘made up’ I still feel like the ugly step sister in your picture when I’m out with her.
You look FAB at the conferences, darling, and I hope the Chapter party was tons of fun!
I never run into anyone from school since I live so far away, and even when I home Atlanta is so big I haven’t run into I know in years. Here though? I always seem to run into people when I’m looking my worst and I’ll be buying something like beer lol. It’s a curse I think lol.
I had no fashion sense then and I have none now unless jeans count. *sigh* Do you realize my 20 year reunion is next year?
PS go to his resturaunt!
This happens to me ALL THE TIME. I think it’s that weird thing where everyone knew who I was (cause I was in choir and so on. VERY involved. Stuff like that) but I was a total geek. So now, I run into the weirdest people in the oddest places. And I usually look like dog shit. LOL.
I’m not sure why that is. When I found a man who thought I looked sexy in sweats and a t-shirt, I married him.