Thank You, Jeffrey by Dana Manning

Gabriella was furious. She had just spotted Jake with his arm around Sarah’s waist. He was walking her through the long high school hallway, to her first period class. Just like he used to do for Gabriella. Just the other day he was wearing the shirt Gabriella bought him for Valentine’s Day. The humiliation Gabriella felt was unbearable. He didn’t even have the decency to tell her that their relationship was over to her face. He just moved on to another faster than the speed of lighting. It was unbelievable. She wanted to just die. Then, she wanted him to die. She felt so unhappy. She actually envied Sarah for a minute. Until she figured it out. She knew, it would happen to Sarah too eventually.

Just the other day, Jake had written his usual love note to Gabriella. He even said  loved her. Like a fool in love Gabriella believed him. They had been dating for over 9 months. Jake tried to take their relationship further during the 3rd month. Gabriella refused. Jake seemed cool about it, as if he actually respected her. For God sakes, she was only 16. She was only allowed to double date. Her and Jake were alright with that . Until he made the decision that she was a hopeless sexually unsatisfying date. Sarah had a big reputation. Not a good one either Jake was like a lost puppy trying to find its owner by always following Sarah around where ever she went. Always grinning like the dog he actually was.

Jeffrey passed a note to her during study hall. Jeffrey was so adorable and sweet. He never seemed interested in girls. Gabriella actually thought he was gay until their sophomore year in high school. He was a friend who greeted everyone with a flashy smile. Gabriella read the note. It asked “Gabriella are you O.K.?”. She wrote him back trying to explain what had just occurred over the past few days. Jeffrey wrote back and asked her to meet him after school. She looked at him and gave him a nod. Gabriella kept having flashbacks when ever she saw Jake and Sarah together. High school is already hard enough. She was barely able to get through her classes without crying. Jake was gone. Gabriella felt all alone. You never know what that means until you have had that sweet blanket of your high school romance to be gone. When it falls away, you are left naked. And hurting.

Jeffrey met her at their favorite hang out spot. He said to her that he had a story to tell her. She dried her tears and listened to what Jeffrey had to say. Jeffrey told her that jake was a "smooth operator",love wise. He leads a girl to love him and then, if she won't give him what he wants he leaves. Jeffrey told her that he never really been called on his dirty game because the girls that he dated were to afraid to tell. Like not giving him what he wanted made you "uncool". Then, Jeffrey told Gabriella that she was better off without Jake. This tickled Gabriella so she began to laugh. She told Jeffrey that she understood that part of it but, the loneliness of missing jake being there was heart wrenching.

Jeffrey sighed. He looked deep into her eyes and said that "Jake is not worth it". Gabriella thought about it for a minute she heard herself agreeing to every word that Jeffrey said. Jeffrey was her friend. If he said it, he meant it. He did. "Jake said he had forgotten you already so, why don't you do yourself the favor of doing the same for him. Forget him. Do it for yourself. At that very moment, Gabriella did. There are high school Hero's and many high school moments of fame. But, this high school hero will always remain very dear to Gabriella. Thank you Jeffrey.