This next part of the story is the whole purpose of me telling you this long tale. The rest are all very fond memories that I deeply treasure and still enjoy, but they serve most importantly to provide the background and the context to this ending. I could have skipped to the end and you may have still enjoyed it, but this simultaneously sweet and sad portion is better with the long introduction.

I didn't see Cassidy at all on that Thursday, and we barely saw each other on Friday. She didn't try to speak to me and I didn't try to speak to her. I was still hurt, but my mind was continuing to wake to all the signs that we weren't meant for each other and she hadn't really been interested in me in the first place. And of course, Kristen was a happy possibility that chased most of the sad thoughts away.