Why Nice Guys Finish Last – Part One

Once upon a time, there was a nice guy named JD. The year was 2000 and high school was bustling. Because JD’s father or uncles never taught him how to talk to or treat women; he did what he believed was the right way to communicate with them. He always heard his female friends complaining about how some guys are jerks and treated them like crap so being the nice guy, he didn’t feel that acting like a jerk would be acceptable in the opposite sex’s eyes.

He did what most nice guys do; played taxi driver, paid for lunches, and even held purses. Yes, he held purses. He opened the door for them, he spent time listening to their jerk boyfriend problems, and always put them first. He did get the occasional hug and pat on the head that planted the idea that perhaps if he kept up this nice guy attitude that maybe, just maybe, one of these girls will like him. It never happened.

One day, he confronted his fears and sold himself the idea that he’s going to confess his feelings to this beautiful friend of his named, Nida. She had green eyes, was super cute and occasionally flirted with him. These signs were obviously mistaken for something more as most nice guys misread these signs. It took him days if not weeks to rehearse the speech he was going to express to her, he had it all plotted out. It would happen during second period spare when the hallways were empty. He should reveal his truth at her locker, where the setting is secluded, the lighting dim and familiar.

The bell rang and mass amounts of students populated the hall ways. JD floated towards Nida’s locker hoping to catch her before she disappeared into the cafeteria. The hallway felt like it never ended. Tiles upon tiles of feelings that were moments away from surfacing. His heart beated in his throat as he tried to mouth the words he was about to say. He turned the corner and there she was. Emptying her back pack in to her locker and getting ready for her next class.

He slowly approached her like a ninja. Completely submerged within his internal dialogue and unaware that perhaps his silence might startle her. This was the moment, the moment that being a nice guy would pay off as all nice guys dream of. He reached out and tapped her on her shoulder. Nida, screamed and quickly pivoted around! When she saw her friend, she became relaxed and muttered, “Holy, you scared me!” Nida turned around unaware of the stark look on JD’s face and what he wanted to express. He doesn’t completely remember if he even said the following out loud because there was no reaction from the girl of his dreams.

“Nida, I have to tell you something.”

No response.

“I like you.” He awkwardly spewed his rehearsed line.
“What..?” Nida, responded.
“Uhm.. I like you? You know..” JD, said unsuringly.
“Oh.. but, you’re my friend.”

The dreaded six letter word that’s like kryptonite to nice guys.