Breaking up with college

I put on my best outfits for you. I spent hours of time pouring myself into you--hoping you'd fill me, too. I waited with a mix of anticipation and dread when it was your turn to move. Would you disappoint me? What if I didn't live up to your expectations?

You demanded so much from me: my full attention, my best behavior, my youth. I spent late nights with you. And early mornings. And long afternoons. I tried not to get bitter when you let me down and I hoped for forgiveness when it went the other way. I gave you too much, and now I'm spent.

So let's face it, in the end we knew this day was coming. We were using each other--you for my money and potential clout; me for your promise of whole new worlds and the life I'd always dreamed of. What started with your serenade of how I was indispensable, unique, and valuable, of how I belonged with you (never mind how cheesy and overblown it sounds now), ended with you patting me on the back, handing me what I came for, and offering a patronizing goodbye: Have a nice life, let's keep in touch.

But, despite all this, despite my many failings and yours, there is still a part of me that will always love you; that will always be drawn to you again.