The Bravest Thing I've Ever Done

'Bravery' is an interesting word.

I have climbed mountains in Africa. I have cage-dived with great white sharks. I have jumped off rocks into questionable waters despite being afraid of heights.

But those things were fun. Sure, I was scared, but I did them and I enjoyed them. To me, putting your heart on the line is truly brave. Knowing something could so easily backfire and yet doing it anyway is superhuman.

The bravest (and stupidest) thing I ever done was fall in (teenage, high school) love with my primary school best friend, and then inform her of my emotions. For three years I struggled to tell her, thinking that we were destined for some climactic movie drama where she storms my wedding and we proclaim our undying love for one another. I tried and failed to tell her countless times and our friendship suffered.

Finally, I thought to myself, “What's the best way to proclaim my love to someone I have known for so long?” Of course, the answer I came up with was the "Lost in Love" column in the Mx train magazine. How could it ever go wrong? The stars would align, lonely train-goers would inform me of my destined path and all would be marvelous.

I texted in my question, “How should I tell my best friend I love her?” and on the day I was to receive my romantic advice I told my friend (in a moment of dumb bravery) that I had asked a question in Mx and had to leave to retrieve the life-changing remarks of strangers. Little did she realise at the time the question was indeed about her. I know: the plan was foolproof.

That is, until she posted a Facebook status asking what the question was, and one of her friends with the paper shared it. All of a sudden, my life and plans started crumbling around me like the idiot movie character that I was. She discovered the truth and didn't talk to me for a year. Needless to say we did not get my imagined happy ending.

But, at least I can look back on something that was truly stupid and think, “Hey, that was super-heroic. Batman would be proud.”

Congratulations to Curtis for winning this writing challenge, answering: The Bravest Thing I’ve Ever Done. Curtis wins a $50 Westfield gift card. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!