You were way too into the hottest chick in school. She was flirting with all the party boys, and talking about a guy she's seeing who's playing baseball in Texas (But he's really a backups backup at Blinn Community College who follows 4200 blondes on Instagram). She keeps promising to cut everyone off and go see Top Gun with you, but wont make concrete plans. Now she says she'll definitely start dating you when she comes back from her trip to Daytona Beach this summer (Dont say anything though, because shes told eveyone she's going to Cabo....she trusts you because your not like the other guys...). She not in the right headspace to commit to a long term relationship. Thats fine.
Do we simp? Fuck that.
So you start dating the cute, smart girl who everyone likes (Who everyone knows is going to be an absolute smokeshow when she gets older). She is likes going for hikes and seems committed to seeing where this relationship will go. You know you dont have to attend every party in town to impress her, you two can just chill on the couch in your sweats read a book and be happy. You focus on hitting the gym, being a good friend, doing well in school and becoming the best version of yourself that you can.
Good decision. Adult decision.
Lots can change in the future. You might even get a crying voicemail randomly at 4.40 am on a Sunday about how shes stuck in Florida and its skeezy and she just misses you, but thats a problem for future-hypothetical you.
You're doing good. Im proud of you.