Hands Down

Breathe In For Luck

Oliver came out as trans in 7th grade. Today made 2 years exactly since he did so. 

I came out exactly 6 months later. Today was a special day for both of us. 

There's something special about one of your best friends being your crush, and then suddenly becoming your boyfriend. I've known him almost forever (though Shea reserves "forever"), but never like this. 

"Breathe in for luck," He said, and I took in the deepest breath I could manage. 

A night like this should be exciting, but it was so calm, kind of dull. Our first official date. What are we supposed to not do on the first date, again?

Waiting for food to come at the little diner down the street, my heart was pounding. I love this boy so much. It's only fitting that an accidental kiss was how the relationship started.

He grinned, and spoke lyrics I knew a bit too well. "My heart is yours, to fill or burst. To break or bury, or wear as jewelry. Whichever you prefer."

I returned the grin as the food arrived to the table.

A playground in the dark was so cliche for two queer teens who grew up on stupid romance stories, but here we were. He whispered, "Hey, let's not get busted like those guys in Finding Cinderella."

I snicker. "I'm not your princess, buddy boy."

The fake shop built into the play tower had a bench underneath. When we got tired of playing like kids half our age, we sat there, holding hands. Park security showed up not minutes later. "Stay quiet, but stay near," he whispered as we noticed the flashlights. I'm still shocked that we didn't get caught. 

"Hands down, this is the best date I can ever remember," I said to him as we walked down the sidewalk. "I'll always remember this. The streetlights, the rainy road, the music in the distance..."

He grinned, but then he looked at his watch. "Crap, It's 9:50."

We were still a 15 minute walk from home, and we had to be home by 10

We ran, our hearts pounding almost as much as they had been earlier. This was the most alive I had ever been, and I loved every nanosecond of it. A 15 minute walk was a 7 minute run, now we had 3 minutes. 

"Ugh, my parents forgot to leave the gate unlocked," he said. It wouldn't be hard to unlock if we could reach it.

"I've got it," I said, as I jumped the chainlink part of the fence. I unlatched the gate and let him in.

We stood at his front door. "Jamie... I love you so much."

"Thanks for tonight," I said, and he replied with a kiss.

After a minute that felt like an hour, we awkwardly pulled apart. He gave a half wave as he walked into his house. 

As for me, I floated my way home.