small feelings

The First One

I remember the very first time I discovered the term "crush." I wouldn't have guessed it all started when I young.

As a young kid, my dad would always take my mother, older brother, and I to the park, and watch him play baseball with a bunch of other early 40's guys. It was a called a league if im wrong or not. But because this happened every Saturday, he became friends with his teammates, and soon my mother became friends with the other moms.

Naturally, I played with the other kids as well. From my parents eyes, I was 'adventurous' and climbed on trees and played with dirt. This was before whole cooties phase every kid went through.

I can't remember how I met him exactly. I remember his mom would always talk to mine, and they became closer than all the other women. The same went with my dad. His name was Kaden. He had an older brother named Ray that was just 2 years older than us, and a newly born baby girl named Cathy.

We became close because Kaden, Ray, and I all played together when no one else would. He always showed every single Saturday, and we bonded over a few things. But I felt a strong connection with Kaden more, probably because I talked to him more than Ray.

I could still remember the time when I fell down the stairs of the playground. Kaden and Ray ran down the stairs to check up on me.

"Grace! You okay?" They both panicked. "Yup" I replied," it didn't even hurt." Yes it did, but I always knew to always get back up on my feet.
Before I could move, Kaden kneeled down on his knees and blew on my bleeding knee." There! All the bad stuff went away" he proudly grinned at me.

Even if I was just a little girl, i felt as if I just met my Prince Charming. I proudly smiled and got back up.
—
Few months swung by like a storm, and soon summer came. One day, Kaden and Ray's dad invited my family over to their house, just for a small get together. Soon after the baseball game ended, we all headed back to their place.

I couldn't remember what exactly happened happened, but my dad couldn't take us home because he was wayy to drunk, so Kadens parents insisted on us staying for the night. Eventually we did.

I never expected for this to happen

The next morning I wake up next to my parents. I get up from the cold floor and see that I am the very first one to wake up. From across the quiet room, was the sound of punches and 'K.O'

Kaden pops his head out the door and looks straight at me. He makes gestures to come closer, and immediately I quietly make my way to him.

We go to his room where Ray was playing video games. I remember asking if I could play. Being the nice boy he was, he said yes, and I spent the next 30 minutes playing with Ray and Kaden.

It was only 7:00 am, but I told Ray and Kaden I was going back to my parents, so they wouldn't have to worry. I ran back to the living room and hid under the blanket.

Kaden goes after me and sees a small body curled up. He sits down on the floor, facing my head face his body. " Grace. Look at this"he whispers as he giggles.

I pop my head out of the blanket and quietly answer," What is it?"

His face gets closer to mine, and cups both of his tiny hands to my cheeks. Kaden takes his time and kisses me on the forehead, nose, left cheek, and right cheek too. He pulls away and happily smiles. Soon, he ran off to his room.

I could feel my warm cheeks that he cupped turn pink. I couldn't help but giggle.
An hour or two later, my parents woke up and decided to have breakfast with his parents.

However, Kaden and I decided to not eat breakfast and go outside his apartment, where a small fountain was right outside. We ran up to the fountain and splashed water on each other.

But, happy endings must come to an end. We gave our farewells and my family and I headed home.

That was the last time I ever saw Kaden.

He never showed up to the park after, and my family went to a different park. My dad lost their telephone number, and ever since then, I never knew what happened to Kaden.

When I think of the term 'crush' I am reminded of the first time I every truly had my very first crush; and his name was Kaden.