I admired her from across the classroom.
Eyes of crystal blue, hair of spring flowers. She is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
I could look at her all day. I could gaze at her fiery locks and beautiful pale skin until the sun drops.
I could admire each and every freckle on her body until the moon settled into the sky.
I could cherish her beautiful eyes until the sun rose to the surface of the earth, creating a soft glow. Yet no glow, no matter how soft or how subtle, could compare to her face on a warm day.
She turned, catching my eyes. Before I stoutly turned away, she winked. I felt my face burn cerise. I touched my cheek, feeling heat rising to the surface.
As the teacher droned on and on about DNA and the splitting of chromosomes, the words of Stevie Nicks rang through my mind.
Something's happening
Happening to me
My friends say I'm acting peculiarly
C'mon baby
We better make a start
You better make it soon before you break my heart
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere
And it was true. I wanted to hold her hand and walk down Harris street. I wanted to kiss her in the park. I wanted to fall asleep with her head in my lap during a sleepover at my house. I wanted to hand her mixtapes at her locker. I wanted to make her feel love like she had never known. I wanted to make her feel as if the sun rose just for her and I. That I created the sun, just for her. That flowers bloomed and the ocean tides waved just for her to admire.
I look at this woman. This divine creation of beauty. I couldn’t help but imagine how my hand would feel in hers. The warm sensation of her fingers interlocked with mine. I felt my face still burning. I tried to control my blush, but I just couldn’t.
I packed up my things, ready for the school day to be over. The bell rang, dismissing the students. A note fell over my books. I looked up to see Beverly, holding tightly onto her book bag straps, looking over her shoulder at me as walked out the door. She winked before she crossed the doorway.
I smiled, picking up the note. Meet me at the West entrance.
In her pretty hand writing was her name:
Beverly
When my things were in my bag, I rushed down to the West entrance. When I arrived, I saw her standing against the wall. “Hey girlie.” She smiled. Her words forced a smile into my face.
“Hey Bev.” “So, are we on for a sleepover for tonight?” I had forgotten it was Friday. Beverly could do that. She could make me forget what time it was, the year, even the day. I focused every ounce of my being toward her, no room left in me for anything or anyone else.
“Of course.” The smile was etched in my face. “Let’s go.” She smiled back. We made our way to my house, making small talk. My hands grew clammy next to her, causing me to rub the sweat away against my jeans.
When we arrived at my home we went straight up to my room. She sat her book bag next to my bed. She pulled out a folder of homework and set it on my bed. “Ready for this?” I looked at the biology notes. Oh boy…
We fell onto my bed on our backs. “Movie night?” Bev asked, turning her head to look into my eyes. “Yes!” We raced down the stairs. She picked out the movie while I made popcorn.
“Do you have any comfortable clothes I can wear?” Beverly leaned against the door frame. I blinked blankly at her a few times,”Uh-uh-yeah.” “Thanks.” She smiled, nodding slightly. She scurried up the stairs.
I had noticed she was up there for a good while, so I decided to see what she was up to. When I reached my doorway I saw her look at my vanity. She picked up my polaroid camera, admiring it. “They’re cool, aren’t they?” I asked, emerging from the doorway.
She turned to me, smiling,”Yeah, they are.” I walked closer, taking it from her. “Here.” I hooked my arm around her neck, smiling at the camera. I snapped a quick photo. The snapshot dispensed quickly, producing a satisfying sound.
“Now we wait.” I sat the camera on top of the photo. I sat back on the vanity,”You can pick whatever you want, I don’t mind.” I motioned to the closet. She waltzed over, picking out joggers and a crop top.
She smiled at me, then slipped her shirt off to change.
My breath hitched in my throat as I looked at her back. I turned, straightening up my desk. When she was finished changing I turned back.
"So um...what do you want to do?" I asked, clearing my throat. "Uh-movie..." She laughed. "Right, right." I laughed back, embarrassed. We headed downstairs, talking about some class we hated.
"Okay, we have Pretty In Pink
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Nightmare on Elm Street
Psycho
The Birds
Vertigo
Alien
Apocalypse Now
Princess Bride
Sixteen Candles-"
"Sixteen Candles!" She plopped on the couch. "Sixteen Candles it is." I smiled, pulling the movie from the shelf. I went to the kitchen, grabbing the snacks and drinks. She had put the movie in and waited for me to start it.
I sat next to her on the couch as she pressed play.
Bev leaned on my shoulder halfway through the movie, causing my heart to start pounding out of my chest. I looked over at her, smiling. I turned back to the TV, smile still plastered to my face.
When the end of the movie loomed around, she had fallen asleep and drifted to my lap. I didn't want to move and disrupt her sleep, so I stayed put.
After what seemed like five seconds, but was more like five minutes, I felt my thigh start to itch. I scrunched my face in discomfort. I moved as slowly as I could, but woke her up.
She rubbed her eyes groggily,"Oh wow, how long was I out?" She moved away from me, stretching. I shrugged. "Not long, I guess." "Can I use your bathroom?" "Yeah, it's the third door to the left upstairs." She nodded, standing.
Something's happening
Happening to me
My friends say I'm acting peculiarly
C'mon baby
We better make a start
You better make it soon before you break my heart
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere
The words rang through my head once more. Wow... I'm in love with this girl...
--
After she came back from the bathroom I kept my distance. It was weird... this fixation was weird
Sure, she was pretty and-and smart... and cooler and more fun than any guy I've ever met, but it was still weird.
After Princess Bride ended she turned to me. I was a mile away physically and mentally.
"Are you okay?" She laughed, noticing how nervous I looked.
If I looked nervous, I was ten times as inside!
"Oh-uh-I'm fine..." I nervously laughed, rubbing my hands together uncomfortably.
"Uh-okay..." She laughed again.
--
We made our way upstairs, my anxiety peaking as she led the way.
I tried not to, but my eyes were drawn to her ass...
What the fuck???
"Wanna play truth or dare?" She asked, her voice a blast of ice on a hot day.
My eyes shifted from hers, then back. "I-I think I'd rather just try to sleep. It's uh-getting late!"
She slumped her shoulders forward, exhaling defeatedly.
"Hun, what's wrong?" She asked warmly.
“Beverly, I’m gay!” I cried into her shirt. "And-and I have a crush on you!" I cried once more.
Her eyes widened slightly, making me nervous.
She then looked into my eyes, her icy irises filling me with empty warmth.
Gently grabbing the nape of my neck, she pressed her lips into mine. Her lips were soft and inviting, like I could grow flowers between the two rosey pods.
When she pulled away, she smiled.