Sour Mangoes

Eighth Grade: A Talk (II)

It was the end of the school day.

He told me to meet him under the willow tree by the lake.

I got there.

He was there, too.

I moved the leafs of the tree out of my way.

I sat next to him.

We called this the 'Weeping Willow Tree of Secrets.'

It's where we go to talk about personal things.

That way, it's guaranteed to be just us.

We sit in silence for a couple seconds.

He turns his head to look at me.

He inhales, getting ready to say something. 

It looks like he was preparing his words in advance.

"Avery... I don't want to lose you after we go to high school."

I waited for the next part.

"I'm aware you don't want us to part as well."

He was taking his time with his words.

"I know you're not good at socializing, and I want to be there for you."

He pointed his head downwards.

All that was visible was his long hair. 

"Avery....," He said in a gentle voice, "Avery, I..."

That's when it happened.

He pressed his lips against mine.

I placed my hand on the back of his neck.

I kissed him back.

It felt as if time had slowed.

Like it was truly just us at that moment. 

He held me at the waist. 

I never felt something like this before.

All I knew is that I liked it. 

Our lips parted.

He brought me closer to him.

My head rested on his shoulder as we hugged.

I forgot about the warmth of being next to a person.

I closed my eyes.

I felt safe.

Being in the sleep trance I was in, It didn't click instantly.

What didn't click was what he said to me.

"I love you, Av."

I felt a kiss on my neck.

I mumbled something back.

"Creep."