This Year is My Year

Create the Moment

If missing a moment was an Olympic sport, call me Carl Lewis.

We were sitting on the couch, watching the Brat Pack dance while smoking weed. I was leaning forward, my forearms on my thighs, while I bounced my leg. I couldn't stop replaying the missed moment in my head.

I had planned on kissing her then – it was the perfect moment. We were holding each other, laughing at my embarrassing interests. She was smiling, so happy to be in my arms. I had planned on kissing her right there and then.

When I got close, her scent overwhelmed me, sending me back to dancing with her, which made me smile. She closed her eyes and I thought about the days that had passed.

"Charity case."

Jason's voice was crystal clear in that moment. So loud, so forceful.

I had planned on kissing her then. But then I remembered I was Eddie the Freak.

I kissed her forehead – a better step than the first night of missed moments. I tried to cover the mishap by moving onto the movie night.

I could sense she was disappointed when we came out to the living room, but she attempted to force a smile and feign excitement for the films. She had brought her favorite, The Breakfast Club, and I had chosen The Shining. I smiled at how opposing our choices were, but she seemed excited to watch Jack Torrance lose his mind.

I started The Breakfast Club first – a small token of apology for failing to close the distance between us. I grabbed chips and candy from the kitchen – I had bought them special for tonight.

She smiled as she sat, not in the middle of the couch, but close to it. She brought her legs up and crossed them, smoothing her skirt. She looked up at me, the glow of the TV shining on her face—she was so pretty she made my chest ache. She patted the spot next to her.

I settled into the couch, still full of nerves. I started bouncing my leg and tried to focus on the Brat Pack.

I looked over at her when Claire snuck into the closet to see Bender. I couldn't help but draw parallels between their relationship and ours.

She was clasping her hands, gently, reacting like she had never seen the movie before. Her face was so soft, and she smiled when the princess kissed the freak's neck.

"Why'd you do that?" Judd Nelson asked Molly Ringwald, surprised.

"'Cause I knew you wouldn't," Molly replied, grinning like Y/N after she makes me blush. It struck me, suddenly.

I stopped bouncing my leg. I scooted closer to her, our legs touching. She tensed, still not looking at me. I slid my hand onto her thigh, close to her knee.

I was not going to be John Bender.

My skin was on fire because of my nerves, and my ears started ringing. I tried to steady my breathing.

I leaned back, moving my hand from her thigh to around her shoulders. She leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. My heart was pounding, and I was sure she could hear it.

We watched the screen, each member of the Breakfast Club leaving detention, saying their goodbyes.

I looked down at her, willing her to look away from the screen and up at me. I felt like I was screaming my thoughts at her.

Bender and Claire kissed after she gave him her earring – I needed her to look at me. I would create the moment if I had to.

I cleared my throat, and she broke away from the screen, glancing up at me. I caught her face with my other hand, traced the apple of her cheek with my thumb.

I felt her suddenly grow warm, and she turned to me, still in my arms. I pulled her face close to mine, taking in every detail. Her hands were on my chest, tugging my shirt, pulling me in.

I took the back of her neck, pulling her in and kissed her, finally closing the distance between us. We stayed there, and she pulled on my shirt, wanting me closer. I brought us closer together, kissing her deeply.

We pulled apart, smiling at one another.

"Why'd you do that?" she said softly, referencing her favorite movie. "Don't You Forget About Me" was playing in the background as the movie ended. I traced her face with my hand, grinning wildly.

"Because I knew you wouldn't," I pulled her back in and kissed her, smiling through every touch.

Eddie the Freak was kissing Y/N Henderson.