Among Our Kisses

eyes don't lie

The raindrops drummed a melancholy beat against the windowpane, as I sat at the kitchen table, my small hands cradling a cup of steaming hot chocolate. The year was 2013, and I was just eleven years old, blissfully unaware of the storm that was about to sweep through my life.

Through the misty window, I watched as a a young boy made his way down the narrow staircase of the house next door. He moved with a certain grace, his brown hair glistening with raindrops, and an earring on his left ear catching the faint glimmers of light. Inexplicably, my heart quickened as I observed this stranger, this mysterious boy who was about to become my neighbour.

"My, oh my, look who's moving in," my mother's voice rang out from the adjacent room. She entered the kitchen, a warm smile on her face as she joined me at the table. "Didn't I tell you, sweetheart, they have a son your age. Maybe you'll make a new friend."

I nodded, my eyes still fixed on the boy outside. "Yeah, maybe," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

The rain continued its relentless descent, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. He reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to face the house, as if taking in the new surroundings. It was then that our eyes met for the first time, and I sensed an undeniable, thrilling connection surging between us. In that moment, as cliché as it may sound, time seemed to stand still. I held my breath, unsure of what to do next.

"He's cute, don't you think?" my mother teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

I blushed furiously, my cheeks turning the same shade as the hot chocolate in my cup. "Mom!" I protested, embarrassed by her observation.

She chuckled softly. "I'm just saying, dear. It's nice to have some eye candy in the neighbourhood."

He flashed a hesitant smile, and I returned it with a shy one of my own. It was a simple exchange, a silent acknowledgment of our newfound proximity. Little did I know that this fleeting connection would be the first note in the incomplete song of my heart.

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself stealing glances at him whenever I could. Our paths crossed often, whether it was at the mailbox, on the sidewalk, or on the school yard and each encounter left me with a fluttering feeling in my chest. We began to talk more often, and I soon learned that his name was Noah. With every word we shared, I couldn't help but feel that there was something different about him, something that set him apart from anyone else I had ever known.

Noah was a mystery, an enigma I was eager to unravel. He had a way of making me feel seen, truly seen, in a way that no one else ever had. His laughter was infectious, his stories captivating, and his presence, magnetic. It was as if he held the key to a world I had yet to discover, and I was eager to follow him wherever he might lead.

As the years passed, Noah and I became inseparable. We were the best of friends, confidants who shared our dreams, fears, and aspirations with each other. Our bond deepened with every passing day, and it was clear to everyone who knew us that we were meant to be in each other's lives.