"I have been a little off balance since the day I met you. This is because I have never known what it is like to be perfectly aligned."
- Courtney Peppernell, Pillow Thoughts
I know I had said I would take matters into my own hands, but I need someone to depend on too, right? Besides, I've been through a lot, I probably need this. It was the Friday after the rehearsal. It was during recess, something in the air had changed. It felt sweet.
Nia and I were walking in the hallway per usual, mainly because she had to go wash her hands. It was cold outside so we were standing near the heater when I heard a familiar voice. It was high pitched and squeaky. You would think I'd be annoyed and sick of it by now, but no. We both froze as we watched Oliver and Daniel walk up the stairs and over to us. "Charlie!!!!" Oli screamed. Him and I were back to normal. And almost as if it was in slow motion, he gets closer with open arms. So only by habit, I did too. But I made a mistake. He wanted his head on my left shoulder while I wanted it on the right. I bumped my cheek on his.
"Sorry," I said. But my accident birthed something better. Because of my mistake, subconsciously, I put my hand on the back of his head and held his head while we hugged. That's never happened before, it was something special. Holding his head didn't feel just casual or friendly. It felt like we were something. I wanted to feel like this, to be like this forever. In my hand was the boy I loved, completely aligned with me. It's a strong kind of feeling that never failed to pull me towards him. It was like he was my missing puzzle piece, he had something I didn't have and when we collided or rather, connected, we were invincible.
Pulling away from me, he said, "It's fine." He smiled and looked at me. Daniel wanted to go back outside so they started walking down the stairs. "Oh! Charlie, remember? Tamatiso, aso a helelema! Tamatiso...." Oli walked backward and jumped around. He was always interesting like that. I laughed and turned back to Nia, who was cringing at him but also smiling at me because, although I hadn't admitted it to her, she knew I loved that about him.
That day I don't remember very well, and the notes I wrote were brief. Yet it was enough to describe and know how I felt in the moment. Everything felt pretty when he was around me, it all felt so beautiful and lively and bright that I couldn't breathe.
I went home feeling fulfilled and satisfied. Being close to him felt electric. Not just being close physically, but mentally and emotionally. Never have I ever felt this attracted to someone and this time, it wasn't just looks. It was his personality, his humor, his energy, his mind, the way he thinks even. It all seemed so perfect.
At home, there were multiple things I would do right after school. Usually, I'd rush to my piano. I loved music. Music mixed emotions together to form art, beautiful and fragile. It could describe mourning, death, loss, pain, soft kisses, and love in a single note. That's why I loved music. I was playing piano when I got a notification. Nervously, I picked up my phone and read the name of who texted. It was Oli. He never texted me first. The only time I could ever recall texting him was when I asked who his favorite music artist was, so why was he texting me? I opened messages to see what he texted and it read, "i am a pretty princess arent i". Above it, showed a picture. I didn't care who took it, or who he was with, but he really was pretty. The picture depicted him in a store with a tutu and headband on. He smiled gently at the camera. His blond hair almost escaped the headband, but it still was neatly tucked back. The store lights reflected on his hair and made it shine. When I saw this picture for the first time, I screamed. I screamed and threw my phone across the room. I fell off my piano bench and harshly pulled my hair. Why did he have to torture me like this? I could tell I was profusely blushing.
It took me almost 10 minutes, but I replied, "yup definitely prettiest princess. you could win miss america". This is what lead me on. I fed off every move he made, every glance in my direction, and all the times he called my name. It felt like a disease, taking over my mind and body.
"tassssssssss" he replied. I didn't really understand, but I think he meant "yes". That was our conversation. What if he sent the picture to see if I would say he is the prettiest? I would agree in private, and if he allowed, in public too.
words: 851
YOU ARE READING
Untouchable
Romance"The end isn't much different from the beginning." Charlie is in his 8th grade year. He's been going to this school for 9 years. So why now does he finally meet him? Oliver, whom Charlie learns to call Oli, too has just met a new friend. The questio...
