The First Beginning

This was it. It was the last day of school. I knew that there was a chance I may never see some of my friends after this day. There was only one person remaining I needed to say goodbye to, and that was Connor, my best guy friend. I had a tiny crush on him but it never affected me or our friendship. I'm not even sure if he knew about it.

I was running down the stairwell to get to the room assigned for me to wait for the bus. Connor was nowhere in sight, so I had been hoping we'd run into each other at the last minute. As I walked into the hallway, my name rang in a familiar voice. "Natalie!" It called.

"Connor!" I couldn't contain my relief and excitement. "I'm so glad I ran into you! I wanted to say goodbye."

"Yeah me too," he trailed off a little at the end. "Normal bro-hug? Or bear-hug?"

"Bear all the way."

His face lit up. "Good, 'cause that's what I was thinking."

Within moments he stepped toward me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders and upper back. It felt as if he thought I would float away if he let go. My arms went under his and clutched to his shoulders from behind in response.

"You're the best friend I've ever had, and you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'll never forget you, I promise," Connor rambled.

I giggled lightly and said, "Ditto. I promise." My eyes closed and I nuzzled into his broad chest with a smile.

We slowly let go of each other. "I'll miss you Connor," was all I said before tip-toeing to kiss his cheek and stepping to walk away. But a hand grabbed my wrist and two bright, welcoming eyes met mine when I looked back. Connor pulled me back to him. A laugh escaped my mouth.

"If you're gonna kiss my cheek or forehead, don't. I'm all sweaty from the summer heat."

He laughed at my remark. "I'm sweaty too. And I wasn't going to kiss your face."

"Not really. But what did you want then?" I was curious as his eyes walked all over my face. My first thought was asking if there was something on my face. But my question was answered as soon as it was asked.

It had happened so fast. The lean, the head hold, the lip touch. He had quickly kissed me, but it was so passionate and gentle at the same time. When his face left mine, the area around me felt empty and cold. It was then that I realized that my crush was more complicated than I had originally believed.

I was speechless, gaping at him like a fish. He quickly began, "I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me! I've just been wanting to do that for so long and-" I cut off his rambling by wrapping my arms around his neck and crashing my lips into is.

I pulled my face back to say, "It's more than okay," a smile grew on my face causing me to pause. "It's perfect." He placed one hand on the small of my back, and used the other to cup my cheek as we kissed again. It was more certain and natural than before.

"I have a feeling this is going to be far from our last goodbye," he said after the kiss ended. "In fact, I think this is the start of many firsts." He touched his forehead to mine.

"My thoughts exactly." I giggled more lightheartedly than I ever had before.

Connor and I went to my house together that day with his arm around my shoulders every chance he had. It was the beautiful beginning that came from a terrifying end. And there are still many firsts we have yet to experience together, and hopefully, growing old will be one of them.

                        *~* ʄɨռ *~*