Harold

two

When I was thirteen, I had my first kiss. I can't remember much; only that it was in Kayla Baker's closet for her thirteenth birthday. Seven minutes in heaven, yes, it was a thing. I got stuck in the closet with her cousin, Kevin, for those dreadful, what was supposed to be, seven minutes. I had the intentions of creating a nice conversation; maybe about the weather or how wonderful Kayla's new house was or even how creepy my cat was but he had other intentions.

The door shut and I opened my mouth to begin our conversation, however, I didn't get any words out as Kevin held tight to my face and gave me a big duck-faced kiss. I did what any thirteen year old girl would do and screamed at the tongue plunged in my mouth. Well, I figure most thirteen year old girls would be just as mortified.

Once I pushed him away and kicked him in his goods the door was forced open and I found Harry looking angrier than ever at Kevin, laying in pain. I began to cry and Harry took me in for a hug. He was a great hugger. I wiped my tears away and an hour later we were eating cake and taking pictures.

I hold the picture in front of me as I lay on my belly, memorizing the wonderful and awful memory. But regardless of the memory, the picture was perfect with the two of us in it.

I reach for my phone next to my thigh and dial Harry's number with no hesitation.

The dial goes on but eventually I hear a thud and mutter, "shit..uh, hello?"

"Remember when we were fourteen and Tyler started that food fight on the first day of school?"

"Who's this?" his scratchy morning...well...middle of the night voice was the best sound I think I've ever heard.

"Or maybe we were fifteen, yeah fifteen." I flip to my back and stare at my stick-on-stars above me. "I got salad in my hair and you laughed harder than I've ever seen you laugh."

"Still don't know who this is."

"Oh stop being a dick, asshole."

Harry finally chuckles and seems to be shuffling around, possibly getting up from bed.

"Sorry if I woke you."

"No you're not. I said no time after ten and it's clearly after ten."

"Why are you asleep anyways? Remember when you stayed up 48 hours?"

"What is it with all these remember whens?"

"I'm sorry Harold, it's only been three million years since I've seen you. I think I'm allowed at least two million more."

I hear a door shut and a possible flicker of light.

"Are you smoking?"

"You're good," Harry chuckles, coughing over his words. "And yes, I do remember that. I was the one who threw the salad in your hair."

"What? No you didn't! You were sitting next to me!" feeling offended, I sit up swiftly and sulk.

"I was across from you Atlee, it was quite a sight. It was my favorite face on you."

"Favorite face?"

"Oh, you have so many."

I listen to Harry go on about my facial expressions-the many I have. To him, I was an open book. He knew when I was actually happy and he knew when I was bullshitting. He knew when I was beyond pissed and he knew when I needed a good cry. I knew all of his expressions too. It was just, when we grew up they were all sad and I didn't know how to fix them.

"Atlee,"

"Harry,"

There's a small pause before he continues, "can I see you?"