Unexpected

Something missing

Love kinda sucks.

It's untameable, uncatchable, distant, uncaring.

It never picks on nerds like me.

Love never picks on girls like me. Girls with blue hair, thick framed glasses, short, quiet girls who always wear dark sweaters and never go to parties because they spend all their time at the library.

But love is also unpredictable, I suppose.

Because just when I thought I'd never find a special someone at a library, that no one would ever spend time with a pathetic dork like me, love decided to pick on me.

Finally.

I guess the "forces of love" knew the exact spot I sat in at the library every day.

And I guess the "forces of love" knew I would never move my spot, no matter who else sat near.

Because one day a person sat near.

Flashing the bluest eyes and the brightest smile at me.

Handing me the glasses and the book I had left behind the day before.

Saying with a cheerful, twinkling voice, "I think you left this."

"Umm, thanks." I squeaked, taking the book and glasses.

"You're a regular here, right?" The stranger -- the gorgeous stranger -- asked. "What's your name?"

"Um, yeah." I replied shyly. "My name's Maya. What's yours?"

"Chris."

We were silent for a moment.

"You know, I've seen you come here so often. Don't you ever hang out with your friends?" Chris asked, with a hint of teasing.

"I don't have many friends, actually..." I said quietly.

Chris chuckled. "Honestly, neither do I. Want to be friends?"

"Sure." I replied, smiling.

Our first day of friendship was spent in the library, talking.

Actually, that's how the next few months of our friendship went, sitting in the library every day, learning about each other.

Chris.

15, about a year younger than me.

Tall, taller than me.

Cheerful.

Nerdy, like me.

Outgoing, but still doesn't have too many friends.

Short, blonde hair.

Probably the nicest person ever for taking pity on me.

Gorgeous.

The whole thing felt like one of those fanfics, where your OTP is some dorky high school couple. Except Chris was way out of my league, and people like Chris don't fall for girls like me.

It just doesn't work that way.

I think.

Or I thought.

One seemingly normal day in the library, Chris showed up late, grabbed me by the hand, and said, "I'm getting you out of here."

"What? Where? Why?" I asked, confused.

"I'm taking you away from the library. To the park. Because you're my friend and you need to get out of this library." Chris replied, laughing.

As we walked to a park, I wondered for a split second if this was a date.

No, I thought as we arrived and sat on a bench, It's just an outing between two friends.

Yeah... friends. Just friends.

We talked and talked, but somehow it was different in the sun. Eventually, Chris and I started playing tag, which I hadn't played since I was a kid. There was a lot of laughter, especially because I suck at tag.

We ended up flopping onto the side of a grassy hill for rest and talked again, sitting under a tree. As friends do.

We had a strong relationship.

We had a strange relationship.

We had a completely platonic relationship.

Right up until Chris placed a hand on mine, and connected our lips.

I was startled and red faced, but returned the kiss. After a moment, though, I pulled away, blushing tomato red.

"What was that for?" I asked timidly.

"I dunno. You looked kinda lost in thought and it was gorgeous, so I guess I couldn't help myself" Chris said, laughing nervously.

Chris, nervous? I thought, confused. Chris is never nervous.

"Chris, do you ... like me?" I asked, my voice almost a squeak.

"I don't think I would've just kissed you if I didn't."

"I like you too."

We both burst into laughter. Not sure why exactly, but it was probably our relief that we shared feelings for each other.

The rest of the afternoon was picture - perfect, like something out of a cheesy romance novel. It was official. Chris and I were a couple. It's strange to think that at the beginning of that summer, I was shy and lonely. Thanks to Chris, I'm not lonely. Still a little shy, but I'm working on it.

The day had to end sometime, but Chris promised we'd meet again tomorrow, same time as always.

As Chris kissed me goodnight, I realized something.

"Hey, I just realised I forgot to ask you something during all our talking." I said.

"Hm, what's that?" Chris replied.

"Is Chris short for anything?"

Chris smiled. "Yeah."

"What's it short for?" I asked.

"Christa." She replied.