Heartbeat

Cafeteria Talk

I wake up to my alarm and make myself look beautiful.

My hair is in loose curls, and I have followed a guide for eye makeup that looks amazing.

Also, I am wearing a romper that is the cutest style ever.

I repeat the phrase in my head: meet me in the cafeteria.

I don't know what to expect.

Will it be a joke? Will he profess his love for me?

On the ride to school, my heart is leaping for joy and nervousness.

First class: Math. With Ethan.

A chill runs through me. I sit next to him now.

I walk into class. I see Ethan sitting there, with his wide eyes looking at his notebook.

Trying to walk casually, I walk over to him and put my stuff down.

I sit down, my butt on the other half of the chair- avoiding talk with him about what will happen today after school.

Glancing over to the clock, on Ethan's side, I can't help but force my head to tilt toward Ethan. His chocolate hair is waving in such a way on his tan face that I can't help but smile.

He looks over, not slow enough for me to look away.

We stare.

In that one second with our eyes toward each other, my mind goes blank.

I can't think about anything else except how good looking he is.

How his eyes have the hazel, dreamy effect that makes my sleepy.

How his lips curve in such a unique way.

How his eyebrows give such a feature to his face.

And his hair- how it lays as wavy bangs on his forehead.

I look away, lost in the conception of Ethan.

Soon after my dreamy class, I see Nicole in the hall.

"Hey girl! What class do we have next?"

Before speaking, I groan.

"LA."

"Yay," Nicole says sarcastically.

By the end of the day, I am sweating buckets, no matter how cold it is outside. I am nervous as heck... Don't ask why.

The time has come. Ethan is meeting me.

Ethan.

The same boy I dream of. The boy I have liked for as long as I can remember.

Telling myself that makes my heart pound harder.

I walk slowly to the cafeteria, dreading every step.

What have I done? How will I even handle this situation?

I approach the cafeteria.

Cracking my knuckles, I walk around to the back side.

Peaking over the wall, I see him.

He is leaning against the wall so sneakily, so handsomely.

I turn the corner, walking towards him.

He shyly looks over to me.

"Hey," he says.

I swallow.

"Hey"

He looks at me.

"Alyssa... This isn't a joke. I really like you."

Stunned to hear the words coming from his mouth, I grin.

There was an awkward pause.

I finally open my mouth.

"If you want to know the truth, I have liked you for a few years now... Since I gave you the twizzler in fourth grade."

Ethan smiles, his perfectly straight teeth aligned.

"The reason why I wanted to see you here was-," he stopped.

We look at each other, eyes narrowing the faces of Alyssa and Ethan.

We have been stepping closer together, unknowingly.

"Why?" I whisper, eyes wide.

He steps closer, into me.

I feel the wind fly between our lips, and then I don't.

We press our lips together.

Me- kissing Ethan.

The feeling is indescribable.

I open my eyes slowly, catching every second and shoving it into my memory.

As I glance over, I see something.

Staring right at us, mouth open,

Nicole.