The Story of Why

Drew - Poker

~ Drew's POV ~

We were playing cards on the floor in the middle of my room. We played for a while when she had a sudden outburst. "Ugh! How are you so much better than me? I've beaten everyone in my class in the seventh grade. This is impossible."

I grinned. "You're just too predictable. You bluff every. Single. Time."

She threw her cards up in the air in exasperation. "I'm not playing this anymore," she declared.

"So I win by default," I said, taking the last of her poker chips. She grumbled about how I was cheating while I picked up a few of the cards she threw and she started helping. I put the deck back in the plastic container I kept them in and threw it onto my desk. "What grade are you in again?" I asked her.

"10. You?" she asked.

"11," I replied. "There's a lot of..interesting girls at North Gate," I stated, talking about her school.

"I'm not a slut, if that's what you're getting at."

I felt a little embarrassed at that, because thar's not what I meant. I quickly began to explain myself, hoping I hadn't made her upset with me. I decided I'd make a joke out of it, like I usually do with awkward situations. "No, not at all. You're way too good to be spending your time with unworthy boys," I smiled at her. She was sitting cross legged on my floor and looking at me as if she was trying to figure me out. Then she smiled.

"Why, thank you, Drew," she said.

"So...would I be a worthy boy?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hmmm..." she smirked. Although she was acting smug, I could see her blushing a little. "I guess you'd have to prove it if you are," she said.

"Alright, prepare to be amazed. I shall now charm your pants off," I said, standing up.

"Oh I'd love to be dazzled by your charms," she began, standing up herself, "but I'm afraid I have to go. It's 8:30 and my mother has no idea where I am. She's probably already called the police."

I made a face. "Fine. But be ready to be dazzled next time," I said.

"Thank you, Drew. I feel honoured," she smiled up at me.

We walked downstairs, and she and my mom started talking. I could tell my mom really liked Keda, which made me smile. They started laughing and I realized that my mother had just told Keda that I used to always play "House" with my cousin and she always made me the be the mom. I laughed with them, although of course really wished my mom didn't share embarrassing stories about me as a kid to a really pretty girl. After a few more minutes, she and my mom exchanged goodbyes, then we headed out the door. I held the car door open for her and she got inside. I walked around the car and sat in the front seat, starting the engine, and we were driving back to her house. During the car ride, we didn't talk much. We listened to music in silence for a while.

"I'm guessing you have church tomorrow?" I asked. A plan started to form in my mind.

"Ugh, yeah, but I've been thinking about what you said about hiding, and I think you're right. I just don't know how to tell her," she said.

"Bake her a cake that has the words church is dumb written in frosting on the top," I suggested. She laughed lightly. It was probably the most attractive laugh a human being could have, but I couldn't tell her that.

I parked in her driveway and she got out of the car. "Bye Drew," she said with a smile, then closed the car door.

Bye Drew. That was all? "Hey, you!" I called, opening my car door.

"What?" she asked, about halfway to her porch.

I walked up to her, grabbed her by the hips and kissed her. The best part was, she kissed me back. Her hands were on my chest, then she moved them up and wrapped her arms around my neck. I smiled into the kiss, and she pulled away. She looked a little dazed, but she was smiling.

I then realized how big and stupid my grin must've looked, but I couldn't help it. "Bye Keda," I said.

"Bye Drew," she said, in a sort of out-of-breath voice. I watched her turn around, walk to her door, and close it without looking back.

I just kind of stood there for a few more moments. She kissed me back, I thought. Sure, I've kissed other girls, but none of them were really like Keda. Keda was different. Better. I turned around and walked back to my car.