The Boy Down the Street // Blake Gray

24

Steph's POV
"How are all of your friends handling the big move?" Asked Trent while driving me home from practice. 'I guess they're taking it fine. I don't know, all of the responses have been similar," I replied.
"What do you mean?" He asked as a follow up question.
"Well, at school I told my group of friends that we're moving and they all said 'oh my gosh' and 'I'm gonna miss you so much' and 'we are still gonna keep in touch.' My hockey team also said the same type of stuff so that's what I mean by the similar content."
"At least you got a good reaction from your friends."
"Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"How did lover boy take the news?" Trent asked playfully as he grinned from ear to ear.
"Lover boy?"
"The dude you've been making out with in our basement." He joked again.
"Oh God Trent we've never done that!"
"I know, I know. Chill it was just a joke. But seriously, how did he take the news?"
"Alright. He cried a bit though."
"Must really love the taste of you're lips," he said breaking into laughter.
"You suck," I said as I joined in.

-

"Do you want me to get that for you?" Asked Trent pointing at my hockey bag. "No, it's okay, we're only a couple of yards away from the door," I replied taking the bag.

*Buzz Buzz* 

"Steph you're phone."
"I'll get it later."

*Buzz Buzz*

"There it is again."
"It's probably nothing."

*Buzz Buzz*

"Okay Steph answer the damn phone."
"Okay fine, jeez. Just take my bag."

I handed Trent my bag as I got my phone from the pocket of my sweatpants. I turned on the phone to see three text messages from Blake.

Blake-meet me on my porch I want to talk to you. It's nothing serious, I just need to hear your voice and see you're face. Pls

Wow, cheesy much?

Blake-ooh that was cheesy. But please come I see you with your brother. Check you're phone!!!!!!

Okay, he sees the corniness.

Blake-COME NOW!!!!!! IM GONNA KEEP TEXTING TIL U COME OVER!!!!!!!

"Bet he wants to make out," said Trent with a smirk.
"Shut up," I say nudging him so he looses his balance. "Just tell mom I'll be inside in a few minutes."
"Will do," replied Trent walking inside.

-

"So why is it that you wanted me at this time?" I asked as I met Blake on his porch.
"Just wanted to say hi, that's all," he replied timidly.
"Really?"
"Okay fine, you got me, I wanted to say something else."
"What?"

He didn't look at me, but everywhere else. What could he be saying to me that could be so bad. I'm breaking up with you? Nah, not with the texts he just sent me. Let's run away and get married? Oh my gosh why would I think that? That would be so dumb, I'd dump him on the spot. But what is it that he's gonna say to me?

"Umm, uhhh, I, I don't know.." he stammered.
"Blake just tell me already," I say getting impatient.

He takes a deep breath and puts his hands out of his pockets. His eyes shoot from the porch ceiling light to my eyes.
Okay Steph, brace yourself for the worst.

"I...I...I think I'm in love with you Steph." he said faster than the speed of Usain Bolt's final Olympic race.

My face goes blank. He's in love with me? I prepared myself for him dumping me but this? I don't know.

"I know it's kind of a shock and I know we've only known each other for a little bit, but I feel something with you I've never felt with anyone else before. It's such a good feeling just being with you. I love you."

I'm still so shocked. I love spending time with him and I love being around him and I love talking to him, but do I love him? I'm still 14, so do I really know what love is? I know I sound like an utter dick right now, but I'm being honest here.

"Blake, I don't know what to say," I stammered out. What do I say in this situation anyways?
"You don't have to say anything babe." Babe? He just called me babe? This is really weird.
"Look, I should probably get home, it's a school night," I said trying to get out of a potential situation where he asks if I love him back-which I'm still unsure of.
"Wait I have to give you something before you leave." Oh no not a present.

What he gave me wasn't a present, but a kiss. I'm relieved it was a kiss and not a gift, because the gift would have made this a lot more awkward. And I love his kisses.

"Bye Blake," I said after we pulled out of the kiss.
"Bye Steph."

-

"So how was it with lover boy? I saw you guys making out on his porch." Said Trent as I walked in my house.
"Alright I guess," I replied.
"Just alright? But he kissed you pretty hard." To be honest, it was a hard kiss.
"The kiss was just a part of the little talk. The rest was a little weird though if I must say."
"What happened? What'd he say?" Trent said taking a sip of his water.
"He said he loved me."

And Niagara Falls just poured right on me. Now I'm wet, and have a brother who won't stop laughing at me.

"Really?" Trent questioned.
"Yup." I responded popping the 'p.'
"That's funny."
"No, it's not."
"Uh, yes it is. 
"It's just a little odd."
"What did you say back."
"Didn't give me the chance, he just kissed me and I left."
"You're such a dick, I like it."
"Oh my gosh."
"Well what are you gonna say to him the next time you meet up?"
"I don't know."
"Do you love him back?" Trent asked, this time formally.

To be honest, I don't know if I love him back. He's a great guy, but I don't know what love is like towards another human who I'm not related to is. But if I knew that I was in love with him, I think I'd know what that love feeling is like.

"No, I don't think so." I responded.