here's to the stranger

pool boy

          here's to the stranger who i met at the pool and now has a big impact on my life,

          i remember meeting you as though it was yesterday. i went swimming with my sister, that hot, boring, summer day.

           you were with your best friend at the time. he was my ex, and liked my sister, still. i felt as though i had never been any more self-conscious than i was that day. i kept thinking in the back of your mind you were judging me by how much bigger i was than my sister, even though she's older. 

          we did some sly glances, and talked a bit, and giggled, and shit. 

           you asked me out that same day. and you're best friend asked out my sister. 

          we weren't officially together, but we acted like it. but my sister and your best friend did not get together. 

          when i started going to mac football games, we ran into each other. i ran to you and you picked me up as though we hadn't seen each other in forever, and really that's what it felt like.

          it had been a year or two since i had last seen you. so seeing you again, gave me a sense of familiarity. 

          a few weeks later, football season ended, and basketball season started up. basketball is my sport, and mac has some really good ball players. so you can guess that we ran into each other again.

          this time, it seemed a little more romantic. 

          you sat between my thighs and kept calling me your babe, or bae. everyone really believed we were together. 

          i remember, your friend asked us if we were really together, and you said yes. of course you did. and then, it got serious. 

          they wanted proof.

          being the 'genius' you are, you told them, that we'd kiss. 

          don't get me wrong, i am a really outgoing and loud person. but there's something about pda, that you would think i was the shyest person in the world. 

          so, we worked around it. every time everyone turned to have their own conversation, we kissed. you even gave me nose kisses.

          you were supposed to walk me home, but my brother's friend dropped me and my sister off at my house.

          the next week, i went to another mac basketball game, except, everyone knew not to talk to talk to you when you were with me.

          well, at least the girls did.

          one of the cutest things i think you did, was every time we went down or up the stairs, you kept pulling me back by my hand, or waist, and gave me a kiss.

          as time went on, we snuck away from my sister and went outside.

          we found a corner and stayed there, giving little random kisses, talking, and just, breathing. 

          i remember asking you why your heart was beating so fast, and you said it only happens when i'm around.

          of course when my sister kept calling my phone, i had to leave, but you wouldn't let me. 

          so i told you i was gonna leave with or without you.

          you huffed, and came along, grabbing my hand as we walked to my sister in the front of the school.

          today, we talk on the phone whenever we can, even on school nights. you tell me you love me, and i tell you i love you, but i don't think i could ever get over the thought of how sweet and good you are to me. the fact that we aren't together, yet we are, is confusing to everyone, but us. which is why it is ours.

          as you heavily breathed on my neck, leaving soft marks on my skin i realized something.

          i was yours, and you were mine.

so, here's to the stranger who started out as an unfamiliar boy in the pool, to someone who is like my best friend.

                               sincerely, 

                                        jackie.