So Mesmerized

The start of my first true friendship

"I've never had a real friend in my life!" I hollered at my mom. She allows me to express myself in that way some of the time. But knows when to calm me down and be serious. "What makes you think this town will be different?!" My mom sent me a sympathic facial expression, sitting me down on my bed. "Look Johnny, this town will be better," she promised, "Trust me." I sighed, "I don't know..." I looked down at my lap, then glanced at my clothes' dresser. My mom took hold of my chin, turning my head to face her. "Just stay down a little on your likeness of Ralph, okay?" I frowned which showed a look of disappointment. "I know it's hard being a big fan of Ralph as a guy and having bullies pick on you for it---" she started, but I interrupted her, "Pick on me?! I was being called gay, called ugly because I look exactly like him and being beat up in the bathroom because of it!"

I knew my mom was going to start this sooner or later. "It's like there's no teens that like him, you know," I started, "I mean, am I the only one?" My mom chuckled slightly, "Well, just maybe there'll be a fan in Streammont." I chuckled back, but in sarcasm. "Just finish unpacking your clothes," she ordered, patting my back and standing up to walk downstairs.

Unzipping one of my suitcases, I found my shirts and boxers.  With my hands, I started placing in my shirts as the way I had folded them. I heard a knock on the window beside mine. I looked to my left and saw the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life. My jaw dropped, but I was able to figure out how to jump back quickly. I had too. I've always been so nervous and shy around girls. Extremely. So extreme I could wet my pants.

After I finished unpacking my clothes, I walked downstairs for dinner since it was already about 7:30 at night. "It's not done right just yet," my mom informed. I nodded, walking into the living room and putting the DVD of My Cousin Vinny in the television. And I turned it on.

...

"We should get tuna,"

"Please, no more tuna,"

"Tuna has protein. We need protein,"

"Beans have protein,"

"Beans make you fart,"

I started laughing real hard. That part of the movie really gets me every time. "Finally! Another Ralph fan!" I heard an angelic voice come from the door entrance of the room. My eyes grew wide. I realized that was the girl who I saw at the window. "Mind if I watch the movie with you?" she asked, "It's one of my favorites." She sat down beside me on the dark brown, fluffy couch. I gulped out of nervousness. "S-s-sure," I answered, hearing her giggle. It was so adorable. We started watching the movie, and I laughed softly, because I was still nervous. Her laugh was adorable, and I couldn't help but smile each time.

In the middle of the movie, my mom came in the room. "The Drews' just invited us to dinner at their house," she told me. "Yeah, you've gotta come, Johnny," Torie mentioned, "Please?" She gave me puppy dog eyes. It made me feel special. I mean, no one's ever wanted to hang out with me before. It even surprised me more that she wanted for me to come to her house to eat dinner and hang out more. No one's ever wanted that from me.

When we reached Torie's house, my parents and I were greeted by her parents. "Wow," the woman who must be Torie's mom responded to us being here, "you look exactly like Ralph Macchio!" I smiled. I take that as the best compliment I can ever receive. "Mom!" Torie called. "Well, isn't that amazing?" her mom asked, "You've always wa--" Torie interrupted her, "Please just be quiet." That she pleaded. "Come on in," the man who must be her dad said. "Ah-ah-after you," I smiled nervously, pointing to the door entrance like a gentlemen should. Torie smiled bashfully and walked on in to her house, me following her. We sat down at the Drew dinner table. I sat across from Torie, my parents sat across from each other, and Torie's parents sat at the ends of the table. The dinner was already sat on the table. It looked delicious. It was some sort of pasta. Which I've always loved pasta. "So, Johnny, I bet you get a lot of compliments for looking like Ralph, don't you?" Torie's mom smiled. I frowned, looking down at the pasta on the plate, playing with it with the fork. "What's wrong?" Torie asked me. I looked up, seeing a slight frown on her face. I kept my mouth shut. "It's because of what he went through back in North Carolina," my dad answered for me, "He's still trying to get over it." I looked up at Torie again, seeing that she was keeping her frown. "Well, I know this won't mean much since we just met, but if you need a friend, I'm here," she smirked sweetly. She's here for me? That's all I've ever wanted - a friend. A true one. My smile formed slowly, but widely and true. She smiled back. "Awh," my mom held her hands up to her heart. Torie giggled. I started to eat my pasta this time, looking up at Torie's beautiful face a million times.

Dinner ended thirty minutes later. "Okay, it's time to go," my mom said, taking my arm, "We've got to get ready for tomorrow." Torie walked up to me, "Today was a really great day." Then she rested her hands together on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. My smile formed wide again, my ears grew hot, and I felt like I could've jumped off the wall and to the next. "Okay, I can't take it," she smiled, shaking her head. She brought me into a warm hug which was tight. Honest to God, I have never gotten a hug from anyone but my family. I wrapped my arms around her waist, making the hug even tighter. I was starting to feel a feeling for her that I've never felt before. I don't even know what it is. I just know something's there.

"Hey, Dad?" I called his name when we reached our house. "Yeah, Johnathan?" he responded with a smile, turning his head to face me. "Can you give me advice on something?" I asked. He chuckled, "It's about Torie, isn't it?" My ears grew hot. I nodded slightly. "Tell me," he told, sitting us down on the living room couch. "Well," I started, "When she kissed my cheek and then hugged me, and then I looked into her eyes... I felt something." I glanced beside me at my dad. "What do you mean 'something'?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "A feeling..." I replied. "My boy's got his first crush!" he yelled, taking me in his arm and giving me a noogie. "Dad, stop it!" I laughed. Finally, he stopped. "What am I supposed to do?" I asked him, finally stopping my laughter. "Well, if you want your first girlfriend," my dad started, "you've got to become real good friends with her first." I nodded. "You need some sleep. Tomorrow's your big day at your new school," he said, patting my back, pushing me to stand up.

Reaching upstairs to my room, I opened my dresser drawer and picked out my favorite pajamas: lose red and brown plaid pajama pants and white t-shirt. I collapsed on my bed under the covers and tried falling asleep. It seemed impossible. I just couldn't wait until I saw Torie again at Streammont.