73 Memories

The Eleventh Memory

A month after I went to your family dinner, a month after that kiss, we still hadn't talked about it. And it was killing me to know why. Was it the moment, or was it me?

And that little thought, that maybe it had nothing to do with me, that the only reason why you did it was because of the stars and the moon and the way it reflected on the grass outside with my dim porchlight.

So you and I, we went on as if nothing had happened.

"No, I'm telling you, the third one is the best. Have you even seen the third one recently?"

You laughed. "No, I haven't. But the second one is the best! It has the best songs, it's when Troy first sings instead of lip syncs, and I mean, come one, they were at a really awesome country club."

I sighed, shaking my head. "No. Gabriella leaves Troy in that one."

"Oh, but didn't she leave him in the third one, too?"

"But the storyline! It's so much better!"

"How?"

"Don't you see? He left his friends and family on one of the most important nights of his young life just to be with her at some prestigious college. She left him for this place, and yet he still loved her enough to go to her. That's love. I want that someday." I smiled at you. "Don't you?"

You nodded. "Yeah, I think I do."

And then, at our lunch table, you did it again.

You kissed me. Again.

I had no reaction time, but just before you pulled away, I kissed you back for a split second.

I don't know if you felt it.

But I did, I promise.

I smiled at you, and your cheeks heated up.

The bell rang.

You left.

You left me.

You left me reeling, as well.

But let me tell you something. I have literally never felt as alive as I did the moment that I kissed you back.

Never.