its complicated.

Chapter 2: History

It was August 6th 1954, at Groves elementary school. I walked in as a 1st grader, not even remembering my previous year back at Manhattan elementary, because I was too nervous to remember anything. Of course my totally stubborn mother made me switch schools 3 months into the year, and didn't even ask me, but I guess it wasn't that big of a deal right? No it was. Because if it didn't happen, I wouldn't be telling this story right now. I mean, I was shaking so hard even my mud brown curls were swinging. Also I'm pretty sure pit stains were present in the pits of my little pink dress. However as I looked around the class one person stood out. He had brown hair like mine but a smidge lighter, and a tan dress shirt, with cakis, and suspenders. His eyes were a dark green color. It was like he was the only person I saw.
Eventually the woman with blue eyes, and blonde hair, came over to me with a big smile.
" Hello! You must be Claire. I'm Ms. Diane! You will be sitting next to James Hanson, " Ms. Diane told me as she pointed to the boy.
Ah. James Hanson.. The destroyer of all. And by all, I mean my life.
" Oh thank you. " I said as I took my bag and shyly walked over to him..
' What do I say? ' I thought as I stood there in front of my new desk.
" Uh hi, " I said with shakiness in my voice.
" Hi... " He said not even really realizing who he was talking to. I sat down not even caring. Then I felt something looking at me. So I looked over my shoulder, and saw James quickly look away. Then it happened again. I was confused considering at the time I didn't know really what love meant. As the day went by, the silence in between us stayed strong until-
" Partner time! You must work together to finish the questions given. Use complete sentences please! You have 15 minutes. And... Go! " Ms. Diane said with happiness in her voice.
I didn't know what to do. Do I say something.
No I didn't say something. He did.
" So, I guess were partners. " he said.
" Ya. Guess so.. " I said with uncertainty.
" You know, you're really quiet. Why? " he said in a grumpy tone.
" Well maybe I'd talk if you would! " I said sassily.
" So you're just shy-"
I cut him off.
" Can we just do the questions? " I squeaked in my little 1st grade voice.
" Fine. Just tryna make conversation... "
And from that moment forward, we were enemies. He would yell, I would scream. It was madness. He even once put a mouse in my hair in science when we were working with animals. The dumb thing even pooped on my head! I was in the nurses office for an hour trying to get it out of my hair. Now I won't get into detail about our scream battles, and revenge plans that turned into principal visits, and guidance counciling. There was a turning point.
It was around the end of the year, when James' crazy friend, Hudson was starting stalking me. He would constantly bother me, and wasn't even able to stand half an inch away from me. His short, choppy blonde hair, brown eyes, and average size self would always be there. Until one day in May.
" Hudson leave me alone! I screamed with anger, and my poofy dress flowed in the summer air at recess.
" Oh come on, don't be that way baby! " he said in a confident voice grabbing my hand.
" I'm not your baby! " I said pulling away violently.
Then it happened. Hudson cornered me, and pinned me up against the wall.
" Kiss me! " he demanded.
" No Hudson! " I screamed still trying to push him off of me. He still wouldn't budge.
After almost a minute of fighting off the crazy ass, I heard a voice.
" Hey! Get off her dude! " James said pushing away his insane friend.
" I thought you were my friend! " Hudson complained.
" I am, but when you do crap like that? No. " James said.
I was so surprised. James stood up for me? Me out of all people. I was stunned.
" Get outta here Hudson! " James demanded.
Hudson then slowly walked away. We stood silent for awhile then I had to say something.
" Thanks... " I said with a grin.
" Well that was no way to treat a lady. " He said.
Now I know we were only in first grade, but to this day those were still my favorite words to ever come out of his mouth.
I feel this way because that was the sentence that changed everything. After that the silence was a little less silent. Every time we saw each other we talked. This was the beginning of our love story. And you are here to hear it.
Gosh, you're in for a ride.