Breakdown // R. Bortuzzo

Letter #6

Dakotah,

I was at lunch with the guys and we were talking about first kisses. Well, first times but first kisses too. It reminded me of ours.

It was horrible.

We were both so nervous that night. It was two weeks into summer vacation and even though we had known each other forever, nothing would make it any less awkward. Looking back now, it makes me laugh. We were just kids that had no idea what they were doing. Gradually, we got the hang of it but that first time was so embarrassing. Both of our faces were beet red down on that dock.

You were so cute, pulling your sweater down over your hands so that you were able to hide your face after hitting my nose instead of my lips. After we got it right a few times, I didn't hesitate to hold it against you.

You'd get so upset and pout, only making me fall for you harder. You had me wrapped around your damn finger the whole time and you knew it. That was the problem.

Your family knew exactly what happened when we went back inside to watch a movie before I went home. One of your little brothers was probably spying on us. They usually were.

I remember taking weeks to get up the courage to ask you to a movie. After we made things "official" or about as official they could be at 14, I took even more time to try and kiss you.

Of course the guys wanted to know about my first time, but it was really just like our first kiss. Only a lot less awkward. And your brothers weren't watching.

But it was by a lake and we were still just two kids.

I love you,

Robert.