Page 12 of Honest With You

She cared for her sister and brother before thinking of her own needs.

At night, she would leave her door open for me.

We would hang out, just watching anime and talking. Reallytalking.

She opened up about so many things that made her hurt.

In return, I shared my own experience of having a shitty relationship with my dad.

She let the mask fall off when it was just the two of us.

It felt great to be someone’s sounding board like that and even though the things we talked about were heavy, my heart had never felt lighter than in those moments.

I had never felt that close with someone.

That free. That connected.

Then we kissed. It was my first kiss, and while I was only thirteen, I knew it was special.

I can’t believe I let time and distance make me doubt if I had simply imagined all that.

I continue to stare at her, unable to move my legs from the sheer force of feelings that rush through me. It’s both confusing and surprising considering I just talked myself into staying single. Yet one look at this girl and I’m thirteen all over again.

I could have easily kept in touch with her. Why didn’t I?

I had a crush on her at thirteen but now at eighteen, the flutters in my chest are back and we have yet to say a word to each other.

She ends her call and glances my way. The sight of her looking at me, her lips pulling up in a smile so genuine and fucking beautiful as recognition lights up her face, has lightness and warmth spreading all over me. My stomach rolls and I feel like I’m riding high, simply by being in the presence of it.

In an instant, that gut feeling sinks into me and has me believing in the possibility of a higher power handing me this chance at something good. Something worth going after.

I’ll be damned if I waste it.

Someone calls out to Stephen over the line, and he stops his ranting long enough to tell his friends he’s coming. He apologizes to me for dumping his frustration with our dad and worries about Reese on me, promising to come home early tomorrow. Then, he hangs up.

I’m about to take my feet out from the pool where they’re soaking as I bask in the warmth of a California autumn when I feel a presence from behind me.

I look up and find myself in the company of an old friend.

I should have pieced it together faster.

We’re at Uncle Adam’s.Of course. It’s Jesse.

Operating on autopilot, my face breaks out into a smile so wide and big, my cheeks hurt.

“Jesse?” I shake my head, trying to process this coincidence.

He seems to be in as much of a shock as I am at seeing each other again after all these years. It takes him a bit longer to pull himself out of it. As soon as he does, he flashes me a beaming smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I rake my eyes over him from top to bottom and bask in the sight of him. I ignore the way my heart races in my chest like it’s trying to claw itself out and jump him.

I don’t know why I’m suddenly so nervous.

I watch in anticipation as he crosses the distance between us.

In an instant he’s kneeling in front of me and I’m in his arms.

My arms go around his waist instinctively.

Instantly, I’m cocooned in his warmth and strength.

---