Water dripped down our faces, hair matted and tangled from the sudden storm.
Running to find a place to take shelter, we ended up under the coverage of the blooming cherry blossom trees.
Their branches reaching out in entanglement, perhaps a suggestion to us.
Teenagers giggling from giddy feelings, we turned to each other and silence struck both of us.
Eyes holding a nature of tentative questions for the other, ones that we may never be brave enough to ask.
In a panting breath, though the words were brave, the whispered tone was anything but
"May I kiss you?"
Those simple words wracked my mind, an anxiety driven assault upon me. What if she turned down?
What if she didn't like me that way? What if I just screwed up our entire friendship because my desire didn't align with hers.
Did I read the signals wrong?
The silence between us spanned hours, days, weeks, months, years.
Heart pounding in my chest.
Nervousness?
Anxiety?
Fear?
No.
Excitement?
Anticipation?
These questions crashed my mind; like waves violently battling the shore.
As time stretched between us I waited.
With bated breath I waited for the answer.
Consent or rejection.
Those few moments waiting for an answer: hair stuck to our foreheads from the spring rain.
Our uniforms soaked through; crisp Oxford shirt transparent
Pleated plaid skirt irritating and scratchy.
Senses overwhelmed yet her green eyes reminding me of spring grass and lush forests twinkle with mischief.
I patiently waited with bated breath.
The answer wasn't with words or even a nod.
Instead she leaned into me, our bodies barely inches apart.
Her answer given as she kissed me.
Time stood still, petals of fluffy pink snow swirled around us.
It was a love destined to be known and remembered.
I could taste the strawberry milkshake we had recently shared upon her lips. The scent of her Cucumber Melon lotion tickled my nose, in it's subtle yet pleasing tones.
My body was a fire, a raging inferno overly warming even in the cool dampness.
Our embrace mirroring the tangled branches above.
As our lips retreated from one another, her cherry lip gloss glistening upon my own lips, a smile passed between us two.
A million questions finally answered as she linked her fingers with mine.
Her alabaster skin contrasted against my own olive tone.
"I like you" she whispered.
The confident demeanor I gave off; melted away as fire touched ice.
Face aflame and ears burning in shyness.
"I like you too" I managed to sound bold, despite the uncomfortable feeling tingling inside of me.
I knew in that instance that my life would be different from all other girls. That moment firmly fixating itself as a path of no return.