That Night

Standing there in the hall in front of my locker just felt weird. I've been here every day for school so why does it feel different? I go further and grab my notebooks for history like normal and shove them into my backpack. That is when I notice what was making me feel weird. A note. Written with cut out letters from a Women's Catalog. Stuck with tape from a cheap store to my locker door.

It said "I lIkE yOu but Don't knOw If yoU feEl the SamE waY. NOt telLiNg wHo iT is."

Reading it made my heart skip a beat or more. I was overwhelmed with all of the emotions that were flooding my mind. Not only was I glad, but it brought on so many questions. 

Who is it? Why did he write to me? Am I right that it's a boy? Is it a girl? Hope not. I wish it's a boy. Why I'm not popular?

I was so caught in the moment that I lost track of time. The bell had rung and my history teacher walked up behind me. I hastily shoved the paper back into my backpack. And walked silently back to the classroom with Mr.Wactin explaining why and how I shouldn't be late for class. 

The class went by fast and I don't know why. Maybe it was because I daydreamed about who the mystery kid could be. Jacob the middle school-most popular-kid who has girls swarming him every second. I've never had a crush on Jacob, but I wouldn't mind if it was him. His brown curly hair makes it to where he can't keep it tame. Micheal the middle school prankster whos always in ISS. Micheal isn't my type, but I wouldn't care. I would be lucky to have him. Zach the middle school nerd (do I need to say more)? 

I doubt it will be Jacob, hope it's not Zach. My best chance would be Micheal. 

My head swarming with the thoughts of the mystery boy, I walk down the hall. Posters everywhere along the walls all saying stuff about this year's Spring Dance. I groan and keep walking. I'm starting to get tired of seeing the posters. 

Ahead stands a candidate for who the mystery boy could be (most likely not him). Jacob. Surprised because he's alone I swerve right. Might as well go the long way to the courtyard. I don't want to be classified as a Jacob girl.

I sit down on the hot bus seat. Jacob steps onto the bus. He lives down the street from me in a two-story slightly yellow house. 

I turn and put my backpack in the seat next to me so nobody will sit with me (as always). Take my earphones and turn to face the window. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder which made me jump. I turn around sharply, surprised to see Jacob standing there.

I take my headphones off to hear, "Is anybody sitting here?"

I reply with a short answer, "No."

"Well can I sit here?" Jacob asks.

"Well, yeah uh sure." I stutter because of my confusion and shakiness of just being scared. 

I push my bag over on the floor and watch as he plops down into the seat next to me.

On the ride home, we talked more than I had expected. We have much in common. Same favorite song artist, same favorite color, both have younger annoying brothers. 

In the future, it became more common for us to talk, not just to each other on the bus, but at school too. We became friends. I introduced him to some of my friends and he introduced me to some of his friends. 

I think I might like him. 

I think I might like him just a little. Not much. Mostly as a friend. He's sweet, gentle, kind. His eyes are soft, gentle, blue like the ocean.

Stop. Stop it, Amelia. You don't have a crush on him. Jacob and I are just close friends. 

I stood up from the lunch table and walked off. Science is my next class so I will have to take the long way around the courtyard. 

I turn left and head for my locker. I can see my locker, but stop dead in the hall to see Jacob pacing back and forth in front of my locker loosely holding a piece of paper.

My heart skips a beat then speeds up. Not knowing any sense I walk forward. Slowly so that I don't look like I'm prancing or excited. Concentrating on keeping my breathing slow.

"Hi," I say as low as I can. Not enough for him not to hear me though. He turned around when I said it. I scared him. To the point, he almost took a swing at me. 

When he looked around and saw me, his face went red like he was embarrassed. I don't know why he would. 

"Hey Am," replies Jacob with uncertainty in his voice. 

Turning sharply to my locker to grab my science homework as Jacob stiffens up and stands straiter than he was. I close my locker with force as I would usually do so he doesn't think anything different from me. 

"Uh, Am I was wondering if you got my note in your locker? The one with the letters from a magazine." 

"Wait that was you?"

"Yeah," Jacob replies with a little shake in his voice. "So would you like to go to the dance with me?"

I didn't realize how long I stood there in shock. Jacob Ryland just asked me to the dance. My mind was like a tornado, swirling and twisting with thoughts. The next thing I remember was Jacob waving a hand in my face. 

"Oh sorry, uh, sure yeah. Yes." 

A wide grin spreads across his face which causes one to appear on mine too. He grabs my hand which makes my hand reach and grab back. 

Standing there in the hall was the most intense yet. Waiting for Jacob to show up for the dance. Thoughts of Jacob ditching me kept popping into my head that was probably filled with the pounds of hairspray. The dress was starting to make me sweat.

Right as I start to think that Jacob did ditch me he comes trotting up behind me. 

"Sorry, I'm a little late. My little brother thought it would be funny to hide my suit." 

We on instinct grab hands and walk on into the gym. The fairy lights were strung along the top of the ceiling. 

Later that night... I check my phone and the bold numbers for the time said 7:55 P.M. The dance is supposed to end at 8:00 P.M. As I set my phone back down the DJ plays a slow song. Jacob rushes behind me and pushes me onto the floor. 

He grabs my hand and my waist. We dance, more like sway. He leans in so close that we're almost touching noses. We sway to the last of the song. As the song slows down Jacob grabs my other hand.

We stand there in silence for about 2 minutes. The other kids were starting to stare at us. We were causing a scene. A wide grin spreads across Jacob's face.

I lean in as Jacob leans to kiss. It lasted for about 5 minutes then we pull apart. Everyone in the room starts to clap at us. I look at Jacob and my face gets red. 

He whispers with a kind and gentle, "It's ok. They think it's normal because of me and the swarm of girls that are always following me."

I walk out and Jacob follows. He walks me home and apologizes if he embarrassed me. Of course, I say no. 

"And that's how I met your father Elizabeth." 

Jacob walks in with Fred hanging on his back. "Hey, honey when does school supposed to start back for the kiddos?" 

I chuckle and that same time wide grin that he had that night of the spring dance popped back onto his face. 

"That night was the first night I kissed your father."