Once

Once upon a time I confessed to a girl (12) that I liked her, more than just a friend. We spent some time apart, and then committed to one another.

We were very close and we knew each other forwards and backwards. We were like best friends who were hopelessly pre-occupied with one another. In other ways it was like a formal agreement. We talked about it one day and decided this was where we were going, and then we decided to take that next step together and then there we were: boyfriend and girlfriend.

She knew the ropes and I think she kinda enjoyed keeping things on the down low, so to speak. I say that because her parents always embarrassed her about this or that, so in her mind it was in her best interest for them to stay out. We didn't talk about certain things when certain people were around, and we NEVER admitted to liking one another, going so far as to denounce the concept all together. I can't be sure that she fully understood how much trouble I could have been in, even if we haven't done anything, but she knew that it was very important to keep it a secret. Which was fine, because we rarely did things that would get us into any real trouble, we were in-love with one another when no one was around though.

She'd always call me while I was at school and get me in trouble with my professors. When I didn't have class, we did her homework together after I picked up from the bus stop. I'd always show up with a snickers in hand and a Pepsi, her two favorites, and if I didn't I could be sure to get a phone call later. And I did anyways...She'd call me half hour past her bed time every night or so. We both shared our day with the other, and then we said good night.

It was an odd situation with her parents. With them allowing her to spend so much time with me and all. They didn't even mind when I ran off with her. Whatever it was, I just asked and they would say yes, so long as her chores were done. I think that is the reason they were so accepting of our relationship, because they were the ones who allowed us to spend so much time together in the first place. After awhile they just understood that we were close to one another. Although I never did come out to them in any way.

This was easily one of the happiest times in my life.

BH