• Thump thump. Thump thump!
    My heart raced and my head twirled and tumbled as I inched closer and closer to my next period. Biology. My only class with the none other infamous Gabriel Jacobs. For as long as I have remembered, I had a crush on him, ever since he stepped into my kindergarten class holding hands tightly with his mother.

    11 years later, after the awkwardness of elementary school and middle school, we still remain at the same place. Except, he is the highly renown pretty boy as popular as ever...while I'm the “average girl” in love with romance novels and love that nobody pays any attention to. Oh Joy.

    Riiiiiiinnggg, rriinnnggg! I turned swiftly into my destination, awkwardly making my way around the front lab tables and into the back where my assigned seat was, next to Gabe my lab partner. I shuffled my bulky book-filled backpack around and gazed up to see a pair of piercing, crystal-sapphire orbs melt into my eyes as if gazing into my soul. We locked on, very unaware to the class around us.

    “Brooke Rodriguez and Gabriel Jacobs, I would appreciate if you would pay much more attention in my classroom while I am talking. Do you understand?” Mrs. Waterby chastised, enunciating every syllable in a nasally monotone voice.

    My gaze shifted back to the lanky teacher at the board, heat creeping up my cheeks like unbearable sunburn. I nodded my head hastily then bent my head down, my chestnut brown tresses draping my face like a curtain. Snickering echoed throughout the room then suddenly stopped abruptly when Mrs. Waterby shot deathly glares at individuals.

    “As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, we will be doing book work today. Work with your assigned lab partners and have fun learning.” She droned on in her still, never-changing, nasally monotone voice. “Begin now.”

    I opened my book to the page assigned and peeked over to see that Gabe was doing to same. He turned to me, “Listen, I'm sorry I got you in trouble.” This was a first. He never talked to me during biology.

    “N-n-no, it wa-as m-my fault.” I stuttered, blushing furiously. “I'm sorry.”

    “Well anyway, that wasn't the reason why I am talking to you. I have a confession to make.” He spoke surely and steadily and if to not scare me away. His deep voice creamy and flowing.

    “Oh?” Was my brilliant response. I mentally slapped myself.

    “You see, I am tired of trying to keep away from you. For the past five years I have tried unsuccessfully to avoid you, every time I see you my body turns to mush and I hide. Brooke, your not like other girls.”

    Speechless.

    As if seeing my mental debate and surprise in my head, he continued, “Don't judge me for what I am saying, but your special to me. In a way not even I understand...I am drawn to you like a magnet, only depriving myself in a most un-natural way. The passion I want, but cannot have.

    But now, I'm giving up. I willing to swallow as much friendship you will grant me,” He finished lowering his head down, staring at the shiny white tiles, suddenly immensely interested in them.

    “But why?” My voice barely a whisper. “Why were you avoiding me?”

    He ran his hand through his wavy blond hair. Pinching the bridge of his nose.

    “I didn't believe in love. I thought love cannot exist. So when I realized this feeling five years ago I decided to run. I couldn't handle it, I couldn't handle losing someone I love. I thought that if I never got to know you, then I wouldn't be sad if something bad was to happen. Now, I learned that I hurt more without you.”

    I took his chin and slowly lifted in up. I peered directly into his blue eyes to see a mixture of sadness and disparage.

    “Gabe,” I spoke gently, “Gabe, when I see you I turn to mush. Your presents consumes me. You are much more special than you know. I am willing to grant you much, much more friendship than you can hold, maybe something even more. Not a day goes by without my thoughts wandering to you. I am intoxicated by you. But, more ecstatic that you feel the same way.”

    The corners of his lips turned up to a grin. His eyes dancing with glee

    “Are you busy on Friday night?” He asked hopeful.

    “Nope” I answered popping the P.

    He chuckled a carefree laugh. All seriousness gone. Mrs. Waterby shot him a glare.

    “I hope you guys are doing work over there!” Mrs. Waterby scolded.

    “Yep we are,” We both yelled in unison.

    Gabe turned back to me.“Well I was wondering maybe I could take you out to this nice Italian place I know...Then maybe a movie after...”

    “Sure. Can't wait!” I said just a tad bit too excitedly.

    “Then it's a date.” He responded.