My eyes flutter
Trying to make sense of my surroundings.
The striped leather paneled ball rolls into focus
Then I suddenly remember what happened.
My face hurt and felt worn where it was struck
I guess it was my fault
Punishment for gawking at her
A fault that I
would not mind repeating.
She stood over me.
Her bright eyes filled with concern
Assumed she had hurt me.
Though being literally knocked off my feet
Landing flat on my back
With a wad of sand against my face
I was fine
But she didn’t know that
Everything but my pride was perfectly intact
So I laid there
Milking the embarrassment just a bit longer.
Her long hair swayed in the cool breeze
Sheltering me from the afternoon sun
Her pursed lips separated
Panting for oxygen
From running to my aid
We had never been this close before
Her sun kissed cheeks
Begged to be caressed.
She firmly grabbed my hand.
Somewhere in my daydreaming
My hands grew a mind of their own
Making an attempt to actually touch her…
Well that was awkward!
Her teammates stood off
Unconcerned of what transpired.
A few slight chuckles could be heard
Seemingly eager to continue on with their game
With a quick tug to my arm
I bounced to my feet
“Take it easy. Are you okay?”
She spoke to me!
It wasn’t the usual greeting pleasantries
I would receive when sat amongst our classmates
But an actual statement directed only to me.
Her voice was so soft
So comforting
Inspiration to the next classical symphony
I stood there
Staring into her eyes
Until my brain finally processed the question
“Ah, yes… I’m fine… no I mean I’m Fred. Wait no… I’m
okay. My name is Fred”
Clearly getting ahead of myself
The embarrassment came back like a brick to the face
My posture slumped
Wrapping both arms behind my back
“I must have
really hit you hard”
She said with a smile
Clearly sensing my uneasiness
I attempted to make my next response less blundering
“Yes, you did hit me hard…”
My brain omitted the “…from
the first time I saw you” bit with intent
I could only assume the level of creepiness it would suggest
But I think she could tell
Not the creepy sentiment but the genuine attraction I had
for her.
Maybe by the way I slurred my words
Looking her dead in the eyes
Or maybe it was something else
Like the general mood of it all
The afternoon sun gleaming off the ocean bed
The lazy clouds drifting to the horizon
The fresh oceanic air filling our lungs
With the remnants of waves crashing at our feet.
Her friends beckoned for her return
“Brianne, are you coming back or what!?”
She waved them off
Without even looking their way
They grumbled in disappointment
Before resuming their game a player short
As she stood there staring back at me…
“So... What next?”
Olsfred James 2014©
