Extract

-source-

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©