You and I

I talk about school, about how West Point wolves lost to the North Umbers tigers again, about how everybody’s gearing up for homecoming, about how Nathan Reeds asked out Rachel Summers and got turned down once again.

He did it in front of the whole class too. Seriously, why make it public if you know you are going to be humiliated?

“I don’t get it. Why would anybody put themselves in that position? Why take the risk?”

“I don’t know. Why did Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit?” You say.

I give you a dumbfounded look, not seeing where you were going with this. “Because they were tricked by a mean spirited snake? I’m not too familiar with the-”

I had answered your rhetorical question with every sarcastic venom it deserved but your sudden kiss stops it short.

You pull back slowly, giving me a sad smile, “Because they wanted something more.”

Why did you take that bite? You, who have so little time left?

I didn’t return to the hospital after that day. I tried my hardest to forget about you, to return things to the way they were before I met you. Before you forever altered my mind.

Because now I have something to lose. And I’m very afraid.

You return to school not long after. I avoided you and after the first couple of tries, you knew enough to take the hint. Things were finally back to normal.

And yet, what is this unwanted, unsettling feeling of discontent? It’s like with that one kiss I got a glimpse of a thousand possibilities, a thousand granted wishes, a thousand butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Something on your mind?” You ask.

Before I knew it I had let my guard down and my feet has found their way to you. Or was it you who ran into me? I don’t know.

I shake my head. I’m so tired. “I’m tired of thinking.”

Wordlessly, you put your arms around me and pull me in. We stay that way for a long while.

“You know, when I think about how little time I have left,” you tell me, “its the little things that make it worthwhile. The hugs and laughs and kisses, those are the things I want people to remember the most about me.” You pause. “I’m sorry I’m selfish.”

I sob and laugh at your silly words. If you were going to be selfish then I’m going to be selfish too. You say the hugs and laughs and kisses make it worthwhile? Then I’m going to make sure you get plenty of those too.