“Now you try.”
As he had shown me, I took his face in my hands and kissed his lips.
“Okay,” he said. “Time to go home.”
I was glad to get off his lap, but a part of me wanted to remain. Something had changed with that kiss. The night took on a new meaning. I began to replay it. #lookinmybriefs

On the way home he turned into a cul-de-sac with half-built homes.
“Want to kiss?” he asked, pulling to the curb.
I giggled. “Okay.”
I was nervous, but this was Rickie, so I wasn’t apprehensive.
“Come sit on my lap.”
#lookinmybriefs

Everyone lived happily ever after, so satisfied we left the theater. It was a crush, and I was grateful when he took my hand. We held hands all the way to the car, and I remembered to wait while he opened my door. On the way home he turned into a cul-de-sac with half-built homes. #lookinmybriefs

The curve of my neck molded perfectly with his arm, making it more comfortable. As the exciting, tense ending approached, he moved his forearm under my neck, and eyes glued to the screen, I grabbed his arm with both hands. #lookinmybriefs

He let me buy a big tub of popcorn, and he bought two sodas. My seat was the wrong height; it kept hitting my neck when I leaned back to munch the popcorn. At some point I felt his arm atop my seat. The curve of my neck molded perfectly with his arm. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

“No, this is my treat. But I won’t tell your mom you kept the money. Hide it in your shoe.” We annoyed other patrons with our loud laughter.
We sat in the middle of the theater, so we could see straight into the screen. He let me buy a big tub of popcorn, and he bought two sodas. #lookinmybriefs

I wondered if I looked older in my dress. Rickie looked the same as he always did, handsome. He and I joked about it sometimes. When the waiter brought the check I dug some bills out of my purse.
“My mom gave me some money. I can pay half.”
#lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary #shortstory

My family had eaten at the Thai restaurant, so I knew to order the Evil Prince chicken. I noticed people looking at us from time to time, and it struck me that they were looking at us, not that girl or that boy. They were assuming we were a couple. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

Rickie came to the door to escort me, instead of honking his horn from his mother’s driveway like he usually did when we went on errands for our parents. I was supposed to wait until he opened the car door, but I forgot, opened it, and hopped in. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary #shortstory

She forced me to shower, put on clean underwear, and wear a dress instead of jeans and a t-shirt. I had to endure her efforts to brush my curly hair. I was surprised she didn’t try to brush my teeth. I had to carry a dumb little purse that sort of matched the color of my dress. #lookinmybriefs

I felt ambivalent, perhaps because it was so sudden. Since I had never dated, I had no idea what it would be like. I imagined two pals hanging out. I hoped we could play the video game machine at the theater.
My mother had other ideas. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary #shortstory

“There’s a Pixar movie we haven’t seen. It starts at six-thirty. We’ll have dinner at the Thai restaurant next door, see the movie, and be home by nine.”
After much hemming and hawing, they agreed to let me go with Rickie, even when he explained that he was driving. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays

My dad abruptly shoved the game aside, but he waited for my mother to respond. My mother turned in her chair.
“I’m sorry, Rickie, but Lucy is not allowed to date until she’s fifteen.”
“I understand, Mrs. Acksand. I’m hoping you will make an exception for this." #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #shortstory

We exited my room with its carefully-left-open door and went to the kitchen.
“Mr. and Mrs. Acksand, I have a request.” My parents looked up from their board game but did not answer, so he continued. “I’d like to take Lucy on a date for her birthday.”
#lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

“My parents said I can’t date until I’m fourteen, and then only on couples’ dates. I have to wait until I’m fifteen to single date.”
“I know, but I’m going to ask them anyway, if it’s okay with you.”
I shrugged. It was hopeless, but if he wanted to make a futile effort… “Okay.”
#lookinmybriefs

Thirteenth Birthday

On the afternoon of my thirteenth birthday, after everyone else had left, Rickie Baines who was seventeen-years old said, “I’m going to ask your parents to let me take you on a date.”
I stared at him, confused by his statement. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

He took my face between his hands and kissed my lips, brushing his smooth face against my pimples. His driver honked the horn, and he ran to his bus. Stunned, I turned and saw gawking seventh graders practically hanging out of every window on my side of the bus, staring at me. #lookinmybriefs

"I don’t hate you. I know you were only joking with me, trying to make me feel better. Please…”
The words stopped. I didn’t know how to continue. Our buses pulled to the curb.
I looked up. Rickie had a half smile. “I wasn’t joking,” said one of the most popular high school boys. #lookinmybriefs

I agonized over beginning lines. Then I saw the buses approaching, his following mine. I dropped my eyes to the ground, and when my words came, they were rushed.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was mean to you. I don’t hate you. I know you were only joking with me." #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

Monday was the first day of school. His bus and mine stopped at the same stop. We often conversed while waiting for the bus, so I expected to see him. Before I left the house I stared into my dresser mirror at my pocked face.
“Get over yourself,” I said quietly.
#lookinmybriefs #birthdays