The Story of Tina and I (Pt. 2)

The dance started at 8:30pm and my friends, at last, showed up and we walked into the gym.  A few good songs were playing and I looked over at Chris.  I could tell he felt a little out of place, because it was the first time he was ever at my school.  I poked him and gave him a reassuring smile.  He smiled back saying that he was all right.  I remembered that they had couples’ names on the wall.1

“Hey, let’s find our names,” I said to him, and grabbed his arm gently.  We found it within seconds and I couldn’t have believed that they had our names up.  Now, I know we weren’t dating but those with couple tickets had their names on the hearts they had hung.  I grabbed our name and asked him if he wanted it.  He shook his head and said, “No, go ahead.”  I smiled and put it with my stuff in the cafeteria.  Soon, at 8:45pm, the gym was filled with a lot of people and I was dancing with my friends to the songs.  There was a slow song and I looked over at him.  He smiled and said, “Now, these songs I can do.”  He pulled me into his arms.2

I looked up at him and said, “I’ve never slow danced before.”  And it was the truth.3

“Well,” he said, “Now you have.”4

I tightened my arms around his neck and he held me closer.  I never felt so happy.  I closed my eyes and thought that I had never been happier.  After the first slow dance, he grabbed my hand.  We laced out fingers and I felt my cheeks turn red.  He smiled at me and said, “I wanted to hold your hand before, but you were having fun with your friends.”5

I smiled and said, “Well, now you can.”  I was truly happy.  We held hands throughout the dance and people were coming up to us and asked us if we were going out.  At one time Chris looked at me and pulled me close and said, “Not yet.”6

“Yet?” I said, smiling.7

“That’s what I said,” he replied, pulling me closer to him as a slow song came on.  I gave a small laugh as I let myself be swept away by the song and being in his arms.8

At last, the final half hour came.  Chris and I were so tired we went and sat in the cafeteria and held hands and cuddled a little bit while in there.  My friend Kortney and her boyfriend were in there and she gave me a big smile.  She knew I was blissful.9

When it was time to leave, my friends and I were talking for a little bit as Chris kept his arms around me and holding my hand.  He looked at my key chain on my purse that said, “You’ve been a naughty boy.  Go to my room.”  He laughed and said, “Ok, where’s your room?”  I laughed and tickled him.  We said our goodbyes, knowing that I’d see them later that night, and we walked to my house, holding hands still.  For me, the whole dance was a big and new experience for me.  He was the first date I had ever had.  I walked inside the house when we got there and my grandma drove him home.  I went with them.  He held my hand the whole time and when he left, he told me he had a fun time and I told him I’d call him either the next day or Monday.10

I got home about ten minutes later and I was ecstatic.  My friends were in my room when I got home and jumped on my bed and told them what happened.  They knew we slow danced and held hands, but they didn’t know he had said we weren’t dating yet and that he held my hand on the way home.  That was the best day of my life.11

Finally on Monday, I called him while I was at school.  I had Drum Major tryouts and there was no purpose for me to go home when I had a concert to be at about an hour afterwards.  I called him from the school and we decided we were going to be an official couple.  He couldn’t come to the concert though; he had homework that his dad was getting on his case about.12

That Sunday, he had a hockey game.  I called him and his mom offered to drive me.  His WHOLE family went: his mom, dad, brother, sister, and his grandma.  It was a pretty good game, considering his team won.13

The next day though, there was a hockey game between Redford Union and Catholic Central.  We made plans to go and his mom drove us.  His team won, and for the longest time, he wouldn’t let me live it down.  On the way home, he took a risk of his mom finding out about us, because he didn’t tell his family until after that game, and held my hand.14

That weekend, we had a camp out to go to.  On Friday before we had to be up at the church, he called me.  We talked and he said, “I just want to let you know now.  I love you.”  My heart skipped a beat.  “I love you too,” I said back.  I was in love.  (I know you’re thinking ‘What?! Already?’  Well, I forgot to mention.  We were best friends before we started dating.)  We met at the church for the cam pout with the Ventures and the Troop.   We arrived at our campsite within 2 hours.  We put our tent up and got our beds ready.  The first night he, my best friend at the time, Chrissy, and I were standing outside.  We were talking and I complained that my hands were cold.  He got the message.  He took off his gloves and held my hands, trying to keep them warm.  It was nice.15

The next day, we had a day full of activities.  He had to be with the younger scouts for their hike while Chrissy and I had to be with the Philmont Crew and the Ventures for their hike.  It was relaxing because I got to be in the peace and quiet for once.  Chrissy and I chatted during the hike and had a great time.  Finally, we returned and went inside the cabin.  Chrissy and I played Euchre until the younger scouts finally came back.  Chris came in, looking exhausted.  He sat down next to me and I gave him a welcoming pat on the leg.  He scooted closer to me and then we started playing with each other’s foot.  He kicked mind and then I would kick his.  No one knew we were dating and that’s how it had to remain.  Later that night, we had a campfire to be at.  But before it the Scouts wanted to play Capture the Flag and Chris was in charge.  He had to go with them and before he did, he told me he loved me one more time, kissed my hand, and said, “I’ll see you at the campfire.”  His dad needed help on carrying wood and benches over to the fire ring and so he asked for me assistance.  Chrissy and I helped him and we sat at the fire while he started it.  Chris and the other scouts finally showed up and Chris sat next to me.  We hid our hands as we held them until it was time for him to stand up and start the campfire.  He ran the program.  Our mutual friend Charles took his seat.  But, Chris didn’t complain much.  He stood right behind me and began to tease and pick on me.  It was flirting, I know, but to others it was only harmless teasing.  Finally, my skit came up.  I had a group together and we did Pictures, which everyone loved.  Chris took my spot at that time and then it was my turn to bug him.  But, for some reason, I wasn’t in the mood.  He laid his head back onto my stomach and I began to give him a back massage.  I heard him sigh in relaxation but I soon had to stop because my mom said that someone would see.  So, I did.16

After the campfire, we put the fire out and headed back to out cabin and tents.  Chrissy and I ended up sleeping inside the cabin, due to how cold it was.  So, we moved our things inside and Chris greeted me.  He thanked me for the back rub as he went to his bed and gave me a playful poke.  I smiled as a response and I was suddenly very tired.  We slept not too long after.17

He gave me my first kiss.  It was that Wednesday.  It was at a Venture meeting.  He told me to meet him behind the church after the meeting and I did.  He embraced me and said, “Whenever you’re ready.”  I looked up at him, nodded, and he kissed me.  It seemed like years.  I got lost in the kiss as he swept me away off my feet.  The kiss ended moments later, and he smiled.  I felt the kiss lingering on my lips and I sighed.  We broke the embrace as we headed back to the front area of the church.  No one knew.18

Our relationship there had it’s up’s and down’s.  We got into a few fights, but we made up and moved on.19