And He Was Amazing - Prt 2

***FLASHBACK***1

It’s fourth grade. Carl and I are the best of friends. We’re inseparable. 2

It’s recess, but it’s raining — no, pouring — outside. So Carl and I are in the reading corner, playing StarWars Legos. 3

He’s about to kill some space dude, when I say, “Carl?”4

He looks up, obviously irritated that I interfered with his playtime. “What?”5

“Do you — Are you — Nevermind.” I look down, pretending to be interested in the big white spaceship-thing. 6

He just shrugs and goes back to whatever he was doing.7

***END FLASHBACK***8

To this day I still want to ask him that question. But we sort of drifted apart and saw less and less of each other. But the truth is, I wish we hadn’t. 9

Honestly, I don’t know what happened. It happened so quickly. He got some new friends, I got some new friends, and by fifth grade, we didn’t care about each other anymore. We practically had no idea each of us existed anymore. 10

I didn’t really care much until I realized how downright gorgeous he was. Those beautiful, dark eyes that you wanted to, just, dive into. That sandy blonde hair that fell perfectly in his eyes. It seemed as if he was torturing me, being beautiful like that. As if he knew I wanted him so badly. 11

***12

On Saturday night, my friend Abby calls me and says, “Oh my God, Kaitie! Terrible news!”13

“What?” I say. After Amanda dying, nothing could bother me much. 14

“It’s Carl. He was in a car accident!” Abby cries into the phone.15

“WHAT?” I yell. “No! He — No, you’re joking.” 16

Abby pauses. “I wish.” 17

***18

On Monday, Carl isn’t there. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday go by and he still isn’t there.19

Finally, on Friday, Carl shows up. He has this huge scar on his left arm and a cast on his right. A large bruise forms on his cheek. I want to hug him so bad.20

And then I do.21

I just walk right up to him and put my arms around him tightly. I don’t care who’s watching. 22

And a lot of people are.23

But the weird part is, he doesn’t act as if I’m some freak from outer-space, like that StarWars Lego set. In fact, to my delight, he hugs me back.24

And then, I start to cry. Oh, God. I actually start to cry, right there, while I’m hugging this guy that I’m in love with. And then my tears start to soak his shirt, and he doesn’t care. He just pats my arm and says, “It’s okay. I’m glad you care. And the accident was minor. I’m not hurt that much.”25

“You broke your arm,” I say.26

“Yeah, but I was unconscious. I didn’t feel anything.” And then he smiles and leaves me there, dumfounded and happy as hell.27