But Oh, Those Summer Nights

She listened to the birds chirping and the quiet flip-flop of her sandals against the burning pavement.  Usually, she chose to walk barefoot through her tiny town, but today the pavement was too hot, even though it was eleven PM.  The streetlights shone, with a seeming promise.  The street light at the end of Phelps street flickered slightly, as did her smile.  What was she doing?  It wasn't as though her mind had completely blanked, she remembered her conversation earlier that night.1

"Hey, Dust?"2

"Yeah, whats up Mari?"3

"When do you think you can meet me downtown? I really need to talk to you.  Its not an emergency or anything but it seems pretty important to me..."4

" I'll be there around 11 30 ok?  Thats not too late is it?"5

Now, Mari turned onto Grand River and hummed silently to herself some cheerful summer music.  The Ataris seemed appropriate...if only there was a lake around.  If there was one thing she hated about this town, it was the utter lack of water.  The lack of clean water, anyway. Maris feet tilted upward slightly as she began to climb the only hill in her little town...they had agreed to meet at the park behind the ACE hardware.  Her heart set the tempo at allegro, not from phsyical exertion of climbing the hill, but from what was sure to come.  Well, nothing is really sure, is it?  The park was now in sight, as she snuck around the back of ACE.  There were no streetlights on this little corner, and she could see the vibrant summer stars twinkling up above. Summer lovin, havin a blast...6

Mari blinked once, twice.  Swallowed.  Her stomach was tying itself in a knot.  She was never this forward.  It was as though she couldn't breath...and then, she heard footsteps behind her.  Quickly, she whipped her head around, and managed a nervous smile.7

"Hey..." She said, trailing off.  Her eyes looked at the sky. No, she scolded herself. Look at HIM. Look at HIM.8

" Hey Mari, whats going on?  Are you ok? Is there anything I can help with?" Oh bless him, he looked genuinely concerned.  Mari felt her heart break a little.  She could feel the rejection coming.  It was positively sizzling in the air, taunting her.  Or was that sexual tension?9

" I think you can help me...yeah...or you might just make it worse..." Mari started, forcing herself to look at his beautiful blue eyes.  His eyelashes curled upwards almost impossibly.  Mari herself could never achieve that anti-gravity effect, even with mascara.  Now, Dust's eyes looked puzzled, and she continued.  She felt brave.10

" You said you liked me...remember? Or did I misunderstand that?  I don't know. But look, I'm almost sixteen, and I have no experience with this stuff, I have no idea what I'm doing!! But I know what I want to do...I just wish I knew how you really felt...because guys, they say stuff they don't mean...they do stuff without considering the consequences...and I...I really want something with you...and I don't WANT to want you, I shouldn't! You're going to State next year, you're in the Reserves...but all I've been able to think about is kissing you..but I can't do that...because I can't kiss someone who doesn't want to kiss me." Mari finished, all in one breath.  She inhaled slightly, and held that breath.  Dust no longer looked puzzled...his face was blank of every emotion.  The butterflies in her stomach had turned to bats.11

" Well ok, I think I have made enough of a fool of myself, definetely.  I should be getting home, my dad is going to wonder where I went," Mari lied lamely, and started to turn around.  The twinkling of the stars no longer seemed gorgeous, it seemed to mock her, and her eyes filled with silent tears.  Suddenly, a hand grasped her wrist.12

" You are a dorkface, Mari" Dust said, and he pulled her to him.  Then softly, he kissed her.  Mari's first kiss.  Everything in her mind exploded.  She kissed back tentatively...when they broke apart he was smiling.13

" You are amazing" he said.14

Mari smiled a true blue smile and let go of his hand.15

" I really do have to go though...call me, ok?" She said.  He nodded, and Mari walked back up the street.  Her house was less than two miles away, and it was a beautiful night for a walk.  She closed her eyes and blindly walked the streets, her heart spinning in circles.16