It was a Tuesday.
It was almost cliché.
He raced round a corner,
rushing to class,
and smashed into me.
My books went flying
and so did my temper.
Thanks to this bonehead
I was going to be late,
which put me in no mood
for his apology,
and I was all ready
to cut him down to size
with my eyes,
until I caught his.
Those long lashes got me,
the way they softened
the hardscape of his face.
One look,
and they softened me too.
“Are you okay?” asked Trey.
I said something, I think,
or maybe I just nodded,
or smiled.
It’s not my fault
I can’t remember.
Blame it on
those stupid lashes.
I asked around,
found out Trey
is one of those guys
who hangs out on the fringes
of our group.
He doesn’t go to church
but seems to like
Christian kids,
so I figure
he probably believes in God.
That’s one point
in his favor.
I never thought
he was perfect.
I won’t tell myself
that lie.
But he was fine,
had a twinkle in his eye
with my name on it.
And when he smiled
I fell into him
headfirst,
got lost in his laughter.
I saw no danger.
After all,
we were just friends.
I remember the first time
he claimed me.
We were at a party
with a bunch of kids from school
just after Thanksgiving.
I’d gone with Sethany.
Trey had shown up on his own,
like always.
Seth and I were chatting away
when some guy
from a school ‘cross town