Ding, ding, ding. One more minute to get to class.
Dump-dump-ski-dump. Five more steps to get to class.
Squeeeak - squeeeak, thud. Two more steps to get to my desk.

I pause. I stare. At the back of the room.
How could it be? Am I really seeing this?
I move. I sit. Nervously in my seat.

"What are we doing today?" of course I ask.
"Whatever you want," my teacher replies.
"It's a free day. Have some fun."

I sit. I think. About what lies ahead.
I sigh. I look. At the cribbage board near.
"Anyone want to play?" I challenge.

"Sure. I do. I'll get the board," he says.
Making my heart beat so fast.
I think. I bet. He doesn't even try.

We move. We sit. Next to each other.
So close. So easy. To reach out and touch.
So far. So hard. To say how I feel.

"So. How are you? On this mighty fine day?"
I look. At him. He's really speaking to me.
"I'm good. How 'bout you?" You seem fine to me.

"Me. I'm alright. Shall we begin?"
"Of course. I'll shuffle. Then you draw first."
We start. To play. Our very special game.

The game. Goes on. Seven, fifteen, twenty-five, thirty-one.
Peg, peg, peg. We move, move, move.
The game. Almost done. Just a simple game; nothing less, nothing more.

I move. He moves. He wins the game.
The bell. Finally rings. We have to leave.
I stand. He stands. Neither of us move.

"I had fun. Did you?" He seems sincere.
"Yes, I did. Thanks for asking." I wish there was more.
"No problem. I'll see you at lunch?"

I pause. I stare. At the back of the room.
Did he? Invite me? To have lunch with him?
"Sure. If you want. If I'm not a bug."

"Great. See you then."
Did he just wink?
I think he just did.

He waits. At the table. For me to arrive.
I smile. He smiles. I feel something in the air.
He pulls. Me close. And he holds me tight.

"I honestly thought. Today wouldn't come."
I admit. To him. My feelings I deeply buried.
He smiles. And says. "I feel it, too."

He pulls. Me closer. I feel his lips on mine.
Today. May seventh. Two thousand-twelve.
Was a might fine, mighty well day.