Dear First Love

21

Dear First Love,

Your friends - ex-friends? - came up to me today. They told me that you didn’t love me and that you were just playing me. They said it so confidently that I might have believed it, but I trust you. I trust you more than I trust their words. But they were so damn persistent. They followed me around and told me the same thing again and again - were they trying to hypnotize me? - until Victoria shooed them away. We’re friends now, I think.

At lunch, I told you about it. You told me that it wasn’t true, and you seemed very desperate for me to believe you. It was funny, so I laughed. Should I not have laughed? But it was so funny, seeing you flustered and nervous. I told you that I trusted you. You seemed happy and relieved because of that. I’m glad I made you happy.

After school, before we walked home together, I saw you talking to your friends. I know that you didn’t see me there, but I watched as you glared at your ex-friends to leave me alone and never talk to me again. I felt so proud and loved. Is that bad?

Then, you walked home with me, hand-in-hand, and talked to me like nothing had happened. Are you a good liar? A good actor? Either way, I love the way you protect me like that. It’s so sweet. I feel so comfortable with you. Maybe that was why when I reached home, I kissed you on the cheek.

Your reaction was so perfect. Your face turned slightly red, then you grinned. I don’t think you know just how red your face turned, but I knew that my face was red too.

I’m glad to have you by my side.

Sincerely,

H.