Finding Home

10 years ago… I pump my legs harder, my chest heaving as I chase behind Merit, but he gets away. I’m the slowest of my friends, so I hate being “it” when we play tag. Lena laughs from across the yard and I turn my attention on her. She is out of breath, resting with her hands on her knees. I am inches from touching her arm when she suddenly darts up and races behind the play set. I groan in frustration and look around. Merit and Lena are nowhere to be seen, probably hiding from me. I make my way towards the playhouse to check inside, when Cait peeks around the corner of it. She doesn’t see me yet and I take the opportunity to sneak up on her by going behind the playhouse. As I run by, I reach my hand out and tap the back of her shoulder. “You’re it!” I run between the swings and glance back to see Lena emerging from the bushes. The next thing I hear is Lena and Cait shouting and slapping their hands together. “Tag team!” They yell in unison. Crap. It’s only a matter of time before they catch up to me. Merit sitting at the top of the slide, almost hidden by the wooden slats surrounding the upper level of the swing set. Trying not to make noise, I start climb the wooden ladder. I see Lena and Cait coming towards the swing set now. I climb as fast as I can, my foot slips off the rung and I bump my chin against the one in front of my face. So much for being stealthy. I don’t let my aching face slow me, I pull myself onto the platform. Merit turns around and his eyes widen. He knows I’m going to sacrifice him to the other girls. Before he can do something about it, I nudge him just enough to get him moving on the slide. “Not fair!” he cries out to me as he slides down in front of Lena and Cait, who laugh with glee. Merit lets Cait and Lena run off, turning back to me. He narrows his eyes and grabs the sides of the slide. I know I’m in trouble now. I rush to the ladder and wait until I see the top of Merit’s head coming up the slide. I climb halfway down the ladder and jump to the ground. The impact jolts through my legs and knocks me to my knees. Merit gives me a mischievous smile and starts to climb down from the tower. I push up and stumble away from the swing set. Merit is on my heels when my mom flashes the porch light. “Time to come in, kids!” She yells out. I stick my tongue out at Merit. “Game’s over now.” He frowns at me. “Only because you cheated, Elle.” I shrug, “All is fair in love and games, or whatever.” “That’s not the saying,” Lena laughs but holds her hand up to high-five me. Cait slips her arm in mine and we all walk to the back porch where my mom is waiting. We spend the rest of the night watching a movie and eating popcorn in the living room with my family. After the movie, my parents say goodnight and take my brother and sister upstairs. My friends and I get to camp out in the living room tonight. We have our sleeping bags already lined up in front of the couch. Merit is next to Lena and beside her is Cait, while I lay on Cait’s other side. We snuggle down into our sleeping bags and I hear one of the others yawn. Lena whispers, “Did you know that Lynn has a crush on Merit?” “Oh, Merit and Lynn sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g!” Cait teases. “No! I like Megan from my PE class,” Merit protests. “What about you Cait? Who is your crush?” Lena asks. “I don’t know. What does it feel like to have a crush on someone?” Cait replies. “My mom said when you fall in love with someone it’s like finding home,” I offer up. Cait is thoughtful, “I like that.” “Me, too,” Merit whispers back. Lena sighs, “That’s so romantic. It doesn’t answer my question though…” “I think I like Tommy,” Cait says shyly. “He’s nice. He gave me a really cool pencil one time when I didn’t have one,” I tell her. Soon their breathing evens out and I can tell my friends are asleep. I stay awake for a little while longer, thinking about how no one asked me who my crush is.