American Love

Pulling into the parking lot, teenagers are grouped in scattered packs of 3 or 4. Through a mud sprayed window you see kids sitting on curbs, running through the spaces between cars and a few in hoodies walking nonchalantly into the trees behind the movie theatre under some naive notion that even when they stumble back out, eyes bloodshot and reeking of weed, no one will know the difference. The suspension on your friend’s mom’s suburban screeches under the thud of your head hitting the ceiling as she fails to recognize any and all speed bumps. Coming to a halt, you grab the flaking leather of the backseat and shimmy your way to the door stepping out onto neon-lit pavement under the marquee. A short walk to the line at the ticket window feels like your unwanted debut, attempting to look casual amongst your own pack of prepubescent, awkward freshman friends. A quick visual scan of the surrounding area comes up short, she’s nowhere in sight.

Attempting to re-engage with your group’s debate over Andrew’s ability to outrun a cop fails to calm your nerves. She said she would be here for the 7:15 pm. Is she inside? Is she already going to be sitting with her group? Wait, what if she lied? Excitement turns to anxiety and embarrassment seeps in. Did she give you a fake movie time? A quick glance at the little magnetic number cutouts placed over “A Knight’s Tale” confirms seven one five. Your anxiety cools for only a moment until ahead of you, through the gaps between shoulders, you see her. It’s only the back of her head but you would know those blonde streaks through flowing brown hair anywhere. This is your chance. Your legs start to move and without much of a conscious decision, you step away from your group. From behind you the last thing you hear is, “There’s no way. Even Quinn ran the mile faster than you and he has the asthma.”

With a pounding heart and strides containing the ever pulling current of uncertainty, you push towards her. The last body lets you through the line. Unsure how to start, you let out an awkward “Hello”, relieved the line didn’t crack under your descending adam’s apple. A bit startled, she whips around. Her eyes meet yours and for whatever reason, it feels like you’ve never seen a human before. You’ve talked to her so many times yet, she still seems alien in the most awing way. Overly excited, she practically yells “Hi!” and all of a sudden you’re…

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