She's So Lovely

Somewhere between the moment she first told me her name and the moment I uttered mine in return, I fell in love with her. In the time it took for her to reach out and shake my hand, I had already planned out our entire future together. Destiny can be defined as the inner purpose of a life that can be discovered and realized. Well, it took me 16 years to discover her, and three seconds to realize that I couldn’t live without her. She is my destiny, my inner purpose of life, but she‘d never know it. Her meagre awareness of my existence didn’t dilute my feelings for her in the least; it only made me yearn for her more.
These feelings are what led me to the metal doors of our high school drama room, where the rehearsals for the latest play were being held. I opened them slowly and just enough so that I could slip in unnoticed, so as not to disrupt the progression of the run through. I looked around at the number of people conversing amongst themselves, then toward center stage where my eyes stayed glued. She stood there looking angelic and dignified, reciting her lines gracefully. I watched the way her long brown hair swayed gorgeously with every gesture, and how brightly her porcelain skin glowed under the white spot lights. A blue paper pinned to the corkboard next to the door informed me three weeks ago that she had gotten the lead female role. I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy of it. I had watched her act in the past three plays beginning as a supporting character then gradually to the main characters best friend, and now as the female lead. She deserved it. I watched Mr. Welsh, the play’s director, signal for her to stop. He stood up.
“That was great Josie, Ben you did awesome, keep up the energy you guys we’re doing very well. Next week same time, same place, we’re going to rehearse the final scene don’t be late and have a great weekend you guys, great work.” He said, clapping to emphasize his merriment with their performance.
The entire cast mumbled concurringly and began packing up their things. That was my cue. I turned to leave but was stopped by the sound of my name.
“Hey Charlie, while you’re here give us a hand with these chairs, would you?” Mr. Welsh asked, smirking. I guess my stealthy entrance didn’t go as undetected as I had planned. I grabbed a chair and smiled awkwardly.
“No problem sir.”
Donnie walked toward me as I stacked a chair on top of another, his backpack hitched on one shoulder.
“Hey man, it’s like four o’clock, how come your still here?” He asked me quizzically, shoving one hand in his pocket; adjusting his bag with the other.
“I don’t know.” I replied simply, shrugging my shoulders. But my eyes contradicted me. I watched her place her script in her bag and walk back toward the stage to put away some of the props. Donnie followed my gaze and snickered.
“What?” I asked, uneasy. He patted me on the shoulder with his heavy hand and shook his head, still snickering.
“Good luck buddy, see you Monday.” He made his way toward the exit doors. I stopped what I was doing and stood up straight.
“Good luck with what?” I looked at him confused, but he just smiled. I watched as he opened the door halfway and turned back toward me. Then suddenly, he called “Hey Josie!” before quickly disappearing out the door. My confusion turned into shock and my eyes widened. I turned around to find her walking in my direction. She smiled as she stopped two feet in front of me. I stammered the only piece of dialogue I could possibly think of.
“Uh…”
“Hey Charlie.” She smiled innocently. I could feel my cheeks burning and my throat getting a little dry.
“Hi Josie.” My voice cracked and I coughed immediately. I could feel the nervous tremors making their way up my spine so I quickly made my hands busy stacking another chair. I felt her eyes on me.
“So look, I know this is a little short notice but I was wondering if you could help me rehearse the final scene this weekend. Ben is going to his cousins so he’ll be out of the city and Mr. Welsh told me you were a really good actor. So maybe you could help me out with improving my performance too?” She smiled hopefully. I blinked hard and repeatedly. Did she just ask me to rehearse with her? Did she just request my assistance in helping her rehearse for the final scene? My mind exploded and my heart stopped. I must have been out of it for a while because she then added,
“It’s cool if you don’t want to, or if you have plans I -”
Realizing I was almost losing my one chance of spending more time with her I quickly cut her off.
“No, no! I never have plans.” I winced at how pathetic that sounded. She snickered. I smiled weakly and continued.
“I mean, sure. Um, where should we do it - uh rehearse, where should we rehearse.” I shook my head. Help me Jesus. She chuckled at my hopelessness.
“I was thinking Morning Side Park. This weekend’s supposed to be really nice so I wanted to rehearse outside if that’s okay with you.”
It sounded like heaven.
“That sounds great. Um, around three?” I slid the stack of chairs against the wall and adjusted my backpack, never once taking my eyes off her.
“That’s perfect. We can practice near the pond, there are a few benches there if we get tired and want to sit. Well I got to go, my moms waiting for me. So I’ll see you tomorrow?” I stood there for a moment just picturing her sitting on a bench near the pond; hair twirling in the wind. I snapped out of it.
“Uh yea, yea. See you.”
She nodded and made her way toward the door, looking over her shoulder with a smile before exiting. I exhaled deeply, almost as though I had been holding my breath the entire time.
“You’re welcome.” I turned to see Mr. Welsh smirking as he organized a few papers on his desk. I smiled and waved before quickly departing. I seemed to have floated rather than walked home; with a smile on my face that I couldn’t get rid of.

The next morning came and I awoke with a start to the sound of my radio alarm clock. The glowing red numbers informed me that it was noon; which was early for me on a weekend. However, this Saturday morning was no regular Saturday morning. This morning I had to get ready to go meet Josie at Morning Side Park, and only three hours in which to do it. This may come as a shock to most girls, but you’re not the only ones who wake up extra early to get ready for events you deem worthy enough for you to look your best. Guys, although we’d never admit it, wake up just as early and fret just as much about what we should wear and what we can do to impress you. We stand in front of the mirror trying on every pair of pants we own and then douse ourselves in bottles of our favorite cologne. Just don’t tell the guys I told you.
After finally deciding on my favorite khaki’s and a brown t-shirt I was on my way. The bright June sun was warm against my exposed skin and the cool midday air swirled around me soothingly as I walked over the bridge and along the narrow path toward the duck pond where I was to meet Josie. A glance at my watch told me I was a few minutes early so I took a seat on a near by bench. It creaked under my weight and I shifted uncomfortably. I watched as a few ducks drifted serenely across the still water of the pond and smiled at the simplicity of their lives.
“Have you been waiting long?” A velvety smooth voice wafted through the tranquil air, reaching my ears and causing me to shiver. I shot up excitedly and turned toward her.
“Hey, uh nope, not long.” I smiled. She nodded and walked toward the bench I had just abandoned in a small fit of joy.
“Great, let’s get started then.” She smiled as she flipped through the pages of her script. She handed me the black folder and pointed a beautifully manicured finger at the first line.
“Start from here, I think I know most of the beginning by heart.”
“Okay.” I nodded cooperatively as I watched her prepare herself for the scene. I skimmed over the first few lines to get a sense of the mood. I looked up at her once more before beginning.
“Listen, about what you said before; it’s not that Colorado Springs ran out of girls for me, it’s more like the girl for me ran out of Colorado Springs,” A beat. “Six states over to Manhattan New York.”
“Travis…”
“No listen to me, I love you. I love you, and I know you’re the only one for me Madison, I’ve known since the minute I let you go. I’ve changed, you have to believe me.”
She took a small step toward me.
“I know you changed Travis, and I don’t blame you because people do that, they change. But you can’t change back.”
We continued rehearsing the first part of the final scene until she believed she had recited it to the best of her ability. We were now working on the final lines.
“I thought you left.” She said, standing a few feet away.
“Right, I‘d never make that mistake again.” My voice trembled as my eyes scanned the next line. Madison and Travis share a passionate kiss. I looked up at her, my eyes wide with hesitancy and insecurity.
“Um, it says here that Madison and Travis kiss.” I told her nervously, leaning the paper toward her in case she didn’t believe me. My heart was racing as I imagined how nice it would feel to have her lips on mine.
“Oh, well, we don’t have to if um….” her voice trailed off and I squirmed awkwardly. A diminutive smirk flashed across her lips.
“It would help me prepare for the real thing though.” My eyes amplified as she stepped slowly toward me. This was it; I was going to kiss her. One on one; her lips against mine.
“Well, uh, yea. I mean, if it’s going to help you w-with -” Her delicate finger on my lips hushed all sound emanating from them. Inches away from her, the intoxicating scent of her perfume tugged at my senses, and I was consumed by it. It smelled like something too good to even begin to describe, so I won’t even bother trying. My gaze began at her intense amber eyes and descended slowly to her lips where it lingered for a moment as I assembled my thoughts. Just do it, was all that echoed in my head over and over again. So I did. I closed the miniscule gap between us in an instant and brought my lips to hers. In that same instant the world melted away and it was just me and her. The feeling of her soft warm lips sent shivers down my spine toward my knees, making them weak; while the butterflies stirred to life in the pit of my stomach. It was everything I imagined it would be, only a million times better. Much to my dismay, she began to pull away slowly. I stood there for a second, lips still slightly puckered, as I regained my composure. I could still faintly taste her watermelon flavoured lip gloss. I watched her intently as a shy smile danced on her lips and she retrieved her script from my slightly trembling hand. Again I found myself muttering the only smidgen of dialogue my mind could muster in that moment.
“U-um s- I -”
“Let’s walk.” She smiled coyly, leading the way.
“Y-you don’t want to rehearse that uh- final part again?”
She snickered and looked over her shoulder at my pathetic stature.
“I think I’m all set.”

We spent the next hour meandering through the park; talking about everything and anything that came to mind. I lived for the moments when our hands would occasionally touch as we walked. We found a cozy spot under a large maple tree and settled into it. We were so deep in conversation neither of us had even noticed the sun begin to slowly set and the sudden ring of her cell phone made us both jump two inches off the ground. I chuckled and shook my head, but she shushed me with her finger in the air before she answered the phone.
“Hello? You’re here? What time is it? Oh, okay. Yea, alright I’ll be there in a minute.” She shut her phone and turned to me smiling.
“I got to go, my moms waiting for me.” She stood up and dusted some pieces of grass off her pants.
“I’ll walk you.” I began to stand up as well but she stopped me.
“It’s okay, I’m a big girl.” She smiled but I stood up anyway and fixed my shirt; my resilient sense of propriety kicked in.
“I know chivalry’s dead, but I’m taking the liberty of single-handedly trying to bring it back.” I smirked. She snickered.
“Well in that case, let’s go.”
I motioned for her to lead the way to her mom’s car and followed close beside her. I waved as she got into the car and she did the same before closing the door and driving away. I turned and walked back into the park in the direction from which we came; I didn’t feel like going home yet.

Monday morning finally came around after what felt like a million years. I walked down the hall passing the religion office, but stopped when I saw Donnie trotting toward me with a grin on his face that reached from ear to ear. I chuckled silently and waited for him to catch up to me, trying my best to look upset with him. His face was lit up and his eyes were wide with anticipation.
“So did anything happen? Tell me what happened!” His glee cut right through my mock-anger.
“She j-” A glimpse of Josie walking passed the drinking fountain stopped the words in my throat before I could verbalize them.
“I got to go to my locker.” I patted Donnie on the bicep and began jogging in her direction.
He called after me to fill him in later and I waved over my shoulder in agreement. Weaving through groups of people I finally caught up to Josie at her locker as she was opening it.
“Hey.” I smiled breathlessly. She slammed her locker shut and looked up at me sadly. I felt my stomach drop to the floor.
“W-” She cut me off and waved her arms in the air dejectedly.
“The worst.” She replied.
“What happened?” I managed to inquire before she could cut me off again. She huffed, frustrated.
“It’s Ben, he broke his leg this weekend at his cousins, poor guy, and he wont be at school for the next two weeks; the play is in one. So we need to find someone who can take his place and get him all caught up which will take more than three rehearsals so we might have -” She cut herself off and a sudden look of hopefulness dismissed her previously miserable one.
“You, Charlie.” Her eyes were wide. Me what? What was she talking about? I echoed my thoughts.
“Me what?” She looked at me as though it were exceedingly obvious.
“You know a pretty good chunk of the script and Mr. Welsh said you’re a really good actor. We have to find him and you have to read for him!” She seized my sleeve at once and began leading me in the direction of the drama room. My mind had yet to process much of the last minute so I followed silently and wide eyed until we had reached the metal double doors. She fumbled with her bag and retrieved her script. My apprehension suddenly swelled.
“W-wait, are you sure about this? I mean, I -” I managed to stutter before she opened the door and shoved me inside. This was definitely a side of her I have never been introduced to, but I liked it. She grabbed me squarely by the shoulders and pierced me with her eyes.
“You can do this Charlie, I know you can.” That was enough. Those four simple words could have guided me to the top of Mt. Everest; if she knew I could then there was nothing that could stop me. My newfound ambition escorted me toward Mr. Welsh’s desk where he sat deeply engrossed in reading over some papers. I looked back at Josie once more; her warm smile filled me with reassurance. I turned to Mr. Welsh and tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped, startled.
“Jesus Charlie, I didn’t even hear you come in.” He laughed off his momentary lapse of composure.
“Sorry.” I snickered.
“Like a ninja.” He chuckled, shaking his head. He noticed Josie standing by the door and waved.
“Hey you.”
Josie waved silently. He turned back to me.
“So what can I do for you?” I took in a deep breath and exhaled.
“I heard about Ben and that you guys need someone new to play Travis, and, well, I wanted to read for you.” His thin lips parted into a jovial smile.
“I was actually going to ask you if you wanted to read for the part, so this is good. Alright, well, pick a scene and you can begin, we have a few minutes before the bell.”
I turned to Josie and beckoned to her.
“I want to read the final scene.”
I looked at Josie shyly and she nodded, smirking.

Sitting on the floor outside the drama room doors I waited patiently for the final verdict. Auditions had taken place throughout the day for the new Travis and I had seen many boys walk inside for one, and many walking out confidently. In two minutes Josie would come out and tell me whether or not I had gotten the part. Although I tried to tell myself I most likely wouldn’t get it, the whole of me was praying that I did. I heard the click of the doorknob and quickly stood up. Josie’s expression was sad and dejected; my heart fell to the floor. I didn’t get the part. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with sympathy. I frowned and picked up my bag.
“So who got it?” I asked, trying my best to hide the disappointment in my voice. Her face suddenly brightened and she grinned widely.
“You!” She exclaimed excitedly. She squealed and jumped, wrapping her arms around me suddenly. I dropped my bag and hugged her back tightly, taking in the smell of her hair and the warmth of her body. I chuckled elatedly as we let go of each other.
“You had me going for a second! You’re good.” I laughed, picking up my bag.
“That’s why I’m the female lead.” She replied smiling, opening the metal door. “Come on,” she added, “Rehearsals start in ten minutes.”
I followed her inside, glowing.

The white spotlight illuminated centre stage, where Josie and I stood, about to perform the final scene. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I would be here in front of my entire school, about to kiss the one girl that can make me crumble with the bat of an eyelash, I would not have believed it. But there I was, and standing two feet away was the girl. My gaze began at her white shoes and slowly scaled upward along her black knee high socks and lingered for a moment at her mid thigh, where her black plaid skirt came to an alluring stop. My eyes continued upward over her snugly fit white collared shirt, and then finally, landing on her angelic face I let out a barely audible sigh. She was beautiful; incredible.
“I though you left.” She said, confused. I stepped forward just as rehearsed.
“Right, like I’d make that mistake again.”
She smiled; my cue. I leaned into her and she met me half way. Her warm lips collided with mine and, although it seemed distant, a burst of applause and cheers rumbled through the small theatre. My eyes were shut tightly, as if I were afraid that if I opened them I would wake up to find that it was all a dream. I heard the audience whistle and whoop, and as if fuelled by their energy, I brought my right hand to her waist and inched closer, until there was barely room enough to slip a pin between us. Another wave of cheers roared through the room as I brought my left hand to her cheek and cupped it. I could faintly hear Donnie over the applause, with a few other people, chanting my name. I smiled into the kiss and at that point I felt her tug lightly on my blue clip on tie and somehow I wanted her even more. I summed up my courage and slid my tongue gently along her bottom lip, silently imploring admission. I half expected her to end it at that but then I felt her head tilt slightly to the right and her lips parted in admittance. I moaned inwardly as our tongues introduced themselves shyly for the first time, the satisfaction was just too much to contain silently. I broke away momentarily and kissed her lips softly. She smiled coyly. I ached to continue where we had left off but quickly I became aware of the rest of the cast lining up along the front of the stage, preparing for the final bow. The red velvet curtain whooshed by us, leaving behind it a cool soft breeze. The rest of the cast dispersed, but my eyes were glued to hers. She looked up at me and smiled. I grinned.
“You’re -” She cut me off. Her lips were on mine once more and I could have bounced off the walls. My hands found her waist almost immediately and I pulled her as close to me as possible. I felt her arms slowly wrap around my neck as our tongues meshed together rhythmically, perfectly. I didn’t get a chance to tell her just then, but it’s something I’m sure she knows.