"An Item"
May 13, 1999
“No thanks…I think I’ll walk home with Cody.”
Cody’s shirts were still damp from the ocean, feeling very heavy on his back – and at that perfect, amazing, how-did-he-ever-get-here way that Sam said his name?
Like. Yeah, Sam said his name before.
All the time. All the awesome how-was-he-so-lucky time!!!!
But there was a magical and weird way it came out now. Like a micro magic spell that made his heart do a dolphin flip of Yeah! That’s me!! I’m Cody!!!
OK, damp shirt was probably good. Being 48 hours away from 13 meant one’s sweat glands get hardwired to one’s brain. Heart. Stomach.
The electric little buzz that her voice sent all the way from his cheeks, down his whole body to the tips of his fingers and toes. Jeez.
Wait. Wait. He’s gotta say something, there’s an important distinction, something gentlemanly, something proper and polite and not pushy ‘cause Sam is amazing and really, that’s kind of a hike, and…and if she wanted to, Sean’s dad was right there…still annoyingly blowing the horn.
(being 48 hours away from 13 also perfects one’s eye roll and the way parents could prickle the edge of one’s patience, but Cody Griffin had too many manners to show that right now)
Oh. Right. Had it been a second or a year?
“You sure? It’s a long walk.”
OK, OK, Cody was actually pretty pleased with himself at how smooth that came out. Vocal cords on his side today.
And. Oh. Oh wow.
That little smile Sam did. Did she look at his lips? His lips!!!? And then at his eyes? Whoa.
Her eyes. Wow??
The tiny little shrug, the way her lips quirked together?
The jitters in his stomach swirled something awful (also something awesome), nerves all tingly on his cheeks.
Momentarily self-conscious – gosh, the way she was looking at him!?!? looking at HIM!!! - Cody nervously started to lick the bottom of his lip, caught himself and thought better of it, settling for just his natural, easy smile.
And Sam always made a natural smile incredibly easy.
His heart was pounding, as if he was on the final stretch of a race, arm over arm, breath hitching in a good-accomplished stab in his chest and belly – but feeling good, feeling right.
"Yeah. I like to walk."
howdidshedothat?!?!? Sam's voice was like the best melody Cody could think of, in just one sentence! And the way she looked at him!! The way she leaned a little closer!!!!!
Sean gave them a dejected sort of shrug, voice sour as the bad kind of gummy worm. “Yeah. Sure. See ya.”
OK, Sean might’ve won gold in the pool, but that antsy little eye roll was pretty silver-level stuff, by Cody’s reckoning.
Sean’s dad blared the car horn again – so, naturally, he hurried away.
…..oh. Oh. Oh wow oh jeez this was nuts this was wild this was really happening???!?!?!?!?!! she was taking his hand???!?!
Her fingers softly stroked up his palm, and awesomely, his instinct was to have his hand curled around hers too.
Sam’s hand was smaller but it was the absolute perfect universe-destined size to fit puzzle-piece into Cody’s and that was just the best thing in the entire world and – and - !!!!!!
Wait. Oh. Her face was turned to him!! Getting closer!!!
Just do what feels right?!?!
Instincts taking over – gosh, Sam must have a special smile-making superpower – he leaned forward too, eyes meeting.
Is she biting her lip?!?!? Am I biting my lip?!?! his brain squealed in silent delight.
Faces getting closer? Sam could surely feel the happy and wired electricity thrumming through him, and whoa oh wow jeez she tightened her grip on his hand….
Thiswashappeningthiswashappening this was really seriously actually amazingly happening and…and….!!!!!
A terribly tuneless sort of trumpet-like note.
Ugh. Did that weird little kid from the pool get his big dumb horn out that fast??
