when we met. c/crush.
“Grace, no! I’m not going to talk to him. He doesn’t know I exist, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Whyyyy? Kelsey, you’ve had a crush on Ryan Callahan since you were thirteen! You need to do this before graduation or you’re going to regret it.”
“No, I’m not! I’m fine with admiring him from afar.”
“He might have a crush on you, too…”
Yeah, right. “I seriously doubt that.”
“You never know, Kels. I found out something this morning that I think you should know.”
“What?” Now she was making me nervous.
“He’s going to Yale.”
“What?? Are you fucking with me?”
“Nope. You and Ryan are both going to Yale.”
“Oh my god.” I couldn’t breathe.
“See? You definitely have to talk to him!”
“How the hell can I? I get flustered just watching him sit there in Calculus. And you want me to talk to him?”
“He’s just a guy, Kelsey.”
“He is not just a guy! He is the perfect guy. He is so damn attractive. And he’s nice, too. He’s confident without being cocky. And he’s smart. And funny.” I sighed.
Grace sighed, too, but hers was exasperated. But this conversation was over. We were walking in the opposite direction from my next class.
“I have to get to class. I’ll meet you later.”
My eyes were on the floor as I shook my head and turned around. I didn’t notice anyone was there. Until I smacked right into the hard chest of Ryan Callahan.
He grabbed me around my waist to steady me. God, his hands are warm. And big. I sort of fell into his eyes. They were even bluer up close.
My mind started going a mile a minute. Oh fuck. Did he hear our whole conversation? Oh my god, did Grace know he was there?!? I bet she did. I’m going to kill her! My thoughts were so frantic that it took me a minute to realize he was talking to me.
“Hi, Kelsey.” His smile was devastating. And… Wait. He knows my name?
“Ryan.” Jesus my voice is shaky. Get it together Kels! “Sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Lucky me.”
It was only then that I realized he was still holding me. I froze. But he didn’t. He bent his head down to mine and whispered into my ear.
“I think you’re perfect, too.”
Then he kissed my cheek.
When he finally took his hands from me, he smiled again. “See you in Calculus.”
I stood there in shock.
Oh god. He heard everything.
—♥—
p.s. — Yes, that is a picture of Shawn Mendes. Couldn’t resist. The ultimate young-girl crush.
Hot guy: Shawn Mendes (my future son-in-law, according to my daughter)
My wife and I saw Mendez in concert in Shanghai. SHE had a great time. Haha.
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I am seeing him this summer. I can’t wait!
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Nice!
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Your posts are literally the highlight of my day 😭😭
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And this comment is the highlight of my day! Thank you so much!
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You took me back in time to that feeling of young love! The ending was great!
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This was one of my favorite ones to write. I’d like to go back to that time!
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Awe! I love it when things work out! ❤
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I’m all about the happy endings. I don’t like stories without one. 🙂
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Yeah, don’t blame you can’t say I like a story would own a happy ending either 😀💐
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Wonderful coincidence.
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It’s nice when everything works out perfectly. Wouldn’t that be great in real life??
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Smack right into the hard chest must be the ultimate meet cute.
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I would certainly love it!
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I’ve got to say as a representative of men with big squishy bellies that we make for a much softer landing in this situation.
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And that’s okay, too. But I suppose in my fantasy fiction world, there are abs.
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Understandable.
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So wholesome! ❤ I love to see romance tropes used to perfect effect.
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Thank you! ♥
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Awwww🥺😍
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This was one of my favorites to write. I might have to continue the story. ♥
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Please do!!!!
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I’m going to try! And today, I thought of an idea for next year’s a to z — I can continue every story from this year with another short piece. I’ll have to see how I feel in 2023, but I like that idea.
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Ooo, I’m already excited!!!
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Pingback: when we met. | c/crush. #atozchallenge – Nelsapy
Awww… This is so wholesome 🙂
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Pingback: when we met. | post-challenge reflection. #atozchallenge | what sandra thinks
Love it!! And love him. 😉
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This is one of my favorite letters/stories. 🙂
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