It was one of those cold November mornings- you know, it’s not quite winter but there’s already a thin layer of sticky, ultra-white snow on the ground. I was waiting by the bus stop, arms folded across my chest to conserve heat. The only parts of me that were not frozen to the bone were my ears (covered with my fuzzy, turquoise earmuffs) and my hands (covered in matching turquoise mittens). I had been waiting for two very important things that morning.
The bus was the first thing, which is probably obvious, but the other thing might not be so apparent to an outside observer. No one but me knew what else I was waiting for. I hadn’t told a soul- not my best of friends, or my sister, who was in that awkward graduated from high school but not quite ready for college phase. I told Missy everything. But not this. This, I wanted all to myself.
I looked around the street corner, leaning extremely close to the road. If a car had come whizzing around that corner, it might have hit me. I was too anxious to care.
That’s when I heard footsteps. His footsteps. My heart stopped completely, and then picked up double the original speed.
I shouldn’t have been so excited; I saw Simon every week-day morning at exactly this time. And it wasn’t as though we didn’t know each other well- we were the only two people at this bus stop, so we talked a lot. Not about anything in particular. Just the weather, or school, or our families... the usual stuff. Normal stuff.
Today, however, I was waiting for him to come so that I could tell him something very important. Something I’d wanted to tell him since the day we’d met, two years ago when high school started. I had been new to the neighbourhood, and Simon had offered me a warm acquaintanceship that grew into something much more for me very quickly.
I had finally worked up the courage to tell him. And today was the day.
I saw him as he rounded the corner, wearing his typical jeans and sweater combination along with that toque that never left his head in the winter. I loved that hat, but I loved his gorgeous head of dirty-blond hair even more.
As he approached the bus stop, I began to realize that I had no idea how I was going to start.
So, Simon, cold weather, huh? By the way, I’ve had the biggest crush on you since 9th grade...
I don’t think so.
He greeted him with his infamous smile, and stood close enough to me that I could reach out and touch his bare hands. He must have been freezing.
“Chilly out, huh Valery?” He stated, rocking onto the back of his heels. He looked at me from the corner of his brown eyes.
I nodded. “Very.”
Simon started to shiver. I rolled my eyes, even through the built-up tension I felt. “Simon, you should be wearing a jacket, or gloves, or something. You’ll catch a cold.”
He shrugged. “I’m fine. The bus will be here soon.”
Thanks for reminding me. I cringed, and quickly thought of a way to begin. “So, Simon, I think that maybe I kind of want to tell you something.”
He didn’t even notice the shaking in my voice. He probably assumed I was just cold, too. “Shoot,” He prodded, smiling kindly at me.
“Well, I’m not sure how to put it,” I said, thinking about how easy it would be to back down and change the topic.
“Just say it, Valery.” He said to me, his beautiful smile turning down into a slight frown.
“Ok, well, I... I... I like you, Simon.”
His expression didn’t change. “I like you too, Val.”
I rolled my eyes. Guys were so clueless that it drove me insane. “No, I mean, I like you. Like, you know, as more than a friend.”
Simon’s facial expression morphed into what could only be described as mortification. He didn’t speak.
I took that as I sign that I should evacuate the area. Now.
“Ok, well, now that’s that out in the open...” I stammered on my words. “I’m just going to go home and get Missy to give me a ride to school...” I didn’t wait for Simon to speak; I just started for the street. My house was only across the street and down a few houses. I’d get there in no time.
Unfortunately, I didn’t hear the bus coming. I didn’t see it as I started to cross the street, and it didn’t see me.
It was too late; it was going to hit me, I just knew it. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impact, but instead felt something grab my arm and jerk me sideways.
The brakes of the bus squealed, and the big orange vehicle came to a noisy stop. I opened my eyes, and found that I was staring straight into Simon's. He had his arms wrapped tightly around me in a way that made me feel safe.
“Are you alright, Valery?” He whispered, his face so close to mine that I felt a shiver run through my spine.
“I’m fine.” I answered.
He smiled. “Good.” He tucked a piece of hair behind my hair. “I like you too, by the way.” His lips came into contact with my right cheek, and I nearly melted in their warmness.
The bus honked from the road. Way to ruin the moment.
“Guess we’d better get going,” Simon said, removing his arms but taking one of my hands in his.
“Yeah. It’s kind of chilly, for November.”
And so we boarded the bus, thankful to get out of the cold.
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