Our Story Poem by Eli J Tod

Curling my hair and practicing my smile
My reflection looks anxious
Twisting the locks to perfection
I head out the door.

I drive to his house too fast
I am early
I watch the minutes tick by
Driving purposely past his house
Tempted to head home.

Sitting on the hard wood bench
Side by side, us both sneaking glances
A clumsy step from a passer-by
And I am soaked in beer.

I am mortified, eyes wide
Pretending it is no big deal
But my makeup is a mess and my hair is ruined…
On the way to the car he still holds my hand.

Awkward and nervous
Shifting foot to foot in his driveway
The kiss is a surprise
So shocking I forget to breathe.

Like puppies piled on the couch
He watches TV and I watch him
Smiling when I feel his easy laughter
Rumbling beneath my fingertips.

Sitting at the counter
His little sister’s sticky fingers in my hair
His mother and I talk about books and college
Discussing hobbies and the future.

Christmas Eve he calls me beautiful
He kisses me goodbye
While standing in front of his family
Who are waiting for him in the car.

Shaky hands on the steering wheel
Music blasting, aimlessly driving
Exchanging heated looks
Both excited to be alone under the stars.

I playfully flick water in his face
He completely drenches me
I gasp and sneak an ice cube down his shirt
Then turn and run.

I scream and giggle
Racing down the hall
He tackles me
Intent on returning the favor.

He greets me at the door
Dimple in his smile
I thread my fingers through his hair as we kiss
I can’t get enough of him.

I sit on his counter
His mother doctoring my knee
I squeeze his hand and grin
When his father calls me a trooper.

Climbing onto his rooftop
We talk awhile beneath the stars
I shiver in my thin shirt
Then smile, content in his arms.

Valentines Day dinner
Exquisite and so romantic
Us both wishing for pizza
Rather than idealistic shrimp.

It seems fitting that I’m wearing blue
My tears soak the front of his shirt
As he holds me close
After first breaking my heart.

The phone rings in my ear
I’m jittery waiting to hear his voice
I mumble and stumble over my words
He laughs and I know everything will all be all right.