Pages of Us

“You’re ugly.”

That’s what I

told Natalie Weaver

in middle school.

I’d burp in her face,

laughing

with my annoying friends.

She shrugged off my insults,

which hurt more than I’d wanted

to hurt her.

But high school crept

into our lives.

Then,

Natalie had blossomed

a dove would blush—

her figure an hourglass—

knees and elbows—

a memory.

Ten years later,

Natalie turned the tables

in our early twenties.

She’d poke fun at me

around town.

I’d hung up my teasing

shoes.

Besides,

I only teased her

because I had it out

for her.

I minded my business,

browsing a bookstore.

I needed an Allison Brennan

book for the long weekend.

Coffee wafted—

a store in the shop

served expressos.

Baristas whisked milk,

and a winching grind

turned beans into powder.

Hazelnut and vanilla

floated a sweet touch

to a bookstore.

“Excuse me, nerd,”

a condescending voice

that could

be no other than

Natalie’s distinct,

grainy voice said.

Slowly,

I lifted my gaze.

“You read books?”

I said, hoping

my voice belittled

her.

“Did you see the sign?”

She motioned to the window.

She folded her arms,

shifting her weight to her back foot.

Below a flashing OPEN sign—

Natalie’s Bookstore blinked

in red and blue neon.

“Look,” I said.

“If I’m not welcome here…”

I lifted my palms halfway

and lowered them.

“I was a horrible—”

“You realize I have

five brothers?”

Natalie arched an eyebrow.

“I only had eyes for you,”

I said—

before talking it over with myself.

“First of all…,” she said, tucking

her long, red bangs behind her ear.

“Your insults were lame as hell.”

She brought her hand to her mouth,

laughing.

“I did my best.”

I blushed.

“Google is free, dude.

You could have picked

up a few.”

I sighed.

“Why don’t you make fun of me.

I feel horrible for teasing you.”

“Insults…” Natalie hugged herself,

propped her other elbow on her arm,

hand to her face. “Hmm.”

She squinted.

“Okay…”

“Hit me with your best,”

I was hoping they hurt

as much as I felt I hurt her.

“Sure you’re ready?”

Her tone unsure.

“Let’s hear it,”

I said,

lifting my arms,

opening

and closing my hands.

“Okay, you asked for it.”

Natalie paused.

“You’re the most gorgeous

man I’d ever met.”

I brought my hand to my chest.

“Me?” I screwed up my face.

“I—”

“I’m the one giving the insults, buddy.”

She playfully shoved her

finger in the air.

“I practically stalked

you throughout high school.”

She brought her hands to her head.

“Okay, that sounds bad,

more like turn up where you were,

hoping above hoping that you’d

find something good in me.

And it came to me,

you only teased me because you

had a crush on me.”

Natalie gave me an engaging glance.

“Right, aren’t I?” She winked.

Without asking,

I kissed her.

She stalked me, so what the hell.

“Sweep me off my feet, why don’t ya.”

Natalie exhaled, excitement in her eyes.

“I’ve waited for this day since

the first day you teased me.”

“You’re beautiful,”

I told her, my voice certain.

“Aww shucks.”

She kissed me.

“Freckles and all,”

I said.

“Let me help you find that book,

and then we can write our own story.”

I giggled,

“As long as I’m the hero.”

I set her down.

Natalie tucked her

bangs behind her ear—

the same way she did in school.

“Let’s make it a romance novel.”

She glanced at me,

a soft smile

danced on her lips.

“I can live with that,”

I said,

nodding.

Natalie held my hand

as we disappeared between the aisles,

leaving our old words

finally behind us.

By Andy Cooper

From: United States

X: AC0040