I met her in 2nd grade. I had just moved from a different city and was new to the place and school.
When I was helping my parents unload, I felt a strange sensation of someone watching me. I couldn't find anyone so I just moved into the house with my tiny box of toys.
Later that day, my parents brought in some gifts to share with the neighbors. It was a peaceful and welcoming one, and everyone greeted us warmly.
At every house we went to, I got a complimentary tussle. I said my pleasantries before looking around the driveways for something fun.
In the end, we went to the house right next door to us. The family was very similar to us.
They welcomed us in, and the adults started bonding really well. Mr. and Mrs. Smith called their daughter Allison who was upstairs.
She walked in with a Barbie doll in one hand and a Hot Wheels car in the other. My eyes naturally focused on the car and I was eagerly waiting for her to come close so I could see it clearly.
The adults told us to go play in the corner. So I walked behind Allison until we reached our destination.
She held the doll close to herself but extended the car to me.
Introducing herself as Ally, placed the car in my palms. I gave her a bright smile and introduced myself too, "Edward".
We talked about various things, toys, TV shows, people, and eventually school.
Turns out we will be going to the same school and the same class.
Both of us were excited to find a friend to keep us company.
After a while, we went back home but I mistakenly brought her car with me.
I kept it in my school bag so I could return it to her in the morning.
First day of school, not very excited but eager to meet Ally again.
We stuck together throughout the day. She sat right in front of me thus I didn't have any trouble settling in thanks to her.
Turns out she was all alone in the class. I was confused as to why she didn't have any friends.
But later that day she revealed that she had slapped someone for touching her toy so they stayed away from her.
I was even more confused now, as to why it was wrong. Anyone would do it, right?
Well, we got back home and I remembered that I had to return her car. So I went to her house, greeted Mrs. Smith, and gave her a car. We played for a while and watched some TV before I returned home.
We grew alongside each other. She used to come to my house and have sleepovers and I did the same in hers. We became best friends.
We had developed this game among ourselves. We called it "The Poke''. Basically, take your index fingers and poke the waist of the other one's body.
It resulted in a jerk reaction and a funny sound. So it was fun for us to do.
The best reaction comes when one is talking. So we aimed for that and since it became a tradition we were always alert. Making it hard to find the timing.
Even in high school, we did it. It was fun but we eventually decreased it to once every week or so.
***
Fast forward to a few years. It was prom night. And we decided to go with each other. I got a navy blue tux, and some flowers for her and went to pick her up.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were swooning over me and telling me how handsome I looked while Ally was coming down. And let me tell you something I never imagined her to be so beautiful.
She was very pretty, her eyes were big and always expecting something, and her cute nose fit right in.
She had long flowing hair reaching down her shoulders. But all of these went unnoticed by me. She used to dress up in baggy clothes and tie her hair in a bun. That's all I used to see every day.
But today she had a matching navy blue gown. A slit ran through one of her legs and stopped in the upper mid-thigh.
It was backless, so it showed her smooth glistening back clearly. Even in front, it had a deep neck so a fair amount of cleavage was visible.
Her matching eye shadow and liners looked sensual. And where do I even start with her lips? Lucious and glossy. The only purpose they might have is to pull you in and melt you to the core.
She sure took my breath away.
Ally stood in front of me. I was 6' so she had to look up from her 5'6" frame. I couldn't help but stare at her.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were whispering something among themselves and then called me.
"Son, you need to breathe," Mrs Smith said.
I took a deep breath and looked at them, pretty sure I was glowing red.
Ally giggled while looking down at her feet.
"Uh...yeah yeah sorry," I just muttered.
Mr. Smith came to me and said in a stern voice even though he was like a second father to me.
"Take care of my daughter or I'm going to...," He trailed off, shaking his fist in the air. I was scared of him for the first time until he and his wife started laughing at my stupid expression.
"Don't worry sir. I'll be taking good care of Ally," I said with my eyes down.
"Chill out boy!" He slapped my arms and pulled me in for a hug.
"Don't you have something to give to Ally?" Mrs. Smith said.
I remembered holding the flower bracelet so I turned around and noticed Ally already had her hands up to receive it. She had this huge smile on her face that didn't let me stay serious too.
I put it on her and kissed her hand.
"Oh!" was a common expression from all three of them.
"Mom said I should be a gentleman," I said grinning.
"And she's absolutely right," Mrs. Smith said.
We said our goodbyes and started walking towards my car.
I opened the door for Ally before tucking her in properly.
My parents and the Smith family were now waiting outside our driveways and waving their hands.
I got in the car and drove towards the school.
"Well you look handsome today," Ally broke the silence.
"Look who's talking! Where had you hidden so much of beauty Ally?" I asked her in a surprised tone.
She looked away and mumbled, "It's not my fault you never noticed it."
"Yeah well no one can notice it you just dress up in baggy clothes," I replied.
"Makes sense but I don't wanna dress that way, you'll get more access to poke me," She said.
"We don't even do that anymore," I looked at her and our eyes met.
"But you really do look fantastic. I think I might fall in love," I joked.
"Thanks and Shut up!" She retorted back.
We reached the school. I went to open her door again and offered her my arm before we walked into the establishment.
Every eye was fixed on us. We would see the hint of surprise and jealousy.
We simply giggled to ourselves and walked to the group of friends we had.
"Oh. My. God!" Jennifer screamed.
"You two look so cute together!" She continues, while I cover my ear with my free hand.
"C'mon Jenny," we said in unison.
"Well you gotta agree. That turned everyone's eyes here," Alex came in and held Jenny by her waist.
Ally had left my arms by now and gotten us some drinks.
"Well well well...look who it is," Two of our other friends join us.
"Hey, guys! You guys look like a married couple," I teased them and both of them blushed.
"Maybe we should marry each other," they talk over each other.
"Well let's get into the party mood, yeah?" Ally says.
We went in and had some food, drinks, lots of chatting and dancing.
By the end of the night, everyone was exhausted.
Slow music had started playing so I offered my hand to Ally and we moved on to the dance floor.
"Thanks for making this a memorable day for me," Ally said.
"Thanks for doing the same for me," I said.
She had arms around my waist and I just hugged her, my chin perfectly placed on her head. Funny, I know.
"Here's a present for you," she said and poked hard under my ribs on both sides. I jumped and pushed into her more.
"So that's how it's going to be," I said and poked her back in the same place.
We did it a few more times before we started laughing uncontrollably.
But when I tried again, my placement went wrong and poked her boobs.
It felt like putting hands in a flour dough, over all the materials of cloth. And I guessed she didn't feel it. But I was wrong, she did.
Looking up at me she had the biggest grin on her face.
"Trying to be naughty, huh?" she said.
"No...no, definitely not. It was a mistake," I defend myself.
She continues laughing and hugs me back.
"Just teasing you," she said into my chest.
We groove in silence before breaking apart.
"It's late. Let's go back," I said.
"Yeah sure," she said and held my arm.
We walked back to the car. Throughout the way, she kept turning and looking at me.
"Whatcha looking at?" I asked.
"Noothinggg," she said.
After we reached her house. I turned to her, while she stayed in the same position.
Our eyes locked and I whispered...
"Is something wrong?"
"Don't you want to do it?" She said.
"Do what?" I asked, confused.
"The thing people do after dropping their dates at home?" She replies.
"Oh...open the door?" I said and immediately got out of the car.
"You've arrived princess," I bow and gesture towards her home.
She gets off and deeply sighs.
"Good night," she says and walks towards her house.
"Sweet dreams Ally,'' I said when she looked back before getting into her house.
I parked and called it a night seeing everyone else was asleep already.
The next morning I got a text from Ally
"Should we go somewhere?" She asked.
"Like where?" I replied.
"I dunno. You pick," a fast reply came back.