I used to be invisible to him--a shadow in the background of his life, watching from the edges of every crowded space. His every laugh, every glance, every word he spoke to others felt like a million miles away. He was always just out of reach, I always wondered what it was like to be chosen by him but it was a world with no room for me. But that day something changed. His eyes found mine, not in passing, not by mistake. He saw me, really saw me. My unrequited crush was about to be a whirlwind summer romance. It was a flicker of recognition but enough to set my heart racing and my mind going wild.
"Hey."
One word. A simple word. But from him, it felt like everything and nothing all at once. My mind froze, and I was left standing there, staring at the boy I'd spent countless moments thinking about, without a single thought in my head. It was almost embarrassing how unprepared I was for something as basic as "hi."
Am I dreaming? Am I imagining this, shit I am going nuts, I replayed the sound of his voice in my head, trying to convince myself it was real, that his eyes were actually on me, waiting. But when I glanced up, there he was, smiling. Not the casual, effortless grin he gave to everyone else, but something softer, more genuine, like he was actually talking to me. And that's when it hit me--I had to say something back. Anything. But my mouth didn't seem to get the message so I stood there with my mouth wide open.
"Sorry, are you okay?" He spoke to me again.
"Um... hi." My voice came out awkward. "Yes I'm okay sorry I didn't think you were talking to me."
"Why would you think that?"
"Be-because people like you don't talk to people like me."
"I'm sorry people like you? Why would you say that? Anyway, we are heading out for drinks with some friends to this new place downtown, you should join us and you can tell me why you think I wouldn't talk to you?"
"Oh, um... sure, that sounds fun." I replied, playing it cool while panicking internally.
"Awesome! You'll love it"
I don't know what made him think I'll love going out with him and his friends when I barely move out of my room but we were about to find out. Every time he spoke to me, my heart wanted to crawl straight out of my chest and yet I followed him and if I'm being honest I'd walk through fire for him, no matter how hot the flames burned, because even in the blaze, his presence would be the only thing I'd feel.
We walked into the bar, the place was really cool, dim lights, great decoration and very loud music. His friends sat near the back laughing like they owned the place. He introduced me to them and turned to me, his smile easy, like I belonged there with him.. They were very welcoming. We took a seat, and I could feel my nerves bubbling up and I still couldn't believe I was sitting with the coolest people and casually having drinks. I didn't talk much, I didn't even get their jokes.
The first shot came, then another. They were stronger than I expected, but I downed them quickly, hoping the alcohol would drown my shyness. And then, it happened. That warm buzz settled in, my body loosened, and suddenly, words poured out of me like water breaking through a dam.
"You know, I've always wanted to be a spy," I blurted out. "Like a real undercover agent. I think I'd be good at it, don't you think? Maybe I'd even take down international criminals. Though, I'd probably trip on my way to save the world."
Everyone laughed. It got contagious, and I couldn't stop. My brain seemed to be working faster than my mouth, and I was saying things without a filter.