I suppose we were both kids in one sense of the word. I'd just turned 18 and today was his 18th Birthday.
We'd known each other our entire lives. I went to the same church as Danny and had done so since Kindergarten. Life is strange sometimes. Danny and I sat with each other in church. We played together on the playground. We were both shepherds in the Sunday School Christmas Program.
As we entered High School we remained friends but school activities and jobs kept us apart, except of course for church and youth group. That's why it seemed strange for us to be talking alone after church one night. It was then that I first realized that Danny was more than just a kid I grew up with. He was a boy, a man to be more specific.
"Yeah," I heard him saying, "I'll be glad when we are finally out of here. Not that I don't like the town, but I've never even gone on a date around here. The good looking girls are too stuck up and I'm not interested in the ugly ones..."
Danny stopped short, suddenly realizing what he'd just said to me, "I...I'm sorry Sal, I didn't mean you. You're awesome, but the other girls..."
I laughed out loud and put my fingers on his lips. "Stop! You are just going to dig yourself in deeper." I giggled. Even in the dark I could see his face glowing red.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry. I really blew this."
About that time my parents told me they were leaving. Danny offered to give me a ride home and I accepted. As we walked towards the car I made my confession.
"First of all, Danny, we've been together since Mrs. Smith's Kindergarten class and I have to admit I've never thought of you as anything more than a great friend, a brother even since I don't have any of my own. So, tonight as we were talking I realized you are much more. You are great looking and face it, we aren't children anymore."
As Danny started the car I could see him looking at my chest. He smiled and said, "That's for sure!" We giggled again. The next couple days, Danny and I hung out at school more than usual. Not as boyfriend/girlfriend so much as two friends who had suddenly rediscovered each other. I felt comfortable and safe with him and I could tell he felt the same towards me.
Friday at lunch Danny was quiet. I could tell he had something to say so I pressed for information. He was so shy. So insecure. So...well...cute. Finally it came out.
"My parents are going to be gone tonight to some workshop. Want to come over and watch a movie? I'll be all alone. It's not a date. Just a movie and..."
I put my finger on his lips again. "Stop. Even if it was a date I'd come. I'll be over about 7? I'll hit dad up for some pizza money."
'Great! I'll get the movie." We agreed on which movie we wanted to watch. It was a fairly new release and I warned Danny that it was one I wanted to see, but it was more of a romance than adventure.
When I got to Danny's house we settled in for pizza and movie. I'd been to this house a thousand times but it seemed different in this role. The large screen TV sat in the corner in front of a leather sectional couch. The movie was good, but not as good as I'd hoped so our attention turned to each other and talking about school, church and the opposite sex.
"So are you still convinced all the good looking girls are snobs?" I giggled.
Danny's face turned red again and he shook his head. "Nope, At least not you," He smiled, it probably doesn't matter though. I don't know what I'd do on a date anyway. Other than you I get really nervous around girls and don't know if I'd do the right things. Especially if she wanted to...well, you know, mess around."
"You mean about touching them and stuff?"
"Yeah. I sit in the locker room and hear the guys talking about this girl or that girl or about magazines and porn sites and I've never seen anything like that. I feel like a real idiot. Besides, you know what my parents would think if they caught me looking at anything."