I had spent the whole week trying my best to avoid Tyler, every time I saw him in the hallways or at lunch, my heart would race, and I'd feel that familiar awkwardness cause it was freaking Tyler, the guy who always teased me and I never seem to get along well with him plus he made annoying remarks that I would sometimes just brush off, but now, he had become different, and I couldn't tell if he was serious or if it was just another joke, it had thrown me off, and I wasn't sure how to respond.
He'd wave at me between classes, smile that goofy grin of his, and I would turn the other way, pretending not to see him, he would always call after me,
"Hey, Mercedes, where you going? Baby girl!", But I ignored him, keeping my focus on anything else, I figured if I just avoided him long enough, he would stop,
But the truth was, Tyler's constant attention was beginning to wear me down, maybe it was because I didn't want any distractions right now, especially with what was going on with Travis, I didn't have time for Tyler, well it wasn't that I disliked him, I just didn't think I was ready to deal with whatever his intentions were, especially when my heart was already occupied with someone else,
And that someone else is Travis.
Saturday has finally approached, the day I had been waiting for all week, I couldn't stop thinking about it, the plan was simple, Travis would pick me up, and we'd hang out just the two of us, it didn't sound like much but to me, it felt like everything, I knew something is different now, something that might go beyond friendship, he had kissed me on the cheek the other day, and it had felt like the world had stopped for a second, it was innocent, but it meant something.
But now? This Saturday? This could be the day, the day when something more might happen between us.
I was nervous, excited and a bit terrified all at once, I had spent the entire week thinking about it, and now, as the sun has risen above the horizon on Saturday morning, I felt my stomach do somersaults.
Miley had texted me early in the morning, giving me the pep talk I didn't know I needed,
"Mercei!, you've got to wear something cute today, no more of those baggy jeans and tops, we're stepping it up!" she had written,
I had rolled my eyes at first, Miley was always the one who tried to get me out of my comfort zone, but deep down, I knew she had a point, if I was going to hang out with Travis, I needed to look like I cared, I needed to look the part,
So, I spent the next few hours digging through my closet, I had never been much of a girly girl, but I decided to give it a shot, I picked out a pretty top-floral, delicate, something I usually wouldn't wear and paired it with a jean skirt, I had never worn a skirt before, but Miley had insisted, I felt a little self conscious as I looked in the mirror, unsure if I was doing this right, but as I adjusted the skirt and tucked in the top, I realized something: I liked how I looked. It was different, sure, but it was still me.
I texted Miley a picture, and she replied almost instantly.
"You look amazing! He's gonna lose his mind when he sees you."
Her words made my stomach flip. Travis wasn't one to lose his mind over things, but I hoped she was right. I wanted him to notice me, I wanted to be special to him.
I was all ready and it was few mins left before I was supposed to leave, the nerves were setting in, but I forced myself to calm down, I checked my phone one last time no new messages from Travis and made my way downstairs, my mom had already left very early for work, as usual.
'Have fun today, sweetie, I trust you'll be a good girl, and come home early dear' she texted when I told her I was going out with a friend today,
'Thanks Mom' I replied, thus adding a heart and smiley face to the text i sent her before grabbing my jacket.
I was heading toward the door when I heard a knock on it,
I opened it, and there he was,
Travis,
My heart skipped a beat.
He was wearing his usual black jacket and his signature black facemask, it gave him that signature emo vibe, the one that made my heart race every time I saw him, but this time, something was different, when he looked at me, his eyes widened,
"Wow, you look...wow," he said, clearly taken aback,
I laughed nervously as my cheeks flushed, "You look.....great too",
Travis took off his mask, revealing that soft, mischievous smirk of his,
"You look pretty, girly" he said, his voice wasvlow, but genuine,
Hearing him compliment me like that made my heart skip a beat, it felt so personal, so real,. I couldn't help but smile,
"Thanks, You are good looking as well Travis," I replied, trying to keep it cool,
He smirked at me, his usual confident self, "I always look good",
I rolled my eyes and laughed, feeling more at ease, I loved how effortless it felt with him,
"Come on," he said, stepping back and holding out his hand, "Let's go",
I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing, it was all happening so fast, but then I nodded and took his hand, following him out to his motorcycle, I had never been on one before, but I didn't care, I wanted to be with him.
We put on our helmets, and he revved the engine, I climbed on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist, the world felt like it was moving too fast, but I didn't care, as the wind whipped through my hair, I felt a thrill I had never experienced before, we were heading somewhere, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't care where, I was just happy to be with him.
When we arrived it was a carnival and I couldn't believe my eyes, the lights, the music, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air, Travis grinned at me as he helped me off the bike and for the rest of the day, we laughed, went on rides and ate everything we could,
It felt like a dream, he made everything feel so fun, so natural, we even went on the Ferris wheel, and when we got to the top, we looked out over the entire carnival, the city lights sparkled in the distance, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped just for us,
"Thanks for today Travis," I said later, after we had stuffed ourselves with ice cream and cotton cand, "I'm really glad we're doing this"
Travis smiled at me, his eyes softening for just a second, "No need to thank me silly," he said, "I'm glad you're having fun",
We both stood there for a moment, just staring at each other, and I felt my heart thud in my chest, this was it, I couldn't stop thinking about Miley's words, this is your chance, Mercedes, kiss him, but what if he didn't feel the same way? What if he didn't want me to do that?
Before I could overthink it, Travis stepped closer, his hand gently cupped my chin and for a brief second, everything went silent, the world around us blurred and all I could focus on was him,
He leaned in, and my breath caught, my heart raced as his lips touched mine,
At first, I froze, I didn't know what to do, this was real, this wasn't a dream, but then I kissed him back, my body relaxing as I felt the warmth of his lips against mine, his kiss was soft, gentle, and yet it made me feel like I was floating on air, every worry I had faded away in that moment, this was my first kiss, and it was everything I had ever imagined,
When he pulled away, I was breathless, my cheeks flushed with warmth, I couldn't believe what had just happened, he looked at me with that signature smirk, but there was something more behind it,
"Did you like it?" he asked, his voice low and teasing,
I nodded quickly, my heart pounding in my chest, "Yeah, I liked it, a lot", I admitted,
He smiled softly and then he pulled me into a tight hug, "I like you...alot" he whispered,
I felt like I was melting,
"I like you....alot too" I said, burying my face in his chest,
For the first time in a long time, everything felt right, Travis liked me and I liked him, we were finally on the same page,
As we walked hand in hand through the carnival, I couldn't stop smiling, this was it, the beginning of something new, something real, after everything that had happened, I finally knew that Travis liked me back and I wanted him to be mine,
I squeezed his hand, and he turned to look at me, his dreamy eyes met mine, and I could tell that he was feeling the same way.
Everything felt perfect in that moment, I had taken a risk, and it had paid off. I had kissed him and he liked me too, now, all that was left to do was enjoy the ride,
And I was ready for it.
We stay on the Ferris wheel in silence for a while, our fingers still tangled,
I'm trying to memorize everything, the way the lights look from up here, the way his thumb is brushing over mine, the way my heart feels too full to hold,
By the time we get off the ride, everything looks different,
The ground, the sky, Me, Him.
He walked me to his motorcycle, his hand still in mine, and I still can't stop smiling,
On the ride home, we talk more about music, about dumb things, about school, it's easy yet it's si much fun cause it's... real.
When we pull up to my house, neither of us wants to say goodbye,
He leans over, kisses my cheek this time, and he he said, "Text me when you're inside, okay?"
I nodded, still dazed, "Okay, I will",
He backed off slowly and I watched him with tomato cheeks, he hopped on his motorcycle, before he put on his helmet he gave a flirty wink, and I giggled, he rode off and I was a bit sad but happy cause today was a day I'll never forget, maybe I'm lucky, no, I am lucky, cause not every girl gets a chance with her 'crush' but I did!
As soon as I got inside, I run straight to my room and collapse on my bed,
And then I finally text Miley.
Me: I kissed him...(🤭🤭🤭)
She didnt reply and somehow I found it strange, why didnt she reply me, it was unlike her, I even tried calling too but still nothing from her, it didnt went through, I decided Ill try tomorrow, maybe she was busy, I figured,
Before I slept, I sit up in bed, touch my lips, and just smile, I want definately going to dream of that kiss Travis and I shared it was magical, and,
Because, I truly felt wanted,
I actually felt seen,
And tonight... I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I deserve this.