All Grown Up
"Um Number thr-… K- Kuki?" Wally tapped the Asian girl on her bared shoulder, trying not to let his gaze wander any further beneath the mop of bangs covering his eyes.
"Oh, Hi Wally!" Kuki beamed brightly. She was sitting with a coloring book, one of the things she had never really outgrown.
They had both changed since their thirteenth birthdays. Kuki had not really grown any taller, but she had filled out slightly in certain areas and her face had lost some of its childish roundness. Wally himself had grown much taller, towering over Kuki by at least a head. He used to be somewhat pudgy – not to the extent of Hoagie, but still somewhat wider than most boys – and he had lost that weight, becoming strangely thin and gangly.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, his baggy pants sagging down past his hips and his orange hoodie scrunched up around his waist, showing off his black skulls and crossbones boxers. He glanced down and looked at Kuki's legs as they swung back and forth at the edge of the bleachers. Her headphones were dangling around her neck, connected to her bright pink iPod which was playing some Japanese pop song.
"Would you… Um… You go to homecoming with me?"Wally blushed and lowered his head, making his bangs fall even further over his eyes.
"Of course I would, Wally! You're my best friend!"
"Yeah, about that, Kuki…" Wally sat down beside her awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "I was wondering… You know… We've known each other for a long time… And… I… I like you… A lot…"
Kuki looked at him with wide eyes.
"Like? Like like-like?"
Wally blushed and looked away. Kuki burst into a loud squeal and grabbed Wally about the neck, pulling him close.
"Oh, Wally!" Kuki giggled. "I like you too." Wally blinked up at her before straightening and scooting closer. He took the hand around his neck and laced their fingers together.
"Well… That's… That's um… Good…" Kuki smiled and leaned forward, kissing Wally on the cheek. Wally cupped her cheek and turned her face, smiling and kissing soft, full lips.
"Wally and Kuki!
Sitting in a tree!
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
The two teens pulled away and Wally leapt over the bleachers, rolling up his left sleeve and running across the football field after Hoagie and Abigail as they ran off cackling.
Kuki giggled and covered her mouth, watching Wally fairly strangle their two friends for interrupting their kiss.
Some things never really changed.