I'll never forget the first time I met Porter. My first grade school crush. He was two years older than I was, and an absolute heartthrob. There was not a girl in the school who didn't drool when he passed. I never cared much for flirting or crushing, just not in my nature I guess. Also I was 8, so I didn't really notice boys that much. To busy worrying about other things like my hair and my shoes. I mean alright, he was good looking, but why would he notice me?
It all started when some kids decided to play tag. While racing around the wooden playground, I tripped, slipping on some moss. The tall dark haired boy loomed over me and shoved my shoulder, "Johanna's it!" He cried. I stood up quickly and wiped off my dress. I never lost this game and now was no exception. I took off running to the closest person, who ended up being my best friend Moore.
She giggled as I approached her but noticing my speed, she soon realized I wasn't joking around. She spun to the left, her bright red hair flowing in the breeze. She sprinted as fast as she could through the playground. Before I could reach her shoulder, she looked back and fall over a loose branch. She tumbled to the ground as I tapped her back. "I got you! You're it Moore!"
She looked up at me from her spot on the ground. I saw the tears build up as my eyes travelled to the deep wound on her knee cap. I barely had time to apologize before I was being dragged to the principal's office.
When I arrived in the main office there was a boy waiting for Mr. Samuels. He had gorgeous dark brown hair set around his face. I sat next him and tried not stare, but every time I looked away, my eyes would slowly wander back.
After a few moments, he turns to me and says, "I'm Porter, what's your name?" He looks at me with big blue eyes, which are so different from most eyes in 7. Then he parted his lips and smiled. His smile was so perfect, the way it made his eyes squint and his nose crinkle. And the way it made my heart melt.
I did my best to act casual and not give my crumbling heart away, "I'm Johanna Mason..." I say quietly, but when I reach the "S" in my last name, I spit all over him. He laughs and wipes his forearm across his chin. I reach my fingers to the spot where my 2 front teeth should be and curse them not growing in yet.
Luckily, Mr. Samuels comes out of his office and calls for the boy, "Porter Wylde." he says, shuffling some papers he has in his hand. Porter gets up from his seat and enters the room. Before the door closes he peaks his head around and says, "It was nice to meet you Johanna," and then the door shuts.
I lean back in my chair. There was no doubt in my mind I had a crush on this boy. I immediately wished Moore was here so I could tell her all about how he made my insides feel. I also wished I could apologize for pushing her while she was hurt. Being 8, I had a gut feeling she would never forgive me and I would lose my best friend. Moore had just moved here from district 11 with her father, although her parents were both from 4. She talks sometimes about how she misses 11, but she's glad she met me.
As I'm contemplating what Moore will do, Mr. Samuel calls my name. I get out of my seat and enter his room. Porter is still sitting in the chair by Mr. Samuels's desk. I stand behind the chair and clear my throat, hoping he will hear me and move. He turns his head around. "Oh sorry Johanna. I didn't know you were in here."
Great he doesn't even know I exist.
"Well maybe I will see you around!" He says looking at me while standing up. He reaches over, grabs his bag, and slings it over his shoulder. What a smooth 10 year old he was.
I feel my head moving up and down and a wide smile spreading across my mouth, "Yeah totally!"
He nods his head and smiles, "Goodbye Johanna Massssson." When he reaches the 'S' in my name, he mocks my missing teeth mishap. I laugh nervously as he walks out of the room.
My face turns red, I could feel it. I try to wipe my cheeks with my hands to counter the blush, but it only makes it worse. Unfortunately, I'm snapped back into reality by Mr. Samuel.
"Well Miss Mason. Why don't you tell me what happened."
Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. I was now 13 and he was 15. Somehow we continued to talk. In fact, Porter and I would see each other quite often. He became good friends with Moore and I, and spent a lot of time with us. I kept my feelings a secret though, not wanting to ruin everything we had with each other. I figured it was better to have him in my life as a friend, then to not have him in it at all. Although every so often, we caught each other staring.
I was spending the night a Moore's house one night, and all we did was gossip about him. We talked about how much has changed since she first moved here and how different things are. While discussing my developing feelings for our best friend, Moore's sister, Reese, walked by the room. She must have her our conversation because she barges in and says, "I can't believe you guys are friends with that douche bag. He uses goes out with girls then pushes them aside when he's done with them." Moore and I sat there stunned while she huffed out.
I never really liked Reese
"Don't listen to Reese, okay? She doesn't know anything about him. She thinks she does because he's in her grade. Reese just wants to seem cool…" Moore says.
"Thanks Moore, but I think it's time to give up on Porter... We're better off just friends," I say defeated.
She rubs my arm, "Whatever will make you happy Jo."
