School

We spent six years of school together. Junior high and high school.

I'm amazed to think I met you when I was twelve years old. That's half my life. I didn't know how important you'd be to me back then.

A mutual friend tried to introduce us in eighth grade but we'd already met. I don't even remember how. But we already knew each other.

In high school we became inseparable. How could we not? We had so many classes together. It was inevitable in such a small school.

But we always looked out for each other didn't we?

You tried to take the blame for me when we got in trouble together that one time. Told the teacher it was all your idea. That I had no idea we went to the wrong assembly because you had told me which one to go to. So we could sit together. He must have taken pity on us. We were usually so responsible. We got away easy. We had to sit next to him during the next assembly. And we got to sit next to each other. Yeah, like that was any sort of punishment.

I'd help you rein in your temper. You were slow to anger and never violent but when something finally set you off it was ugly. I'd distract you with funny stories or nonsense until you'd be smiling again. Remind you to calm down and ignore what had made you angry.

You made sure I was never alone. In that Calculus class that somehow was all boys except for me. You were always my partner. No one bothered me.

Now looking back I think you were the reason no boys ever bothered me or asked me out. My sister tried to tell me. I didn't listen.

Your family liked to take trips to see relatives living far away and you'd miss school days. I'd be waiting when you came back to fill you in on what you'd missed.

I'm still waiting. For you. Are you coming back for me?

We only spent those six years in the same place. After I only saw you sporadically when you'd be in town visiting your parents and then even that tapered off.

I haven't seen you in years.