Blind Date

I saw him across campus.

He was taller than everyone around him

High up on his skateboard

He nimbly wove in and out

Of passing students

An athletic god amongst mere mortals.

The sun lit up his dark golden hair

As he propelled forward

With muscular legs

Deftly zipping along.

Look at me

Notice me

See me

I willed him to catch my eye.

He zoomed past without a glance

In his own world

That I desperately wanted to be a part of.

“Do you know that skater guy?”

“The one with the mustache?”

“That quiet hipster?”

“No, I don’t know him.”

“Yes, he lived on my hall last year.”

“Nathan? He’s my boyfriend’s brother!”

I have on my red dress

Its floral pattern swirls

Just like my racing mind.

My heart thumps as I walk towards the door.

Sweaty hands

Nervous smile

Agonizing anticipation.

I walk outside and

The humid air greets

The air-conditioned temperature

That clings to my skin.

He’s standing on the side walk.

He turns to face me.

Red tee shirt

Old fashioned undercut

Warm, brown eyes.

I smile nervously

And involuntarily shrug my shoulders.

“Hi!”

His face splits into a wide grin.

He sees me now.

He takes me in carefully.

Red dress

Gold sandals

Blue eyes.

“Hey.”

His voice is different

From how I imagined it would be.

He keeps staring.

I think I’m different

From how he imagined I’d be.

I look up at him

Unsure.

He leans down for a hug

And I let him hold me briefly.

My hands rest on his muscular back

And I think of him balancing on his skateboard.

Ten years later

There’s a knock at the door.

I open it.

Hands sweaty

Heart racing

Vibrating with anticipation.

He’s standing there

With his wide grin

And his broad shoulders.

“Hi!”

I’m a completely different person.

“Hey.”

So is he.

I stare up at him

With certainty.

He looks deeply into my eyes

And leans down to kiss me.

My hands rest on his muscular back

And I think of him riding his skateboard.

Our lips touch as

The years fold into one another

A decade come and gone

And I love him

Just as much as I did back then.