I tell myself: do it, Zeke!
Tara
Thanks for walking me home, Zeke.
I’m outside my hopefully-maybe-kinda-sorta girlfriend’s house.
And I really, really want to kiss her.
But instead, I’m staring at her with this stupid grin on my face.
Zeke
Yeah. Uh, super cool.
Could I sound any more lame?
Tara moved here a few months ago.
I’ve thought of nothing but this moment since I first laid eyes on her.
Except that in my head, we were kissing.
And fireworks were going off in the background.
And the whole school was cheering us on.
Tara
Okay. Well, good night.
I can’t go out like this.
I just need to close my eyes, lean in, and seal the deal.
Zeke
Uh…good night to you, too.
Total and complete failure.
I don’t know why I get so nervous.
It seems so easy in movies.
The camera pushes into a close up, and POW!
Tara is nearly to her door when she turns around.
Tara
Hey, are you going to the walk-a-thon tomorrow night?
Tara
That charity thing at school.
Tara
I was thinking about going.
Zeke
Oh! Then I’ll definitely be there.
Zeke
I mean, I was thinking about going, too.
Tonight wasn’t right anyway.
A little too humid for a first kiss.
Tara smiles that smile that's captivated me for the past few months.
Okay, so I may have lost the battle today.
But tomorrow, I will win the war!
We’re just walking laps around the track at school.
I wonder what they’re thinking.
That’s she’s out of my league?
Well, she IS out of my league.
I’m 100 percent sure about that.
But wow, look at those eyes of hers.
We’ve been here for a few hours.
But it honestly feels like it’s been a few minutes.
I need to kick Operation K-I-S-S into full gear.
Tara
Thank you, by the way.
Tara
And for introducing yourself to me on my first day here.
Tara
We’ve moved a lot because of my dad’s job.
Tara
I’ve had lunch alone in like, 12 different school cafeterias.
Tara
First days are hard.
Tara
First months are hard.
Tara
Well, you made them great this time.
Tara
That’s the best part.
Tara
It was just you being you.
She smiles that smile again…
And I feel myself melt into a puddle of mush.
Tara
Oh! I need to tie my shoelace.
She moves to the side of the track and I follow her.
After she ties her shoe and stands up…
Her lips glisten in the moonlight.
What if she doesn’t want to kiss me?
What if she just wants to be friends?
Maybe I’m misreading everything.
If I try to kiss her and she doesn’t want to kiss me back, then that’s it.
And she’ll be alone again at a new school.
But what if she does want me to kiss her?
I wish she’d give me some kind of sign.
Suddenly, an announcer barks through a megaphone.
Then the lights over the track cut off.
Tara
Sounds like they’re wrapping up.
It can’t be ten o’clock already.
We’re outside the track waiting for our rides home.
Tara
I really like hanging out with you.
Zeke
I like hanging with you too.
I see my brother Andy’s car pull into the parking lot.
She tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles.
But what does that mean!?
I need to at least say something.
Just as I’m about to get something out…
My brother’s headlights illuminate the two us.
Zeke
Well, that’s my ride.
Zeke
I guess I’ll see you around.
I walk toward the car in shame.
Tara is looking right at my brother.
Tara
Umm, Andy, would you mind just taking a quick lap?
Andy laughs, puts the car in drive, and pulls away.
Is she going to friend-zone me right now?
Can’t that wait until tomorrow?
Tara
Zeke, I want to kiss you.
My brain literally stops functioning.
Her hands shake a little bit.
She’s just as nervous as I am!
Tara
I mean, if you want me to.
I’ve been looking for a sign this whole time.
Some stupid secret signal.
But this was all I needed?
This is all you have to do?
Tara
Can I kiss you, Zeke?
She bites her lower lip softly.
There aren’t any fireworks bursting above us.
Our class isn’t here to cheer us on.
But none of that matters.
Zeke
Yes. Of course, you can.
And she is more perfect than I ever could have dreamed.
And this moment is more perfect than I ever could have imagined.
