My jaw drops as I glance out the window…
Because there is my neighbor—
Standing totally shirtless.
I drink in the sight of his bare chest.
Scott and I used to be best friends…
But then he got super popular.
And completely ditched me.
I stand up to get a better look.
Clearly, he’s been hitting the gym.
His tall, lean body is now sporting a six-pack.
I imagine my fingers running along his ripped abs.
My body nestled in his muscular arms.
Scott
Jules…is that you??
As soon as I hear his voice, I drop to the ground.
How am I ever going to play this off!?
I do the only thing I can…
Julie
Oh my god, I didn’t see you there!
Julie
Yeah, I just got home for spring break.
Julie
Phew! Freshman year of college has been tough!
I really sell it, wiping my brow and everything.
It’s not like I’m going to admit that I was gaping at his half-naked body.
We stare at each other awkwardly.
Ugh, the point was to play dumb, not look dumb!
Scott gives me a boyish grin that makes my knees feel wobbly.
Scott
I wish we still had our walkie-talkies!
He used to walkie-talkie me every single night…
Until he got too cool to talk to me.
I’m surprised he remembers.
Julie
Yeah, those were the best!
Scott
Well, since we don’t have them…
Scott
Wanna go for a walk and catch up?
My stomach begins to somersault.
Scott wants to catch up with ME??
I try to mask my excitement.
Downstairs, Scott is waiting for me.
A goofy cowboy hat is sitting on his head awkwardly…
In sharp contrast to his classic good looks.
He extends his muscular arms…
And wraps them around me.
The scent of pine trees and oranges tickles my nostrils.
Julie
It’s so good to see you!
I feel his eyes run me up and down.
The preteen girl inside of me screams with joy.
Julie
You don’t look so bad yourself!
Which makes him even more adorable.
Julie
Though, you could lose the cowboy hat…
Scott
I thought I looked sexy in it…
He tips the hat and grins.
Julie
You don’t need a hat to look sexy!
Did I really just say that?!
So much for trying to be cool.
Scott
So…you think I’m sexy??
He raises his eyebrows playfully.
And I instantly get tongue-tied.
Julie
You wouldn’t need to wear a hat!
Scott winks, and I can’t help but melt.
Scott
I’m sure that’s what you meant.
As we turn to walk down the street…
Our fingers brush against each other.
My hand aches to hold his.
Scott
Hey, want to go to the diner and get milkshakes?
Scott
Just like when we always used to do?
Again, I grin at the memory.
Scott
Do you remember that time we played hide-and-seek?
Excited, I swallow my mouthful of milkshake quickly.
Julie
You mean, the time I hid so well that no one could find me?
Scott
So that’s how you remember it…
Julie
What?! How do you remember it?
Scott
As that time we thought you were missing…
Scott
And my parents had to call the police!
Julie
I was so proud of my hiding spot!
Julie
I knew you’d never find me.
I take a triumphant sip of my milkshake.
Scott
Who would ever guess a 9-year-old would fit under the kitchen sink?
Julie
Well, I’ve always been pretty stealth.
Scott looks at me and smiles.
Scott
No, you’ve always been a bit of a mess…
He wipes the tip of my nose with his hand.
And holds up his finger to show me the whipped cream he’s wiped off my face.
Scott gazes into my eyes and licks the cream off his finger.
All I want is to throw our milkshakes on the floor…
And pull Scott in for a kiss.
But, a second later, reality sets in…
As Scott’s face gets serious.
Scott
Julie…why’d we ever grow apart?
I sigh and let me shoulders droop.
Julie
You really don’t know?
Julie
After you got popular, you kind of ditched me.
Julie
You had new friends…
Julie
I guess I just fell by the wayside.
Scott’s face grows serious.
Scott
Yeah…I was an idiot.
Scott
I just got so caught up in all of that.
Scott
And couldn’t see that the things that were really important…
Scott
Were right beside me all along.
Scott gazes into my eyes.
Scott
…I’m really sorry for that.
Julie
It isn’t a big deal.
Scott
You deserve better than that.
Scott
You’re beautiful, and smart—
Julie
You think I’m beautiful??
Scott
And you know how to have fun.
Scott
Or at least, I always actually have fun when I’m with you.
Scott
I’m not just pretending to have fun to look cool.
Suddenly, Scott looks down at his phone.
Scott
I completely forgot I’m having dinner with my family tonight.
Scott
But I’ve gotta run.
Julie
…I’m really glad we got to hang out.
Julie
Do you wanna walk back together?
As we approach our block, Scott slows down.
It’s as if he’s trying to draw out our time together.
I don’t want this day to end.
Julie
So, when do you head back to school?
He stares at his feet, kicking the gravel around.
Scott
I fly out tomorrow morning.
Scott
If I had known you’d be in town…
Scott
I would’ve made it a longer trip.
He seems genuinely sorry.
Julie
Yeah, it would’ve been nice to hang out a bit more.
I try to smile through my disappointment.
Scott
Maybe…we can coordinate next time?
There’s an awkward pause…
He’s staring right at me.
His hair falling into his brown eyes.
Scott
I guess it’s goodbye for now.
We stand frozen by my front steps for a few moments.
Then, he clasps his strong arms around me tightly.
I stay there for a minute, hoping for a kiss.
But, he doesn’t make a move…
He waves at me with a sheepish look on his face.
I walk inside and close the door behind me…
Didn’t he want to kiss me?
Why didn’t I just go for it?
What if I still have the chance?
Why don’t I go for it NOW?
I turn around and yank the door open.
Scott is still standing on the other side.
His eyes sparkle with excitement.
Scott
I guess we forgot something, huh?
With a sweeping gesture, he takes off his hat…
And as I kiss him back, I realize…
That this is what I’d dreamed of all throughout high school.
But I never imagined kissing him would feel this amazing.
He smiles and puts his hat back on.
Scott
We may not have walkie-talkies anymore…
Scott
But we do have phones.
Scott
Can I get your number?
Scott
The next time we’re home…
Scott
I want to take you out on a real date.
Back in my room, I sigh, looking out my window…
