Cheyenne
Running late again š¬
Nikki
Girl. You NEED to get your bike fixed.
Cheyenne
Mike works at the repair shop.
My heart sinks into my stomach at the thought of him.
Nikki
But I thought you were crushing hard on Mike!
Cheyenne
We sort of hadā¦a moment.
Nikki
How am I just hearing about this?!
Cheyenne
Because Iām so embarrassed! š
My heart races as I think back to the memory Iāve been trying to block out all week.
Cheyenne
We were both at Deniseās party last week.
Cheyenne
I was obviously excited to see him.
I close my eyes for a moment, basking in that memory.
His soft t-shirt hugging his strong armsā¦
It makes my knees weak just thinking about it.
Cheyenne
Someone suggested we play blindfolded truth or dareā¦
Cheyenne
ā¦and I agreed to play.
Cheyenne
When it was my turnā¦
Cheyenne
I put on the blindfoldā¦
Cheyenne
And Denise dared someone to kiss me.
Cheyenne
I felt these strong hands take me by the waistā¦
Cheyenne
And I felt this sweet, soft kiss.
Cheyenne
When I pulled off the blindfold, it was Mike.
Nikki
Omg dream come true!
Cheyenne
Almost, but not quite.
Cheyenne
Once I saw the look on his faceā¦
Cheyenne
Well, he looked like he would rather be ANYWHERE else but with me.
Nikki
You donāt know that for sure.
Cheyenne
Yes, I do. I could see it on his face.
Cheyenne
Plus, he was totally pressured into kissing me!
Cheyenne
I heard Denise egging him on.
Cheyenne
He didnāt actually want to.
Cheyenne
Which is why I ran away.
Cheyenne
I totally messed up. š¤¦āāļø
Cheyenne
I embarrassed him in front of all his friends.
Cheyenne
And Iām positive he hates me now.
Nikki
Iām sure he doesnāt.
Nikki
You just need to talk to him!
Nikki
And get your bike fixed while youāre at it š
Cheyenne
ā¦Or maybe I can buy a new bike? š
I sigh, looking down at my phone.
I know I need to stop running from everything.
I check the time and see that Iām 10 minutes late for class.
Cheyenne
Ugh. Fine. Iāll go get it fixed.
I walk up to the small repair shop with my bike in tow.
Mike is right inside, laughing with a customer.
He has the most gentle, earnest smile.
I duck my head down and enter.
His smile fades when he recognizes me.
He purposely avoids eye contact.
I give him a nervous smile.
Cheyenne
My bike isā¦broken.
Mike
Okay, Iāll take a look.
He pulls the bike over to him.
Our hands touch briefly and it sends a shiver down my spine.
He leans down and inspects the bike.
Then, he looks up at me, worried.
Mike
Youāve been riding this thing?
He breathes a quick sigh of relief.
Mike
Oh, good. The brakes are completely shot.
Mike
And the front wheel is bent.
Cheyenne
Guess that explains the steering issues.
Mike
What did you do to it?
His first concern is for my safety?
I mentally kick myself for messing it up with him.
Cheyenne
Yeah, funny storyā¦
Cheyenne
After Deniseās party last week, I rode my bike home.
Cheyenne
And I lost control going down a hill.
I look up at him, puzzled.
Mike
Iām sorry, I donāt mean to laugh.
Mike
Itās just ā that must have been a bad night for you.
Mike
First, you had to kiss me, which you obviously hated.
Mike
And then, you crashed your bike?
Mike shakes his head and grins this wide, self-deprecating smile.
I open my mouth in shock.
Cheyenne
You think I hated kissing you?
Mike
You ran away without saying a word!
Mike
What was I supposed to think?
He finally meets my eyes with his own.
They are full of hurt and regret.
My heart beats out of my chest.
I have to tell him how I feel.
Cheyenne
Iāve wanted to kiss you since the day I met you.
Cheyenne
I justā¦panicked.
Cheyenne
When I took off the blindfold, there was so much uncertainty in your face.
Cheyenne
And Iām so used to running from my feelings.
Cheyenne
I mean, Iāve liked you for months now.
Cheyenne
But I had zero plans to ever tell you that.
He takes a step toward me.
And something like excitement glimmers in his eyes.
I laugh, and throw my hands up in defeat.
Cheyenne
There. All my cards are on the table now.
Mike slips his hands in his pockets, nervously.
Mike
I asked Denise to dare me to kiss you.
Mike
Guess youāre not the only one afraid to say how they feel.
Adrenaline races through my body.
I gasp softly as he takes my hand in his.
Mike
Maybe we could have a do-over.
Our faces are inches apart.
I can feel his breath dancing on my lips.
Mike
And no blindfolds either.
I close the rest of the distance between us.
And meet his lips in the most perfect kiss.
Warmth rushes through my body.
He brings his palm behind my head, pressing his lips into mine.
And then, we slowly pull apart.
I touch my lips with my fingers, in shock.
Cheyenne
I guess I didnāt have to worry about you not liking me.
I wrap my arms around him, smiling.
Iām so full of happiness.
And Iām more than ready for another kiss.
