Poetic Letters

Homecoming ii

Roseanne

Monday morning can't come fast enough.

I want to see Lisa again.

Even if she made me promise to keep this new part of our relationship a secret at school, I just want to be around her. Even more than usual-and that is really saying something, considering I always feel like I'm holding my breath until that first glimpse of her in the hallways of Rosebank Girls High.

Once again, I'm surprised how bold I was in her bedroom on Saturday night. But I wasn't lying when I told Lisa I trust her. That trust made it easier to let go and then it was like flying. Every time I think of our reflections in the mirror, I shiver, the walls of my flesh compressing, prickly heat racing down to my toes. Has she been thinking about it nonstop, too?

Maybe once we've spent some more time together, she'll want to be with me. Out in the open. She won't be worried about her fellow honor students judging her for dating the head cheerleader who could barely pass geometry.

Lisa was really sweet to call me intelligent the other night, but I know she was just being kind to me, like she always is. This is the same person who once pretended to ride a roller coaster with me at Six Flags, then snuck me out the exit door before we could actually board the ride, because I was terrified. And then she bought me a waffle cone, sat beside me on a bench and waited for everyone else to catch up.

She's the best. That's why I love her.

So I need to be happy with the arrangement. And anyway, no one can stop me from daydreaming about us walking down the hallways holding hands.

A little flip in my stomach signals that Lisa is coming.

I check my reflection in the mirror I have taped up inside my locker and brush nonexistent wrinkles from the skirt of my blue and white flowery sundress. Swallowing the butterflies in my throat, I turn my head to watch Lisa approach and my knees go weak. So cool and unassuming in her jeans and navy v-neck long-sleeved shirt, backpack over one shoulder. Boots.

My thighs squeeze together at the memory of her driving those hips against my bottom. I'll wreck this beautiful cheerleader ass. I'll fucking wreck it.

Anticipation crackles in my tummy. Want for more. If she asked me to make out with her right here and now, in front of everyone, I would do it without question, because I'm that desperate for more of her kisses. More of her fingers on me. Inside me, maybe, next time.

Lisa's dark eyes find me through the sea of students and they warm, her mouth lifting in a lopsided smile. Is she going to come talk to me? In front of everyone? That wouldn't be unusual, right? Everyone knows we're close because of my friendship with Minnie.

She keeps coming in my direction and I know I'm smiling like a total idiot. Her gaze travels down the front of my dress, catching on the short hem where it brushes me high on my thighs. A muscle ticks in her cheek. I'm aware of my appearance enough to know these heeled sandals do a lot for my long legs, making them look even longer, and I hope she's picturing them wrapped around her waist. I hope she can't wait another day to touch me. I can't.

When Lisa is about ten feet away, something in her expression changes. She looks at something behind me and her stride slows. I glance back over my shoulder and see my friends from the squad are closing in, huddled together and laughing at something on one of their phones.

And when I turn back, Lisa is gone.

Quickly, I turn and bury my head in my locker, so no one will witness the burning humiliation on my face. I expected Lisa to be standoffish in front of the smarter kids, but the cheerleaders, too? Maybe she just wants to avoid anyone speculating that something might be going on.