**1975**
"Hi Richie." I looked up and smiled, resting my guitar on my lap.
"Hi Jenn." I said as she sat next to me on the bench.
"What's up?" She asked.
"Nothing much." I said.
"Why'd you ask me to come down here?" She asked.
"I want to play you a song. Tell me what you think. And be honest." I said, putting the guitar strap around my neck again.
"Okay." She said. I started strumming the song and singing quietly. I hadn't figured out all the words yet, but they just came naturally. When I finished, she clapped.
"That was beautiful, Richie." She said.
"You think so?" I asked.
"Of course." She said. I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it again. Don't you dare say it, Richie. There's no chance.
"You okay, Richie?" She asked, taking my hand.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I said.
"Are you sure? Your face is really red." Damn it. What is she doing to me? I just nodded. She just raised an eyebrow. "Okay." She said. I zoned out for a minute. "Richie." I snapped out of it.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Do you want me to take you home?" She asked.
"Nah. I'm fine." I said.
"Okay." She said. Do it, you coward. I sighed.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Jenn ..." You don't know what I felt at that moment. Sick to my stomach, worrying about how stupid I was going to look at that moment. My mouth was dry. All of those feelings people tell you about when they know they're in love.
"Yeah?" She asked. Instead of saying anything, I just leaned in and kissed her. I pulled away and looked down.
"I'm sorry." I could feel my face burning. Damn it. Now you look so fucking stupid, Richie. Way to go. She took my hand again.
"It's okay, Richie." She said. I looked at her, confused. She smiled and kissed me.
"How long have you been waiting to do that?" She asked.
"A long time." I admitted.
"It's about damn time you made your move." She teased me.
"What?" I asked. What the fuck is she going on about?
"I mean, I've been waiting for you to do something since sixth grade." She said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Richie. You've known me since Kindergarten. Would I say something like that if I didn't mean it?" She asked. I just smiled and kissed her again.
