A story I wrote three years ago still makes me smile. I think you'll smile too.


The One

She caught my eye like a shiny red Winnebago as she sauntered through the mall food court.

I knew at once that she was the one.

I tried to muster up the courage to talk to her, but I was locked in the frozen state of love at first sight. I’m sure if she would’ve seen me, I would’ve looked ridiculous: my eyes wide open and my jaw dropped. My hands were shaking badly as I watched her every move. Before long the man behind the counter of Taco Bell asked me if I was all right. I managed to stumble through a response. “I’m… okay….” The man shook his head and went back to work.

She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. She walked with a stride that kept my heart at her heels. Abruptly she stopped and took a seat at a table near the door. She started nonchalantly drinking from her soda. I contemplated our first acquaintance. Would it go over well? Or would I make a fool of myself? I didn’t trust myself not to say something stupid. But could I really let her walk out of my life without even saying ‘hello’? I had to give it a shot.

I strolled over to her table, trying to act casual. When I got closer to her, I realized that she was even more beautiful than I had anticipated. She glanced up at me and flashed me a quick smile. That gave me the courage to say the first word. “Is this seat taken?”

“No," she replied, her focus still clearly on her soda. She certainly wasn’t making this easy on me. How was I supposed to think of something to say next? My mind raced through the possibilities. I should say something funny. But what if she doesn’t laugh? Then I’ll look like an idiot. But what if she does laugh? Then she’ll think I’m funny. What to say! She’s looking at me! I’ve got to say something! Come on! Anything! Too much time has passed! You’ve got to say something!

“So… uh… you like stuff?” Great job, Romeo. The minute it left my mouth I turned red in embarrassment. I could feel the beads of sweat dripping onto my face. I brushed them off my face with a quick flick of my hand. Why wasn’t she responding? It’s taking too long. It seemed like hours had passed in the time of five seconds.

Finally, her mouth formed words slowly. “Well, of course I like stuff.” Her face was twisted in a look of confusion as she vainly tried to understand what was wrong with me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Do you think it’s a little hot in here? I’m a little hot.” My eyes were full of panic. She noticed that I’m embarrassed! What am I gonna do?! My heart began to race. I noticed that I was staring down at the table, as I tend to do when I’m nervous. I looked up to find a pair of warm, concerned brown eyes looking back at me.

“Well, if you say so.” Her look of confusion stung as she tried to figure me out. “Well, I’ve gotta go...over there... now. See ya.” She got up and walked out the door, without looking back.

“See ya,” I called after her. For some reason, I was glad that she had left. My heart rate returned to normal, as did the color in my face. I breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, that went over well,” I said to myself. Shot down again. Well, it’s happened before and it’ll happen again.

I looked around to see if anybody had been watching. My eyes met another girl who was sitting two tables over from mine. My heart once again began to race and my hands trembled.

I knew at once that she was the one.