I glanced across the gymnasium at the dance to look at him like I always did. I thought that he’d be laughing and dancing with his friends, but he wasn’t. I wondered if he’d be slow-dancing with his new girl and looking into her eyes, but he wasn’t. He was looking at me. Even once we made eye contact, he didn’t look away. Neither did I. The moment we fleeting, but tempting. I kept thinking of trying to make things right with him. I wanted us to be in love again. But when he started dating Hanna, I didn’t think that I would get the chance. I quickly diverted my attention away from him. I hurried out of the gym, and went over to my locker. I felt so overwhelmed about everything. It’d been years, but still I couldn’t let this go. I still loved the idea of him.

“Megan?” I heard. I turned to see him standing behind me.

“Ben? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the dance?” I asked.

“I just saw that you ran out and I wanted to make sure that you were okay,” He explained.

“Oh…”

“I know that we don’t talk much,” He started. “But I want you to know that I still care about you,” He said. I smiled.

“I still care about you too,” I said.

“Are you okay?” He asked me.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll be fine,” I told him. He sighed.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” He asked.

“Really Ben, it’s fine. You have a girlfriend that you should be keeping company,” I mumbled.

“The only girlfriend that I want to be keeping company is you,” Ben blurted.

“What are you talking about?” I exclaimed.

“Look, Megan, I think I might love you,” He said. “I miss you,” He said. I can’t believe this, I thought. Why would he put me in this position?

“I don’t think that’s fair to say,” I told him.

“What do you mean, Megan? I love you, and that’s the truth,” He argued.

“Hanna is a great girl and I don’t want to hurt her,” I argued back.

“But you’re saying that if it wasn’t for her…” He trailed off.

“Yes Ben. If it wasn’t for her… then maybe I could say it back.”

“You still can,” He said.

“You know I can’t do that,” I argued.

“Please. Megan. Please. I have been in love with you since 7th grade. Some 4 month relationship with Hanna is not going to get in the way of this. I thought I was into her, but it was just another coping mechanism.”

“That an awful thing to say…”

“I know…” He said. I looked up at him and took a step in. I ran my hand down the side of his collar and took a breath in.

“I lo-“ I paused as tears filled my eyes and I stepped back. He sighed with disappointment. He turned to walk away. I wanted to cry but not until he left. He was obviously fed up with this. With my games. One minute I’m looking over at him at the dance, wishing that he’d take me back, and the next I’m watching him walk away from me after he confessed his love.

“Wait! Ben! I love you!” I yelled.

“You do?” He yelled back.

“I do! I really do love you!” I called.

“Oh thank god!” He yelled as he ran over to me. He gracefully scooped me up into his arms and twirled me just like the movies. I took a second to lean in and kiss him. Then I hugged him and let my tears come out. It didn’t matter how happy this moment was; it was emotional.

“Oh my gosh.”

We turned back. It was Hanna.

“Ben? What are you doing?”