Meeting my best friend was a celebration..

Late and cruising slowly,

trying to find the place to park.

Eventually finding a driveway

I turned the car to park next to another metal box,

on the grass of the community center.

Spotting people I did not recognize,

I was hit with waves of anxiety

but reached for my caffeinated courage

and stepped out of the car anyway.

As I moved to close and lock my truck,

the sun began to beat down and warm my skin.

My A lined dress was more fabric than anyone else had worn

as I flowed across the wet grass and towards the

nearest building. Once inside,

I finally spotted the birthday girl,

and a few familiar faces.

The day was sweltering

around 90 degrees

and I kept my hair down,

sweating ferociously.

I walked inside, stepping into coolness, instantly chilled

and I sipped more courage, wet and comforting

hoping to cool down.

I gathered edible comfort

from the buffet, wading

towards the gathering of teens

Huddled close and cackling.

Hellos exchanged, nods given

I noticed a girl that I had seen before,

but had always been too nervous to talk to.

She and I had a lot in common,

though we had not noticed yet.

We barely said two words to

each other in the beginning,

but she would change my view on life itself.