Notice

Do you see me?

I see you.

We pass in the hall.

My heart rate increases,

I can feel my cheeks heat as I duck my head.

Did you notice that?

My friends notice and then they see you.

They laugh and tease and I can’t help but join in.

However, my mind is elsewhere.

Can you still hear me, even though you’re down the hall now?

Did you see me?

More than that, did you notice me?

It probably doesn’t matter, though.

I’m a face in the crowd to you.

Or, maybe, that loud, obnoxious girl.

The one whose friends seem to look at you

Every time you pass.

They always laugh.

You see them point in your direction.

They turn to each other,

Whispering fiercely,

Their laughter reverberating through the hall

Are they pointing at you?

Are they talking about you?

Are they laughing at you?

You don’t know.

The bell rings.

Groups of friends disperse.

They’ll forget about what happened.

I won’t.

I’ll go to class,

I’ll try to learn,

But it’ll be difficult.

So I do what I always do.

I sit near you and think.

Does he notice me?

The teacher drones on.

My eyes wander around the room.

Inevitably, they land on you.

You quickly look away and busy yourself with writing.

Slowly, I see your cheeks turn pink,

Just as mine had earlier.

Almost in a trance, I bring my gaze back to the front of the room.

Leaning back in my seat, I can’t help but smile.

Because now I know.

You notice me, too.

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by GL reader | 2/1/2016