Goodnight and Hello.

It's barely August 19th, and the wee hours can't shake the energy coming over me.

You picked me up several minutes late, and from the minute I jumped in your car, we were quick with conversation and negligent of the radio. One downtown drive later, you navigated a packed parking lot and the ticket lines parted. I dubbed you navigator, you would soon complain that the smiling made your face hurt. We explored trails when we didn't know where they led and made loops to ensure we saw everything. I remember wanting you to hold my hand. A man called me a keeper when I got excited to see the snakes. You said "Yeah, I guess you are a keeper." I blushed in that dark room, and I knew without certainty that I liked you.

I remember the pink lemonade, the sticky hands and dropped spoons; laughing at inappropriate dragonflies and telling stories about school, tattoos, family. We stopped in a quiet room that was soon overtaken by noise, so we ditched it in favor of a long walk around the park. I said I knew a place, and you gave me the patience to find it. We walked a path without assurance we were allowed to and climbed hills to get back to the start. A rock bench became home for an unknown amount of time, and we battled off ants while asking questions. You said our chapsticks would taste good together. It's silly, but this is when I knew I wanted you to kiss me.

One more car ride and we're back in familiar territory, for me. I know I want sushi, but you step outside your comfort zone. We try each other's and you make me eat half of yours. I find this bossiness incredibly endearing, like you genuinely enjoy treating me. We choke on mints that neither of us like and just sneak in for a movie right on time. You insist on popcorn, but nerves and dinner have me filled to the brim. I can't resist your smile, so I tuck some kernels in for good measure. My hand is perched like I'm back in grade school, and not long after, you oblige. I feel your eyes on me, making sure I'm laughing on cue, again anxious to provide the very best. To this, I happily oblige.

We take up music quizzing and you show me a glimpse of your past. We laugh at your music, although it's quite good, and I secretly treasure that wrong turn. More time with you, just you.

You say you'd love to hang out with my family, and you laugh at their jokes and listen to their rants. The booze is free flowing for everyone but us, but you seem as calm and confident as when it was just the two of us. I love the way you brush against me, when you're cold, to let me know you're there. I'm dreaming of goodnight so I can dream of the next hello.

Goodnight comes with a rising chill in the air, and we chatter our teeth as we share the first contact we've ever made. I don't take my hands off of you as we devise our next hello. With this sealed, you kiss me, sweet and honest, your intentions clear without being forward. I can't erase the smile as I watch you disappear. Goodbye until the next hello.