just kids

at first

you were the loud boy on the bus 

with a red lunchbox 

full of day old spaghetti in a dented thermos

and parmesan your dad brought back from italy 

you were the boy that made me laugh 

even when I didn't want to

you then became my friend

my polar opposite 

my partner in crime 

getting me in trouble 

and I didn't even mind 

we drew comics and cartoons 

with expensive pens and markers 

making characters that said 

what we were too scared to say 

and we would walk loops around my house

in the blue dark talking 

about things that made us wise beyond our years 

then one day 

behind the leaning pine tree 

in my overgrown backyard 

you told me that you liked me 

and asked if I felt the same

and suddenly I froze 

elementary mind turning to stone

running from fate I didn't understand 

it's been years since that november day 

and I like to think I've grown 

but you still make me nervous 

in a good way

whenever we're alone

there is something in your eyes 

and maybe in your smile 

that I've always liked to hide from

but I think it might be time