*WARNING: I like to tell stories fully dialogged.*
Picture it, Highland Mall (In Austin, Texas), 2010!
OK, OK, so, I'm just kidding. But, anyway, I was about 13, still am, but, I was standing with my seven year old cousin in Claire's (The little accessory shop for little girls?), and, there was this guy, holding the hand of a girl about the same age of Cece (My cousin), only, he seemed to be more interested in what Cece was looking at then what his own little sister/cousin/niece/etc. was looking at.
Huh?
First, I figured he was a pervert, who liked to check little girls out. He didn't look to be more than sixteen, so, y'know, I kinda scooted in closer to Cece, thinking of defensive methods I learned in defense class (As a part of my etiquette lessons, defensive classes were mandatory). You know, knee to the groin, nose, back of the knee, elbow to the temple, et cetera, et cetera. Typical stuff.
However, as I moved in closer to her, his smile got bigger. I guess it was because he thought that it was going to be a two for one, or, the fact that he figured I finally noticed him.
I flattered myself by thinking the latter, but, apparently there was some truth on his part in that self-flattery.
Next thing I know, he's pulling the little girl (Monica his cousin, I learned later) in our direction. I felt my cheeks go a little warm, and, I pulled on my bottom lip, something I tend to do when boys come around. He was pretty cute, tall, broad shouldered, blue eyes, obviously died black hair, dimple in his chin, and, skater boy hair. Seeing as how I nearly die every time they (skater boys) come around, I was pretty pleased.
"Hey," He said, and, I loved his deep voice. "I'm Danny."
I smiled a bit. "And I'm Nae," My eyes misted over in obvious embarrassment as I corrected myself. "I'm Ashley. Sorry, my friends call me Nae."
He laughed a bit. It was a gorgeous laugh. Oh how I loved it. "S'okay. I'm Daniel, but, my friends call me Danny."
We talked a bit as Cece and Monica walked around, looking at hair bows and earrings, laughing at the decorations and getting shot dirty looks by the employees and the little girls around us.
"So..." He trailed off as I payed for Cece's things and we were walking towards the food court.
Was he..? I quickly pulled my number to the front of my mind. Maybe he wanted to... Oh how I hope he wanted to...
"Uhm. Well..." He was stammering. Stammering? Why would he... "You know, there are 206 bones in the body."
What?
"Yeah, I know-" My eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Cece and Monica turned to look at us, knowing there wasn't something going on right, but, turned around, probably still talking about their lucky finds.
"Well... I wanted to know... Would you like to add another one?" His ears burned red. I stopped, still looking at him with wide eyes.
I know he didn't just... He did not just ask me... Are you serious?
"Cece?" I called her back to me. She turned and ran to me (I have always been her favorite). "Come on. Let's go."
We walked a few stores in the other direction before I heard pattering feet behind me. I was tempted to pull Cece further along until I realized they were smaller feet. And Cece called out "Monny!" I turned around to see Monica there and no one else.
"Ash?" She asked me, her voice sweet. "What happened?"
I looked up the see Danny talking to some guys who were laughing and looking in my direction. I had never been so humiliated...
"Danny asked me... Uhm..." How was I going to tell a seven year old what her older cousin asked me?
"Did he ask you what those boys told him to?" She asked, her eyebrows scrunching in confusing. "They said something about bones..."
She left her sentence dangling, trying to recall what was said, and, I was sure that, no matter how dark I was, she could see me blushing.
Hold up.
They told him to say it?
"Monica, would you do me a favor?" I asked, stopping her progress.
"Yeah!" She was nearly bouncing.
"Go tell Danny I'm 13." That would teach him.
Her eyes went wide. "OOoooOoo He's gonna be in trouble! You're... Ill... Ill... Illegal!"
I smiled and watched as she went to go tell him. I nearly laughed as their eyes went wide and they looked back at me in surprise. "Thirteen?" He mouthed. I nodded curtly and walked off, not even bothering to look back.
"Nae Nae?" Cece asked pulling on my hand. "What does 207 bones mean?"
I sighed. How in the world was I supposed to explain this to Aunt Sabrina?
So, true story, true story! I was just talking to Danny about it. It's one of those "do you remember when we first met?" moments. We actually ended up being great friends - Once he explained what was going on and all.
*muahmuah*
- Nae
