1 The Kiss

When most people want to get away from reality or be free of something that is bothering them, they do something they enjoy. For example, watching TV, exercising, or reading. Not me. When I'm feeling stressed, I clean. I dust, mop, sterilize, and sort through my problems. So, naturally, my favorite place to hang out is the Janitor's closet at my school. That's not the only reason. My girlfriend Meghan is happy to humor me and spend every lunch with me in the cleaning room. At first glance, all you notice are the dust-covered surfaces, and lack of sanitation in the room despite what the name entails. The stacks of unopened toilet paper waiting expectantly, or the low-pitched humming coming from a mysterious gray box up against one of the walls. After spending a multitude of hours there, I have learned to appreciate it. The musty smell the room gives off, and the dim light projected from the ceiling. A place of tranquility where we can feel at peace, myself especially. This safe haven was my spot, our spot. Meghan did have a preferred spot, but loved me enough to go along with wherever I dragged her. A place for us, where we could go. We would sit and talk together, laugh together, and enjoy each other's company.

Meghan and I have been steadily dating for about a year and a half now. We have had our roses and thorns, but thankfully have a strong foundation to fall back on. We always come around and forgive each other, admitting to our mistakes. Meghan is awesome! There are, however, a few complaints I have. She is really tall. Most girls search for a taller partner, but with Meghan, it's kind of hard to hug her because of her height. Also, the fact that she is tall makes her a good candidate for modeling or playing basketball, which she does in fact do. These activities take all of her time, especially basketball. During the school day, she has lunch meetings with her team and during the weekend she has games. I feel like these activities have become a bigger priority than me. The flame is starting to sputter out. I've been contemplating breaking up with her recently. Our relationship has just kind of lost its spark, you know?

There was this cute girl named Sally who started attending our school recently and she was really cute. She was also smart, funny, charismatic and totally my type. I had decided to start talking to her. Soon we were best buds, laughing and getting along, spending lunch together. We had a great time. A few weeks went by like this, I was the happiest I had ever been. I trusted Sally. I trusted her enough to show her our secret hideout. When Sally first walked in, she saw the same thing I did. A beautifully dreary place to relax and be free in. Another reason I liked this room was that it was right next to the vending machine. I was telling Sally about this place and how Meghan and I used to hang out here, when Sally did something that surprised me. Reaching out with her hands, she gently grabbed me by the waist and pulled me towards her, and offered an innocent gesture. A kiss. That's all it was. One single kiss. The best thing that had ever happened to me, but also quite possibly the worst. On our way into the Janitor's closet earlier, we had forgotten to shut the door all the way. I didn't know it at the time, but Meghan was outside the room buying snacks from the vending machine. I guess she noticed our mistake. Meghan pushed the door open, and I froze. At that moment, the room seemed to grow darker. It took me a minute to process everything. Once I did, words got caught in my throat, and my eyes filled with tears. Before I could explain, Meghan went storming off. I didn't follow her, but I knew where she went. Where she always vanished to get away as I did. She disappeared into the library. Sally grabbed my hand, pulling me back, trying to keep me in this once pure, untainted place. I denied my hand in return. This place wasn't beautiful anymore. It had become something foreign, a strange place where I wouldn't, in good conscious, be able to return.