Smile

I smile and greet my fellow campers who have returned for the Reunion. I see some I don’t know, but meet and introduce myself to them. I feel awkward knowing we have shared the same place and never seen each other. I’m confused and slightly embarrassed.

The rest of the bus ride seems unimportant, although I do remember a great deal if it, and it is very fun. But still, they are only details and this is about someone I saw.

She is neither awkward nor embarrassed. She seems to know everyone and greets them like old friends. She is beautiful. I’m awe-struck.

Later that night, she puts her belongings in the room across from mine. I wish fervently I was sleeping there, too, but instead I stay with some others that I actually do know from camp. For a time, I forget about her and enjoy the moment.

Even later, a dance is held. For the first time at camp, I am uncomfortable to be stupid, and funny, and wild. I do not lose myself in the music as I always have. Instead, I sit in one of the chairs and watch my friends dance, hoping they will invite me to dance with them, and I will so have an excuse to be ridiculous yet again.

They do, but I refuse. I know I am being difficult. But I steal glances at the girl I noticed before. Makeup shrouds already prominent brown eyes and sleek, dark brown hair is pulled back into a side-ponytail. It works well on her. A black t-shirt frames her skinny figure, and long legs stretch down from a trim torso. She smiles as if the world is meant for her in a Cheshire-cat like way. Her smile, relaxed, stretches itself across her face. I fall in love with it.

I become bold enough to ask someone I know her name. She tells me it’s Leigh Ann. The name rolls of my tongue as I try it out. I inquire as to how old she is and discover she has just turned fifteen. I thought she was two years older. This idea excites me.

Then, as if reading my mind, the person who told me her name adds that she’s straight as a pole. They must have known why I asked. They also tell me she has been known to bend that while intoxicated. I feel guilty and happy at the same time.

I go home and she is not there. I don’t know her, but I cry. I find her in the yearbook. She is smiling there, too. I decide everyone should smile like she does. And her eyes, they sparkle and grin, also, as if they are lips themselves. This intrigues me.

The year passes, and I lose interest in Leigh Ann, as I always do. But summer comes by, and I go a different time than I always have to camp. I see her again. Soon, I have re-discovered her smile and her eyes and they enchant me again. For a whirlwind of two weeks, they enchant me. I learn more about her and even spend a miniscule amount of time in her company. This satisfies me.

Now the year is passing again, and I haven’t yet forgotten. Even if I do not see her again and her name escapes me, I will remember her eyes.

And her smile.