Having a Crush at School
Having a Crush at School
John didn’t like Girls. They were always squabbling with each other. They didn’t play football and weren’t into cars. Girls were just complicated. He didn’t understand them at all. But maybe most boys aged 10 felt the same as he, well most of his friends did anyway.
It was just after the Easter break. Autumn was evident on all the Liquid Ambers that edged the football oval. School had began again and John had noticed that the break had not improved his teacher, Miss Wilson’s disposition at all. He felt that perhaps she could have done with another holiday. He could have done with another one too.
Julie arrived during one of Miss Wilson’s long descriptions on fractions. Who cared what fraction was left over when you carved up a lemon meringue pie. Surely eating it was the important thing.
Her name was Julie Manning. She had flaming long red hair a deep musical voice and the smallest hands John had every seen. So unlike his two callused plates. She smelt like lavender soap he noticed as she walked down the aisle to her seat after being introduced to the class.
John felt strange. This was the first time that he had noticed a girl. He hoped she liked footy and wondered which team she might go for.
Playtime couldn’t come soon enough for John. Miss Wilson’s voice droned on and on. At last the bell sounded for recess and he was out in the crisp autumn air in record time waiting, waiting for Julie.
He stood by the door. All the girls from his class were fussing around her because she was so cool. She brushed passed him and gave him a quick hesitant smile. His heart just about burst in his chest. “Say something.” He thought. “Say something.” “Lovely day” he heard himself say a few octaves higher than his usual baritone and with that he felt his whole face flush like some bright red apple hanging on his fathers favourite orchard tree.
They laughed. They all laughed. “That’s just John Walsh.” They said. “He plays football. Did you notice the size of his feet?”