Ninth Grade

1. It was the ninth grade; I was nervous; I was shy; and I loved her. Finally I got the nerve to tell her while we were riding on the bus to Cal State Fulerton for the state Science Olympiad competition. We were talking about the periodic table quiz when I interjected,

   "What would you say if I told you I loved you?"

   "I don't know," she replied. And then she continued to talk about calcium.

   "Um, um, I just told you I loved you and all you can do is talk about calcium?"

   "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were taking a poll, or something."

   Our team wins the state Science Olympiad.

2. Months pass. I am fairly miserable because I love her and she doesn't love me. By winning the state Science Olympiad, our team gets the chance to go to the national competition, to be held in Ohio. I put my misery into my work, and I study and study.

   Finally, the competition comes and our team flies to Ohio. Everyone is excited because we are away from school and there is a minimum of adult supervision. We were walking to our bus to go from our hotel to the first event when she pulls me aside.

   "Thomas, I think I love you."

   "That's wonderful! That's fantastic!" I hug her. "When did you first realize you felt this was?"

   "Yesterday on the plane. I was going to tell you then but I thought it was air sickness."

   Our school comes in second at the national Science Olympiad.