Stomachs

The bell rang.

He stared at her as she passed. Oh god, she was beautiful.

“Ahem.”

“What took you so long?” He frowned. She had seen him stare at Anya.

“Anya is nice. And pretty.” She smiled wide.

They started walking home.

“So?” He shrugged.

“So nothing. She would gracefully accept if someone liked her.” She continued beaming.

“She is nice. Isn't she?” He finally gave in. “And so intelligent.” He continued.

“So tell her.” She said.

“But, she is Anya. I mean, I am not even friends with her. I am friends with no girl but you.”

“Hm.” She was deep in thought.

“I cannot just ask her out. How do I tell her she is brilliant?”

“Beat her at a test.” She said. She bought an ice cream candy, sat down on the bench near the street and started licking it.

“What? But she is smart. She tops them all.”

“Exactly. Beat her at a test. She will notice you. Maybe even talk to you. Then you can offer to teach or something. I don’t know.”

“Shit. This is so hard.” He sighed and sat down next to her. “I feel like my stomach is a churning machine when she passes. She is just so fabulous, you know. I want to talk to her all day.”

“Kids and love is charming to watch.” She laughed.

“You are 14, too.”

“And not in love.” She beamed.

“The ones who resist the most, are the ones that fall the hardest. My dad said.” He said giving her a smirk.

“We will see about that.”

“We indeed will.”

And as he ran past her stealing her candy, she realized what he meant. Sigh, her stomach churned.