"So, then -" I paused to finish a rep of low kicks "- it turns out that Macie isn't dating Cyrus." A couple of knee strikes here. "I think Sienna just made it up."
"Try to get your knees up a little higher next time. Now rest your legs for a minute with some punches. So was Macie upset with Sienna?" Mom asked.
"Oh yeah, I don't think they like each other at all."
"Remember not to over-extend."
"Like this?" I asked as I adjusted my technique.
"Perfect. Finish this rep and switch back to those low kicks. And what besides Sienna's lie makes you think they don't like each other?"
"Good form on those kicks, now switch back to punches. And what did Macie do when you said that?"
"No, in fact it sounds like only one of the two girls your talking about is like that. Right?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Jay, haven't you thought about why Sienna might be doing those things?"
"A little, but it's a mystery to me."
"Sweetie, I'm pretty sure the girl likes you. Sounds like she has a pretty big crush on you. In fact I'm pretty sure both of the girls like you. And Sienna is worried that you like Macie."
I stopped punching the bag and turned around to look at my mom. "Really? Why didn't they just tell me if they like me?"
"Well, this isn't always the case, but some girls like the boy to make the first move. And it's not always so easy to tell someone your feelings, especially if you think you might be rejected. I mean, have you told Macie that you like her?"
"What makes you think I like Macie?"
"Don't you?"
"I - uh - I - uh - I don't know."
"Sure you do. Maybe you just haven't realized it yet. But you get this look in your eye when you talk about her that isn't there when you talk about your other friends."
Like I said, it was a very interesting talk. It gave me a lot to think about.
* * *
"Uh yeah."
"Well, I've been thinking about asking someone to be my girlfriend and I wanted to know what you think about it?"
"Macie, you really shouldn't call someone a plumhead until you hear everything they have to say. I don't want to ask Sienna to be my girlfriend."
"You don't?"
"No I don't."
"Then..."
"Really?"
"Yes. I like you a lot, you know."
I nod yes.
"And you want me to be your girlfriend?"
"Yes. Do you want me to be your boyfriend?"
She nodded yes.
"Me too... Can I ask you something?"
"Always."
"What made you decide to ask? It seems kind of out of the blue. I'm happy you did, I just wasn't expecting it."
"Always." She repeats my line from before.
"I think I've liked you for a long time, but I didn't realize it until yesterday. Don't laugh, but it was something my Mom said that opened my eyes. I was telling her about you, and Sienna, and she said that it sounded like you both had feelings for me. And I don't know if that's true, but I do know that I liked the idea of you liking me. And it really made me start to think... about things."
"Did I say something funny?"
"Sorry, it's just that you were so clueless. You really didn't know that I liked you. And Sienna was being beyond obvious. Part of me thought you just didn't really like either one of us in that way -- that was the reason why you never made a move. But you really are just adorably clueless, aren't you?"
"Lucky for you, I'm going to ignore the heartless way you were just laughing at me. But only because you called me adorable. And while I would prefer, a more manly compliment, I'll take take what I can get."
"Jay, you are adorable. I wouldn't have it any other way. I had a crush on you since we first met. I thought you were so cute... in a very masculine way, of course."
This was one of the happiest days of my life so far. We spent the evening hanging out, pretty much like normal. But things feel a lot different.