9
My best friend was Paul.
A rich kid who was dumb.
He was my neighbor in the apartments.
He would say, “Donna, how do you know
everything?”
く
“You were born on February 29. You’re
lucky.”
“Don’t be so perfect. Leave some for us!”
A liar.
He was more mature than I remembered, and
his features were deep.
He used to play sports, and still had the body
for it.
But he was fumbling to get the condom out
of his pocket.
I didn’t let him.
He was excited, his eyes were shining.
ne was excneu, mis eyes were Shiminy.
He said I was awesome.
When he kissed me, my wig was crooked.
He didn’t notice and said, “Donna, you’re
cool.”
We slept together.
But when he found out it wasn’t my first time,
he got rough.
Afterward, he was upset: “When did you start
dating?”
“You didn’t want to date until you were 27?”
“Did you lie to me?”
く
He was holding me tight: “Donna, you’re
good!”
“Paul!”
I grabbed his skin, and he screamed.
He was mad: “I should have stayed at home!”
I laughed.
“You were having fun back home.”
He rolled his eyes: “It’s not the same as being
with you.”
“Bad deal!”
10
I didn’t go home.
I took painkillers and was sleepy.
When I woke up, Paul was sleeping, his chin
on my cheek, and his warm breath on my
face.
His arms made me feel safe, and I slept well
last night.
I got my phone and took pictures of us.
He took my phone and pulled me up to kiss
- me.
“Click!”
The phone took a picture of us.
r
He smirked.
“If you want to take pictures, be honest. I’m
not embarrassed.”
“Merry Christmas, Donna.”
