the obvious: how to love someone

how to keep your hands from shaking when the boy you like asks you to dance at your first school dance

how to hold shut the dam of tears that are threatening when you see your crush kiss your best friend

how to hold your head up when your world is crashing waves straight to your heart

how to wait patiently when all you can think about is that text you are hoping to get at 2 a.m.

how to react when he touches you for the first time, and goosebumps scatter across your skin or how it feels when he kisses

how to recognize the ones that will call from the ones that won't

how to walk away from someone you once loved more than yourself

how to grow up when the world seems like it's against you at every turn