Sand and swapping Germs

The walk across the grass

to Ella

takes a minute

but feels like forever

knowing she’s watching

and I’m not sure what to say.

A few metres away,

I stumble

and accidentally kick sand onto her legs.

She laughs instead of swearing.

I reach down

to brush the grit from her tights.

‘This is how you treat a girl

who shares gelato with you,’ she says.

‘Jonah kicks sand,’ I splutter

as if that’s an excuse.

I manage to sit beside her

without falling over.

Ella smiles and accepts

the bottle I offer,

taking a short sip

without wiping the rim first.

‘I know what you’re thinking, Jonah,’ Ella says.

I look to the lake to hide my embarrassment.

‘It’s okay,’ she adds, handing me the beer.

‘There are better ways of swapping germs.’

I nearly choke on the bottle.