Robert knew that a bullgirl had transferred to his school in the middle of the year and he tried not to stare when she stood in front of the class and introduced herself as Lilibet.
She was shy, her cheeks a bright pink, same as the tips of her ears. Same as the new tennis shoes she was shuffling back and forth.
The teacher had her sit next to him and scolded him for staring at her, so he focused on his desk for the rest of the day. Even at lunch, he sat with his friends and tried to eat but found himself too distracted.
When they were finally let outside for recess, he found her at the edge of the yard, looking around for something to do. His friends shoved him over, daring him to talk to her, and Robert blushed the same shade as her tennis shoes.
He introduced himself then swallowed hard when he realized he was staring at her again.
“Did you want something?” she asked, defensive.
“I really like your freckles,” he blurted out, then blushed.
His best man, one of the friends who had pushed him over to meet Lilibet, told the story in his toast at their wedding. The bride blushed, the groom groaned, and everybody cheered for the happy couple.