Jeux d'enfants

I feel like it is time for me to make a confession. I have a crush on Sabine, and I have for awhile- even before I could truly pinpoint what a crush was exactly. There was always something alluring about her. She has always been a dreamer who liked to think outside of the box. She has always loved her independence, and I remember talking to her about how she wanted to "escape" and see the world. Even when she was out in public with her strict mother, she always had a hint of mischief in her eyes. She did things her way, and she always came up with the craziest ideas.
I don't have a crush on her because of her outward appearance, though I do think she's attractive. I love her personality- it was the first thing I truly noticed about her, and it was made me want to get to know her. She is my best friend who told me everything and to whom I told everything. She's perfect because she's imperfect, as corny as that may sound. I am not infatuated whatsoever, so do not even think that. My admiration for her stems from friendship, and nothing more.

One of the best memories I can recall occurred when my family ate dinner with her family sometime in 2003 when we were 7. Before dinner, I immediately spotted Sabine in the corner playing with her stuffed animals. She looked bored out of her mind; she was never much of a toy person.

I felt it was safe to interrupt, so I greeted her. "Bonjour, Sabine!"
"Bonjour," she said under her breath.

She quickly stood up, even though for a second I was convinced that she wouldn't. "Julien, j'ai vu un film avec mon frère et ses amis hier. Il s'est appellé Jeux d'Enfants, et c'était amusant! Un garçon sur le film s'appelle Julien comme toi! Il y avait une fille qui s'appelle Bouchard! Bouchard...comme moi!"
That was the nice thing about having an older sibling. Sébastien always took Sabine and Sandrine out to do fun things. I can relate to him now, seeing as I do the same thing with my sister. Jeux d'Enfants later became the movie that Sabine and I would make inside jokes about.

She then proceeded to tell me about the game involving dares that the main characters, Julien and Sophie, played. Sabine said that she wanted to play the game with me, so she dared me to kiss her. I didn't know what to think at the time. I had only seen teenagers and adults kiss, and I didn't know what to do! I was completely nervous. I came closer and closer to her cheek, and then something happened...

...she ran away from me and laughed until she couldn't breathe.

Throughout dinner, she flashed me large smiles that indicated what she had done. She was quite pleased with herself, and looking back on it, I can admit that was a good prank for somebody who was 7. The genius behind such a scheme drew me into her world, and I knew I wanted to be her best friend.

As embarrassing as that may have been, I had to get it off my chest.
Julien