Page 59 of Sending Love Letters to Animals

“What?” Davud looked up at me, confused.

“Ms. Tabatabai,” I said. “She says humans are just animals sending letters to each other. Well, I think she said that Lewis Carroll said it. Ms. T. just explained it to us. We use our actions to show people who we are. To let them know we’re interested in a relationship. You, uh, you’ve been making yourself present in my life a lot.”

Davud looked away. “Sorry. I just—”

“And when you weren’t present tonight, I felt empty.”

His eyes were back on me.

“I like it more when you’re present. And I didn’t realize it, but I’ve been finding ways to make sure you stay present in my life. My life is better when you’re in it.”

Davud was grinning, but he was refusing to meet my eyes.

“I might be reading the letters you’re sending wrong, or maybe I’m reading the wrong letters,” I said, hoping I was making sense. “But I still need some practice. So, if you’d be interested in that…yeah. There’s no other animal I’d rather practice with.”

“Not even Chris?” Davud looked up, finally meeting my eyes.

“Not even close,” I said.

“You sure?” He asked, gesturing vaguely. “I’m not—I mean—”

“You’re perfect,” I said, stopping him. “At least, to me. You’re perfect to me.”

“Okay.”

“So?” I asked.

Davud met my eyes. “I’d love to practice with you, too.”

I did my best to not be a complete geek and grin so widely I looked like my face was splitting in half. Keeping myself from dashing over to Davud was a chore, too. Somehow, I managed to put one foot in front of the other, and casually walk up to him. Davud looked up at me as I stood in front of him.

“Is it okay if we practice right now?” I asked. “Time is of the essence.”

Davud nodded; swallowed hard.

Slowly, I bent at my waist, bringing my face down to his. Davud tilted his head back to greet mine. As I moved my lips to his, I reached up and held the back of his head, running my fingers through his dark hair. Unlike when Chris had grabbed my hand, when Davud and I closed our eyes, and then our lips met, I didn’t feel nothing. I felt everything. Well, everything good. Davud reached up and gripped my arm as I kissed him deeply. I didn’t want that feeling of everything good to go away, but eventually, I had to break the kiss.

Even though our lips separated, I didn’t move to stand up straight. I kept my face next to his as I stared into his eyes and my fingers continued to play with the hair on the back of his head. Davud’s fingers rubbed my forearm as he stared into my eyes.

“That was pretty good practice,” Davud whispered.

“Sure,” I shrugged. “But I think we’ll have to practice a lot. Just to make sure.”

He grinned slyly up at me.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re gay?” I asked.

“Because I’m not,” he said. “I’m pan.”

“Oh,” I said, then a grin came to my face. “Does that mean I’m your little skillet?”

“Great joke,” he gave my forearm a playful squeeze. “Never heard it before.”

“Why haven’t you ever tried to kiss me?” I asked.

Davud grinned. “I’ve never been able to reach your face.”

“Now who tells bad jokes?”