He was a sweet Russian guy, a good friend's older brother and we'd had chemistry since we first met but our jobs had kept us from seeing one another very much over the summer. As fall rolled around we started spending more time together, and I was surprised by how naturally at ease I felt with him. It takes me a long time to feel comfortable around people, but with him I always felt safe and warm and totally at ease.

So as we start spending more time together it quickly becomes apparent that we're both crushing on each other, and we're both so shy that for a few weeks it's just mind-numbingly frustrating because it's so clear how much we both would love to make a move but it's just as obvious that both of us are terrified of embarrassing each other or ourselves. Finally I couldn't stand it any more. Just being next to him on the bus I wanted to grab him and kiss him and it was getting distracting.

One day I decide enough is enough of this awkward waltz we've been playing at and I just straight up text him telling him I think he's a wonderful, sweet, handsome guy and I'd love to kiss him, and how does he feel about that? After thirty minutes of terrifying radio silence he replies enthusiastically inviting me to come make dinner with him the following night.

Next day we meet up, go shopping for ingredients for Borscht, go back to his homestays' place, make soup and crepes and tea. The whole time it's very clear that we're both hella nervous and the tension is palpable. Looking back it's kind of hilarious because we were both being ever so damn polite which was kind of silly given how clearly we both wanted to jump each other's bones.

But anyway.

After dinner we went downstairs to watch a movie and I thought for sure this was when it would happen. Granted, I was nineteen and had never been kissed before, and he was twenty-six with a little more experience, so I was hoping he would make the first move. When the movie started buffering I really thought he would take his chance, but we were both so awkward and nervous...

So I lightly said, "Ohmigosh your hair has gotten so long, that's crazy!" Which was an excuse to start playing with his hair. He did the same to me and the next thing I knew he gently tilted my face up towards his, leaned in for a kiss, and I absolutely pounced on him. It was delightful and we spent the next few hours together like that. :D