Arianna awoke with a start. She had been dreaming, dreaming and falling. Her sister had always said there were two different types of falling, and Arianna never knew why, until now.

It started two months ago. Arianna had just transferred schools, starting her junior year in high school. Her family just moved to Montana from Oregon. They lived in a small town near the Oregon coast, and had lived there all Arianna’s life. She loved to sail on the ocean and horseback ride on the beach, both of which she could still do at a local lake. Because of her time spent outdoors, she has golden-brown hair with natural blonde highlights. Her eyes were the color of a cloudless summer sky, accented by her tan skin. Both Arianna and her sister, Amalie, had grown up in Oregon, so a move to Montana was quite a change.

Arianna’s chemistry partner, Alan, was her first friend in Montana because he was the first person she met. She was attracted to him, because not only was he the best-looking junior in school, but he was intelligent as well. She wasn’t stupid, but she was nothing compared to Alan.

By November, Arianna and Alan were good friends. She had hinted to him that she liked him as more than just a friend, but he hadn’t quite understood. High school guys are notoriously slow when it comes to things of the romantic aspect. She spent the most time with Alan as she did any normal guy, but she still wasn’t sure he liked her as more than just a friend. Little did she know, Arianna would soon be proven wrong.

Still lying in her bed, Arianna thought back to yesterday. Yesterday, she had experienced both types of falling. It was a typical Montana winter day: cold, wet, and slippery. She was the clumsy type, so it was her that didn’t notice the shiny patch of ice sitting innocently on the sidewalk, waiting to trap its next victim. Arianna slipped, bracing herself for the impact on the unforgiving cold concrete. It never came. Instead, she fell into warm arms. Looking up, the girl found she was staring into the deep blue-green eyes of Alan.

“Ari, I­­­ -“ Alan tried to explain, but Arianna cut him off.

“You know very well I hate it when you call me that.” Arianna replied, though both knew she enjoyed the nickname, but only when he used it.

So softly that Arianna could barely hear, Alan said, “You love it.” With that, he began to inch closer to her, bending down to her level. Time seemed to stop for her, and the rest of the world vanished, leaving only her and Alan. Then he whispered, “You should be more careful next time, I may not be nearby to catch you. Now we should go before we’re late; that was the bell.”

“I suppose.” Arianna replied in a voice she hoped hid her disappointment. She thought he was going to kiss her, but it was a false desire.

They set off towards the school, neither looking at the other until they were in the chemistry classroom.

Arianna glanced at her alarm clock. The big red numbers screamed 5:30. Half an hour until she had to get out of bed and attempt to function, which didn’t usually happen in the morning. She closed her eyes, remembering yesterday, realizing the difference between the concept of falling in love and the actual action of falling in love. Yesterday, she had not only fell into Alan’s arms, but she fell in love with him too.

The next thing Arianna knew, her alarm was beeping away. Noting that she must have dozed off, she dragged herself out of bed. Lazily, she worked her way downstairs, with a feeling of dread in her heart, hanging over her like a dark cloud of rain. She certainly wasn’t looking forward to chemistry later that morning. Not only did she have a test she had neglected to study for, she had to see and talk to Alan.

While walking from the parking lot today, Arianna was sure to watch for hidden ice. She was nearly to the doors when someone stepped in front of her, causing her to run into him and lose her balance. Looking up from the ground, she noticed the obstacle was a large, manly figure. Before she noticed it was Alan, she said, “Oops, sor—“

Catching her arm, Alan said, “Ari, should I start following you around holding a mattress under you? If you keep falling like this, I may have to. I certainly can’t afford to lose my favorite chemistry partner!” Alan finished the statement with a chuckle.

Arianna could only reply, “Don’t call me Ari.” She held a hint of annoyance in her voice, but a smile played at the corners of her lips. Alan didn’t notice because Arianna was still focused on the ground. She strode past Doug into the school and started towards her locker, smiling to herself.

An hour and a half later, Alan and Arianna were walking out of chemistry together like nothing had happened, talking and laughing. Arianna was just about to comment on the test when they heard a familiar voice say, “Well, I guess there’s more chemistry than just atoms and formulas going on between you two…eh Arianna?” The speaker was none other than Amalie, a senior on her way to her physics class. Amalie loved poking fun at her sister, because Arianna was also her best friend.

“Amalie, you know I hate you sometimes.” Arianna said with a smile.

“Of course! That’s what sisters are for, after all. May I also mention what a lovely shade of blush you’re wearing? I’ll have to borrow it someday.” This was Amalie code for, “Arianna, you’re blushing,” because both girls knew Arianna didn’t wear makeup.

“Whatever you say, Amalie.” Arianna and Alan walked down the hall to Alan’s locker, where they would split ways. Alan was on his way to math, and Arianna was going to run home for a nap on her off-hour and an early lunch. She hadn’t gotten much sleep that night, so she was tired.

After school, Arianna was at her locker when a shadow fell over her. Looking up, it was none other than Alan. “Today’s Thursday.” Alan was the master at stating the obvious.

“Yes, that it is. Which means I have a viola lesson in about 45 minutes.” Arianna was somewhat in a hurry to get to her viola lesson, because it was far from the school. She hadn’t had a chance to change the time of the lesson yet.

“That means tomorrow’s Friday.” Alan was yet again, stating the obvious.

“Yes…and this means…?” Arianna was beginning to get impatient with Alan’s games.

“This means that you could go to a movie with me tomorrow, right?” Alan said with a smile.

Arianna took a moment to understand what he was saying. Suddenly, her viola lesson was not important anymore. “Are you asking me out?”

“I suppose I am. So are you gonna come?”

“Of course!”

“Ok, I’ll meet you outside the mall at 7.”

“Sounds good. I really have to go now. Bye!” Arianna was really happy now, all thoughts of her bad morning gone.

After the movie, Alan walked Arianna out to her car, a blue Audi. When they got there, Arianna said, “Well, this is my stop, I suppose.” She started to unlock her car, but Alan stopped her.

“Wait. Not yet.” Alan took Arianna into his arms and placed his mouth on hers, gently kissing her goodnight. It was at that moment that she knew the true meaning of falling. Before she knew it, it was over, and Alan said, “Good night, Ari.” This time, he received no protest at the nickname.

“Goodnight.” With that, Arianna climbed into her car, and began to drive home, smiling all the way.