Little Victories

I allowed my hand on fleeting moment of contact,
When I longed to speak, to show so much more.
Your hand moved away.
In surprise? I don't know.
But maybe it was enough.
I could feel you next to me,
As an unsettling silence fell upon us,
Interspersed with the occasional "Sorry!"
Or comment on the assignment, from me.
I finally scraped together the courage
To apologize
Quickly,
Nervously,
About the note, as I skittered towards the door,
Not even being able to peel the words "When I asked you out" from my mouth.
You replied, rejecting me politely,
But my heart was twirling, bounding, flying,
Singing,
"She doesn't hate you!"