I met this guy when I was 14. He was 21. He was my brother’s karate instructor. My mom wanted to start taking classes too but hadn’t yet worked up her nerve. She made me a deal: Watch a few classes with her in exchange for something that I wanted at the time, I can’t even remember.

Aside from pretty much giggling the entire time (I was 14), I was mesmerized when I saw Chris. I instantly thought he was the hottest thing evah. I had that feeling you get when you see someone and you know … So yeah, I was more eager to go to class with my mom. She eventually enrolled in classes and I also was eager to attend their tournaments and testings.

It was obvious that Chris was interested in me. It was also obvious that he had no idea how young I was. Eventually the truth came out; the look on his face when I admitted that I was 14 (or maybe 15 by that time) was priceless. He thought I was in college.

Over the next few years, we continued flirting. He scheduled a self-defense class for women basically for me. My mother grimaced her way throughout the six weeks. Chris would always select me to be his “helper.” One time I had to run my fingers through his hair and then end up flipping him (I guess to take down some guy you didn’t want to kiss LOL). Well, I think at that point, I had never even kissed a boy and had no idea of the power that a woman can have over a man or even what the consequences were of our flirtation. In front of the class, I slid my fingers into the hair at the back of his neck … and then proceeded to flip him. After he got up, Chris commented, “Wow! A guy could really get distracted by you!” My mother grimaced even more.

At one point, I’m not sure how old I was, at least 16, maybe older, Chris called my mother to ask her permission to ask me out. I was delighted. Of course, my mom told him no. What else could she say? And by the time I was old enough to date him, he was still too old for me.

I haven’t seen him in years. My mom said he’s an ass now. Doesn’t surprise me. I’m not even really sure why Circle by Big Head Todd and the Monsters makes me think of him, it just does.

It seems to me, you and me
Are chasing something
What it is does anybody here want to know?
It seems to you, you and me
Are forgetting something
When love is so easily forgotten
And if I pick you up will you drag me down?
If I run to you will you turn around?
Rise and fall turn the wheel ’cause all life
Is really just a circle
It seems to me, you and me
Are being chased by something
What it is has anybody here apprehended?
It seems to me, you and me
Are terrified of nothing
When nothing is the reason we are here
Oh, nothing at all
And if I cry to you, will you laugh me down?
But I’m asking you to turn around
Rise and fall turn the wheel ’cause all life
Is really just a circle