Kiss and Cry

by Ramona Lipson

  My skirt landed comfortably just above my knee. Unbeknownst to the girls, I chose to go commando. Having underwear on all the time made me feel like I was suffocating. The odd time, I just liked letting my skin breath and this was one of those times, needless to say I was very careful not to pull a Sierra.

  I heard the growl of the mustang before it caught my eye, behind it was a silver Honda Civic.

  Adam the sole occupant of his car, got out and hit the key fob so the doors locked automatically and the alarm engaged. He wore a baseball cap with a black hoodie overtop. His low riding jeans that usually exposed his six pack was hidden by the length of the hoodie depriving me of a picturesque visual. His six o’clock shadow gave him a rough, edgy, bad boy look. I was all over that.

  Carter and Jeremy got out of the other car and followed him in. I was taken by Adam’s look, barely noticing the other two, “They’re here!” I said excitedly.

  The line magically disappeared and Adam walked straight to the counter and motioned subtly with his finger, for me to join him. I jumped from my chair and scurried to his side, “Do you want anything?” he asked in a gravelly voice quietly in my ear.

  The five-foot nothing girl with the Lennon glasses, short hair, and tall attitude was impatiently waiting for our order, “Can I help you?”

  I looked into Adam’s hooded eyes, “I just want you,” I flirted. Adam aware that the bitch with attitude was waiting, gingerly covered my lips with his own in a greeting that gave steamy a whole new definition. He didn’t give a damn who was looking or waiting. He was taking his time with me, and it was so hot.

  He finished his kiss and pulled away only slightly, “No, seriously, do you want anything?”

  “Chai Latte,” I answered quietly to him.

  He turned to the girl, “A tall Caramel Machiatto and a Chai Latte.”

  She took her marker and started writing on our cups, “Name?” she snapped.

  “Dalia,” I spoke up, noticing his instant dislike for her.

  He paid her for the drinks and left me to wait for them while he greeted the girls and took a seat at the table. He clearly wanted me to serve him. I was all about playing his game, so I grabbed the drinks placing lids and sleeves on both and placed them before him sub-servant like, “Here you go sir.”

  I was about to take my vacant chair when he silently patted his knee motioning for me to sit on his lap. I did what I was beckoned to do and he started kissing me wildly in front of Tara and Sierra like they weren’t there. He was making a point of claiming me in front of my closest friends with his demanding kisses pulling the nape of my neck closer to him, as he kissed me harder. He obviously wasn't concerned about the scene we were making.

  “Oh Please!” Tara giggled, “Get a room!” He released his firm hold on me so I could catch my breath.

  Carter and Jeremy joined the table, “Save it for the movie theatre,” Carter suggested.

  “What movie are we going to see?” Sierra asked Carter.

  “Whatever his heinous wants,” Carter said looking pointedly at Adam.

  Adam looked at me, “What movie do you want to see?”

  “Fifty Shades,” I voted quickly. I wanted to see it since it came out but I never had the time. Now, I finally have the time.

  “If my lady want’s Fifty, then that’s what she’s going to get.” I knew Adam’s comment had a double entendre.

  “Do we have to see a chick flick?” whined Jeremy.

  “You might learn something,” Carter mocked.

  “Don’t worry, I know an old theatre in Oakville where we won’t be seen. Hasn’t been updated since the eighties,” Adam reassured.

  We didn’t wait to finish our drinks before starting to drive over to the theatre. Adam and I drove in the Mustang, everyone else took the Honda. He started the car and fidgeted with his dvd player until the song of his choice came on, “Do It To Me,” by David Usher. There was absolutely no mistaking the sexual innuendo of the song, “You look beautiful tonight,” he said in a deep voice.

  I blushed listening to the song and feeling his hungry eyes burn holes right through me. I was getting all hot and bothered even though he hadn’t laid a finger on me since we got in the car. “You look ridiculously hot tonight,” I returned the compliment. His eyes never left the road as he received the admiration humbly only displaying a small smile.

  Adam wasn’t kidding about knowing a theatre that hadn’t been renovated since the eighties. It was located in an industrial section of Oakville. The movie ticket prices were cheap because that was their only way of luring people in. There were only four movies playing, the other three I had never heard of before.

  We went to the small concession stand and ordered a popcorn and drink. We planned on sharing. There were no other movie goers there until the rest of our friends turned up.

  We waited for everyone to order their goodies before venturing into our theatre. The seats were old and rickety. When we pushed them down to sit they squeaked. The sticky uncarpeted floor was almost flat ensuring few people would have a good view. We were the only ones in the entire theatre, which meant we had our choice of seats.

  “Take the back,” suggested Adam. I led him to the centred seats at the back of the theatre.

  “Is this good?” I asked him.

  “Perfect,” he answered. He sat down, and saw Carter sitting next to him, “What are you doing Fag?”

  Insulted, Carter replied, “What the fuck are you calling me fag for?”

  Adam answered him impatiently, “We have the entire fucking theatre to ourselves, and you sit right next to me. Why the fuck do you think I’m calling you fag for? Now move!”

  The couples got up and dispersed themselves in the theatre. I couldn’t help but giggle at Carter and Adam, even Tara and Sierra were laughing at how the friends bickered.

  The theatre got dark and the traditional red velvet curtain started to part ways. We must have watched five or so trailers before the movie began. Adam rested his arm on the back of my seat and his bicep pushed against the nape of my neck. It wasn’t until two, maybe three minutes into the movie that his hand guided my face to his and his demanding kisses began.

  I laid the popcorn down on the seat next to me, never pulling away to do so. His hands began probing the curves of my body. I slid my hands into his hoodie and pulled his head closer to me feverishly. He tugged at my blouse untucking it for access to my breasts. He slid his hand in cupping my breast and then pulled the strap down releasing it. He caressed my nipple with his fingertips making me moan into him. He stopped kissing me and dropped his head down so that he could take my breast in his mouth. I could only see the top of his hoodie as I felt his warm tongue gliding rapidly over me. He sucked it into his mouth and my breath caught as I squealed involuntarily. He did the same with the other until it was my turn and he waited for me to please him.

  I wanted to satisfy him. Showing him I was all his, I unzipped his pants freeing him. I stroked him first slowly and then picking up speed until he was no longer able to contain himself. His pleasure oozed out all over him and my hand. His eyes slowly opened and he found me licking his liquid pleasure from my fingers, which really turned him on. I used the napkins from the concession stand to clean him up before I went to the ladies room, to wash off the remaining film from my hands.

  Meeting Ryan

  Thanksgiving finally rolled in at our house, the fog was lifting with every passing minute. Soon, I would finally be able to visualize this Ryan guy. It was hard for me to make myself believe that I was going to learn to skate with another person. The sheer prospect of meeting a complete stranger that I would have to learn to trust throwing me into the air and lifting me over his head with one arm might I add, while skating on a hard surface is completely daunting.

  I was in no rush to get out of bed because once my mother heard my footsteps from downstairs, I would be forced to help prepare for our dinner guests.

  My phone was flashing blue on the charger telling
me there was activity I hadn’t seen yet. I pressed the menu button and two emails, three texts and four upgrades were waiting to be approved. To me, there was nothing more annoying than having to download upgrades on applications I never use. It’s the providers way of ensuring phone upgrades every two years, a conspiracy at best.

  I ignored the upgrades knowing it would slow down my phone making it take longer to get through my texts and emails, and chose to look at my emails first.

  Email (1):

  To: Dalia Middleton

  From: The Toronto Skating Club

  CC: Mr.& Mrs. Middleton

  Thank you for joining the Toronto Skating Club! Attached is your new schedule for the fall and winter ice skating sessions. We hope you enjoy your membership!

  Email (2):

  To: Dalia Middleton

  From: Mr. Hicks

  CC: Mr.& Mrs. Middleton,

  I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you as your new coach, Mr. Hicks. You can call me Mr.Hicks.

  Should you have any concerns or need to discuss training sessions, please feel free to call the Toronto Skating Club’s main number and ask for the skating office. I look forward to working you hard.

  Your’s truly,

  Mr. Hicks.

  My nerves were increasing, with every word in both emails. Holy shit this was becoming real! What did I let myself get into? I can’t skate as a pair! I’m going to smash into a thousand tiny pieces all over the ice! I’ve always enjoyed watching pairs on television and at competitions, but I never wanted to BE one. I attempted to shake off my increasing apprehension and the butterflies that were making their way up my esophagus ad-nausiem by focussing on my new texts.

  Adam: Can U sneak out next Saturday?

  Dalia: Sure.

  Adam: I want 2 C U 4 a while. Can U do that?

  Dalia: Sure! I’ll tell my parent’s I’m with Tara.

  Adam: I’ll pick you @ 12 where I always drop U off.

  Dalia: Sounds like a plan! What R we doing?

  Adam: It’s a surprise.

  Dalia: Love surprises! Tell me pls!

  Adam: U have 2 wait. TTYL.

  Second text:

  Tara: O.M.G. I can’t believe U meet U’r new partner 2day! R U nervous? U’r going 2 tell me everything right?

  Dalia: I can’t believe it either! Of course I’m nervous, but I’m not NERVOUS. I will tell U everything the 2nd they leave.

  Tara: ?

  Dalia: I don’t care whether Ryan likes me or not. I already hate having to hear about him ALL the time, & having 2 skate at HIS rink with HIS coach. It’s hardly fair if U ask me. I’m > nervous about the idea of me hating pairs or having 2 quit skating Bcause it’s not working out more than about meeting him.

  Tara: Those R legitimate concerns. U coming over 4 Thanksgiving dinner @ my house Monday since U’rs is Sun?

  Dalia: No, I made pluck with Adam next Saturday.

  Tara: ?

  Dalia: Plans (stupid auto correct) Can I use U as an excuse? He has something plucked.

  Dalia: Planned

  Tara: Shut off U’r auto correct & try dictating in2 U’r phone!

  Dalia: Sure is this setter?

  Dalia: For the love of God, bee!

  Tara: I know what U mean. Stick with figure skating.

  Dalia: TTYL

  Tara: TTYL

  Third Text:

  9052756409: U can always have me if U get sick of him!

  Dalia: Who is this?

  9052756409: Carter.

  Dalia: Does he Know U R texting me?

  Carter: Nope, stole U’R # from Adam’s phone.

  Dalia: & U’R texting me Bcause?

  Carter: (mope face icon :-()), Tara’s not responding 2 my texts. Is she mad @ me?

  Dalia: Nope we’ve been texting each other, she’ll respond, just give her a minute.

  I went back to Tara:

  Dalia: R U There?

  Tara: Yup, what-sup?

  Dalia: Carter’s been trying 2 text U.

  Tara: Why is he texting U?

  Dalia: He stole my # off Adam’s phone. He wants 2 know why U R’nt texting back.

  Tara: I don’t want him 2 think I’m easy, U know, the thrill of the chase. Let him stew. Tell him I’m out.

  Dalia: I can’t, I just told him we’ve been texting each other.

  Tara: Ok,just tell him U didn’t get thru 2 me. I must have turned my phone off.

  Dalia: Ok, TTYL.

  Tara: Bye

  I went back to Carter:

  Dalia: She’s not answering me either, sorry.

  Carter: No probs, ‘laters babe.’

  ~~~

  I didn’t go to the door when the doorbell rang. The last thing I wanted, was to appear anxious. I hair-sprayed my curly brown locks for the fourth or fifth time until I was absolutely sure every strand wouldn’t budge. Tara was always teasing me about my spray usage. If she ever found out my hairdo attracted bee’s in the summer, she’d never let me hear the end of it. I toned it down whenever she was around.

  My carefully selected outfit was a beige camisole with a black form fitting jacket overtop and my holiest faded denim blue jeans. I couldn’t even wear underwear because the tear under my ass was so high you would see them. The only thing I could wear with my favourite jeans was a thong and I hated wearing them, that hole wedge issue.

  I spent the most time on perfecting my face. I created a soft smokey look to my eyes. My lips were coloured a stunning shade of red with a frosty pink colour in the centre giving the illusion of a pout. I lightly glossed them to complete the art piece.

  Idiotically, thinking Adam would like seeing me done up, I took a selfie and sent it to him before turning my phone off and joining the others. I never imagined he would be texting me countless numbers of times during the evening asking why I was so dressed up just to meet a skating partner.

  I deliberately focussed on the stairs rather than the front door. Their stares were cast directly on me, it was palpable. I nodded a polite greeting to whom I assumed was Mrs. Kennedy offering her my hand, “Nice to meet you Mrs. Kennedy.” She was my height and a very handsome looking lady with short brown hair and hazel eyes.

  “The pleasure is mine,” she reciprocated.

  I was morbidly curious, dying to know what Ryan looked like. I hid it in my slow gestures, turning my head down and towards him, letting my eyes drift, up, up, really fucking high up. Usually height wasn’t the first thing I noticed or cared about, but when I’m supposed to be lifted overtop his head while he’s figure skating, it’s damn important. The guy was too fucking tall! He had to be a good four inches taller than Adam. If I had to guess, 6’3! Skates also add two more inches, all the higher to fall from. So now I’m picturing myself being held up by one hand six and a half feet in the air while the guy who apparently walks on water skates across the ice. Ya, that’s not going to happen.

  Another obstacle involuntarily made my eyes linger, his shoulders. Some crazy person must have shoved boulders under his skin because there was no way those were his actual muscles! I caught myself staring at his deltoids, and trapezius wanting to let my eyes coast back downwards hoping to catch a glimpse of his pectorals, and oh my God how I would love to see his gluteus maximus. I inhaled slowly forcing my eyes back on their journey upwards. I abhorred my own behaviour, knowing I was treating him like the piece of meat he was, grilled to perfection, and smoking hot.

  My eyes beheld his, frozen in locked position, the most intense dreamy brown eyes I’d ever seen, melted dark chocolate. They matched his wispy longish brown hair perfectly. This is the guy whom I hate? Now I had to rethink it!

  Adam, Adam I chanted in my head. I had to remember Adam. Ryan’s looks alone were the last thing I expected, but I was sure he had to be cocky, selfish, arrogant or something. Talking myself down wasn’t working.

  I amazed myself at how shallow I was being. I was stunned stupid at the sight of him. I shook it off and held out my hand to greet him, “Hi I’
m Dalia, nice to meet you.” He scooped my hand gently into his never for a second breaking eye contact with me. Unmistakeable chemistry was filling the air. My parents and Mrs. Kennedy smiled knowingly at each other, so far, so good.

  Mom had the table decorated really elegantly. She had her best China out and the centrepiece was the golden brown turkey, cooked to perfection.

  “This is lovely,” Mrs. Kennedy complimented.

  “Thank you,” my mother answered shyly. She was acting really weird. I noticed how hard she was trying to create a good first impression. Mom NEVER USES her fine china. It was a dead giveaway.

  Ryan and his mother sat on one side of the table and I sat facing him. My parents sat at opposite ends.

  We quietly and politely passed the dishes around until everyone had a little bit of everything on their plates before discussions began.

  Mrs. Kennedy addressed me first, “So dear, I hear from your mother that you had a bad fall a few weeks back?”

  “Yes, I did, but I’m better now.”

  “I’m so glad to hear it.”

  “Are you dating anyone in school, dear?”

  “No, she’s not,” dad answered firmly. I know why it mattered to my parents but why did it matter to Ryan’s mother? Why didn’t my parents ask if HE was dating anyone or was this an unspoken double standard I was sensing?

  Ryan didn’t contribute to the conversation. He was apparently the strong, silent, observant type. The rest of the conversation was between our parents. I became an observant type too.

  I learned that Ryan’s mother divorced her husband when he continued to complain about her obsession with Ryan’s skating. Ryan’s been coached by Mr. Hicks for seven years, and I’m his second partner. The first one chose to quit because she wasn’t able to handle the pressure of the competitions. She would fall apart during their performances causing Ryan to lose medal contention.