Somehow, the scene turned into a romantic movie, one Arielle didn’t want to end. She couldn’t breathe as she kept up with his movements, letting him lead her without any hesitation. Butterflies swarmed inside her stomach and she could do nothing to chase them away because, as it stood, this topped any of the best moments of her life so far.
Underneath the dark, cloudy sky and the large raindrops stinging her skin, she melted into a puddle of her own at his feet, lost in the moment. When her knees grew weak and she felt like she might fall, his strong arms gripped her harder and held her up. It was funny because her mom used to tell her she would get weak knees with Dad, but Arielle had never believed her, until that instant. She’d never forget that moment as long as she lived.
After a few silent minutes, Blake pulled away a little bit but kept his arms on her. “So. Are you glad you came out here now?”
Arielle leaned into him, her mouth at his ear. “I have no regrets.”
Then, in unison, they pulled back, staring hard at each other. Her stomach flopped around inside her, almost as if it thumped up into her heart and dropped all the way to her knees, over and over.
She’d never been this nervous, this shaky. His lips moved closer to hers. This was the moment. The one where she’d get her first kiss. She wanted it. Never been more ready for anything in her life.
Only inches from each other, Blake stopped. “Can I?”
She did the one thing she could. She nodded while internally swooning because he’d asked first. She’d found herself a real gentleman.
Arielle kept eye contact as he leaned toward her, until his lips pressed down on hers. Her mind went crazy, realizing she had no idea how to do this. What if she screwed up? What if she slobbered too much? Her heartbeat sped up, like it might burst right out of her chest cavity, and she almost pulled back, but she shouldn’t have worried. Blake knew what he was doing, and he coaxed her lips apart with a gentle stroke of his tongue, which he pulled right back into his own mouth, thank goodness. She might have been ready for her first kiss, but not her first French kiss. It kind of grossed her out.
She mimicked Blake’s movements and prayed she did everything right, which made her first kiss hard to enjoy. Maybe she shouldn’t be thinking so much. Maybe she should just let it happen and stop trying to make everything perfect. Was there even a right way to kiss someone? Probably not.
Headlights acted as a spotlight, making Arielle jump away from Blake. She almost nervous-laughed, but didn’t want to ruin such a magical moment.
The silver car pulled into the driveway and stopped beside them, rolling the passenger window down. An older lady with curly silver hair smiled at them. “Can I help you two with something?”
“We’re here to help decorate for the Christmas Trail program.” Blake stepped up beside Arielle, grabbing her hand.
“Oh.” The woman’s voice was shaky with age. “Nobody called you? I had to cancel for tonight, but it will be rescheduled.”
Blake dropped her hand and moved around to the driver side. “Oh, I guess it makes sense why my Grandma isn’t here yet, then.” He opened the car door. “I’m sorry we’re taking up your driveway. Let me get my car out of the way.”
The lady smiled. “The name’s Gerty, and it’s no problem. I’m sure I’ll see both of you soon.”
Blake nodded and climbed into the car, but Arielle stood frozen in the rain until he knocked on her window, then she snapped out of it and crawled into the car.
As she closed the door and fastened her seatbelt, Blake turned and grinned at her. “Well, guess we’ll have to find something else to do. It’s six, so we still have three hours before you have to be home. Want to get out of here?”
She nodded. “Sure.”
Her lips tingled as he backed out of the driveway. She touched them, then smiled as she folded her hands in her lap. Even though they’d been busted kissing, it hadn’t been a big deal. But her dad would probably think it had been the worst thing in the world. And she couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping her lips at the thought.
Arielle had gotten her first kiss…and it had been everything she’d ever dreamed of and more.
Chapter 6
Aftereffects
Blake stayed silent as he drove. Arielle had no clue where he might be heading, but she never really did. When he pulled into the entrance of the college, she leaned forward. “What are we doing here?”
“Since there isn’t much to do, thought we could park and talk some more. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Sounds fun.”
The clock said it was ten after six, so she had plenty of time before she had to be home. Even though she’d left her house over an hour ago, it seemed like a lifetime had passed. So much had happened since then and there were so many more possibilities, which made her stomach flip-flop thinking about what they might do for the next couple of hours.
Blake pulled into a parking spot by the track where Arielle sometimes came with her Aunt Margie to walk Brody, her Golden Retriever. Aunt Margie hadn’t been around much lately. She worked a lot too, kind of like Mom. Since they were sisters, it made sense they would be somewhat similar.
“So. Am I the only one feeling like we got busted by that lady?” Blake asked.
Arielle scoffed. “Not one bit. I thought we were in trouble.”
Blake laughed. “Me too. I was freaking out.”
“It didn’t seem like it.”
He pointed to his chest. “In here, I was. Trust me.”
Arielle reached into her pocket and pulled out her watermelon lip gloss, applying a generous amount to her lips. She could eat watermelon every day and never get sick of it, and even though it didn’t taste exactly like a watermelon, it came close.
“Mmm. That smells good. Bet it tastes even better.” Blake winked at her.
Arielle held the tube out to him. “You can use it if you want.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “That isn’t what I meant.”
“Okay?” Arielle’s tone was questioning. She didn’t understand what he did mean. If he liked the smell of it, he should use some. Simple as that.
“I could try it another way…”
“Oh.” She understood this time and had to fan herself with her hands to cool her face. “Guess that would be all right too.”
He kissed her, but not for long. Then he licked his lips. “Yup. Just like I thought. Tastes as good as it smells.”
He flipped to an oldies station. “Since that’s settled, how about we make out until I have to take you home.”
Arielle glanced at the clock. “Um, we can’t make out for three hours.”
Blake raised his eyebrows. “Wanna bet?” Then he leaned in again, touching his lips to hers.
After about thirty seconds, Arielle shoved him back. “Okay. The make out session is over until we finish our game of question and answer.”
He crawled on top of her, settling himself on her lap. “We can finish our game, but I’m sitting right here.”
Arielle laughed, throwing her hands up in the air. “Fine. You can sit wherever you want. Now whose turn was it?”
“I’ll start. Why do you hate country music so much?”
“Because my parents love it so much.”
He chuckled. “Pretty typical for a teenager.”
“Aren’t you a teenager too?” Her forehead crinkled. “Don’t you think most of the stuff your parents do is uncool?”
He nodded. “Of course I do. But I don’t let it stop me from doing things I like, even if they like it too.”
“Country music though?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I love to line dance.”
Arielle stifled a laugh. If she laughed at everything, he might think her to be nothing but an airhead. “Okay. What’s your favorite color? Food? Song?” The questions flew from her mouth and she could have fired off a bunch more, but somehow she stopped herself.
“Blue, pizza, and you already know my favorite song. Anything by J
ourney.”
“You’re such an old soul.” Arielle rubbed her nose against his, feeling brave.
He grabbed her arms, pinning them to her sides. “If you keep that up, we aren’t going to be playing long.”
Her cheeks flamed again, betraying her emotions. Just once she wished she could hide her feelings from her face. She tried to turn away, but he unpinned one of her arms to turn her cheek so she faced him again. Then he leaned down and touched his lips to hers, pulling away before she wanted him to. “I think it’s cute when you blush all the time.”
“Glad someone does,” she mumbled.
“Think of it this way…you never have to buy blush for your cheeks because you have the natural thing going on for you.”
She laughed. “I never thought of it like that. Saves me money, right?”
“Right.”
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison came on and Blake began singing. “Wait. What color are your eyes.” He leaned closer to her face, examining them.
“They’re hazel. Sometimes they’re brown and sometimes green, depending on what color I wear.”
So after that, Blake changed the lyrics to “hazel-eyed girl.” Arielle’s heart swelled. Each moment she spent with him made her feel more special than she ever had in her life. A girl could get used to this, Arielle thought.
Blake twirled a finger through a strand of her hair. “Okay. I’ve got a question for you. Why are you so shy?”
“I’m not.”
“You are too. Sure, you are different with me, but you still have your moments.” He dropped her hair, moving back into his own seat.
Arielle shrugged. “I don’t know, I guess I don’t have a lot of confidence.”
“But you’re funny, cute, and intelligent from what I’ve seen. So why?”
Again, she shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of a lot bigger than most of the other girls in our school.”
Blake reached over, grabbing her hand. “And?”
She placed her hands on her hips as good as she could and tilted her head. “It doesn’t fit with societal standards so it’s not normal. I get made fun of a lot and it makes everything hard for me.” Her voice boomed in the small car, and she realized she’d kind of been yelling at him, but she couldn’t help it. This subject always got her heated.
“Look at me,” Blake said. “Just because you aren’t like other girls…well…it’s better you aren’t. Trust me.”
Her features relaxed on her face as she searched his. “Where did you come from?”
He laughed. “That one’s easy. My mom. Thank God, because I never want to be like my dad.”
Blake’s father was a sore spot for him, but Arielle didn’t know everything about the situation. Their time together had been light and fun so far. She didn’t want to ruin it by asking him even more questions about the man.
According to the clock glowing in the darkness, it was already seven. Another hour had passed and it felt like they’d arrived only moments ago. She could stay there with him forever and be content being late and in trouble at home.
Since Blake had gone quiet, she tucked her hands under his arms and started tickling him, like he’d done to her in the parking lot after school. He laughed and tickled her back. Soon, she hopped out into the rain to escape, which had settled down into a drizzle again. He followed, pinning her to the side of his wet car. Then he kissed her, and she melted. He wrapped his arms around her and her hands went to his hair, and the moment was even more perfect. She might be ready for that French kiss after all.
***
Blake dropped her off early, which worked out okay since she’d forgotten to call Jess and Arielle might be on the phone for a while.
She turned and waved as she walked toward her front door.
He rolled the window down. “Wait. I’ve got one more question.”
Arielle turned, offering her best smile. “Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
Inside, Arielle screamed with excitement. Her whole body felt warm and she wished she could spin around and dance, but somehow she kept her cool and nodded. “I would love to.”
Blake grinned. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that. Now, be ready in the morning. I’ll pick you up and take you to school.”
She bit her lip and nodded again. With a wave, she skipped into her house.
Her mom and dad were sitting in the living room when she walked in. Dad stood. “Well, how did it go?” He paused, chuckling almost to himself. “Never mind. I can see it went fine by the smile on your face. I don’t want no details.”
“Good. Hi, Mom, how was your day?” Arielle asked.
Her mom ran a hand through her short brown hair. “Fine. Tiring.”
Arielle nodded. “I’m glad your home to relax now.”
Mom smiled. “Did you eat?”
Arielle realized she hadn’t, but couldn’t now even if she’d been hungry. She shrugged. “Not hungry.”
Mom laughed. “Go call Jess.”
Arielle smiled. “Thanks, Mom.” She went to her mom, kissed her cheek, and disappeared into the other room. She grabbed the portable phone and took it upstairs. Even though she had her own cell phone, she didn’t use it much. For some reason she liked the house phone so she hoped her parents kept it around for a while. There had been talks of getting rid of it as of late.
Jess picked up on the first ring. “Where have you been? I’ve called and called.”
Arielle lay on her stomach on her bed. “I had a date with Blake.”
“What? Spill!”
Arielle told Jess everything, from the dance in the rain to the first kiss to all the other kisses. Jess stayed quiet the whole time and even a few seconds afterward.
“Are you still there?” Arielle asked.
“I’m digesting everything.” She paused. “I can’t believe you got your first kiss! I am so happy for you!” she squealed with excitement.
“Me too. It was the best moment ever.”
“Now what?” Jess asked.
“Now I’m his girlfriend. He asked me.”
“Ahh! I can’t believe this happened in two days.”
“Me either.”
They talked for a little longer about school and what Jess had missed. Which had been nothing, at least until after school. Then they chatted about Blake and Damien.
Before Arielle could blink, it was almost ten o’clock. “Shoot, Jess. I’d better get to bed or I’m never going to get up for school tomorrow.”
“Same. I’ll pick you up.”
“Actually, I think Blake is picking me up tomorrow.”
“Ooh. Good. Go with him. I’ll see you at school, then.”
With a smile on her face, she said goodbye, ran the phone downstairs to the charger, and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Back in her room, she sat on the floor and wrote everything down in her journal. She never wanted to forget tonight, and now she wouldn’t. Then she turned the lights out and crawled into bed, putting a country station on the radio for the first time in her life. Maybe she’d give it a chance after all.
***
Blake picked her up the next morning even earlier than he needed to. He stopped and bought her a doughnut and a coffee, which she hated but drank anyway, and together they rode to school. He held her hand in the hallway, something she’d always wanted to happen, and even walked her to her locker, where Jess stood waiting for her. Before he left, he kissed her, on the lips. In front of everyone…and she loved it.
Jess jumped up and down in front of her. “Oh my gosh. You two look so cute together.” She grabbed her hands and made Arielle jump with her. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Jess. I’m pretty happy too.”
The day flew by, Blake meeting her between every class, walking her to her next one, and kissing her goodbye, which had to have made him late for his own classes, but he didn’t seem to care. He wanted to spend every minute he could
with her, and Arielle loved the extra attention she got.
After school, he drove her home, but he didn’t leave. He hung around, talking with her dad, and they even did their homework together. After Mom came home and made dinner, he stayed to eat and got to know her mom some too. Both her parents seemed to like him.
She walked him out when he left. “Thanks for coming over.”
He smiled, leaning closer. “Thanks for letting me.” He kissed her. She couldn’t get enough of his kisses. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
A bit dreamily, she said, “Can’t wait.”
Then he left.
Dad sat in his chair when she walked through the front door. “You two sure seem to have gotten awful close awful fast.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Arielle said.
“I’m kind of glad. He’s a nice boy. I can always tell. He is a keeper.” Dad winked at her, then turned around and started rocking.
Mom came in, sitting on the couch. “He does seem like a nice boy. I can’t wait to get to know him better.”
Arielle smiled and nodded. Then she went to her room to finish her homework. Her parents liked him and her best friend liked him. Could it be any more perfect? A sinking feeling swam through her stomach. The other shoe would drop soon. Nothing ever stayed this perfect in her life. She hated when she thought like this, but she couldn’t help it.
Either way, she’d never been this happy, so that other shoe had better stay in the air for quite a while.
Chapter 7
The Double Date
Arielle loved having a boyfriend. Every single thing about it. The week flew by and soon Friday came.
When Arielle arrived at school, she met up with Jess in the hallway. An idea had formed in her head last night and she couldn’t wait to tell her friend. “Why don’t we do a double date tonight? It’s Friday, after all.”
“That’s a great idea. Wait here. I’ll go ask Damien,” Jess said.
Crush: A YA Romance Collection Page 79