18. The Kiss

Aron: U awake yet?

Sky: maybe

Aron: School started like two hours ago

Sky: ughh

Aron: Get over here

Sky: u should have woken me up

Aron: I called you nine times, idiot.

Sky: fuck off

Aron: Get up!

I turn off my phone and rub my eyes.

I really don't wanna go to school. But I can't afford to miss another day. Also, after our long talk yesterday.. I want to see Aron.

I sigh and stare up at the ceiling. Just a few more minutes...

Then I hear my phone buzz.

I groan and look at the message on the screen.

Chase: Help.

I shoot up and start typing.

Sky: whats wrong?!?

Chase: I'm in 3b. Hurry.

I quickly get up and change.

I throw a large denim jacket over my white tank top and put on some light wash distressed denim. I quickly put on my white sneakers and grab my phone. I walk out of the room and rush to school.

When I get there I get a text from Aron.

Aron: U here yet?

Sky: just pulled up. gotta help a friend. cu ltr

I get out of the car.

If one of those punks is bothering him again.. I swear to God. I already visited Lucas, the leader and told him to fuck off or I'd make his life hell. He better have listened or these are going to be a dreadful few years for him.

I rush into the school. The hallways are completely empty. Everyone's in class.

Just as I run into classroom 3b, the bell rings.

"Chase?" I walk inside.

The door closes behind me.

"Hey." Chase smiles.

I look around. The sunlit classroom's all empty. He looks fine.

My phone buzzes.

Aron: Where r u?

Sky: 3b. ttyl

"What's going on?" I ask, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

Chase looks down at his hands.

"I need to tell you something.." He looks sort of guilty.

I relax and lean against the wall.

"Spit it out." I say.

"There is no problem. Ever since you confronted Lucas everyone's been really nice to me.." He laughs sheepishly.

"Uhh, okay? So why did you make it seem like you were in trouble, then?"

What is wrong with this guy?

"Cause I knew you wouldn't have come otherwise.."

Damn straight I wouldn't have come.

I frown. "Okay..?"

He fumbles with his sleeves.

"There won't be anyone here for the next period. I checked." He comes closer.

"..And?" Why can't this guy just get to the point??

"I thought we could.. you know.." He says quietly.

Oh God.

Can't he just take a hint?

"Look, Chase.."

"You think I'm too young for you, right?"

"That's not it—"

"You think I'm not assertive enough—"

"No!"

"Then what is it?" He comes so close to me his vest brushes against mine.

His eyes look kind of hopeless. So sad and searching.

"Did you not.. like it when we.. Was I bad?"

"No, you were fine. It.."

It's Aron. No one compares to him.

Chase starts caressing my cheek.

"Chase.." How do I break his heart gently?

"Please.." He pleads.

I look into his fragile eyes. Filled with doubt and fear.

And I don't want to make it worse... so I kiss him. With all the passion I have. I put my arms on his shoulders and pull him close to me. He immediately responds with excitement. His hands go to my waist as he kisses me back.

Even if I don't really like him.. At least I'm not hurting him this way.

And it's not like it means that much to me. It's just sex.. If it makes him happy.. why not? Maybe this will give him the confidence to believe in himself or something.

And maybe.. once this is over he'll be satisfied and stop chasing me.

Deep down I know that makes no sense. And.. somehow it feels off kissing him. Because the only person I want to kiss is..

Suddenly the door bursts open. Chase immediately backs away.

It's Aron.

"What the hell?!" He screams.

Shit.

He immediately walks towards Chase like a hunter to a prey.

"Is this guy bothering you?" Aron says, his voice low. Not taking his eyes away from Chase for even a second.

"No, he's not." I say, trying to calm him down.

"Why do you care? You're not his boyfriend." Chase stammers.

When did he get such a big mouth?

"Damn straight I'm his boyfriend!" Aron gives Chase a quick push.

"Aron, stop!" I grab his arm.

He looks angry enough to really hurt Chase.

I pull him towards the door.

"Why? I didn't do anything!" Aron follows me out of the classroom.

I sigh of relief when we're out of Chase's sight.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I cross my arms.

"What is wrong with me?! He was practically assaulting you!"

"I kissed him, Aron."

Now he looks really confused.

"Why would you do that? Do you like him?" Not an ounce of insecurity in his voice. Just disbelief and slight disgust.

"No! Of course not! I kissed him because.. I felt bad for him. I sort of.. took his virginity a while ago.. and now he thinks we should get married or something."

Aron frowns.

"You know that's fucked up, right? You can't just kiss someone because you feel bad.."

I'm just gonna leave out the fact that I was going to do more than just kiss him.

"Who cares? It's just a kiss. If it means so much to him, isn't that a great thing?" I argue.

"How does it not mean anything? A kiss is something you give someone because you love them, not because you feel guilty."

I can't control myself and immediately begin to laugh.

"What's so funny about that?"

"You are such a softie! Do you really believe that?" I laugh.

"Yes, I do." Aron says proudly.

"Your idea of romance is so childlike, it's astounding!" I laugh.

He pulls me close.

"Shut up."

"Have you even kissed anyone before me? Did you love them?" I tease

"Yeah, when I was a kid. Not that it matters." He says lightly.

I can't stop laughing.

"Who would've thought that you, with all your muscles and that bad boy thing of yours, was such a mushy teddy bear?" I chuckle.

"Alright, alright, enough." He rests his head in my hair.

That's when something occurs to me.. If he's kissed so few people has he even had sex before?

I'm highly confused as I pull away a little. "Wait.. have you ever even..?"

Aron looks into my eyes for a while. Then he looks away. "Of course I have. But that was before I created my theory."

Oh, good. Jesus, he scared the crap out of me.

I laugh again. Theory huh?

"And what was that about being my boyfriend? I never called you that." I tease.

"I decided we're boyfriends." Aron answers.

I chuckle. "Oh really? Well, thanks for letting me know." I smile.

He pulls away a little.

His face is serious again. His eyes loving.

"I don't want you to kiss other people." He muses while his eyes stare into mine. His hands cup my cheek.

I can't resist him when he looks at me like that. And on top of that.. I don't want to kiss anyone else.

There's only him.

I look away for a moment.

"Okay, I won't kiss other people." I say quietly, blushing.

"You promise?" Aron's lips brush against mine.

"I promise."

We kiss so gently and softly. I feel tingles all over my body. And I feel an intense kind of happiness I haven't felt in... ever.

I pull away again.

"So if you really believe that a kiss is only for people who love each other.. does that mean you love me?" I tease.

"Yes." He answers straight-faced.

My eyes grow wide in surprise. I didn't expect him to say that. Especially so soon.

"The question is.. do you love me back?" He whispers. His eyes are daring me to say it.

I bury my head in his chest.

"I can't say that.."

Those three words have so much meaning attached to them. But for me they don't mean something good. For me they are almost like swearwords.

"I know.. You don't have to." He reassures me, stroking my hair.

But I do love him. And I don't want him to think that I feel any less for him than he does for me.

"Te quiero." I say softy.

I love you in Spanish. Much easier than in English.

He chuckles.

"Te quiero." He whispers.