college
together. And, I might add, we love each other."
"Because I
love you, we're doing it on Prom night. I wasn't ready to do it that soon."
He sat up and
started the truck. She scrambled to get her bra back on and readjust her top.
"Whatever. Prom's so far away, it might as well not even exist."
She held her
tongue to keep from lashing out with a comeback they may both regret and simply
sat in silence the entire ride home. When they pulled up in front of her house,
she expected him to mumble a quick goodbye and drive away, but instead he
turned off the engine and let out a deep breath.
"Babe, I'm
sorry. Really. I love you so much, and it kills me to not properly show
you."
She reached over
and caressed his cheek. "I love you, too, Alex, but you know my feelings
on the matter, and they're not going to change. I compromised with you on Prom,
but no further."
He leaned over and
kissed her. Gentle yet deep, and, good grief, with so much passion. This kiss
was her Alex. Maybe this talk brought him back to her. Maybe she could finally
find the courage to ask him what was going on.
This week, as the
week before, they only saw each other in Home Economics and at break. Alex
acted the same as always around her, and she really did think that this
diminished time together was making them stronger. They didn't have a date
lined up for tomorrow night, but that was okay. She could tell herself that
anyway.
If it wasn't for
Wyatt.
Why couldn't they
have been braver in seventh grade? Okay, so he wouldn't have been, but why
hadn't she? She should have bridged the gap caused by their friends. She could
have gone to his house after school, done homework with him, anything. But she
didn't. She could have what Allyssa had now. She glanced over at him, his arms
wrapped around Allyssa's shoulders and upper chest, a look of pure contentment
on his face. She willed the coming tears from her eyes and returned her
attention to the game.
Brandon Barnes
took a handoff and zipped past the Orangewood defenders, no one in his path to
the end zone. Kareem yelled, "Go Bucky!" and Wyatt, Allyssa, and even
Luci hollered, "Bucky!" Mandy shook her head and laughed, hopeful
only good thoughts would remain tonight.
WYATT
The
horribly-horrible awesomeness of Sharknado played on the living room
television, but neither Wyatt nor Allyssa paid it any mind. She straddled his
lap while alternating between lightly nibbling his lips and pushing her tongue
as deep into his mouth as she could. His mom was at work and wouldn't be home
until after midnight, so there was no worry of her walking in on them. He
thought about grabbing Allyssa and taking control of the situation, but that
was fleeting — being under her control was too much fun. She moved her mouth down
to his neck, where she used her tongue to trace patterns along his skin. She
gave a sexy giggle as he let out a groan and ran his hands up and down her
hips.
Earlier, they'd
ordered pizza and watched a Dungeons and Dragons movie, riffing a commentary a
la the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys. Once that ended, he suggested they do
the same with Sharknado, but right after he pushed play, she climbed on top of
him and began their epic make-out session.
They'd done it one
other time, last Wednesday before school, which was a late-start minimum day. Allyssa
came over after his mom left for work — Mom was subbing in an elementary school
where they got out early instead of starting late.
When he let Allyssa
in and shut the door, she kissed him on the lips, as she often did. Their
relationship had evolved to where they were touching almost constantly —
holding hands, arms around each other, or simply leaning against the other when
they were close — and giving quick kisses on the cheek, top of heads, on their
shoulders, and, of course, lips. But this time, her tongue invaded his mouth.
Not that he minded. Truth be told, it ranked up there as one of the greatest
things that had ever happened to
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