Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I don’t care about any of this stuff. Except maybe the TV so I can watch whatever I want after he’s asleep.”
I smirk. “You act like you’ve found a porno channel or something.”
“Screw you,” he replies. “Maybe I have.”
“Yeah?” I sink down on his bed. “What kind of porn?”
“I was only kidding. Besides, anyone can find that stuff online.”
“True.” Though I suspect his grandfather would either have parental controls or keep a sharp eye out. He’s an intimidating man, which is why me showing up like this is tricky. I can’t believe I let Micah talk me into it.
It grows quiet and tense then, as if neither of us wants to make the first move. We kissed for the first time last week, and when he invited me over—to his bedroom by way of trellis—I figured he wants a repeat performance as bad as I do. At least I hope.
But this is about more than kissing. I look forward to spending time with Micah. He’s interesting and a good listener. Plus, he’s not bad to look at. Or stare at in history class, mostly because he sits in the row in front of me. I also like that he calls me John instead of Johnny—which lately sounds immature, especially when my siblings tease me.
“So what do you wanna do?” Micah asks, breaking the tension. “Video games? Since you’re eyeing the controllers.”
“Sure, but first I… Do you wanna…?”
“Yes,” Micah blurts out.
My stomach feels all funny as I give him a shy smile. I’ve enjoyed kissing and messing around with guys and girls before, but it’s never felt like this. Or maybe I just like Micah. Really like him. I can’t stop thinking about him and can’t wait to get to school to see him. I’ve never admitted any of that to him, and I don’t think he would ever confess anything like that to me.
But I can tell he feels the same. Because when he reaches out and cups my jaw, his fingers shake a little. Like he doesn’t want to scare me or hurt me. This time, he scrutinizes my face from my eyes down to my mouth, and when he brushes a thumb over my lips, I nearly melt from the inside.
Unable to hold back, I lean in, tapping my lips to his. As I draw away, his fingers tighten on the back of my neck, and then we’re kissing. Gentle and sometimes hard presses of our lips for who knows how long. But it’s when Micah’s tongue slips out and swipes against my mouth that I nearly lose it. I’m so hard from only his lips against mine and his hands in my hair that the added sensation of his tongue might make me embarrass myself in a different way.
French kissing can be sloppy—at least that’s been my experience—but as I part my lips and his tongue slides inside my mouth, it feels so soft and perfect that I shudder.
He moans as my hands find his face, and I smash our mouths together from pure want and maybe a little desperation. Our tongues stroke and battle as we both hang on to each other for dear life. Micah pushes me back on his bed, and as soon as our bodies align, I gasp into his mouth.
“Feels so good.” Micah’s as hard as me, but neither of our hands makes a move downward as we focus on kissing and burrowing fingers in hair. I’m so hard, I might combust, but somehow, I hold myself together as our mouths meet again and again. I feel like I’m floating and then drowning in him, and I never want to come up for air.
His grandfather’s voice calling him from downstairs is like a shock to my system. “Micah! Come help with the dishes.”
Micah immediately rolls off and swipes his mouth with his arm. His lips are plump, his pupils wide, and his hair a wreck.
“I should go,” I mutter as I stand and adjust myself. “Do you think he knows?”
He shakes his head, then yells through the door, “Coming!”
As I slide open the window, he asks, “Same time tomorrow?”
I glance back and meet his dreamy smile. “Sounds good to me.”
I blink out of the memory, then cut the light. My wish from back then eventually came true. I got to marry my best friend, even knowing that someday he might be gone. His dream was too big for Aqua Vista to contain it.
I sigh, wishing my mom and dad were here to give me advice. My siblings are great, but there’s nothing like Mom’s hugs.
Fuck, I miss them. We all do.
I shut my eyes and tell myself I’ll figure out this stuff with Micah eventually.
You know that saying—if you love something, set it free?
Even though Micah has returned, it still feels like it isn’t meant to be.