I kissed a girl.
That was the only thing running through my head as I shoved my binder into my backpack. My hands were trembling, my heart thudding way too loud in my chest. I couldn't even look my family in the eye at dinner last night, not without feeling like I had a giant flashing sign over my head that screamed:
GIRL KISSER!
I zipped my bag with a loud, awkward zrrrp and tiptoed toward the door.
The plan? Slip out quietly before anyone woke up.
One look, just one, and they'd know exactly what I did.
I caught my reflection in the little mirror by the door and froze.
"Okay, Alika. Normal face. Normal face," I whispered, slapping my cheeks lightly. "If anyone asks, I had a little fever, but I'm totally fine now. Fever's gone. Yep. I'm a picture of health and normalcy and…ugh."
I practiced a smile that definitely looked more like a grimace, sighed, and pulled the door open…
…and nearly crashed right into Micah, my annoying older brother.
He stood there with his fist raised, about to knock.
He squinted at me suspiciously.
"Why do you look like you just committed a crime?"
My whole soul left my body. But I'm a good liar. (I think?)
"Well, you scared me to death. What do you want?" I asked, desperately trying to escape before I spilled my guts.
"Yeah, right," Micah said, still eyeing me. "Anyway, Mom's leaving in thirty if you wanna catch a ride."
"Oh! Um, well, the bus will be here in five and I have an early class, sooo… I'll catch the bus."
Talking about transportation gave my brain a much-needed break from thinking about the… the thing.
I slipped past Micah, my heart still pounding.
When I ascended down the stairs, mom was standing in the kitchen, a cup of coffee in her hand. I greet her good morning and rush for the door like my butt was on fire
The bus stop was a two Minuite run from my house and I reached just in time. I could see the bus approaching from the end of the street, I take in a deep breath filled with the aroma of strawberries.
Strawberries?
I finally looked at my surroundings. There was a couple of people at the bus stop that I didn't notice before. A guy and a girl. The girl.
The girl that I kissed. Lana.
And her twin brother, Larry. They're vaping.
That's where the strawberry aroma is coming from. She turned sharply and looked me straight in the eyes.
I melt.
"Hi!" I squeak. Her answer was a slow nod as she breathed in a last puff of strawberry juice flavored unhealthy stuff.
Before I made anymore embassing gestures, the bus arrived with a loud horn. Lana and Larry jump into to bus and I follow.