Chapter thirteen: Young love

MALIA

It's been two days since the moon dance. Two days since a bunch of kids rushed out of the hall just to witness a kiss.

Pretty unexpected,huh. Well,who cares? Anyone can kiss anyone. It's not that much of a big deal, and certainly not enough of a deal for anyone to start posting pictures and videos up and down.

But then people are like "Sofia Corona's boyfriend went all smoochy with her best friend!". They are getting a kick out of it.

Stupid.

I'm standing on the roof and crunching on peanuts when Keith shows up.

"I figured you'd be here"he said.

"What?"I retorted.

"I wanted to ask you something".

"Out with it".

He walked up to me, but I refused to look at him. I'm not super fond of Keith at all. How do I put this... he sorta irks me in the same way Isabella Linton from Wuthering Heights does.

Okay, I know that probably told you nothing.

"Are you mad at me?"he asked.

Huh?Who has time to be mad at him?

"Nope. Want some?"I asked, offering him the bag of peanuts.

"No, thanks. Uh, Malia...".

"What?".

He appeared to shudder slightly,then he slipped his hands into his pockets and stared ahead.

"Did Sofia ever mention a guy she's in love with?".

"Why do you want to know?".

"Listen, I know you probably feel like I have no right to ask, but it's not my fault that Barbie complicated things...".

What's this dude saying?

"You're gonna blame Barbara?"I asked.

"Well, she kissed me".

"You didn't resist. You kissed her back".

"Look, can we not talk about this? Please just answer my question".

He's... blushing?

"Why ask me? Not Linda, not Barbie, but me?".

"I already asked them. She didn't tell them anything".

"Well, yeah. She did mention this cute older guy once or twice".

"And?".

"She called him Apollo. Said he's cute and cool and gentle and blah blah blah".

"Did she... show you a picture?".

"Nope. Why? Are you worried? I can guarantee his looks beat yours".

"I mustn't waste your time"he said as he hurriedly left.

I smiled.

*

*

*

BARBARA

Keith has been avoiding me since that day. He has stopped spending lunch time at the cafeteria. He skips morning assembly. He's become so extra careful not to bump into me in the hallway, he even takes the back stairs now.

And now he just dashed out of the classroom block ten minutes earlier than the dismissal bell.

Well, I'm prepared today!

I watched from my hiding place behind the hedge as he ran forward. He slowed down just as he got near, and I sprang out, grabbing his arm.

"Caughta!"I exclaimed.

He gave a frightened start,then he frowned.

"Barbie? What are you doing?".

"Catching a runaway Keith!"I replied brightly.

"What is that supposed to mean?".

"Oh, please"I retorted"I'm not stupid. I know you've been doing all you can to avoid me. That's cowardly, you know. We have to confront what happened".

Keith sighed loudly before he looked me dead in the eye.

"Fine,then. Why did you do it?".

"cos I love you"I replied bluntly.

My answer threw him off balance. He stared at me,then shook his head.

"Let's just believe you were drunk"he said as he tried to tug free from my grip, but I held on.

"I was perfectly sober. I knew what I was doing".

"Barbie, I have to go now".

"No"I replied firmly.

He stared at me, shocked.

"Keith, are you really gonna tell me you felt nothing that day? The air was charged with electricity. I felt it, and I know you did too".

"It's pointless digging up all that dirt...".

"Dirt? Keith, I would've stopped if you had told me to. I would have even apologized. But did you? No! You responded. You took as much as you gave. Face it, Keith. We both wanted it to happen".

"I was emotionally unstable, and you took advantage of that".

"Don't make me sound like an assaulter!"I exploded.

My outburst startled him into temporary silence.

"Keith,"I spoke softly"I know I've gotten you into a tight corner, and I'm sorry. I understand just how awkward you feel. But I don't regret what I did. I love you. I've always loved you, and... I don't regret saying that either".

For a while,we were both silent. All around us, flowers swayed in the breeze.

"The air,"he suddenly said"feels like it's crackling with electricity".

"Is it?"I replied"let's find out".

I heard the dismissal bell just as I stepped forward until there were only inches between us. I hesitated, giving him time to change his mind. But he didn't. Instead he leaned forward, covering the tiny distance between our lips.

From the corner of my eye, I saw the other kids exiting the block in a crowd.

My friends were at the fringe.