5 Oranges

Ever since that double date, Henry and Amber have been meeting each other a lot of times. Mostly after school, Amber would hang out at Henry's since his parents were rarely home. Amber wasn't the type to stay at someone's place after school because she is a homegirl. But spending time with Henry meant a lot of funs. They also shared everything that happened in their school, who they hate, what subject sucks and which teacher they hate or like the most and above all was, of course, they share about their pain of having a crush on someone. Basically, they were more closer now than before.

"Hey, I'm going to fill up the drink..." Henry said and Amber nodded as she continued to write another paragraph of her History essay.

When Henry came back she was applying her chapstick and Henry was unconsciously staring at her until she finished applying and he removed his eyes to somewhere else.

"Do you like orange?" He asked out of nowhere.

"Hm? I do... like orange juice and orange fruit... but I don't like chocolate mixed with orange and orange jam is fine but sometimes it's too sour." She replied and took the glass filled with orange and drank it.

"You were applying orange flavours chapstick and then drink an orange juice... doesn't it taste like double orange?" Henry asked purely curious.

"No... not at all. You can try yourself." She replied and gave Henry her chapstick. Henry was stunned.

"C-can I?" He stammered in confusion.

"Oh..sorry I just used this one. Wait a second. I have another tube and I just bought it too." She rummaged in her bag and took out a new chapstick that was still fully packaged. She opened the packaging and gave it to Henry.

"You have two of this?" Henry asked.

"Actually I have loads... I don't know why I'm addicted to it. I just love it. I have strawberry, watermelon, apple and green apple, orange and also mint." She excitedly stated.

"Guess you bought the whole flavours in the store." Henry laughed and applied the chapstick on his lips.

"It smells like orange and tastes like orange. This is so good as if I'm eating the real fruit." He said and applied it more. As Amber was observing him, she burst into laughter.

"Your lips are all chapped HAHAHAHAHA" She laughed so loudly. Henry looked at himself in his phone's reflection and laughed together.

They were looking at each other as their laugh slowly subsided down until they were both silent staring at each other. They didn't realize how closed their distance had become.

Henry's eyes fell onto Amber's lips. Slowly and carefully he inched closer and closer towards Amber while she just sat there unable to move nor process what was going on.

Henry's hand found its place between Amber's face as he closed the gap between them and connected their lips together. Amber was tensed a little but soon found comfort over the soft kiss as her eyes fluttered closed. The taste of oranges spread between both of them.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The passionate moment was abruptly stopped when they heard a loud knock on the window. They turned their head to the window and saw Grace waving at them cheerfully as if she didn't just interrupt some private moment.

Amber was flushed red just as same as Henry who had stood up to go open the door. Amber drank the orange juice quickly and wiped her mouth but it stained more on her face making it look more obvious that they were kissing.

When Henry came back with Grace behind him, he became redder after he saw Amber. His eyes were looking everywhere except Amber. Grace had already sat down next to Amber, the place where Henry was sitting before.

"It seems like you both love oranges," Grace said as she looked alternately from Amber to Henry. Both Henry and Amber awkwardly looked down on their lap. Grace was smiling happily. She was just teasing them but she wasn't expecting the flustered reaction from both of them.

"Anyway, Caleb was away to visit his aunt so please company me a bit for today." She said while blinking her eyes expecting sympathy from the two. Amber and Henry looked at each other, both were waiting for the other to say something. Grace was just patiently waiting for their answer.

Suddenly, Amber's phone ringing. She took her phone and the screen showed her mom's caller id.

"Uhm... excuse me." She said and went somewhere a bit further.

Grace folded her arms to her chest as she stared boringly at Henry. Henry looked at her back and asked her, "What?"

"Don't you mind wiping your lips? It's all chapped." She said wanted to see more of Henry's flustered face. Henry who was shocked immediately grabbed the wet wipes and wiped his mouth aggressively. Grace who was watching shook her head.

"Really? Do you need someone to do it for you?" She said and grabbed the wipes from Henry's hand and gently wiped Henry's mouth, clearing all the stained until there are no more orange colours on Henry's lips. Only after it's done that they realized Amber had come back and she was watching them.

"Oops," Grace said as the wipes fell on the table while Henry was feeling all awkward alone.

"Uhm... I have to go home now." She said as her hand quickly packed all her things into her back.

"I'll walk you," Henry said but Amber was quick to shook her head.

"No need. It wasn't that far and... my mom might still be outside our house... I'm afraid she might see if we walk together." She said and nodded firmly. Henry who understood just nodded his head and only walked out to see her off.

"What's with that weird excuse?" Grace's forehead was wrinkled as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind those sentences being said by Amber.

"What do you mean weird excuse? That sounds normal to me." Henry replied. He was back in the living room after closing the door.

"It sounds like jealousy to me." Grace retorted back. She was excitedly looking at Henry. Henry was frowning hard.

'Jealousy? It doesn't sound bad.' He thought to himself and smiled a little for a mere second that Grace couldn't even catch it as she was busy choosing shows to watch on the television.