26 The Kiss

"So I hear you're finally a couple", Haley said as she entered the room, finding Alex writing in a notebook.

"Huh?", Alex asked, somewhat confused.

"You and Zephyr", Haley clarified, "Mom says you've been sending each other some flirty texts".

"What?!", Alex screamed, "When did she look through my phone?"

"I don't know and I don't care", Haley said, cutting her off, "I just want to know. Is it true or not?"

"I don't know", Alex answered.

"What do you mean you don't know?", Haley questioned.

"I don't know! Okay!", Alex exclaimed in frustration.

"I thought you were finally interesting", Haley muttered while sighing, "Have you held hands?".

"Yeah", Alex answered, "Sometimes he pretends he forgot his books and moves his table right next to mine and we hold hands under the table".

"That's a good start", Haley replied, "Have you kissed then?"

"On the cheeks a few times", Alex admitted, a crimson blush on her face.

"I mean on the lips you dork", Haley clarified.

"I've tried, but I feel soo nervous when I'm with him", Alex mumbled.

"You're 13 and you haven't kissed yet", Haley muttered, "Talk about depressing".

"When did you have your first kiss then?", Alex asked.

"Like 11. And it was beautiful", Haley answered, "It was in Jackson Kaner's carpeted garage", she said dreamily, sitting down next to Alex on her bed.

"At 11?", Alex asked, shocked.

"Yeah", Haley replied, "So you better get a move on, otherwise he might think your lesbian. Even worse, he might meet a cute girl".

"NO!", Alex screamed, terrified by the thought.

"Well. You better make a move soon then", Haley responded.

[At Zephyr's House]

"So when are you going to do it?", Matt asked.

"Do what?", Zephyr asked, looking up from his book.

"Kiss her", Matt replied, a giant grin on his face.

"What?", Zephyr nervously asked.

"When are you going to kiss Alex?", Matt questioned, "You've basically been dating for almost a year now and you still haven't kissed her yet".

"I'm 13", Zephyr responded, trying to hide his face with the book in his hand.

"So?", Matt remarked, "I kissed Leah Hayes when I was 11. I remember it now. She invited me to her house while her parents were away and while watching a movie, we kissed. It was amazing".

"What was amazing?", Desiree asked as she walked into the room.

"Nothing honey", Matt replied, looking away from her.

"Something's going on here?", Desiree said, narrowing her eyes, "So tell me the details".

"We're discussing how Zephyr is too much of a chicken to kiss Alex even though he's 13", Matt answered, smirking.

"Oh. That reminds me of my first kiss", Desiree muttered, "Anthony Ramirez. It was magical", she dreamily said.

"Ok. Ok. Ok", Zephyr exclaimed, interrupting them, "I don't want to hear the details about your love life".

"So when are you going to kiss her?", Desiree asked.

"It's not like I haven't tried", Zephyr remarked, "But I want it to be perfect and the perfect situation never comes up".

"Awww", Desiree awed, "Everyone wants their first kiss to be perfect, but that hardly ever happens".

"Yeah", Matt agreed, "And besides, you'll always remember your first kiss, so as long as it's good, you're set".

"Really?", Zephyr asked, receiving a nod from both Desiree and Matt. "But I've never kissed before. What if it's really bad?".

"Don't worry", Desiree said, trying to calm him down.

"You'll do fine", Matt said, waving off his concerns, "You've got my genes so you're deffo a natural".

"Ugh", Zephyr groaned, throwing his book at Matt's face.

"Hey!", Matt shouted, "No need to be so violent. I'm just trying to lighten up the mood".

"Well, you can lighten the mood up elsewhere", Desiree said, smacking Matt on the chest, "Don't worry Zephyr. I'll teach you everything there is to know about kissing a girl".

[Dunphy Residence]

"Calm down Alex", Claire muttered, seeing Alex pacing around the living room.

"How can I calm down?!", Alex screamed, "If I don't do anything, he might think I'm lesbian. He might move on and find a cute girl to talk to. She might even be a smart cute girl".

"Alex!", Claire shouted, trying to calm down the hyperventilating Alex. Hearing her shout, Alex stopped in her steps and looked at her mom. "Ok. You need to relax", Claire said, "Take deep breaths". Nodding, Alex took deep breaths, being led to the couch. Once she sat down, Haley walked into the house, causing Claire to swivel and glare at Haley, "I asked you to help her. Not give her anxiety".

"What?", Haley asked, confused, "I just told her to kiss him".

"No you didn't", Claire replied, "Whatever you said has made her like this", she said, pointing at Alex who was hugging her legs while muttering to herself incoherently.

"Okay", Haley exclaimed, "I just told her that if she doesn't make a move soon, he might move on".

"How can you say that to her?!" Claire shouted, "You know that Alex panics whenever something related to him happens".

"I didn't know!", Haley screamed back. Before they could continue their shouting match, the doorbell was rung, interrupting them. Opening the door, Haley was met with the sight of Zephyr, who looked incredibly nervous. "Oh. Hey ZEPHYR", Haley said, shouting his name.

"H-hey", he nervously muttered, "Is Alex here?".

Before she could respond, Haley was pushed out of the way by Alex, "H-hey", she anxiously spluttered.

"S-so", Zephyr began, fiddling with his finger, "I was wondering"

"Yes?", Alex timidly asked.

"D-do you want to go to the library to study?", he asked.

[Flashback]

"For your first kiss, you want to have it at either a romantic setting, a meaningful location or a place that matches your interests", Desiree said, "So what is something you both like?"

"I guess we both like reading", Zephyr answered.

"Then take her to a library", Desiree answered, "It might not be the best place, but as long as you find a cosy and quiet place in the library. It'll make the moment more intimate. Also, make sure to disguise your true reason for going with something like revisions so when you kiss her, it's a bigger surprise".

Zephyr nodded his head, quickly writing down what she said in a notebook.

[Flashback Ends]

"S-sure", Alex spluttered.

"Let's go then", he said, taking her hand in his and walking away.

[Flashback]

"Now. On the way to the library, you have to make sure to be dominant but not overly forceful. It'll make it seem like you know what you're doing", Desiree said. "Also, make sure to have a lot of contact with her, like holding her hand, it'll slowly build things up for the kiss"

[Flashback Ends]

Throughout the whole journey, Zephyr didn't let go of her hand, an action that gave Alex butterflies in her stomach. Furthermore, instead of trying to release his hand, she tightened her grip on his hand and kept sending him glances. As Zephyr led Alex, his fingers interlocked with hers, guiding her along the winding paths. The soft touch of his hand provided reassurance and comfort, and the girl felt a gentle warmth spreading through her as they moved forward together. They shared fleeting glances, exchanging nervous smiles that spoke volumes without the need for words until they finally arrived.

The large library stood tall and imposing, its shelves stretching endlessly along the walls, holding the weight of countless volumes and tales from ages past. Alex and Zephyr, wandered hand in hand through the labyrinth of knowledge, their fingers occasionally tracing the spines of books.

Amidst the scent of aged paper and polished wood, the two found solace in each other's company, their eyes meeting with a tender understanding as they discussed their favourite authors and exchanged insights. The library's hallowed halls echoed with their laughter and hushed whispers as if the very walls embraced the love that bloomed within.

Alex jumped with determination, trying to reach a book placed high on the bookshelf. Her fingers stretched out as she leapt upward, but the book remained just out of her grasp. Undeterred, she jumped again and again, each time coming close to her goal but unable to secure the book.

"Let me help you", Zephyr said as he appeared behind her. Startled, Alex stopped but gave a nod. Zephyr leaned over her, reaching for the book that had been out of Alex's reach. Alex shivered as she felt the cool sensation of his breath on her neck, causing her body to tingle in excitement and nervousness. With a gentle yet cautious touch, Zephyr managed to grab hold of the book and brought it closer to him.

Turning around, Alex found herself physically closer to Zephyr than she ever had before. Their faces were inches apart, both of them capable of feeling each other's breaths. Their eyes met, and a tender smile played on their lips as they leaned closer to each other. Their lips gently touched, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around them faded into the background, leaving only the warmth of their embrace and the electricity of their connection. Their innocent yet profound affection wrapped them in a blissful cocoon of emotion.

As magical as the moment was, it was interrupted by screams and cheers from behind a bookshelf. Sneaking around the shelf, they were met with the sight of Matt, who had a camera in his hand, Desiree, Bella, Haley and Claire.

"Mom?" "Dad?", Alex and Zephyr said simultaneously, a look of disbelief on their faces.

"Never knew you had it in you champ", Matt replied, giving Zephyr a thumbs up.

"Mom", Alex complained, "I thought you said you wouldn't do this anymore".

"Well", Claire replied, not at all feeling guilty, "I lied".

"OMG!", Haley squealed, "You actually kissed".

"That was so romantic", Desiree dreamily said.

"Why are you two following me?", Zephyr asked.

"It's your first kiss so we had to witness it", Desiree replied.

"I thought you'd be too much of a wuss to go through with it", Matt replied, rubbing the back of his head, "But you proved me wrong. Well done!".

"Thank- Hey! Don't distract me with your praise!", Zephyr shouted.

"Damn it. I thought it would work", Matt muttered under his breath.

"I'm so proud of you!", Haley exclaimed, hugging Alex, "I thought you were lesbian but I'm glad I was wrong".

"What?", Alex asked, pushing Haley away, "You thought I was lesbian".

"Yeah", Haley answered, "You've got the sandals for it".

"Haley. Stop teasing your sister!", Claire muttered.

"Let's just go back home guys", Matt said, avoiding Zephyr's murderous gaze. As they made their way back home, Zephyr and Alex walked side by side, their shoulders touching throughout the whole journey. Walking right behind them, the adults were constantly whispering, large smiles on their faces.