Chapter 12: my first TASTE of LOVE

Sherwin and I see each other almost everyday. It's school break so we can always go out and around anytime. Sometimes, we hang out with our friends from the school. We have lunch, we go to the cinema, we go to the game arcade or we go for a swim. But at the end of day, we always get the chance to be alone together and end up in a milk tea or coffee shop.

One day, we all need to go to our school and collect our report card. My brother and I went together and meet up our friends in the school. I did not see Sherwin when we came. One of his best friend said he might not come anymore to collect his report card since he will be leaving anyway. The school will be taking care with the rest of his school transcripts later on. I felt disappointed not to see him.

My friends and I after collecting our report card decided to have a quick bite in the canteen. Not far from the canteen, I've noticed from a distance that there were two guys sitting in the table and they are both look familiar. As we approach the table, we saw Sherwin and Joseph together chatting and laughing. Everybody hurry up to see Sherwin because we knew he would be leaving soon with his family to the States. I said hello to both Sherwin and Joseph. I asked Joseph where has he been during the break because he missed all the fun. He said, his mom came from work abroad and they need to spend time together while she was on a holiday.

Everyone was gathered in the same table and everyone was talking. I am with my group of friends while Sherwin is sitting at the end of the table with his group of friends as well. Sometimes, we glanced and look at each other but we never smile nor said hello to each other.

I was getting my own drink when someone spoke from my behind. It was Sherwin. He repeats what he said, "what drink are you getting?" I said, "You know what I want!" He ordered me a booba milk tea and he got himself his usual fruit milk tea.

While we were walking back to the table, I said I saw him and Joseph talking and it looks like everything is fine between them. I was expecting a serious answer from him but instead his response was, "Are you jealous?" And I told him back, "Huh? Where that came from?" He laughed and said, he just clears the air between him and Joseph. And then he said, "I told him we were dating!" I almost spill out all the drinks in my mouth when I heard what he had just said. He laughs so hard and grabs me on my shoulder and said, "c'mon, let's tell everybody about us!"

We all had a great time, we laughed a lot, we were teasing a lot, and we were comparing our grades. We all shared our funny moments during the school year that has passed and everybody was cheering up Sherwin.

One of his best friends asked him when is he leaving? He said he would be leaving on the weekend. Everyone was quiet and feel sad about learning his departure. Someone just break the silence by saying he should not forget about us and never forget our birthdays and send us a lot of chocolates. Every body laughs and agrees with him.

It was getting late and every one is ready to leave. Sherwin asks me if I need to leave soon. I said not really. He asked me if I could go to the mall with him because he needs to buy something for his luggage. And so off we went.

We were at the mall looking for something that I don't even know what it is. I keep on asking him and his only response was, "will just wait and see!" His arm was always around my shoulder while we were walking. He always ask me if I feel comfortable if he was doing that while I said, "I won't let you if I don't."

We end up in a gift shop. He walked straight to the counter inside the gift shop as if he already knows what to get. He spoke to the sales lady and said. "I am here to collect the items I bought the other day and requested to do some embossing with them." I was just listening and said to myself what is he up to. The lady left for a few seconds and when she came back she handed Sherwin two small box. Sherwin said thank you and we left the gift shop.

We went to our favorite cake shop and he ordered one cake for us and one big drink as usual. I was surprised that he choses to sit beside me this time. While waiting for our order, he brings out the two small boxes from the paper bag and he slides over to me the other box. He said lets open the box at the same time. He counted three and we open the box together. I saw a silver necklace with his name on it and saw the same in his box with my name on it. He grabs my necklace out of the box and wore it around my neck. I can smell his face and could hear his breathing. His lips are too close to my cheek and I said to myself, I don't care if he will kiss me at that moment and I would not dare to resist it. I touched the necklace and said thank you. I knew I have to do the same thing for him. I put his necklace around his neck as well and I said u look more handsome now.

He smiles at me and all of a sudden he was quiet. I said, "What is wrong?" I also said, "I am sorry I didn't get you anything." He said, "Its okay but u can give me a kiss in the cheek?" When I heard about it, I look around if there is anybody looking and as soon as I was sure that no one be would be watching and also realized it will be a quick kiss in the cheek, I grab his hand and quickly gave him a kiss. But Sherwin as his usual self (naughty), he turned his face to me. Our lips touched and locked for a few seconds. My face turns red and I open my eyes wide open like an owl. Oh my God, what has just happen? Does it really happen? This was my first kiss. I never kissed a girl before and my first kiss was with a boy?

There were some quiet moments after what happen until the staff of the cake shop breaks the awkward silence when she brings us the food.

We were eating the cake and there were some awkwardness about who should drink first and who will start talking and things like that.

When we were finishing the food, all of a sudden he said, "You are the first boy I kissed!" I said, "You are my first love!" and he said, "I will never love another boy if its not gonna be you!"