7 First Kiss

I was counting down the time until school was over. When I heard the bell finally rang, my spirit went straight up.

Without a moment of delay, I shoved everything on my table into my backpack.

"Look at you," Xu Ting teased, "In such a hurry."

I only replied her with a grin. She gave Lian-ge a glance and asked, "Date?"

He chuckled. "No, just cotton candy."

I pouted and went forward to his side. "Is it not a date?"

He laughed. And with that I knew he was teasing me. I smiled at that realization.

"Well, have fun you two lovebirds."

Xu Ting went over me and she suddenly gave me a big tight hug. She was practically squeezing me.

"Oi, Xu Ting! You're going to break your bestie's bones. Don't you love me anymore?" I giggled.

"I love you."

I was stunned. Xu Ting had never said that words before. She found it disgusting to just openly expressed the word love. So, I was quite surprised when she said it. But nevertheless, I felt somehow happy.

I squeezed her back. "Aww...what's going on with our fierce Xu Ting? Why are you so mellow today?"

She laughed which was followed by my giggle.

If only I had paid more attention, I would have noticed the quivering of her voice. I would have noticed how she had held her breath.

She let go of me and I saw the beautiful smile on her face. A smile that made me didn't want to look away. A smile that imbued fear within me.

"X-Xu Ting?"

She grinned and went to pinch my cheeks. I grimaced a little which caused her to laugh again.

"My little Airi, always smile, okay? Or I will come and pinch your cheeks so hard that it'll leave a mark on your gorgeous face."

I reflexively covered both of my cheeks with my hands, looking at her with complete wariness.

She smiled. "Promise me?"

I raised my eyebrows and looked at her in confusion.

"Airi...promise me."

She raised her pinky finger. I stared at it blankly for a moment before raising mine to hook hers. I looked up and found her,

...somehow...sad smile.

"I promise." The words finally came out.

She hugged me one more time before saying in a soft voice, "Have fun today, Airi. I'll see you again."

I grinned. "Okay! See you tomorrow, Ting-Ting!"

She smiled before she walked away and out of the classroom.

I turned around and came face to face with Lian-ge handsome face. His Phoenix-like eyes, sharp jaws, and high nose. His white pore-less skin. Currently, his jet-black eyes were staring at me intensely.

I didn't know why but that gaze of his had my body all tingling. It felt as if he was trying to memorize me or something. With all the attention directed at me, I couldn't help but blushed.

"Lian-ge!"

"Hmm?"

I heard the tone of his voice. Even if it was just a simple hum, it held a hint of spoiling.

I blushed. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

He smirked. That naughty naughty smirk!

"Like what?"

I really didn't know what to do. I bet my face was bright red right now. I buried my face into my palm to prevent him from seeing this embarrassing expression of mine.

I heard him chuckling and then I felt a pair of cold hands taking hold of my hands. He moved them down and our eyes met.

My heart jolted at the proximity of his face towards mine. It was less than five centimeters.

"I was staring because you're just too adorable. I wonder what did I do in the past to get such a wonderful girlfriend like you."

In that instant, my mind was crushed to oblivion and my heart took a leap off the cliff. The heat coursed through every part of my body and I could feel the burn in my face like a 39 degrees fever.

The swelling in my chest only grew when I saw the dimples on his cheeks and the twinkle that was hidden behind his dark eyes.

"Ah...uhm.."

I tried to speak up but I couldn't find any words to say. I couldn't think. My brain had basically melted.

He giggled. He leaned his forehead against mine.

His eyes closed as he said in a soft fleeting voice, "How can my Airi be this cute?"

"Well, Mr. Lian, consider yourself lucky to have me."

I grinned. He opened his eyes to gaze into mine.

"I am."

I was dumbfounded.

With a heartfelt smile, he said once again, "I am the luckiest guy on earth to have met you, Airi Chang."

Before I could regain my focus, Lian-ge's lips had landed on mine. He gently pressed his lips while he hugged my waist and brought me to his arms.

I couldn't figure out what just happened. The moment I realized it, I was already deep in his embrace. His lips tenderly brushed mine.

I didn't hate it one bit. I felt...weirdly comfortable. But the same couldn't be said for my heart as it was beating very loudly.

Just like that, he had kissed me. It was a long and quiet kiss. It was gentle and soft like the touch of a feather.

When he broke the kiss and we looked at each other after, it was an entirely different feeling. I couldn't explain it but all I saw was blush, like the cherry blossom in March.

And in that moment, I learnt for the first time in my life, what kiss tasted like.

It was sweet like the taste of cream bread.