#Chapter 10 First Kiss
I stare at his closed eyes, processing the sensation of lips against my own.
They are soft, unchapped. He doesn’t open them, pressing our mouths together like puzzle
pieces.
It takes me a minute to realize what we’re doing. Even after I realize it, I’m frozen in place,
my thoughts running wildly. A single thought sparks.
I don’t feel the need to reject this kiss.
When Alex backs away, his lashes rise to reveal warm brown eyes. The golden flecks astound me with their vibrance, my mouth dropping open just slightly. He gives me a smile
and a wink.
My face immediately heats like a furnace. Then I remember that we’re not alone and hide my mouth behind clammy fingers.
Danielle seems to be turning an interestingly pale shade as Oliver’s expression darkens ominously.
Alex meets their dissatisfaction smoothly.
“Do you think this is a deal? What would even make you two lovebugs think that, huh?”
They suddenly remember that they’re supposed to be dating, their expressions crumpling in embarrassment.
“I thought you guys would be supportive, but instead you’re harassing my girlfriend. Hah. Let’s get the pizza to go, babe.”
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#Chapter 10 First Kiss
“Wait, Alex, bro-”
One of his teammates try to reason with him, but he slides out of the booth, forcing Danielle to back up. The stink eye he gives her… Is he actually angry right now?
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I quietly take his offered hand and scooch my way out as well. Without another word to the others, we go to the counter to get our incoming pizza put in a box. Then, we leave Mozzy’s hand in hand.
A part of me wants to ask him what that was about. Suddenly kissing me…was that to make ‘us‘ more realistic? I mean, PDA definitely could do that.
Still, it feels like he got legitimately angry at them. I look up at him, ready to ask about it.
But I pause, finding the tips of his ears tinted slightly red.
…It’s cold out. Maybe they just got too cold. But he could also be…embarrassed?
Surely not, though… I’ll just keep my question to myself this time.
Though I work as a shadow in the drama club, I’m doing my best to become a gust of wind.
Ever since our more recent show, fewer club members want to talk to me. After all, the bullies are targeting me, not the group. If I just left, it’d make it easier on everyone else.
But I don’t want to quit. I can at least make things less uncomfortable. So, I try to be as invisible as possible.
I still make posters, help fix props, fill water bottles. But talking to others or speaking up about anything is a no–go.
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#Chapter 10 First Kiss
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It’s alright. I don’t mind working in silence. If I know what I’m supposed to do, there’s no reason for anyone to remember that I exist.
Moreover, after the kissing incident, the bullies have been appearing less frequently and viciously. Danielle hasn’t come back at all.
Since I’m technically the problem… Well, I should take care of the problem I’m causing.
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“… You’re…disrupting practice. Please leave,” I say, looking at the three girls who came this
time.
They’re quick to stand up and start to tower over me, ready to really dig in.
“Ugh, who is this ugly bitch talking to?”
“You’re a gremlin. Or maybe just a slut.”
“You stutter so much… Maybe your mouth’s only good for sucking dick.”
…I’m not so thick–skinned that their insults don’t hurt. They’ve been getting rather
creative, and the fact they circle around me, corner me, always makes my back itch.
But I’m still motivated. I won’t let them ruin my paradise, especially not for anyone else.
“If you…continue. Uhm.” Huff. Breathe. “If you continue…t–this, we…we will have to call
someone to remove you.”
I look up at them, hoping my message gets across. And it seems like it does, their faces twisting in anger.
“Did you just fucking threaten me?!”
The middle girl rears her hand back. With the other two so close to me, I can’t back away
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#Chapter 10 First Kiss
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…This position triggers uncomfortable memories quite harshly, to the point I just close my eyes on reflex.
But the slap never comes.
Instead, the girl yells, only to choke her own voice off. I feel an oppressive energy suddenly weighing me down like a command.
Uneasily, I peek my eye open… Then both shoot wide.
“…Having a problem here, ladies?”
Alex holds the girl’s wrist with a single hand. But there’s no warmth in his gaze, making
the golden flecks in his irises look brighter.
His usual, jovial demeanor is absent, no smile on his face.
The girls freeze up. Only then does he let go of the girl’s wrist, which she pulls close to her
own chest.
“If there’s a problem, well… I’m sure we can talk about it. Right?”
When he smiles, it’s very unkind. It doesn’t reach his eyes at all.
“…No. Nothing,” one of the girls manage. She grabs the girl who almost slapped me and starts pulling her away. “We were just leaving.”
“I see. Get home safely.”
They stumble out, and I watch in dim awe. Apparently, so are the other club members, who have since paused their practice to watch.
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“…Why are you here?” I ask. “Don’t… Practice. I mean. Don’t you have…practice?”
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When he looks at me, that warmth returns immediately. Moreover, he–honest to God-
pouts.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were getting harassed?”
“Hah?”
“Aren’t we supposed to look out for each other?” He looks up at the other drama club members, waving at them kindly. “You don’t have to face this stuff alone. Though, I will say…”
He grins at me.
“Pretty nice to see that backbone of yours again.”
I glower at him, but that seems to only make him laugh.
He also, apparently, takes this incident as an invitation to keep coming back.
Alex starts coming by on days he doesn’t have practice. Just calls out a big “Heyo!” and waltzes right in. Once, he purposefully took a seat right beside a shifty group of hecklers,
causing them to flee immediately.
Of course, all the drama club members start seeing him as their savior.
While I’m working in the background, worrying whether he has company, I end up hearing him and a few others laugh.
Right. Why would I ever worry whether he has enough people to socialize with?
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*ter 10 First Kiss
He’s Alex Hewlett.
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“Hey, how long have you been practicing? I bet it takes a lot of work,” Heather says, her dimples on full display.
“How’d you grow so tall? Are all your family members as tall as you?” Maggie raises a hand to try measuring hìm.
“Oh! I’ve seen that sweater! It’s from Andrew & Firs, right? Mind if I touch it?” Charlie touches him before he gives permission.
All the while, Alex patiently answers their questions with a charming smile. Sure, I get some information about him and his family this way, too, but…it’s discomforting. All he has to say are a few words, spread his peacock feathers, and the gaggle of girls are more
focused on him than practice.
I can almost feel their hearts skipping beats in my own chest.
Once club ends, the girls still surround him. Some are even taking pictures.
…Is he an idiot?
“…Hey.”
Alex looks up, as do the others. I cross my arms, eyes narrowing at them.
“Let’s go.”
Alex’s brain dings with realization first. He smoothly sits up from his lounging stance against the wall and walks over to me, a hand landing on my shoulder and hugging me
close.
“Right, right, sorry, babe. Alright, I’ll see you gals later!”
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They laugh a little then say their goodbyes, probably realizing they shouldn’t drool openly over someone else’s boyfriend. I huff as we walk out, glaring up at him.
“What?”
“Am I supposed t–to be your girlfriend o–o–or what?”
“I mean, we’re playing it, yeah-”
“Then m–m–maybe you should hold off on t–talking to girls so much.”
But Alex just shrugs. “It’d be rude of me to reject them without cause, you know.”
“D–Didn’t you make me y–your cause?”
Instead of answering though, he just grins at me in that irritatingly teasing way.
“Aww, getting jealous? Remember, don’t fall for me,” he sings.
Hah! As if he can scold me! My nose wrinkles and I shove my way out of his hold, quickly walking ahead.
“I w–won’t!”
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