More Than a First Kiss

3

EJ's POV

As I watch Gina and Nini talking and laughing I can't help but feel worse. I decided it'd probably be best for me to just head home. Before I leave Ashlyn approaches me. "Hey, so why aren't you and Gina on your date?" she asks. Ashlyn really has a way of getting to the center of stuff. Unable to hide my disappointment, I respond honestly, "She thinks of me like a big brother."

Ashlyn crosses her arms and briefly looks back at Gina. "Did she tell you that?" she asks.

"No, her actual big brother did. So I canceled." I take another glance at Gina before heading out. As I walk past the window I notice Ashlyn going to talk to Gina. I decide to ignore it and continue towards my car. Just as I start to get close I hear the restaurant door open and someone shouting my name. I turn to find Gina smiling and waving at me. I move just a bit closer to hear her.

"Gina? What's going on?" I ask, not ready for any more rejection. "Whatever my brother told you isn't how I feel," she begins. I feel my shoulders lift and a smile appears on my face. I really thought these last few months didn't mean as much as I thought.

"EJ you, you are the greatest guy I've ever known. The last few months that we've been close have been some of the greatest months of my life." Gina really has been consistently surprising me. "When we did morning announcements. When you got that north high kid to stop flirting with me. When we talked on Ashlyn's couch and you called me brave. You gave me a ride home from the airport then made sure to drive me back and stay with me as long as you could. And especially when you asked me if I wanted to get risotto with you." I can no longer hold my smile back. "You are my prince. Which I know is cheesy but looking at how my life has gone, prince is entirely the right word to use." She pauses again giving me a chance to breathe. "I really like you, maybe even more than that."

"I really like you too, G," I smile. I didn't expect this to be how the night ended.

"Can I..." she hesitates for only a second before asking, "Can I kiss you?" Instead of responding I just smile and set down my backpack. Beginning to quickly walk over to her. She starts walking over as well and before we know it the two of us are slightly jogging to each other. Once we reach each other I wrap my arms around her waist and she puts her hands on my cheeks and we kiss. I can't believe I get to be Gina Porter's first kiss.

The kiss lasts a few seconds before we pull away and I kiss her again. Pretty soon we're borderline making out. Just as I pull away for air Nini comes out of slices and calls Gina's name.

Gina turns to face her, I keep my arms wrapped around her. It's weird to be looking at my ex-girlfriend after kissing someone else.

"Is everything cool? That was a quick call, did it go ok?" Gina asks moving closer to my side. "It went amazing. He wants to meet me in LA on June 15th. He even offered to pay for my ticket. I just have to talk to my moms." I look at Gina then back at Nini, I have no idea what they're talking about.

"Oh my god! That's amazing Nini! I'm so glad it went well," Gina pulls away from me to hug Nini.

"I'm lost..." I add, hoping for some clarity.

"I got my brother to give Nini a meeting to possibly produce her music," I look at Gina, honestly shocked by how far we both have come. "And so I called him and now we have a meeting," Nini adds.

"That's awesome Nini, I'm super happy for you."

"Thanks, EJ. Now, off-topic. Did I just walk out here and see the two of you kissing?" Nini smirks at both of us. I notice Gina getting just a bit shy so I answer for her. "Maybe. Promise you won't tell anyone yet," Gina looks over at me, confused. "No embarrassment. I just want tonight to ourselves, you know?" Gina lets out a breath, smiling again. "But you know we'll have no choice but to tell Ashlyn as soon as we see her," she reminds me.

"True, but we don't have to tell Carlos just yet," the three of us laugh. Just as we quiet back down Ricky jogs out the door. Stopping just as he sees us. "Hey, everything alright?" I shout out to him.