Story of a first kiss.

Part 1: Rejection.

Luka gulped before taking the first step. The place was full, but despite this, it was so silent it could have been heard the sound of a pin falling to the ground.

He slowly advanced among the attendees. He had thought it would help to avoid looking at their faces, but the silence was so intense, so uncomfortable, that he ended up looking up.
Nervous, he turned to look at both sides of him, but no one would turn to see him as he approached the front of the place. No one who with their gaze would assure him that everything was going to be fine, that they supported him. Luka felt the cold ache of rejection dig into his heart.

The light of the full moon that peeked through an opening at the top of the place fought against the light coming from a flame that burned next to a throne at the front. The mixture of both lights marked spooky shadows on the faces of those who were there.
The constant dance of the flame combined with the rocky nature of the walls of the place played with Luka's imagination, they made him see as if there were beings moving on them. Ready to attack him as soon as he looked away.

Suddenly a caw broke the silence. Luka quickly turned to look behind him and caught a glimpse of a crow entering the cavern.
Unexpectedly he felt a strong pain in his body. His vision blurred, all he could see were feathers falling. Slowly at first, but suddenly accelerating.
A beautiful blue feather fell on a black bracelet decorated only by a small green stone. He lifted his face and his attention immediately shifted to a pair of intense-looking green eyes.

"NO!" Luka yelled.

Breathing heavily, he turned to look around him. He was alone. It took him a moment to recognize where he was. He covered his face with his hands as he struggled to calm his heartbeat and his breathing. A moment later he heard someone knocking softly on his bedroom door.

"Yes?" Luka said, trying to make his voice sound normal.

The door opened and he saw his sister peeking in. "Are you okay?" Juleka asked.
The concern on her face was evident.

"Yeah, I just... I was taking a little nap and had a nightmare. That's all." Luka smiled at her to try to assure her that he was indeed fine.

Juleka nodded and smiled too. "Our friends will arrive soon. I'm preparing the living room. You wanna help me?"

"I'll be there in a moment." Luka replied.

Juleka had just barely closed the door when Luka brought his hands back over his face. He still felt them shaking. He took a deep breath and headed for his bathroom.
After splashing water on his face, he dried himself and ran his hands over his hair. He stopped for a moment to see his reflection in the mirror. His gaze fell on one of the bracelets he was wearing. He sighed and left his room.