Your Kiss

Chapter 14: Always and Forever

I was sitting right next to Collei, with my head on his shoulder. It was already 12AM and I was already sleepy. We left my house at 8pm and had a problem finding a bus at that hour. We were going back to Bulacan for New Year. Today is December 30, 2022, technically December 31 but let’s just call it December 30. The sky was dark as the embodiment of darkness fills the trees and the leaves outside. “Love, we’re here,” I heard a voice. It was Collei tapping my shoulder as I slowly start to wake up from my almost nap.

We were met with Collei’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Autrich on the bus stop. Apparently, Collei called them. “Hi, Axton, hi Stephen,” Mrs. Autrich said. “Stephen?” I asked. Does Collei have an evil twin and only Mrs. Autrich and him know about it and I’ve just been hanging out with a person called Stephen for the entire trip? “Oh, that’s his middle name dear, Collei Stephen,” she replied. I looked at Collei. He always had this smile when he looks at me. Like he knows this was going to happen and he has no intention to bring it up.

“You never told me you had a middle name? Stephen?” I teased him when we started walking to his parents house. “I didn’t know it was relevant, Louis,” he replied. Louis is actually my first name. My full name is Louis Axton. Maybe my mom just likes Louis Tomlinson.

It was New Years Eve and I was hanging out with Collei’s family. We were eating dinner at their dinner table, with Collei on my right and in front of me was Collei’s sister, Harriet with her girlfriend, Fiona. “So, how’s everyone’s studies? Fiona, how’s yours?” Collei’s mother asked Fiona who was sitting in front of me.

“I’m a business major. I’m planning to have a product by the time I’m 25. Actually, I’m actually experimenting and making a study,” Fiona answered. “Woah, you’re perfect for each other. Right, Harriet? You said you wanted to be an entrepreneur, right?” Collei’s father asked.

“Yes, dad,” she replied. Now, all the attention was on me. I know they want the best for Collei, just like my parents. “Oh, Axton. I heard from your parents that you’re taking BS Psychology in college, correct?” Mrs. Autrich asked me. In that exact moment, I felt my intestines tangle.
“Yes, I’m actually studying a bit ahead so that I can have a doctorate in less than 10 years,” I said. They both nodded in agreement. “Very impressive. You are soulmates with my kid. He’s taking neurology and with your brains on psychology, you would be the couple,” Mr. Autrich said.

“Just like us. My husband is a veterinarian and, contrary to popular belief, am not also a doctor. I took law and I’m a lawyer right now,” Mrs. Autrich said. I didn’t know that about Collei’s mom. I thought they were a family of doctors with medical degrees plastered all over the wall.

At 8PM, we were done eating and it was time for some cuddle time with Collei. We were both sitting at the couch, waiting for midnight. It was 11PM and we promised each other that we will kiss at midnight and I have got to experience the midnight kiss. “Mom, can we go outside? We want to kiss outside,” I heard Collei said. What? Outside?! Does he have a plan like, do we kiss while the fireworks is happening. It was so surreal and he just held my hand to make me stood up while we wait for Mrs. Autrich’s answer.

“Sure, you can. We also want private time with your dad. Harriet and Fiona also gone outside to wait for midnight so, it’s okay,” Mrs. Autrich said. Collei dragged me outside, putting on my coat while I struggled to keep up with his pace. “Come on, I want to let you see this bar that I’ve been coming to since I was 16. Here’s a fake id,” he gave me one. “Nah, no need. I already have a fake id,” I got out my fake id from my pocket. It was the name that I always used.

When we reached the bar, it was still open so we asked the bouncer to let us in. He didn’t even ask for our id. He said it was a New Years special and as long as you’re 16, you can drink in the bar. But only 16 and above.

We were seated in front of this big mirror. “I would always go here when it’s new year. This faces the fireworks show every single year,” he said. We asked the bartender for a drink. “One mimosa please,” I never actually liked alcohol and I never tried a mimosa before.

“A whiskey please,” Collei asked. I looked at him in a confusing manner as I didn’t thought he was somewhat of a drinker. “You like whiskey?” I asked him. He nodded. Our orders arrived and we both each drank, taking a sip every few seconds while we talk. Scratch that, while he talks and me looking at him with puppy eyes, trying not to get lost about how his voice is so powerful and his words makes me fall in love with him more. His words would make you fall for him, even if you don’t know him.

The fireworks start to began. With our talking, we forgot about the countdown. He leaned on to me, with his eyes locking at mine. His lips were so close that I could already tell what was going to happen in a matte of minutes. It was a kiss. The kiss I always wanted from the start. A kiss again, from him. His lips locked in mine as I felt his pink, plump lips hitting my lips. He started savoring my lips as I close my eyes and him holding the back of my head. When he was done, he broke the kiss.

“I love you forever and always,”