It's Always Been You

2

 "What movie do you want to watch?" I ask my best friend, Alice. Alice smirks, and I realize I shouldn't have asked that question.

"Finding Nemo," he cackles. I roll my eyes and try to hide back a smile. "We can fall asleep to it!" he insists. This causes me to cave a little. Alice and I have fallen asleep on facetime with Finding Nemo before, but I could barely hear it.

"Kristy," he bumps me.

"Okay, fine," I say, grabbing the dvd off the shelf. After popping it in, I fall back onto the air mattress we had blown up.

"C'mere," Alice pulls me up to him. He pulls me in to his chest and I try to ignore me heart racing. It's never gonna happen. I have to remind myself. Alice likes Helen. No matter how much I remind myself that Alice won't ever like me as more than a friend, the butterflies in my stomach will never stop swarming.

***at school

As soon as the bell rings, I get up and run out of class. Not only am I super hungry, I'm excited to see Alice. However, as soon as I get out the door, I run smack into someone.
"I'm so sorry-" I look up and my eyes meet Renesmee. AKA Rez.

"Watch where you're going nerd!" She narrows her eyes at me. I try to keep walking, but she doesn't stop.

"Where are all your friends, Kirby? Do you even have any?" she taunts.

"My name's Kristy," I mutter. I try speeding up my pace to lose Rez, but she runs back up to me.

"Where are you going? We're talking Kirb. Do you have a date to homecoming?" Rez asks, knowing the answer. I ignore her.

"Don't ignore me. C'mon what about that little gay friend of yours. Alice. She seems like a good match for you," Rez laughs, knowing she's finally struck a nerve.

"He and I are just friends," I force myself to say through gritted teeth.

"What? You haven't even kissed once?" Rez giggles. "Oh... have you not ever kissed anybody? You poor thing."

"Leave me alone, Rez," I finally say. I turn and walk into the cafeteria and look for Alice. Once I see them, I let out a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding in. I try and pick up my head a little, and walk over to our usual little table in the corner.

"What's wrong hun?" he asks as soon as I sit down. I shake my head.

"Just Rez is all. She's making fun of me for not having kissed anybody," I say while biting into my sandwich. Alice stares at me for a second.

"There's nothing wrong with not having your first kiss. I haven't had mine," Alice reasures me, but it doesn't help. I can't get Rez out of my head.

"I know Al, but we're freshman. And it might not seem like a lot, but there are kids in our grade who have had sex. I haven't even got a peck on the lips," I complain. Alice considers this thoughtfully.

"What if we change that?" Alice smirks.

"W-what are you talking about?" I feel my cheeks redden. He couldn't be saying what I think he is. I shake my head and Alice just laughs.

"We can go kiss right now," he nods.

"I- right here? People could see us. I don't know what to do!" I say, feeling my anxiety grow. Then again, do I really want to miss out on a chance like this?

"Yeah, I guess," Alice shrugs.

"We could go in the bathroom," I suggest. We both get up and walk to the bathroom, I try to hide my hands, shaking. How could Alice be so calm? He likes Helen. Of course. We get in and stand in front of each other. How is the bathroom empty at lunch time? Alice runs his hand through his hair.
"So..." Alice laughs. Maybe he is nervous after all? We just need to get it done and over with. Not that I want it to be done. But what if he wants to back out the longer we stand here? I lean in quickly and our lips meet with a spark. I hold my face there for a second longer before pulling away. We stare into each others eyes. His pupils are dilated and he bites his lip for a second. Before I have any time to think, Alice pulls me back in. Our faces collide softly, and the longer my lips sit with his, the more I can taste him. Strawberries and vanilla. I slowly move my face with his and deepen the kiss. I open my mouth slightly, granting him access to put his tongue in my mouth. We battle back and forth for a little, pulling our bodies closer together.

"Wait," I pull away. "What about Helen?"

"What about Helen?" Alice asks, still holding me in his arms.

"Don't you like her?" I ask, shyly. Alice starts to laugh, and I'm more confused than ever. "What are you laughing at?"

"Isn't it obvious? I like you Kristy," Alice says. I want to throw up out of pure happiness. Alice likes me? I can tell I'm blushing like crazy. Alice cups my face in his hands and pulls me in once again. I don't want to be like one of those cliches, but I can feel the fireworks. My world is lit up by this beautiful being. And I couldn't be happier.