The Faint Taste of Spearmint

6 | The Taste of Spearmint

Adric parked in front of my apartment building. He insisted on walking me to my door to ensure my safety. The walk to the second floor was quiet as we shyly eyed each other. At my apartment door, I turned to bid him goodnight, but he was as close to me as he'd been at the beach when he tried to kiss me.

"Well, we're here," I said steadily shifting my eyes from him to the welcome doormat under my feet that needed replacing. Silence filled the cool night air as we stood at the door. It was then I remembered Adric was holding the duffle bag containing my soiled clothes and shoes while I stood in his oversized clothes and shoes. "Uh...do you wanna come in?"

"No," he said with a smirk. "I should probably get going."

I thought about why he smirked and panicked. "Oh no," I said as I frantically waved my arms. "I didn't mean it like that! I meant you could come in while I change and return your clothes!"

"I knew what you meant," he said matter-of-factly as if I didn't have it in me to invite him in for another reason. He knew me well. "You can keep the clothes. You can give 'em back on our next date," he suggested. I couldn't help smiling at the thought of a second date.

"The next date," I agreed. Adric stared at me again, leaning in gradually. As he leaned closer and puckered his lips, I leaned away — my back hitting my door. I hated myself for not letting him kiss me, again."Sorry," I said. He grinned, humbly accepting my second rejection.

"Do you avoid kissing all your dates, or am I special?" he asked. I wasn't sure if he was just joking or if he was serious.

"No! I'm sorry." I felt like I couldn't say it enough. "It's not that I don't want to, trust me. I've just never...done it...before..." I looked away in shame.

"You mean...you've never been kissed?" I nodded, embarrassed about being such a late bloomer. Adric stood silent for what felt like ages. "Wait...this isn't your first date, is it?" I glanced at him and answered with my eyes. He looked at me horrified. "This is your first date?!! Why didn't you tell me?!!" I flinched at his uncharacteristic aggression.

"I-I didn't wanna seem lame." I also didn't want to pressure him to go out of his way on my account.

"You're not lame," he argued. "Your first date is supposed to be special. I would've made more of an effort, to make it better for you and less awkward," he said. "What didn't Tara tell me?" he said to himself. "I'm sorry, Blyth. I'll make it up to you." I felt bad that he felt bad.

"But, this was special," I said. He looked at me with furrowed brows. "I mean, besides the accidental texting and toiletgate." He chuckled. "But, this date was special to me because..." I hesitated. No, don't hold back. Tell him how you feel... "Well, because it was...with you." He paused; his jaw dropped. I cringed. "Ugh! That was so lame! Forget I said that." I turned to the door to escape him. "Goodnight."

As I struggled with my keys, I heard the duffle bag drop to the ground. Adric grabbed my shoulders and turned me back around to face him and his lips gently smashed against mine.

His momentum pushed me against the door as he stood over me. There was no time to prevent it, no time to freak out. My eyes shut tightly and my body took everything in—the softness of his lips, the faint taste of spearmint, the way his left hand gently cradled my chin, and his right hand held my lower back. I couldn't remember why I was so afraid. I didn't want his lips to leave mine. I never wanted to be without the warmth and security of his strong yet tender embrace. Our lips soon parted.

"It's not lame," he said as he pulled me into a bear hug. "It's special to me, too. And I refuse to forget." I hugged him back, wrapping my arms around him and feeling the heat of his body against mine.

"Really?"

"Yes," he said sternly. We slowly pulled away from each other. "I'm sorry if I moved too fast. We can take things as slowly as you need."

"Don't be sorry," I said, thinking two years was slow enough. He looked at me surprised. "I just need a little help catching up."

"Well," he said grabbing my hand, "maybe the next few dates I could catch us up to speed," he said with a charming grin.

"I'd like that," I said. I felt the tightness in my cheeks and the corners of my mouth as I smiled. His smile widened too. He kissed me again.

The moment was ruined, however, when a muffled, chipmunk-like squeal sounded from the other side of the door. I opened my eyes, seeing Adric's eyes looking above me into the peephole. We could hear Tara giggling on the other side of the door. Dammit, Tara!

"Goodnight, Tara," he said loudly enough for her to hear.

"Goodnight!" she yelled through the door. "Oops!" Adric and I chuckled as we heard her scurry away from the door.

"Goodnight, Blyth," he said tenderly before kissing my forehead and cheek. He handed me the duffle bag. "You plan the next date, okay?" he said, towering over me. "We'll do whatever you want. Just let me know." I was still leaning against the door, my legs locked like crutches under me so I wouldn't slide down from my romantic high.

"Y-Yeah, o-o-okay," I agreed nodding. He smirked. I didn't even care that he enjoyed watching me struggle to speak my first and only language. He turned and walked away, heading for the staircase. "Text me when you make it home," I said. He smiled and nodded. We waved goodbye before he disappeared downstairs. I was delirious as I put the key into the doorknob, but the door flung open.

"He kissed you!" Tara exclaimed as she pulled me inside. "He freaking kissed you! Tell me everything," she screamed, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the living room. She pulled me down with her onto the sofa, throwing her legs up and making herself comfortable. "How was it? You never texted me back," she exclaimed before noticing my oversized ensemble and Adric's duffle bag. "Wait—those aren't the clothes you left in." I sighed knowing she'd already let her perverted imagination run wild. "And they're not your size," she said with a mischievous grin. "You're wearing his clothes?!!" Tara yelled as she grabbed me. "Spill! Now!" she demanded wide-eyed. I didn't even know where to start.

"Well, it was the worst best date ever..."

THE END

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