Loving The Traitor (A Luke Castellan Love Story)[BOOK ONE]

Chapter 5 - I Have My First Kiss

I Have My First Kiss

You're probably thinking "First kiss? it's been three years and you haven't had your first kiss?" 

Yes. We were taking this whole thing slow. There had been cheek kisses of course, but I wasn't even sure if he wanted this to be a "thing". I mean, nobody in camp knew about it, we always met at night and never really talked during the daytime. Also, half of the other girls had a crush on him, and more than half probably didn't even know my name.

The words of my mother lingered like a ghost in the corners of my mind, a reminder of the complexities of love and the warnings she had imparted. I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted within Luke since his return from his quest, a shadow lurking beneath the surface of his smile. But today, on my 16th birthday, I refused to let doubts cloud my joy.

The day stretched on endlessly, each moment dragging by as I eagerly awaited the night. Luke had promised me a surprise tonight and I waited with anticipation. With each passing hour, my heart beat a little faster, my excitement building like a crescendo.

Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I made my way to our spot by the lake, a sense of eager anticipation coursing through my veins.

But before I could reach the water's edge, his arms wrapped around me in a gesture of playful affection. 

Luke.

I couldn't help but giggle as he covered my eyes, leading me forward with a sense of mystery that set my heart racing. I was hoping he couldn't feel the heat of my blush through his hand.

And then, as he guided me to our destination, he removed his hands, revealing a scene straight out of a fairytale. A mini radio played the soulful strains of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, the moon casting its radiant glow upon a small picnic blanket adorned with a chocolate cake.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, my heart swelling with gratitude.

He grinned, his eyes alight with mischief. "I wanted tonight to be perfect for you, Elana. You deserve nothing less."

He looked down with a bashful smile.

"What?" I asked. 

He smirked, "would you like to dance with me, Elana?"

I nodded without hesitation, "Of course I would, Luke." I said with a fake courtesy. The music wrapped around us like a warm embrace. As we moved beneath the moonlit sky, I felt as though we were the only two people in the world, lost in the magic of the moment.

And then, as the song drew to a close, he spoke, his words a whispered confession that sent shivers down my spine. "Elana," he began, his voice raw with emotion, "these past four years with you... they've been the best of my life. I never thought I could feel this way again, not after losing Thalia. But you... you changed everything."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, the weight of his words a testament to the depth of his feelings. "Luke," I whispered my voice barely a breath.

And then, with a tenderness that stole the breath from my lungs, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that sent fireworks exploding in the depths of my soul. It was gentle, tentative, a promise of a future filled with love and possibility.

"It's perfect," I whispered, my heart soaring as he wrapped his arms around me, the world falling away as we melted into each other's embrace.

As the night stretched on, filled with silent laughter and whispered promises, I knew that this moment would be etched into the fabric of my memory forever—a perfect first kiss, the beginning of our journey together.