A Filipino-American book nerd attempts to save her precious library from closure with the help of a mysterious vanishing book and a boy she should never fall for.
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Elsy, a Filipino-American book nerd, faces a crisis when their town's growing re...
Pleasurable fire. I had been thinking all night and all morning about how to describe a kiss, but I couldn't get close to expressing the burst of blinding fireworks, magnificent butterflies, and searing sensations exploding inside me as Finn leaned down to touch our lips together.
I pressed two fingers on my mouth with drooped eyes, trying to focus on the board in front of the classroom, pretending like I could hear the words the teacher was saying. But the only sounds I heard were the quickened beating of my heart, the heaving of breath in my lungs, and the soft puckering sounds made by our lips. It was all in my head now, but I felt like it was happening again.
I blinked the daydream from my eyes, hoping no one noticed my deadass dorkiness.
Glancing at Lotty beside me, she seemed oblivious to the heat emanating from my cheeks. Until now, I hadn't told her about Finn and me. It would get more painful as I prolonged it, but I couldn't find the right time.
I turned back to the front of the room and couldn't help but think about Finn's lips again. Right now, kisses trumped the smell of books. That was an unfaithful thing to think, but he was such a good kisser. Not that I had any experience to compare.
Finn was my first.
Oof! Why was kissing so spellbinding?
I hadn't had much sleep last night because I couldn't stop replaying it in my head. But instead of tiring, it rejuvenated me. Even with the lack of sleep, I had the energy to walk to school and smile as if I had the most restful slumber.
The bell for lunch period rang, jerking me out of my euphoria. I swallowed before turning to Lotty.
"So, lunch?" I asked her. This might be my chance to finally tell her.
"Sorry. I'm skipping lunch today," she said as she got up from her chair and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'm going to the principal's office."
"Again?" I asked, trying not to sound worried.
"Yeah. I'm just going to ask if there's an opportunity for me to join the organizers for December events," she explained.
"Okay?" I didn't mean to sound doubtful, but Lotty had never volunteered to organize any event in the many years that I had known her.
"I'll see you later," she said and left.
If I was keeping a secret from her, she sure was doing the same with me. I wondered what was wrong. Maybe if I opened up to her, she'd also do the same.
I decided to look for Finn, and maybe finally eat lunch with him. I had seen him in the hallway for only a couple of minutes before the first period. He hadn't attempted to kiss me or take my hand. He only greeted me good morning, and I kind of regretted keeping him at bay.
As I stood up from my seat, I received a message from Finn as if he sensed I was thinking of him.
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