When Lightning Strikes [COMPLETED]

Practice Makes Perfect (Part 7)

Julie took a long time in the shower. She turned the water from hot to cold and back again several times. The cold didn't help cool down the temptation of Rory in the other room, waiting for her patiently on the other side of the wall.

One painted cinder block wall was all that was between them. She shivered.

She brushed out her hair and put it under the dryer, aware that he was listening to everything she did. She'd half expected him to follow her into the locker room. Instead, he respected her wishes. She softened a bit. Maybe it was all right to trust him a little. Maybe he wasn't that bad a guy, though he was a bit arrogant.

This wasn't good.

Julie ran into him as she walked out. He was leaning against the wall right next to the door. His hand shot out, and they started kissing again. Right there next to the girls' locker room.

She broke it off after a while, surprised she was able to do it. After they had some physical contact, the feeling burned down to a smolder, giving them a reprieve.

"Sorry about pouncing like that," he said with a smirk. "But the thought of you in there...in the shower...well...I couldn't stay in the gym."

"It's fine."

"Let's go outside. There are some nice places to sit out there, and no one's around."

"Sure."

He picked up her bag for her. She laughed.

"What?"

"Sorry. You remind me of the boys at school. They make Kara and me give them turns to carry our stuff. It's kind of annoying, though I think they feel it's gallant or something."

"That sounds odd. I don't like it. Don't let them do things for you anymore, okay? I do them."

"Yeah, like that's the only odd thing around here. Plus...bit possessive? We hardly know each other."

Rory nodded in acknowledgment. "Doesn't matter. I won't be able to deal with it."

They found a patch of grass encircled by the tall bushes surrounding the school. The empty buildings' windows were the only eyes around. The bees buzzed through the manicured flower gardens.

Julie leaned back against him, and his warm body cradled her back. He had one hand around her waist, and the other made small circles in the palm of her hand. The slight touch sent shivers up her spine.

He could feel it, but at this point what did it matter if she tried to hide the reaction. It wasn't exactly a secret anymore. Plus, he was shaking too. It was pleasant being held by him. The kissing had pulled the first blush of overwhelming emotion away, and now they could relax.

"Julie, I hate to ask this." He sighed. "Can we keep this quiet for a while? I want to see you again, but it's so new. I don't want to share this with anyone else right now."

She shrugged. "Fine. I don't know who I would share this with except my friends anyway. If you dump me tomorrow, I'd rather not have to talk about it with all of them."

"You won't be getting rid of me." He kissed her neck, and she shivered.

They sat quietly for a few more minutes.

"You know, I have kissed other boys—"

"Why are you trying to make me jealous?" His arm stiffened around her waist.

She giggled. "Don't interrupt me. Besides, I didn't know I could."

"You can."

"Well anyway, what I was trying to say before you interrupted me was that I have kissed other boys. But it was never like this." His arm relaxed around her waist. "I mean, my first kiss was on a bet at a stupid party. It was all sloppy and wet, and I felt slimy afterwards. It wasn't good at all. Even the couple dates I went on before I decided to give up boys and focus on dancing...weren't like this. If they had been more like this, I would have dated more than Mandy."