Second Date

Chapter 30: First Kiss

Chapter 30: First Kiss

Kisses are powerful things. Very powerful. But each type of kiss yields a different power.

There is the butterfly kiss, which sprinkles little bits of magic over a lover's eyelashes. And if an eyelash falls, it's worth a wish.

There is the Blarney Stone kiss, which the Irish invented to give the gift of gab.

There is the under-the-mistletoe kiss, which makes the hopeful lady beneath it so irresistible, a gentleman is helpless but to share his Yuletide cheer.

There is the reptilian kiss, which changes frogs into a princes (and sometimes princesses into frogs).

There is the blown kiss, which is an invisible token that only your lover can see, and catch.

There is the poison-ivy kiss, which kills by breaking a heart.

There is the hidden kiss, which (in my interpretation) is reserved for star crossed lovers.

There is the forbidden kiss, which binds lovers in secret understanding.

There is the pasta-and-meatball kiss, which is romantic, but only for dogs.

There is the upside-down kiss which means you are actually a superhero bitten by a radioactive spider, and should report instantly to Marvel Comics to start fighting crime and star in your own movies.

There is true love's kiss, which is the most magical thing in the entire world. So magical, it can draw a princess from an undead sleep.

And then there is the first. The first kiss.

Do you remember your first kiss?

I do. (Unfortunately!) I wish I could tell you it was under the moon, in the rain, or between ocean waves. But it wasn't. It was on a stage, in the script, and I giggled halfway through because I could feel my co-star's teeth.

But, of all the kisses I've ever had, that is one I remember, because it was my first.

And that is the power of the first kiss. Memory. Because, as Jim observed, and as the old saying goes:

"You always remember your first kiss."

Jim understood. That was why he remembered the date; it was the night that Ariel gave him his first kiss. So, he remembered. In a sense, Ariel had sealed Jim's memory with a kiss. Just as Wendy had for Peter.

Flynn, was unconvinced.

"Whaaaaaaaaat? NO! That sucks worse than your last idea!"

Jim glowered. He'd just poured out his soul, and was not in the mood for Flynn to stomp all over it.

"Why? It makes sense."

"It makes poo sense!" Flynn brandished the broken videotape. "Peter AND Wendy kissed. So IF it was Peter's first kiss, then it was ALSO Wendy's first kiss! Explain to me THAT!"

Jim was ready. "Who gave the kiss? Peter or Wendy?"

"Ohhhh Wendy." Rapunzel smiled. "I saw it on the video. She went right through Captain Hook and kissed Peter smmmack dab on the lips!"

"Atta girl." Merida said.

"Yeahhhh." Rapunzel swayed dreamily. "It was so cute."

"Cute my patoot!" Flynn clapped for attention. "It was still Wendy's first kiss! So she should remember! It doesn't matter who GAVE it!"

"Actually." Jim corrected. "It does."

"Oh come on!" said Flynn. "Now you're just fishing for it to make sense! Fishing! No offense Ariel - "

"-none taken."

"Wendy gave Peter his first kiss." Jim explained. "So she gave the memories. Sure, they shared the first kiss but Wendy gave, and Peter received. So the memories..."

Jim crossed his arms. "...are Peter's. Make sense?"

Flynn scratched his goatee. "Guess. It sure makes more sense when you emphasize the GAVE part."

"Figured."

"So did Ariel GIVE you your first kiss, lover boy?"

Jim glared. "Obviously."

Ariel giggled. "How was I?"

"Great. Out of this world. I'll tell you about it later. Can we please change the subject?"

"Aye." Merida peered over her shoulder. Agitatedly she plucked her bowstring. "I've got a funny feelin' standing here in the open. Plus, we've still got a problem - Wendy's a wee bit upset."

"Wee bit?" said Flynn.

"Either way." Merida scrunched her hair. "She can't remember. And she won't remember. After all - she's had her first kiss. Whether or not she gave or received - it was still her first. Even if Peter kiss her now, the memories wouldn't come back because the kiss would be her second."

"So..." Rapunzel said after a moment's contemplation. "...what do we do now?"

Zing!

Merida shot an arrow. She whipped around, trailing the first arrow with a second. The arrows whistled and fell, skittering across the pavement.

Although an obvious mark was not hit, each arrow had something skewered through its shaft. The first arrow: a red knit cap. The second arrow: a magnificent feather, just like the plumage of pirate's hat.

"First." Merida breathed. "We better go. We're being watched."

"Yeah ya hear that!" Flynn called. His voice echoed across the street. "We're being watched! That's right we know you're there bug-eyes!"

"Flynn!" Jim pulled the group. "Don't tick off the villains. Come on."

"Where are we going?" Rapunzel asked.

"Cinderella's Castle." Jim cast a final backwards glance. "We need help."

Captain Hook smiled. Leaving Mr. Smee to cower under a broken lamppost, he strode regally into the street.

"Oh yes." Captain Hook retrieved his feather. He snapped Merida's arrow in half. "Oh yes. You certainly do."