Sparks Fly

Chapter One: Thanks Destinee!

It was 9:00 at night and I was on my way home after another one of Destinee's crazy parties.  I smiled, remembering.

One of the hottest guys at school, Derek Park, spun the bottle and when it stopped, everyone let out an "ooh!!" as I jumped up and, when I landed, gasped.  I rose from my seat in the ring of teenage bodies unsteadily and headed for the closet.

My heart thundered in my chest like the pound of a storm before a bolt of lightning cracked and burnt a tree to the ground.  I heard giggles and guffaws, chortles and chuckles, snickers and flat-out laughter as I ambled to my heaven, alone with Derek.  The strange thing was that it sounded as if I was standing at the end of a tunnel so long and hollow that the noises coming from the opposing side echoed as they bounced off the curving walls.  I ignored the feeling and plowed forwards.

My palms began to sweat as DeeDee locked the door behind Derek, telling us not to come out until someone told us we could.  She then explained that for someone to officially tell us to come out they had to be Destinee and they had to actually unlock and open the door.

I tuned her out, that strange hollow tunnel coming back.  I'd heard the rules before, repeated to so many other kids, but never me.  I'd never done this before, and especially not with someone as hot as Derek Park!!  My eyes shut of their own accord.  I tried to pry them back open without lifting my hands.  It was tough, but I managed.

DeeDee left then and my body went cold.  I was frozen in place with my palms sweating and my heart thundering and Derek Park standing right next to me, waiting for me so he could kiss me.  My body started warming up, beginning at the thundering.

Derek kissed me and kissed me and kissed me.  I kissed him back, and we kissed and kissed until Destinee showed up at the door and told us that time was up.  We ignored her and continued to kiss without so much as an ignorant wave or even a grunt.  I felt his tongue trying to seek mine and I made sure they met, enjoying myself more than I ever had before.  Derek was perfect for me and I was perfect for him.  We both understood this and so we continued kissing.

"I really had fun with you tonight, Val."  He gazed down at me, his eyes glowing, his lips curved up in a smile.  "I hope we can do it again soon."  I thought I understood the excitement going on inside his obvious sphere of happiness.

"Yeah, I heard that DeeDee was gonna hold another party next Saturday night.  I was wondering if you wanted to do something Friday after school?  And then we could meet up somewhere before we head over to DeeDee's."  I glanced up at him, and he seemed flustered.

"Derek?"  I began to get worried.  Was he breaking up with me already?  Had we ever even gone out technically?  I began to hyperventilate mentally.

Derek scratched the side of his nose a little bit and blinked a couple times, trying to decide on what he was going to say, I'd be willing to bet.  Then he spoke.

"I really like you, Valentine.  But I have a girlfriend.  Let me figure things out with her and then I'll text you.  I have a surprise, sort of.  Just something I wanna show you."  He winked at me and I glowed.

I'd never felt so alive.  I smiled and nearly jumped so high I believe I could have touched the sky if I wanted to.  I held Derek's hand tight as he walked me home, up to my door, and leaned in for a good night kiss.  I leaned, too, but my dad had other plans as he wrenched the door open just as our lips were about to meet.

"Goodnight, young man," my father said.  "And thank you for walking my daughter home."  It might or might not have been my imagination, but I think he put some emphasis on the word "home" as if Derek was gonna take me to his house so we could get a little more involved or something.  I dunno, but my dad ruined my goodnight kiss and that's probably why I didn't sleep as well as I could have.