What Happens in Clarketown

4

(This chapter contains slightly sexual dialog and actions.)

Craig takes Ben and I back to the building. Jason is out in town, trying to find a job, so Craig welcomes me into their apartment.

Ben and I sit on the couch with the TV on, but neither of us are watching it. We talk instead.

"So where's your mom?" I ask.

"She died when I was six." He responds.

"Oh." I say. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I don't really remember her much." He sighs and sniffles. "What about yours?"

"Our house caught fire the day before we got here. She was in the house when it collapsed." I explain. The event seems so distant.

"Wow." Ben says softly, staring at me.

"Yeah." I say.

"And your dad?" He squeaks.

"He kicked us out when I was around three and didn't want us when we told him about my mom." He looks at me sympathetically. "It's alright though." I assure him. "I wasn't close to my mom and didn't remember my dad." His expression doesn't change. "Besides, I have Jason. Plus," I take a deep breath, "if none of that happened, I wouldn't have met you."

Ben blushes and turns toward the TV. Craig comes out of his room.

"I'm heading to the store." He says. "Anyone need anything?" Ben and I shake our heads. "Okay. I'll be back in an hour or so." He walks out the door, and Ben and I are alone.

"What if you hadn't met me?" He asks after a moment of silence.

"I don't know." I admit. "I just know that I'm glad I did." I try to send signals to him. I look at his plump lips and into his eyes, hoping he'll understand and let me kiss him. "I can't help but think about you all the time. I catch myself looking for you whenever I can, because seeing you is amazing." I lean closer to him.

"Xander..." he whispers my name and I'm overtaken with affection. I place my hand on his cheek and bring his lips to mine.

He's warm, and soft. I can't stop myself from deepening the kiss. I push into him, winding my fingers through his curly hair. He hesitates with his hands on my chest before wrapping his arms around my neck.

I lick his upper lip and he opens his mouth. With every kiss, we exchange a soft brush of tongue.

Only it's not quite as romantic as it sounds. It's sloppy and we're both nervous. Weird noises come from our mouths as they collide. At one point, I accidentally brush Ben's teeth with my tongue in an attempt at another French kiss. He doesn't seem to mind.

It lasts for an extremely short two minutes before Ben pulls away with a sniffle.

"Sorry." He says, not making eye contact. His cheeks are bright red and I can feel that mine are the same.

"Don't apologize." I say, longing for his lips to be on mine again.

Ben turns away from me with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." I say gently. What if he didn't even want to kiss me?

"It isn't you." Ben says. "It's just... that was my first kiss." His thumb strokes his bottom lip.

I feel my eyes widen. "Ben," I say, softly grabbing his arm, "I didn't know. You could have stopped it... stopped me."

"No." Ben says, turning toward me and taking my hand. "It was amazing." He smiles an adorable smile. It makes me smile back at him.