My Second kiss

Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

"I have no idea why she wants to be my friend." I was shoveling pretzels into my mouth after school while Jess sat lounging on our couch in the front room. He had been coming inside a lot more since his week and half long stay at our house last Christmas. "I mean, she already has a million friends. Why does she need another one?"

"Maybe she heard about your photography skills and is hoping you'll give her some pointers."

I scowled and tossed a couch pillow at his head.

"You're not allowed to tease me about that yet! It's still too fresh. The wounds haven't completely healed."

Jess threw back his head. His eyes were squeezed shut, and he choked on his breath for a second. "It was a year ago!"

"It's still too fresh," I repeated with a smug look on my face. "I'll let you know when I've healed. Speaking of Trace... " I looked up at Jess from just under my eyelids. "Drew likes him."

Jess's laughter died down, and he focused on my face. "That shouldn't be a big deal. Last I heard, he didn't deserve you."

I looked down at my fingers, which were pulling at a loose string on my sweatshirt. "I guess," I muttered.

After a few silent seconds I looked back up at Jess, who was silently watching me with a searching expression.

"Do you still like him?" Jess asked, and I couldn't tell if he was jealous or just confused-or both.

I carefully thought about my response to his question. Yes, I had to admit to at least myself that I still got flustered whenever Trace was present. And that, yes, I still got slightly disoriented whenever he and I made eye contact. But I was also starting to have feelings for Jess. I couldn't explain it to myself, so how was I supposed to explain it to Jess?

"You know what I want to do sometime?" Jess said before I could answer. I knew he was diverting the conversation topic on purpose.

I shook my head. "No, what?"

"I want to go to Niagara Falls."

I wasn't expecting that. "Niagara Falls?" I twisted my face. Of all places to dream about visiting, he chose Niagara Falls?

He ignored my reaction. "Have you ever been to Niagara Falls?" he repeated the name with reverence, as though it were a sacred place.

I scowled. "You know I've never been there, Jess." He knew every place I had ever been. And he knew my vacation history was limited to Cape Cod and one trip to Florida for my great Aunt Lucy's funeral.

"I've wanted to go to Niagara Falls ever since I saw the original Superman movie. You know, the one with Christopher Reeves?"

"Superman?"

"Yeah, you remember. The kid falls off the ledge at Niagara Falls, and Superman saves him."

"That wasn't Niagara Falls." I retorted.

"Of course it was. Where else would it be?"

"Why would Superman go to Niagara Falls?"

"He goes there with Lois Lane."

"I am absolutely positive that you're wrong."

"Either way, I'm going to go there someday." He started twisting a pillow in his hands. "I love water."

I didn't respond. I was too busy trying to flip the battery cover off our television's remote control. Jess sat up abruptly. "Why don't we go to the lake more often?"