Hershey Kisses

Seventeenth Kiss

"Where are we going, Hayate?" Penny questions my sudden request. I didn't explain to them where I have to go but this is something I have to confirm my theory. After all the lies and humiliation she did to me, there was a reason behind that. Driving through a familiar neighborhood, it gave me nostalgic memories. Not only was this a memorable place, it was where I used to live. As we headed to the destination I head out of the car leaving Chris and Penny behind.

"You guys stay here." I suggested them. "I want to make this right with my 'friend' first." They nodded in agreement as I shut the door. I stood in front of the house where I was most safe back. This neighborhood, this street, this house. I walked towards the front door and rang the doorbell. My heart pounded faster feeling nervous who will answer it. Then I heard the door unchained and slowly unlocked as the person opened the door. "May I come in, Juliet?" She glared at me disgusted. "I'm not here to provoke you about Bryan. I'm here to ask you about Rick and the Rice family."

"How do I know you're not lying about them?" she asks.

"Your last name is Dawn and you were supposed to marry Damien but you turn down the wedding and ran away." I responded. She fully opens the door and invites me into the home where she hides.

As I stepped in, the aroma of the home leaves me nostalgic of the good times I had with Bryan and my family. From the time we played video games to the time my brother and I almost destroyed our rooms. This place hasn't changed ever since I moved out of this neighborhood.

"Bryan won't be back soon." Julia folded her arms as she observed me. "Why the hell do you look like me back then?"

"It has to do with your disappearance." I explained, "I know the reason you ran away from them and why Bryan pushed me away."

"Amuse me."

"You're running away from what your parents have started, aren't you?" She looked at me shocked. "You're afraid if they found you along with the jewel your parents discovered, not only would you be captured and killed, but also the family who took you in and protected you will also get killed by them unless you confess where your parents hid that jewel." She looked away hiding her expression from me. "But what doesn't make sense is why are you using Bryan to protect you in the end instead of your fiance. At least give me an explaination why you pulled him away from me." Suddenly I felt a burning mark on my cheek as I felt it going numb.

"You don't understand how dangerous this group is when it comes to stealing gems." She coldly spoke to me. "I did what I had to do so no more bloodshed will spread because of me and my family name. Even if it meant being separated from my love. Even if it meant losing trust to everyone else around me. Even if it meant never seeing my only family...." She suddenly covered her mouth realizing she almost exposed the full truth.

"I thought... your parents were gone." I stepped closer to her. "Is there another member of the Dawn family?"

"You know too much.." she walk past me and opened the front door. "It's best you leave without finding out the truth about me along with the Rice and Dawn family. How is Rick, by the way?"

As I was about to exit I halted and spoke softly. "You may have tried to push me away from finding out the whole truth, but blame Rick for pulling me into your mess. Whether you like it or not, we're going to bring you back as Juliet Dawn not as Julia. Even if it means I have to sacrifice my life for your safety. The Rice family.... they may have been cruel to Rick but they care about you. They love you. Damien loves you. Why can't you see how many people loves you?!" I sprinted out without seeing her face until I bumped into someone. "Ouch..." I looked who I bumped into and it was Bryan arriving home at a bad timing. I didn't get a good look at him the last time we encountered. But being upclose to him, I notice he grew his hair longer that he had to hair back into a ponytail like mine. 

"Sophia?" he questioned me startled.

"Before you say anything..." I interrupted him, "That time we went to the Homecoming dance together... before all the mishap and misunderstand began... I wanted to tell you..." I took a deep breath and looked at him. "I wanted to tell you I love you. Yes I was selfish of wanting you to myself but ever since Julie- I mean Julia came into our lives, I never knew until then my feelings for you grew more than best friends." He gazed at me not sure what to say. "But it's okay now, I've outgrown my feelings for you. More like... I don't want to fall in love with anyone anymore. I just wanted to make up what I was supposed to say back then." I stood up and brushed off the dirt from my dress. "Thank you for being my best friend... no my only friend. Goodbye..."

As I was about to part away from him and my feelings, he grabbed my arm and pulled me in close. Our lips almost connected by a breath as we gazed at each other.

"You may have outgrown your feelings for me," he spoke to me as he leans in closer, "but I never outgrown my feelings for you." What is he talking about? Confused as I was, I didn't expect what he was going to do next, but part of me knew it was going to happen.

My eyes were wide open as our lips locked in. My first kiss. My very first kiss... and it was taken from the first guy I ever loved. I couldn't believe it... this whole time I thought it was one sided feeling but it turned out to be mutual feelings. His lips were soft but heartwarming too. The kiss felt like it lasted forever but I wanted more. As he leaned back and I gazed at him startled but contented, he placed his hand against my cheek.

"I never meant to push you away." he spoke softly. "I was only doing what was best to protect you from everything." Realizing the night was getting really late and knowing my friends are still waiting for me at the car, I stepped back.

"You don't have to protect me anymore!!" I shouted, "Because I'm going to help out too. Even if it means I have to sacrifice myself, then it's fine!!! I'm not going to rely on anyone anymore!! You hear me?" I sprinted back to the car not looking back at what he has to say about my decisions. I know what I'm going to face soon but I will keep my head up and do whatever I can to keep the Rice and the Dawn family. But what did Juliet meant she's not the only family member? Is there another family they don't know? Does Rick know?

I came back to the car safely as they saw me exhausted and heating up.

"Hayate!!! What happened to you?!" Penny cleaned me up.

"I got into a fight?" I shrugged it off.

"Your lipstick is smudged...." Chris noticed my lips. "Holy cow.... did you.... makeout with someone?"

I covered my face trying to dodge the truth.

"Eeeeeekkkk it was it was!!!" Penny shrieked embracing me tighter. "Was it your first kiss? Was it from that guy? Was it the best kiss?" She continuously asked me many questions but I ignored them and let her hug suffocate me to death.

Now that I know what I'm facing, I'm a bit uneasy of what'll happen. But whatever it takes, I will protect Juliet and the Rice family. Bryan.... thank you. Rick...... thank you, too. You've done so much for me; and now, it's my turn to return the favor.