Sunset Memories

Chapter 23 - Duet Of Voices

Danielle and I walked back to the house slowly. We were holding hands, our fingers entwined together, and leaning against each other. It was dark out by the time we reached the front door. Mom had fallen asleep in front of the couch from watching her soap operas. Curt was playing on his tablet. And I guessed that Alexander was working out upstairs. 

     We crept up to the bedroom. Danielle changed in the bathroom and I took off my shirt for bed. The sun was spreading rays all over the room. 

     When she came back in, I tucked her into bed, leaning over her so that our noses were millimeters from each other. 

     ''I felt so excited when I kissed you,'' she whispered, her breath warm over my skin. 

     ''Me, too,'' I said. ''I'm so glad that you're my first kiss.''

     She grinned at me and wrapped her arms around my neck, crushing the air out of me. We pulled apart. I kissed her, once on her lips and another time on her nose. Then I crawled into the blankets on the floor. 

     ''Goodnight, Luca.'' Her voice was soft and gentle. 

     I grinned in the darkness. ''Goodnight, Danielle.'' My dreams spoke with her voice in my sleep. 

     When I started down to breakfast the next morning, she stopped me. Her hand strayed on my chest and she gave me a shy smile. 

     ''Um . . .'' She hesitated, biting her lip nervously. ''Can I tell Hanna and Astrid about last night?''    

     I smirked. ''It'll get out anyway. Go ahead. I won't be able to get the words out of my mouth, anyway.''

     She giggled, and we went down to breakfast. 

     At school, we didn't see Hanna and Astrid until after History. They came at us with smiles and a birthday present for Danielle, which turned out to be a new sketchpad. 

     She said thanks, and glanced at me. 

     I nodded. 

     Danielle grinned and turned to Hanna and Astrid, talking quickly. I stood by her, trying to hold back a grin as both of their faces split into wide, amazed grins.

     ''Oh my God!'' Astrid cried. She looked at me. ''No way! You kissed her?''

     I shrugged. ''We kinda kissed each other, actually.'' 

     Hanna let out a small shriek. I looked at her. 

     ''Sorry! I just can't believe it!'' She grinned in my direction. ''You know Danielle has had a crush on you since that first night you spent in her room?''

     My eyes widened. ''You told them that?'' I said to Danielle.

     She blushed slightly. ''Maybe.''

     ''Ooh, you guys should prove it,'' Hanna said. ''Prove that you kissed each other yesterday.''

     ''What?''

     ''You heard me, Luca. C'mon, show us that this isn't some sort of prank.''

     I stared at her, and then at Danielle, who was watching me nervously. 

     ''Kiss her!'' Astrid said. 

     I raised my eyebrows and grinned as though to say Aw, what the hell? She smiled at me as I leaned forward and kissed her, softly but firmly, on her lips. 

     We kissed for a small amount of time, wrapping our arms around each other and ignoring the silent squeals and Oh my Gods from Hanna and Astrid. Then a lower voice met my ears.