Heartbeat

Tears of Joy

Nicole stares at us in awe.

Ethan looks at her, then looks at me.

After moments of silence, Nicole speaks.

"Is there something... that I didn't know about?"

Ethan and I glance at each other.

Great. Of course everything that I want turns into the most embarrassing moment of the day.

Ethan makes an effort to explain.

"Don't take it in a wrong way- we were just-"

"Kissing? Alyssa, you never told me that you hang out with him."

She nudged her head toward Ethan.

Ethan stood uncomfortably.

I stand there, not saying a word.

Surprisingly, Nicole is smiling.

"I saw you. I witnessed it. You KISSED! I can't believe it."

She looks at both of us with a big grin on her face.

Nicole turns around before either of us could say a word. She walks away, still smiling.

I can sense her thoughts.

No. Don't tell anyone. This was meant to be secretive.

My face is red; I can feel it. I should have remembered that Nicole was supposed to take me home.

That's why she came. She was looking for me, then found me kissing Ethan.

Gee, she must think I'm a real nincompoop.

Ethan shockingly talks.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't planning on... That. Didn't mean to embarrass you."

I am pleasantly surprised with his response to what happened.

"It's fine."

Then I realize that what I said probably sounds like I WANTED to kiss him.

"What I mean is, no big deal."

He smiles. I appreciate his perfect teeth.

"I will call you over the weekend. This time I won't forget."

He glares at me with the dreamiest look ever.

His hazel eyes look so adventurous and risky. They have so many different shades near the inside.

His brown hair is hanging on top of his thick eyebrows, and his arms are crossed.

I can't help laughing.

"I guess I better go find Nicole. She was supposed to take me home. Call me this weekend."

His voice sounds like the bass for the smoothest drum.

"Bye Alyssa."

Immediately I find her, In the front of the school building.

"There you are. Did you finish your fun?"

I narrow my eyes down at her.

"We didn't do anything else," I say seriously.

"I can't believe you would do this to me! You tell me everything. Why didn't you tell me that Ethan LIKES YOU?"

"He told me specifically not to tell anyone!"

Nicole looks at me.

"That doesn't mean you don't tell your best friend."

I roll my eyes.

"Including you!"

She looks away.

"Never mind that. You and Ethan- you... Kissed!"

I don't let my mouth move.

"Well?"

Even though I know it isn't true, I let it slip out.

"What? Just because we kissed doesn't mean anything!"

She laughs.

"Oh yes it does! And you will explain it all."

"There is nothing to it. It's simple- we kissed."

I try so hard to block my happiness. Inside, my heart is leaping with tears of joy.

There is so much to it. It means everything. It's all I have ever dreamed of.

"My mom is here. But you are NOT getting away with this."

We get into the car.

The whole time Nicole is teasing me by writing in her notebook:

"Alyssa + Ethan!"

I roll my eyes and pretend it's not a big deal.

"Stop!"

When I finally get home, I literally laugh out loud. I practically dance when I get to my bedroom and close my door.

My heart is thumping with tears of joy.

The best thing is, he is calling me.

That night all I dream of is Ethan.