Kissing Practice

Chapter One

As soon as the bell rang, I hurriedly left class. I always loved Fridays. I had the next two days class free!.
Not like I hated school though. I was a good student. I had good grades, except in math. I hardly got above average in math. And that's why I was studying with Jon. Well part of the reason, that was the cover story I told people.

"Hey Ava" my closest friend Paige ran to me and walked with me as we passed the large crowd of students on the hallway moving in various directions.
Yes, she was my closest friend. Didn't classify her as my best friend yet. The last 2 best friends I had just had to move out of town. So I'm a bit skeptical about giving anyone new that name tag. I need to make sure they'll be there for a long time, till probably after high school. Can't go loosing any more best friends... Its called Best Friend Forever for a reason.

"Was wondering if you'll come over to my house today. My Mum and Dad will not be home till probably late at night, so its gonna be me alone." She looked at me hopefully.
"Oh sorry Paige. I have to go over to Jon's place to study"

"Oh yeah...your math" she said with a sigh. "Would have loved to help out too... But I'm not so good at it myself".
I smiled at her slightly. If she was my best friend, she would know I wasn't doing so poorly in math, She would have known that I had a crush on Jon and she would have known that the whole study thing was just a way to spend more time with Jon.

"Know what" I said to her as we got to the entrance of school. The school bus was already outside ready to drop students off at their various destinations. "When I'm done studying with Jon, I'll come over".
"That's perfect! Thanks" she side hugged me as we both entered the bus.
I smiled at her again. Paige was a naturally happy child. Maybe part of it was because she was an only child and her parents just filled her with all their love and attention, just like Jon.
We got on the bus and I scanned the whole area to see if Jon was in but he wasn't. Maybe his mum came to pick him up.

Ahh Jon. My crush.
Can't even remember when my crush on Jon started. Was it the time he paid for my bus fare or the time he complemented my gown on Valentine's day? Or was it the time he gave me his spare pencil during Biology practical when I couldn't find mine or the time he stood up for me when that guy at MacDonald's tried to intimidate me with some racist talk?
Yes, you got that right. I'm black. Can't remember when it all started but it's been there. And when my school counsellor talked to me about improving on my average score in math so I could have perfect grades all round , I knew Jon would be my best tutor. Jon has been tutoring me for 3 weeks now. I go to his house every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and he has been the sweetest tutor ever. Not like I've had any tutor before though. But you get what I mean.

"Alright, see you later Ava. Say hi to Jon". Paige waved as she got down from the bus. That was enough to knock me back to reality. We had gotten to her bus stop. I had no idea!

"Yeah sure. Take care of yourself till I come" I said as I waved her back.

When i got home, I quickly microwaved some leftover spaghetti to eat and changed into a simple gown. Mum and Dad were not home yet. After eating, I took my books and headed to Jon's.

I rang the bell twice. And few seconds later, Jon's mother ushered me in.
"Good afternoon Mrs Jefferson" I greeted sweetly.
"Hello dear" she replied as she went into the kitchen. I walked in. She appeared with a glass cup and a Jug. "Freshly made orange juice" she said as she poured a little into the cup and gave it to me. I nodded and said my thanks.
"Jon your friend is here" she shouted.
"Hey Ava, come upstairs" he shouted back.
"Thanks a lot for the juice" I said as I drank the rest.
"Wait!" She said as she rushed back to the kitchen.

Mrs Jefferson was in her early forties. She was quite small and loved to talk about her days as a cheerleader when she was in high school. One thing I like about her other than the fact that Jon got his perfect brown hair from her. She was one of those housewives that loved trying new things in the kitchen. In that aspect, she reminded me of my mum.

She came back with a tray and a glass cup. She filled the cup with orange juice, placed it on the tray and handed it over to me. "Here, for Jon she said and then added some more to my cup. "You take it upstairs. I'll get them when you guys are done".
I said thanks again and went up to meet Jon.

"Hey!" I greeted as I surveyed the room and dropped the tray on the shelf nearest to me.
Over these past weeks of studying with Jon, we got really close and I got to discover a lot about him. One of which was that he loved a tidy and well organized environment, so, seeing his wardrobe open and clothes laying all over his bed, I knew something was up.
"Ava" he began. "You would not believe what happened today".