My First Kiss

7th

It can take us at least an hour to reach the destination. The party is actually going to be held at the house they own by the lake just outside of town. And it seems to me that only a few students who go to our school was chosen to be apart of this. 

Students who came from influential family, it seems. And in our world, connection takes a big part. I won't deny that.

The ride on the way seems to be smooth, as there is no traffic to be seen. So, on the way to a fancy dinner party, both Liam and I still had the guts to stop by a convenience store to get some food.

We were both telling each other secrets only we know about from people at school, our friends, and somehow, ourselves. "Hey, did you really hook up with the blond nurse from before? You know, uh, what's her name again?" I asked, taking a bite from my chocolate bar.

"Miss Avery?" He scrunched up his nose, in confusion and distaste. "Yeah, that one" Eager to know the answer, I pushed. 

"No! What the hell." He gave me a side glance as he answered, and I laughed at his response. "It's probably just Brent spreading those rumors. But she did say she had a thing for me before"

"Old women really do digs you" I realized. "Remember, when we had a temporary neighbor going through some stuff with his husband and she tries acting sexy every time you come out of the house? I mean she was like 'Oh, hi there, Liam. Want some pie? Come inside" I did my best impersonation of someone with high-pitched voice but kind of like suffering from dysmenorrhea. 

"What? I thought she just had too much pills so she was like that?" He laughed as he stirred the wheel to go right. I continued, "Oh Liam, If you were aspirin I would take you every four to six hours." "Liam, how do you like your eggs? Fried? Scrambled? or Fertilized?" 

"Oh my god, stop" he pleaded but he still bursted out laughing along. It took us a few more minutes before our laughter died down. 

"How about you? There was a time before where you went out with different guys every week" He didn't sound accusing but more likely curious. "Oh, that. I didn't actually date them. It's more like help" I told him and before he could ask, "And that's another story for a longer drive, though" 

"We used to be closer than this, huh?" The sudden turn of mood changed with what I said. I didn't dare take it back 'cause it was true. 

Liam and I met when we were just kids, there's always a party at the end of the year for distinguished people in the medical field and as my Aunt's favorite niece I always get tagged along. We used to play pranks with older people, play with the elevator, steal more chocolates from the kitchen, etc.

"Yeah, well, who's fault was it that we drifted away?" His voice was low and even.

There was a few seconds of deafening silence.

 I sighed. "Puberty" surprisingly, both of us, said. "Hell yeah!" My grin widens and we did a fist bump. "On the year of 2010, I didn't make it since that was my first period. There was just so much bloo-"

"Too much information, but okay." Liam cuts "And on year 2011, I was rebelling against my parents. 'Its not a phase, mum.'" he tried making his voice higher. "2012, still rebelling. But more angsty that before" he continued. 

"2013, we didn't come since my nonno passed away" I inquired. He made an 'Oh' sound.

"2014 the party never happened, just cause" I shrugged "I didn't want it to happen, you know?" 

"Delusional" Liam muttered. "It was because I wasn't feeling well that time that they canceled it" And like that, it seems like it was just like when we were little. The years we haven't been able to see each other didn't matter as we spilled stories after stories.

When second year of high school came I moved from Italy to Liam's subdivision. Just across their home. While Liam's father manages their other branches abroad, Liam's mum decided to stay at the hometown where everything started. We both had a hard time talking to each other at first when we saw us being neighbors. Like the two awkward teenagers that we are.

But things went on and it was just two normal teenagers greeting each other. And to be honest, our meeting while I was drunk and he was sick was the first time in a long time we talked that long. Just the two of us. Sure, I get invited to parties, but we never really have a long conversation. That's why us in this moment right now, makes me really glad I decided to drink that night.

The lake house came into view but before we could come closer, we stopped by first at the gates. When the guards verified our invitation they finally let us in. 

As we went out of the car, you could see that the place is more fancier than you can imagine for a dinner party by the lake. Chaperones greeted us and showed us the way. I linked my arms with Liam as he offered, "M'lady?"

 We walked over a cobbled pathway with at least ten lamplight at each side hanging from a thin wire. The wire connected from the house to god knows where. 

The walk to the front door of the grand lake house took us at least a minute. We both looked at each other as if it was mandatory and entered.