The Beginning (book one)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Astrid was confused. Over a span of, what, minutes (?), Ann and Kyle had an inside joke. Astrid couldn't help the dark, hot feeling of jealousy that was bubbling at the pit of her stomach. And then Kyle kissed her. Astrid leaned into him, ignoring all the background noise. There was a very loud wolf-whistle that Astrid fought hard not to smile at. The two pulled away from each other after a few more moments of pure bliss. Kyle kept an arm around Astrid's waist as she turned around to face the others. Her face burned, she knew she was blushing, didn't mind at the moment. She was still elated.

She idly wondered if one could get drunk off of a single kiss.

Jack was definitely the one who had wolf-whistled, Astrid was sure of it. She giggled, seeing him wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Kyle and Astrid sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-" Jack began to sing, but was cut off by Ann whacking his arm. Ann looked up at Astrid, a smug look of victory on her face.

This was the inside joke. Of course...

"Now, kiss again." Ann said smugly, making a shooing motion with her hands. Kyle complied, bending down to give Astrid a not-quite-so-short kiss.

"Now, now," Sophia said, a playful undertone to her words, "Save that for when it's just the two of you."

Astrid giggled again, giddy and excitable.

She decided you could get drunk off of kisses, or except, she could.

"Klania, nowych milosnikow!" Emily exclaimed in a foreign language. Astrid still felt the sentiment behind the words though.

The group walked over to the probably still confused and scared people who were situated at the front of the store.

"Hey guys." Ann said with a little wave.

"The sane one is here." Said a woman who looked to be in her late 30s. "Is everything fixed?"

"Yup, and I'm pretty sure Astrid and Kyle cleaned up the mess the monster had created." Ann answered, and let out a loud yawn. "So, can we pay for our food, and leave? I'm exhausted."

A teen with the store uniform nodded, and the people carefully dispersed, though they continually sent glances over their shoulders.

"I'm going to go find where I put my food. See yah." Ann said with another yawn. Astrid laughed, and quickly ran back to the cereal isle, pulling Kyle along with her.

"Hey Astrid," Kyle said, giving her a quick peck on the lips, "how would you like to give me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

Astrid gaped at Kyle, her face hot and red. She giggled, and shyly kissed his cheek. "O-okay! I'd love to!"

Kyle smiled cheekily, and brought Astrid up for a kiss.

"Oi, are you neds ready to go, or doyou want to keep making out in the middle of the cereal isle?" Astrid looked up to see Ann standing at the end of the isle her arms crossed. "Maybe I'm just tired, but I have a feeling this whole 'overly lovey-dovey' schtick is going to get old real quick."

Astrid giggled, and walked up to Ann. "I think you're just tired. You do look exhausted." Ann gave Astrid a look.

"I am."