A Frozen Heart - Leo Valdez

12- My First Ice Sculpture

When we pull apart to catch our breath, my hands instantly fly up to my face, fingers brushing against my lips. Our faces are inches apart, I can feel his cool breath against my skin.

"What was that for?" I ask, astonished that he just kissed me.

"I just felt like it." Leo replies. "I wanted to be your first kiss, unfortunately that didn't turn out the way I planned." His arms leave my waist and he lets out a defeated sigh.

He obviously was referring to Jason. I notice how his fist are clenched again and his body is becoming warmer. "Jason means nothing to me. That kiss meant nothing. This, that kiss that just happened between us, that was my first kiss."

His head perks up and he regains his posture. "You mean that?"

The feelings inside of me burst out. I just want to turn around and leave, go back to my plan. But I can't.

"Yes!" I reply, smiling. "This kiss was special. Jason kissing me was dumb. I don't know what strived him to do that, but he obviously wasn't thinking. I don't know if he was trying to get with me or what, but I would never kiss him, I hope you know that."

"I do, I do."

"You're way cooler than Jason anyway," I state honestly.

"Well that's a first. Can I get that on file? Or on video? You know, so I can have proof at least one person said I'm better than 'Mr. Superman'?"

I shake my head slowly. "You don't have to get me on video," The words leave my mouth before I can stop myself, it feels like my heart is taking control of my body, blocking out my brain that holds the words my mother had once told me. I find myself taking my hand in his. "I can tell you it all the time, if you want."

Leo rubs his chin, acting as if he is in deep in thought. "Well, I can get use to that," He waves his hand in the air, "Go on, say it again."

I roll my eyes, but a smile remains on my lips. "Leo is the cooliest," I coo.

He laughs, one of those hard laughs were you head flies back uncontrollably. "Music to my ears," His arms wrap around me again and his thumb skims across my cheek, eyes locking with mine. "So I'm a pretty good kisser, huh?"

I nudge him playfully. "We'll work on that, fire boy." I joke and I can't control myself again. I press my lips against his once more.

I don't think Leo's has kissed many girls, but to say he is not a good kisser would be a complete and utter lie. I just hope he is thinking the same thing about me.

"Oh, and thanks for the pearl," I say, taking it out of my pocket. "The poem was cute too. It looked like a five year old wrote it, but it was nice."

Leo rolls his eyes. "I don't think you understand how darn hard it is to write a poem that rhymes," He touches the pearl in my hand, "And I'm glad you like it. My mother gave that to me when I was very young."

My eyes instantly bulge. "Leo! Why didn't you tell me? I can't take this!" I try to shove it back in his hand or pocket, but he keeps on pushing my arm away. There is no possible way, I can take something like this from him. His dead mother gave him this, I absolutely don't deserve it.

"Chase, keep it," He responds calmly, enclosing my fingers around the small pearl in my palm. "She told me to give it to somebody I care about, and I care about you a lot."

"Okay," I nod, not wanting to argue as I place the pearl back in the pocket of my shorts.

As Leo leans in to kiss me again, I recognize the intense brown eyes of my mother, hiding behind a tree and I nearly have a heart attack. Her slim figure comes into view and I about jump a foot off the ground, grabbing my chest.