It Was You

Chapter 21

"Happy birthday, beautiful," Ben said to me before diving in for a kiss. I wrapped my arms completely around his neck and pushed myself up against him. He hummed in approval and held on to me like I was going to fly away. As if I ever would.

"Oh, yuck!" Ben and I both laughed at Aaron's loud exclamation. We broke apart and watched our two friends walk up to us. "I was supposed to be the one to give you a birthday kiss," Aaron told me. It was always a joke between us about birthday kisses.

In Kindergarten, before he knew he was gay, he had a massive crush on me. One day, while we were on the playground, he kissed me. It also just so happened to be my birthday. So, every year he always gives me my birthday kiss.

This year, since I'm off the oxygen tank and no longer as fragile as glass, he decided to be dramatic. He hauled me out of Ben's arms, then dipped me down before giving me a huge kiss on the lips. "Beat that one, lover boy," he told Ben as I stumbled back up.

Ben looked at the two of us confused. "You...did you just...?" Aaron answered, "Kiss your girlfriend and make her feel more aroused than those sharp cheekbones of yours do? Yes, I did." I could help the laughter that came out of me. "It's tradition," I said to Ben.

"Jealous, Benny boy?" Aaron asked, but I could tell Ben was a little irked. "Knock it off," I told Aaron. "Go get your stuff and we'll see you in home room." Aaron did as I said, but Lee gave me hug instead of going with him. "Happy birthday, Cass," she said.

I gave her a tight squeeze before she let go and headed to her locker. "So," I said, turning to a pouting Ben, "are you jealous of a gay man?" He looked up at me and smirked a bit. "No," he said, "just...caught me off guard is all. Doesn't matter if a man is gay or not, I won't ever enjoy seeing another man kiss you."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek, then said, "Well, it only happens once a year. Come on, don't be pouty on my birthday." As I grabbed my books from my locker, he hugged me from behind and kissed my neck. "My parents went back to London for the weekend," he said, "so they'll be gone for your party tonight." He ran his hand down my leg, then up the inside of my thigh, making me shiver.

"And?" I teasingly asked. He chuckled in my ear, then turned me around. "I won't pressure you," he told me, "I just want you to know that the option is out there. There's that option...or there's the option of repeating what got us grounded."

I don't know what this boy has done to me. Seven months we've been going out and I am not the same person I was. I would have shied away from what we did last week. I would have done anything to venture away from the topic of sex.

I would have never taken that experimental medication.

"I think that sounds...amazing," I told him. "Whichever one we choose to do, it will be perfect." He smiled, then said, "Brilliant! I ordered pizza this morning and it's set to come over at six. I also bought some sodas and a cake." Could he be more perfect?

"I love you," I told him in awe. He chuckled as he said, "I know."

School went by in a breeze. I think I was looking forward to our hang out so much that everything just went by super fast. Before I knew it, the bell rang and we were all walking to the parking lot. Lee, who had gotten her license and a car just last month, was going to drive her and Aaron to Ben's.

"I really do appreciate this, Ben," I said as I put my hand on Ben's leg. He put his hand on mine and said, "It's no problem, love. Did you tell your parents about this?" I gave him an annoyed side glance, but said, "Yes and I am to text or call them every hour."

"Then we'll make sure you do that," he said. "Other than that, I promise, tonight will be fun." We got to his house just a few minutes later and we walked inside with Aaron and Lee right behind us. "Holy shitballs, Ben," Aaron said as he gaped at the huge house. "How have you not had a party here?"