We drew the Moon

BEFORE (3)

The sun is shining up high when when classes end up. Everyone is running away, driving in their fast cars or rushing to catch the bus on time. I'm a slow walker though. The type of person who loves to contemplate every detail of every important moment. I sit on a bench and start looking at the hoards of excited teenagers, searching for my friend. Maybe she's late, as usual. So I lay back and close my eyes.

Finally, school's out and summer is taking place again, the perfect time of the year. Years ago, I was a sucker for winter and drama. All day long lying on the bed, hot chocolate in hand, watching movies loaded with teenage angst. I barely came out of my house, unless my parents made me to. They were really worried about me then but maybe understood it was just a phase. And they were right if so.
Now I feel like a complete different person. I put my shyness away and built up several new relationships. Mostly because I joined the school's choir last semester and most of their members are cool, unbiased people. Among all of them, Jenny is my all-time favorite. We became really close so quickly it's scary to think about it. She's absolutely reliable, filled with the best advices in the world. Because of her -mostly- I came out to my parents and friends, which was not big deal after all.

"Earth to Devon!" Someone says and takes me out of my thoughts.

When I open up my eyes, Kyle is standing right in front of me. His blonde hair is shining even brighter under the sun and his smile is radiantly perfect. Me meeting him was Jenny's fault as well. They have been neighbors since they were five and been like siblings since then. I always thought she was his sister before meeting them.

"Hey! Nice furry head!" I reply smiling him back, looking at the cross-eyed cougar head he was holding under his left arm. He's the school's basketball team mascot and today was the end-of-the-term presentation. His forehead is drenched in sweat but his tired blue eyes tell me he's filled with excitement.

"Let's get out of here. I urgently need to get into the pool to celebrate." He says and begins to sprint in such a silly way that makes me grin in response "Summer is here, dude."

"Always over the top, huh?" I stand up next to him. He's about five inches taller than me and his back is way wider "But... Shouldn't we wait for Jenny? She will kill us if we leave without her."

"Always so correct, huh?" He mocked me and start walking towards the street, waving "C'mon, Dev. She lives next to me. We'll text her as soon we get home."

"Okay" I answer shortly and follow him a bit clumsily. I'm a bit hesitating about this. About being only us, without Jenny even for a while. Not because I don't like spending time with him alone. Actually, is quite the opposite.

Luckily for us, Kyle lives only five minutes away from school and the sidewalk is filled with several trees whose shades are a relief against the strong sunlight. I'm pretty nervous walking beside him and I think he noticed when starts to talk again.

"Any plans for the summer?" He asks when combing his hair with his empty hand. As hard as he tries, his messy curls will never be tidy enough.

"None. My parents are planning to spend a fortnight or so at the beach but I think I will stay at home. Maybe get a summer job. I don't know yet."

Bo-ring!" He says, pinching me in my hip which made me instantly laugh. He knows I'm really sensitive regarding tickles. I hate when people does that. When everyone but Kyle does that.

"Stop!" I punched him in his forearm and he starts laughing as well "Do you actually have a better idea?"

"More than one actually. And every single one involves you on it. So be ready for the best summer ever."

"Oh, cool." I couldn't say more.

"Why are you always avoiding spending time alone with me?" He stops right in front of his house and looked at me straight in my eyes. I do the same, tightening my body to dissemble any trace of nervousness.

"I'm not."

"Yes, Mr. Ferguson! Do you like me?" He realizes what he have said and shakes his head "I mean... We have been friends for months but never speak about anything serious, at least not when Jen wasn't around."

"What do you mean with 'serious'?"

"You know. Feelings, dreams, hopes. Issues even."

"Maybe we haven't got the chance yet." I reply when frowning, without knowing where he is going with all his chatter.

"Or maybe, we have never been honest with each other..." He says and holds my right hand with his left. It is a soft caress, a delicate touch.

"Kyle.. I...I"

And before I could even spill a word, his lips touch mines. The first thing I notice is that he tastes like his favorite watermelon chewing gum. The second thing is like I feel like I'm floating.

"Oops" He whispered as we separate from each other and I blushed instantly but this time, my eyes were locked to his.

Then we hear someone clapping behind us.

"Finally. It was about time!" Jenny shouted and come running in full speed to surround us with her arms.

I've never felt so radiant before.