OOPS

Part 1 - The Kiss

You are at a house party at a friend-of-a-friend's house, and you're not even sure who lives there, to be honest. But Ed had been invited, and he invited you and several others from your common group of friends.

It's been a weird night. You've spent most of it in the rec room with a small crowd of people, playing cards and various other drinking games. He's been flitting in and out from room-to-room, but you feel his eyes on you whenever he's nearby. You've noticed him watching you a lot lately, actually, which is definitely not usual, and you aren't sure what's going on. You've known each other for a few years, having several mutual friends, and often end up at the same outings or parties. But you're not what you'd consider close friends. He's just not around enough for you to have got to know him very well. But he seems very nice and very funny. You're definitely curious about his increased attention towards you.

There is a break in the card game, and you want another drink, so you head out to the back deck where the alcohol is set up. No one else is there at the moment.

"Al..."

You are working a new plastic cup out of its packaging because you forgot yours when you hear him right behind you, saying your name - well, the name he calls you. Your given name is Allison, but everyone calls you Allie. For some reason, though, Ed has always called you Al. You've never minded, and actually think it's kind of cute.

You hadn't realized he'd followed you out. With cup still in hand you turn to him and his hands are suddenly hovering uncertainly near your shoulders and his face is very close to yours, honestly looking ready to eat you up. Your eyes widen in surprise for a split second, but when you see the question in his eyes you know, and you nod without a second thought, and he pulls you in to him as your lips come together.

For a half-second your brain is hollering, "Wait, what?!" But it quiets quickly and you start to take it all in.

His lips are really as soft as they look.

That's your first thought. But when had you started noticing his lips? You keep still at first as he places gentle, pillowy pecks over your upper and lower lips and the corners of your mouth. You reciprocate before long, though, thoroughly enjoying this, much to your surprise. Soon, you feel the tip of his tongue tracing along your upper lip, and you immediately open your mouth to his, more than willingly.

It had been a while since you'd felt butterflies in your belly because of a boy. You'd forgotten how good it feels.

You don't know what to do with your hands, but you kind of want them on him. You realize you're still holding the empty red Solo cup you originally came outside for, so you reach over to put it down. He moves with you, though, wedging your body between his and the railing.

You fumble and drop the cup, and the hollow sound it makes hitting the wooden deck floor causes you to break your kiss and you both look down to the source of the noise. He has not backed away from you in the slightest.

"Oops," you utter quietly.

You meet his eyes, and suspect your expression matches his - showing a little bit each of surprise, uncertainty, and excitement.

He smiles that shy smile of his and bites his lower lip for a second.

"Sorry..."

He does not look sorry in the least. In fact, he looks relaxed and confident and sexy and a tiny bit curious to see how you'll respond and why had you never thought about him like this before?

"You're sorry?" you ask, and finally get up the nerve to touch him, putting your hands at his waist, softly rubbing your fingertips over the thin fabric of his t-shirt.

Appearing encouraged by this, he smirks a little bit. "No...I'm not really sorry."

"Me neither."

"Don't mind me, you two. I'm just here for the beer. Carry on, really."

Ed takes a step back as Jake Something-or-Other purposefully strides over and rummages through the beer cooler on the floor a few feet away from you. You keep quiet, but feel a nervous laugh threatening to burst.

"Hey, man," Ed nods.

"Cheers," Jake salutes you both with a beer in each hand, grinning as he walks back inside.

Ed exhales a deep breath and looks at you with brows lifted, as if asking, "What next?"

You chuckle, rolling your eyes. "Umm, it's getting cold. Let's go in?"

He agrees and moves aside for you to lead the way. "After you, Al."

—

To Be Continued...