The Conversion

Chapter 11

"Hey girl!" Luna said when I opened my front door.

"Hey! I'm glad you could come over today. I've barely seen you at all lately," I said and gave her a quick hug. It was true. She'd been busy with school and social obligations and I with rowing.

"I know, right?" she said as we made our way up the stairs to my room. I nodded and shut the door behind us when we entered. "Hey, I have a question. I haven't seen you and Max kiss at all this past week."

"Yeah, we made a bet that who ever kissed the other had to pay ten dollars to them. It's a long story," I explained and rolled my eyes.

"Don't you think it's kind of odd that you still haven't kissed. It just seems like there's something wrong with that picture," she said slowly.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with it. We're just two very determined and frugal people," I denied, trying to make a joke out of it. Luna raised smiled, but still had an eyebrow raised. I pushed down the uneasy feeling I had and smiled.

"Anyway, what about you? Are there any boys you fancy?" I said and wiggled my eyebrows.

"No one says 'fancy' anymore, Bella!" Luna said with a laugh.

"You are avoiding the question," I said with a mock stern face.

"Fine, I'll tell you tomorrow, okay? I think I'm going to make a move," she said shyly.

"Really? This is going to be so exciting!" I squealed and threw my arms around her.

"Ugh, get off, you're acting like Eliza," Luna said, peeling my arms off.

"Sorry, force of habit," I said and laughed. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up. When she saw the message a small smile appeared on her face. I raised my eyebrow as she typed into her phone. She finished and sat there staring at her phone. "Luna," I said and she jumped, a blush creeping onto her face.

"Oh - erm - sorry," she said. "I got a text from Peter about our History project. We are discussing ideas about what artifact we're going to do. He came up with a... uh, really funny idea." I nodded and we started talking about our civilizations.

I hung out with Luna for a while, chatting and doing homework until she had to leave.

*****************

"Good morning," Max said when I got in his car. I leaned over to give him a kiss. He pushed me away. "Remember? The bet," he warned.

"Then I'll lose. I just want to kiss you," I complained and started to lean over again.

"Annabelle, I don't want you to lose."

"I don't care, it's only ten dollars... Why are you acting so weird?" I asked, pulling at my hair.

Max started," I just -"

"Beep beep beep beep," my alarm went off and I groaned in frusturation. I didn't even know what Max said. Whatever, it's just a dream, right? I would kiss him when he picks me up and he would welcome it.

I quickly got ready for school and was waiting at the front door for Max to pick me up. I saw his car approach and I stood up. "Bye Mom! I'm going to school," I shouted so that my mom, wherever she was, could hear me. I opened the door and dashed outside to Max.

"Morning, Bella," Jenna said groggily when I lowered myself into the car. I remembered Luna's words from yesterday and before Max could say anything, I put my lips on his. He was shocked for a moment, but after a moment, moved his lips against mine. I waited for the spark inside me to ignite, but it didn't. Confused, I deepened the kiss, moving my tongue against his and grabbing his hair. I felt a small burn of desire in the pit of my stomach when he pulled me closer to him, but other than that barely anything.

After a few moments I pulled away, hiding the confusion I was feeling with a satisfied smile. "I've been missing that, Bella," Max said, his voice low and husky. "I get ten bucks now," he said teasingly in a louder voice and I laughed.

"There's no better way to wake up than watching your brother suck face with your best friend," Jenna said sarcastically, the grogginess in her voice from before having disappeared. She shot us a disgusted look, but returned her attention to her phone. I blushed a bit.

"Here's your money," I said drily to Max as I pull out a ten dollar bill from my backpack and hand it to him.

"Nah, I'm kidding. You can keep it this time, babe," he said with a smirk. I rose an eyebrow, but stuffed it back in my bag. He started the car and we started the short drive to school. We arrived in a few minutes and I got out of the car with a groan.

"I'll see you in Math, Max. They changed my schedule so I have gym first and I have to trek all the way across campus," I said and stomped off dramatically. I walked across the football field to the gym. Our school had a separate building across several sports fields for the gym. I turned the corner of an isolated building and saw Peter. I came to an abrupt halt. He turned around and saw me gawking at him. I cleared my head and smiled.

"Good morning, Anna Belle," Peter said bitterly.

"Hey, why are you being so bitter and mean?" I asked suddenly, my smile fading. It was true, he had publicly embarrassed me several times the past week. I stepped closer, but he turned around. I grabbed his shoulder and pushed him against the brick wall of the building. He kept his mouth shut. "Please, Peter. I don't understand," I begged. Something flashed in his eyes.

"Karma's a bitch," he said and made a half-hearted effort to get out of my grip. I held him tight, a pleading look in my eyes. He looked away, but I touched his cheek and redirected his gaze at me. Hurt was evident in his striking green eyes. They captivated me and I leaned closer. His slow breaths tickled my face, and I loosened my grip on his shoulder.

"Anna, I just -" he started, but broke off, setting his hand on my waist. I couldn't help but glance at his pink lips.

"You what?" I whispered and softly touched my lips to his. He reacted suddenly, deepening the kiss and pulling me closer to him. I put my hands through his hair and felt him run his tongue along my lip. I parted my mouth and he slid his tongue in. The pit of my stomach burned and I felt like I was on fire. We pulled away for air and all of a sudden I realized who it was. Why am I kissing Peter? I'm going out with Max. I stepped away, biting my lip. Peter stood there, his eyes lightening after our kiss and his expression turning into shock.

"I - I'm sorry, Peter. I shouldn't have done that," I said quickly, my eyes widening. Peter suddenly removed his hands from my waist and I stumbled back.

"I have to go," he mumbled and ran around the corner. My heart beat slowed and I turned back towards the fields, starting to make my way across them. I checked my phone and saw the time - 8:03. Shit! I was going to be ten minutes late if I didn't leave now. After shoving my phone back into my pocket, I sprinted to the gym. I didn't need to warm up at least.

I burst in, panting. The coach was addressing the class, who turned to face me. "I'm sorry, sir. My schedule was changed and I had forgotten it takes such a long time to get here," I said between breaths.

"You are eight minutes late, Anna Belle. But at least you've warmed up. You will not be punished this time," he said looking me over. I nodded and joined the group.

"Thank you sir, it won't happen again," I said and he continued his speech.

Hey guys!

It's been a while since I've updated. My apologies.

I thought this was a pretty good, long chapter! I had decided to give you a dramatic, long, enjoyable chapter before I start school tommorrow, because I won't have as much time to update. But don't worry! I won't forget y'all.

I would love to have feedback and votes! To an author, those are very valuable because it means that people enjoy your story and are excited about it! I love hearing your thoughts. And whether you comment and vote or not, I still appreciate you!! Every author has to have readers.

I wrote the kissing scenes based on what I've read in other books, but I don't know if they're accurate. To be honest, I'm about as experienced as a potato.

I will try to get an update up either this weekend or before.

Happy reading!

B