Kiss Me Before You Go

Part Three

If the day was already difficult, the night time was even more of a challenge. I was assigned to P'Finn's bedroom. It meant I would be sharing a bed and bathroom with him.

We didn't talk. Even at the table, him and I didn't interact. When dinner was over, we all had to go on our own ways. It's the beginning of the festivities after all. There are a few things to do to have fun. Or so they say.

My sisters and France were planning to attend the disco and danced the night away.

"Not without your brother, kiddo," Uncle Draco interrupted his excited daughter as he joined us in the living room. Somehow, I ended here because I didn't want to go upstairs.

"Bring Brandy with you," Aunt Gianna suggested. I protested right away. If I didn't go, I would have time to force myself to sleep until P'Finn comes back from his little job as chaperone.

"Oh, no." My sisters yanked me off my seat and dragged me upstairs. "He's coming, auntie. Don't worry!" Armina yelled as we left.

"Now go and shower then get dressed." Aria pushed me inside P'Finn's room after Armina opened it. "Be sure to look extra hot tonight."

Slam!

I was trapped in the room after my sisters close the door from outside. When I turned around, my eyes almost jumped out of their sockets.

P'Finn had just left the shower, half naked and with just a towel covering his lower half. His hair was still wet. Water was dripping down his neck and torso.

I gulped hard and turned my head away. Still, it was too late to unsee what I saw. I heard his footsteps lead to the closet along my heartbeat that had gone extra fast.

"Go take a shower. We'll leave after you're done."

"Huh? Ah, yeah."

I mentally conked my had so many times as I walked towards the bathroom. My mind was so full of P'Finn's abs and wet look that after I was done showering, i remembered I didn't bring a towel with me.

Should I wear my clothes back?

"You forgot the towel, Bran." I heard his voice right outside the door. As I stepped out of the shower stall, my eyes landed on the unlocked door.

Fudge!

"Bran-- "

P'Finn had opened the door with a towel in hand, eyes directed on my nakedness.

Could this get any effing worse?!!!

***

The drive to the disco would have been awkward if not for the loud bunch in the backseat. These three could never run out of a topic to talk about when they're together.

That used to be me and P'Finn.

When we were younger, I used to go to his school here in this town. We were very close. My parents signed me up to a bus transport to get here to and fro. In the summer, P'Finn would come to our house.

We did things together. From video games, to flying kites, to swimming in the river, to building little forts on the riverside behind our house. And when he needed to leave and go home, he would sneak a kiss on my cheek.

Those were the innocent days. I was the one that tainted it by growing feelings I shouldn't towards him. I imagined those kisses as actions from a lover. I imagined them not on my cheeks but on my lips.

We arrived at the gym and the five of us headed to the entrance after parking.

"Five." P'Finn told the person at the gate as he handed him cash for the entrance. We needed to pay to get inside. I guess the money goes to the town budget or whatever they need it for during the course of the festivities.

"Aren't you gonna dance?" P'Finn suddenly asked me after we got inside and sat down at the bleachers.

He was leaning towards me so I could hear him. The lively music was loud and booming inside the gymnasium and the lights of every color were dancing along with it. Men, women of all ages, even younger kids were on the dance floor having the time of their lives.

I turned to him so I could shake my head to say 'no' but he was looking somewhere else. I followed his eyes and I wished I didn't.

I heard about the girl he was looking at. Sheila Estelle. His ex girlfriend, they say.

Smiling pathetically to myself, I stood up and headed towards my sisters and France. They were standing in the middle with other disco goers, nodding to the beat.

"Heck yes!" France excitedly yelled as I began to dance to the rhythm, letting the loud beats drown the sound of my shattering heart.

The song playing was If I Lose Myself by Alesso vs. OneRepublic. After it ended, it was quickly followed by Summertime Sadness remix.

What a slap in the face really. It was summer and I definitely was going mad. I had never let loose and danced to a song let alone in public like that.

I could hear my sisters and France squealing but I was so lost in the music. My limbs, my head, my feet, my whole body moved on their own according to the beat.

As I opened my eyes and focused my vision, a girl joined our little circle and danced with me. She was followed by another person, a guy. He was tall, perhaps even a couple of inches taller than P'Finn.

The disco lights illuminated his face. Quite handsome. I smirked as he walked towards me. Without thinking about the consequences of my actions, I pulled him towards me.

"I'm Phillip," he said, leaning against my ear.

"Bran," I replied as I tiptoed to reach his ear. I felt him chuckle. "What's funny?"

"Nothing. You're cute and it makes me feel like picking you up."

I chuckled back, forgetting where I was and what I was doing. The song was ending and replaced by slow music.

"You don't mind?" Phillip asked me as he held my back.

"I guess I'm the female one in this sweet dance?"

"I don't mind if I took the part," he said against my ear.

Phillip seemed sweet. I lifted my hands and held onto his shoulders as we moved side to side to the music. This was what they called the sweet dance where two people dance as a couple.

As Speechless played, I began to just let things flow, come what may they say. Until someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Can I have the next dance, Bran?" P'Finn was leaning against me, I almost jumped to Philipp's arms. "Hey, Phil."

I guess they know each other.

My dance partner gave me a polite smile before letting me go. P'Finn pulled me in his arms right away. I didn't ask anything because it meant I needed to tiptoe to reach his hearing.

I became rigid in P'Finn's arms as the music played. This was awkward. We're cousins but why did he want to dance with me?

"Nervous?" His voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Why would I be?" I asked. It was returned by a smirk before he leaned back to me and asked, "Yeah. Why would you be?"

_________________tbc•Zia