One Last Time

16. First

The day had passed uneventfully. Taya had been healed by the Amazons, Stella was refreshed and Theo had been released after a lot of pleading and protesting. 

Casey had squealed in delight at the sight of Taya and had jumped on her. Taya had wanted to know everything that had happened but Casey said that she was exhausted and had gone to sleep. Taya was disappointed.

Now the three of them - Stella, Taya and Theo were sitting on a small, round table eating biscuits and drinking coffee. "Did I tell you about the time Matt and Kylie had dated?" Stella asked, chuckling the entire time. Taya's stomach twisted uncomfortably as she shook her head. Stella and Theo were telling all of Matt's embarrassing stories and Taya was laughing after such a long time. 

Stella continued, "I'll tell you. Matt was seventeen and a girl called Kylie had a serious crush on him. She was very pretty - tanned, lean and those curves." Stella fanned her face.
"She had asked him out and he said no. Kylie did not give up. She said that they should spend more time together and then decide. He agreed. After two weeks, they started dating.
I teased him everyday. Matt was so annoyed by me, it was fun." She giggled. Taya gave her a half smile; maybe she had made a mistake by letting Stella tell her this story. 

"One day, they disappeared and did not come back till the next day. Dad freaked out. Matt claimed they had gone sightseeing. I did not believe that. But anyways he was grounded for a month. It was awesome watching him sit at home angrily and not allowed to go anywhere." Stella and Theo cracked up, but Taya bit her lip and left, making an excuse about wanting fresh air. 

Taya walked to a small park where benches were laid out. She sat on a stone bench with intricate designs carved on them. She removed her slippers and placed them on the ground. The grass tickled her feet. The moon was full and high and the stars twinkled at her. 

Matt came from nowhere and sat next to her. She shifted farther away. He turned towards her, "it's so beautiful here right? I have never seen so many stars at night in the big cities; always clouded with smoke and fog." 

Taya nodded, not interested in making small talk. Matt took her hand in his and she looked up in surprise. "Thank you Taya. You didn't let the Amazons molest me." He grinned. He added soberly, "Kidding. Thank you. Seriously, I didn't want to be kept in jail." 
Taya pulled her hand away, "yeah, no problem." 

Matt scooted towards her and cupped her cheek. Taya's face moved without volition. She was so close that Matt could see the flecks of gold in her dark blue eyes. Taya's lips parted and Matt couldn't hold himself back. 

He pressed his lips on hers, they tasted sweet . Taya was rigid at first, then slowly she softened, kissing him back. The feel of his mouth on hers was electric. Taya's hands twined behind his neck and she curled her fingers into his silky hair. The feel of his heart pounding against his shirt, made Taya dizzy with joy. She kissed him for what seemed like a second and an hour all at once and it was over too soon. 

She moved backwards shyly. Matt smirked at her, his eyes half-lidded. Taya pouted, "I was a terrible kisser, wasn't I?" He tapped his chin, "I don't know for sure. Maybe the next time I'll find out." Matt leaned towards her again and she did not hesitate. 

Taya sucked on his lower lip and he smiled against her soft lips. His hands slowly traveled down her arms. She shivered. Her eyelashes fluttered and Matt grinned. Taya felt slightly faint, as though the ground was revolving below her. 

Taya was leading herself on pure instinct. She had had no experience unless one counted the time Matt had poisoned it. She didn't, so technically this was her first kiss. 

First kiss. The two words hit her with force. She, Taya was kissing a boy. She was kissing Matt, who at first she had decided to hate. 

She sighed against his mouth, he tasted like cinnamon and cloves. A spicy, sweet combination. Matt traced lazy patterns on her stomach. When had his hands reached below her shirt?