18
A Not So Familiar Kiss
3:14 a.m. and my grandmother was snoring in her bed, while Charlie had the sofa. Bill, Lainey, and Javier were sandwiched together on her bed. Austin was still awake, and I took the liberty of dealing with him while Lucas went inside to clean up.
I flopped back on a patio chair. “Aren’t you tired, Austin?”
He laid down on the grass. “Just looking up at your globe sky. Come see.”
“Austin, I’m exhausted.”
“Just for a minute.”
I let out a sigh and pushed myself off the chair. “Fine. One minute, then bed, okay?”
“Okay.”
I sat down beside him and looked up into the stars. It really was beautiful.
“This is what I miss,” he said.
“Getting high off my grandma’s stash?”
He laughed. “No. Being here with you.”
I didn’t respond.
He sat up. “I’m not high anymore.”
“Sure.”
“I’m not.” Austin cupped my chin and guided me to look at him. “I really miss you.”
“Austin…”
“Just hear me out.”
“Fine, what is it?”
“Kiss me. Just once.” He shrugged. “Maybe I’m just nostalgic… or maybe this is real. Wouldn’t you want to know?”
I went to get up, but Austin grabbed my arm, and his hand was around my neck. “Just once,” he whispered, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine.
Nothing.
I felt nothing.
A slam of something crashing into concrete separated us. Lucas smiled and picked up the chair he had knocked over. “Sorry about that.”
Great.
“No problem, man. And ah, thanks for looking out for us tonight. You’re not as bad as they say you are.”
I dropped my head into my palm.
“You’re welcome.” He raked his fingers through his hair, totally avoiding me. “I’m heading off to bed. See you in the morning.”
Lucas left without saying another word.
