TAYA's POV :
"Vary the tempo. Sometimes you go fast and urgent, like you're the last two lovers on earth. Sometimes you go slow and sensual, like you're the first lovers on earth,”
“Hmm, okay…”
“And remember to tease. A kiss is only as strong as the anticipation it builds,"
Judah had told me all that during our last practice session, and it was like I could hear him talking in my ear as I was in the middle of kissing Blake. Yes, I had met Judah several times since that day and we continued rehearsing for our scene. And yes, I had also been meeting Blake in secret again.
Talk about being busy.
And as crazy as this might sound, my lessons with Judah were quite educational. Just after a few cake-eating sessions with him, and I could already see the improvement in my own game.
I might g
TAYA’s POV :“So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” Judah asked."Um, why weren't you at school today? Or in the past three days?" I asked back."Eh, I just didn't feel like going," he shrugged and stalked to the kitchen with the empty bottles."…And your parents are okay with that?" I asked."Mom's out working 'til late every day. She won't even notice,""And your dad?""Dead," he said casually as he entered the living room again."Oh, I'm sorry—""Nah, you know, shit happens,"He didn't seem bothered at all. He simply threw himself on the empty spot next to mine and proceeded to crack his neck."So, is that why’re you’re here? Did old man Finn send you?”"No, b
TAYA's POV :Jenny could make one hell of a pasta dish.Yup, by the time we sat down for dinner, I was already on a first name basis with Judah's mom, Jenny. Overall, I would say that dinner went great, except for Judah who looked extremely uncomfortable as his mom and I made small talks.I sensed that maybe he didn't like me being around his mom. But I couldn't help it. Jenny was just so nice to me and we bonded over shoes. She had such great taste, we could actually be friends if we were the same age.After we ate dinner, I helped Jenny with cleaning up while Judah was outside in the backyard, smoking a cigarette."So, Taya," she started as she piled the dirty plates on the sink. "Judah never talked to me abo
TAYA's POV : The rest of the journey home was kind of nice. We made small talks, I gave him a list of places in Hawaii that he should visit, and he actually told me the secret ingredients in her mom's pasta sauce, dried garlic and thyme. It took us about twenty minutes before we finally reached my house. By then, the sun had completely set and the sky was dark, except for the moon and the little stars that came out to light it. "Great practice today," he said and his hand went up for a high five. His dark amber eyes shone brightly against the night sky. I could only laugh as I high fived him back. I guess we're the kind of people who kissed and then high fived each other. Ever seen one of those? "Deep down, he’s a sweet kid and he has a really good heart," suddenly Jenny's words came to my mind. Judah and I were
JUDAH's POV :12 AM, the alarm clock in my room rang.I got up quickly and got myself ready. It was time for another day.When I walked down the stairs, I found my mother sleeping in front of the TV again. She always had this habit of turning on the TV and falling asleep in front of it. Slowly, I turned the TV off and pulled a blanket over. She mumbled some incoherent words and snuggled deeper into the couch. I looked at her for a moment, gave her a shirt kiss on her forehead, and I made my way out of the house.It was past midnight, so this was my time to leave the house. Striding towards my bike, I lit up a cigarette and turned the engine on. With a cigarette hanging loosely on my mouth, I put the bike in gear and roared out of the driveway. Within seconds, I was jetting down the streets with the cold night air hitting my face, lighting my blood with excitement. 
TAYA's POV :Oh, the things I do for a high school resume.Today, I was spending my precious Friday after school hours working to build a Titanic replica with the theater club. If this wasn't desperation, I didn't know what would be. Dear colleges, please notice me!I had my oversized hoodie and baggy pants on, my hair pulled up in a messy bun, and my hands had dried paint all over them. I was in charge of painting the wooden boards, while Hallee was in charge of, well, everything else."Where'd Gabe go? I need him to arrange the props table," Hallee said in a demanding tone."I sent him to get the rest of the wooden planks from the car," I replied, my hands still busy with the paintbrushes.
JUDAH’s POV :I really didn’t want to fight, but…"Yeah, that's right. Walk away. Go home to your whore of a momma, shitface!"The fight really wants me.Turning back to face the brawly dude, I glared at him and said, "Now, you don't call my momma names okay? That just ain't nice,"He narrowed his eyes at me as if he couldn’t believe that I had the guts to turn back to him."And plus, 'your momma' jokes are so dead, let it rest already. I'm sure you can do better than that," I taunted sarcastically and Gabe looked at me as if I was crazy."What'd you say to me?" the big dude glared menacingly."Cam, bro, come on," Blake reached for his shoulder but Biggie smacked his hand off of him."Nah, this bitch is asking for it,"
TAYA's POV :Blake and I took Kai and Cameron to the emergency room. Cameron came out with six stitches on the side of his ribcage, and Kai came home with eleven stitches on his arm. The injuries weren't that serious, but imagine me trying to explain the whole situation to the doctor in charge.Oh yeah, my kissing scene partner hit my little brother and his friend with a wooden plank we were using to build a Titanic replica. Just the usual Friday, no big deal.Kai wouldn't tell them what happened, but Cameron spoke up. He explained how they were just having a slight argument but it turned physical once Judah started coming at them with the board.Now I wasn't naïve. Don't be fooled by the dimples and wholesome smile, everyone knew that Cameron Tucker was no angel. He and Ry were in the same grade, but Cam got held back due to behavioral issues. Normally, I wouldn't take
JUDAH’s POV :"Hey," Blondie beamed at me.I was floored. I still couldn’t believe that she was standing at my door. When I finally gathered my composure, I stepped outside and closed the door shut behind me."Coming back for round two?" I asked.She ignored my joke and instead she said, "I got you something..."She pulled her hand from behind her back and handed over a bag of frozen peas to me."What's this for?" I took the bag and noticed how it was still ice cold."A peas offering?" she grinned and gestured to my nose.Fuck, okay, that was low-key real cute.I put the bag on my nose and the coldness stung my skin immediately. I winced at the pain, but I tried my hardest to hold it in."Kai told me what happened..." she said