Chapter Twelve: Kissing Booth

(Song: Send my Love by Adele)

BELLE 

My recent discovery about the show has kept me on jitters since last night. I knew there'd be more if Carina hadn't knocked on the toilet door. I tried my best not to spill to Samantha because Jodi pleaded with me not to tell anyone about it. 

"What's up, girl?" Samantha had come up to me after Kyle had gone inside after dinner.

"Hey." 

"You've been awfully quiet and withdrawn since yesterday." She said, her brow creased with worry.

Samantha knew me so well. I thought I'd be like Jodi who acted normal even after what she found out yesterday. She was even laughing with Carina and Raine. Gosh, how can I pretend like that? I really have to know how to not act on my feelings.

I couldn't possibly tell her it was because of my findings with Jodi. Even though I felt really bad about it, I just couldn't.

"I'm having period symptoms... I think it's around the corner." That was the only lie I could tell. Gosh, I have to pretend that everything is fine, to avoid being in this situation that I'm in right now.

"Oh darling, I'm sorry." She rubbed my back in circles.

"It's fine, Sam. So, what's up? What's popping between you and Max?" My whole face spread into a smile. 

"Nothing really. He's cool and funny, but doesn't strike as someone I'd like to get romantically involved with."

"He's not Dillon." I grinned mischievously. I have been matchmaking them for a long while now in my head. This is the first time I'm saying it out to her.

"Wait... What!" She looked at me wide eyed, her cheeks a faint shade of pink.

"You're blushing. Ohhh, that explains everything. You have been crushing on my brother, isn't that true?"

"Get out!" As she stood up to leave, I held her hand. I knew she was embarrassed, but trying to cover it up with being pissed.

"I'm sorry, Sammy," I said, barely able to keep laughter out of my voice. "It was a joke. I didn't mean it that way." Samantha has always been one who shy away from relationships.

"Where did that come from?"

"Sorry, I thought my insinuations were true."

"Really?" She asked with her right brow raised.

"I've said I'm sorry, Sammy. Come on."

"Dillon is your brother, I can't date him." She stated as she sat back on the couch.

"That's fine. But if you decide to change your mind, you have my full approval and blessings." I winked at her.

"My mind is made up." She sighed. "Since, we are talking about insinuations, what's up with you and Kyle? Are you guys a thing now?"

"Ummm... Not really."

"What happened to 'no relationships'?" She said in quotes.

"That's on my own part. As for him, I noticed he's starting to have real feelings. Though, he hasn't asked me out yet or used the L word, you just know when a man likes you." I said in a low, composed voice.

"What if he asks you out or uses the L word?"

"I hope he doesn't, Sam..." I was unsure of my response to that question this very moment. I really don't want to break anyone's heart.

                   **************

The next morning after breakfast, everyone received a notification on their phones. There was a new challenge coming up in thirty minutes time.

"What do you think it will be all about?" I whispered to Jodi. 

"I have no idea. Let's see how it goes. My cameras are active." She whispered back.

Another notification came in again. We were instructed to go the garden. I went back to the dressing to change into a sleeveless short gown before joining the others in the garden.

I was wowed by how the garden was redecorated. A small structure crafted from wood was almost at the end of the small garden. It was draped in soft fabrics, and adorned with white roses and hanging lanterns. It had a sign reading KISSING BOOTH, in bold letters.

My stomach sank. I perfectly understood what the challenge would be all about. 'What if I end up kissing Brandon? I pray that..."

"Good morning, Contestants," Logan's voice stopped my worried thoughts abruptly. "For today's challenge, all the males would go behind the booth with their eyes covered with a fold. Then, the females would be going to the booth one after the other, with their eyes covered too. The kiss is to last for a minute. After that, the males are to guess who they kissed. This challenge is purely for fun, no prize attached." He stated firmly. 

The first woman to start was Samantha. Before entering the booth, she covered her eyes with the black fold she was given. I was a little shaken when Kyle showed up at the booth. Not that I was jealous, he was the only person I was comfortable kissing... Now I have to kiss a whole new different person...or worse, an old flame. I shook my head. Brandon was out of my options.

"Carina." Kyle guessed after the one minute timer went off.

"Wrong," Logan said with a low chuckle. "Pull off your blindfolds."

The next was Carina and she was paired up with Richard. He guessed Carina's name wrong. He called Jodi.

"On my list, Belle, you're after Carina." Logan had his attention on me.

I let out a deep breath as I walked to the booth. While I wrapped my eyes with my fold, I licked my lips nervously. 'It's just a minute kiss, Belle.' I said to myself. 'It doesn't matter... Hell! It does matter because Brandon is still inside there.'

The first thing I noticed when the man I was about kissing stepped into the booth, was the familiar scent of his perfume. My cheeks burned. I was close to kissing my ex fiancé. 'Oh, God, something terrible should happen, I can't kiss this man. No. No. No.' I was battling with my thoughts.

'Belle, calm the fuck down. Brandon can't be the only person wearing that cologne. 

"Your time starts now."

His lips pressed against mine, then gently covered my mouth, sending a shiver down my spine. It brought back a flood of good and bad memories.

I was shocked by my own eager response to the touch of his lips. The blindfold added to its intensity. Why the hell was I kissing him back? 

As the kiss deepened, I felt myself getting lost in the moment, but I forced myself to snap back to reality. Yes, I've missed kissing him, however, I couldn't let myself forget he dumped me on our wedding day, the hurt, the betrayal.

Gosh, why is the timer taking forever!' My head screamed.

It finally went off and I pulled away immediately. My heart was racing, my stomach was in a jumble of nerves.

"My love, I'm so sorry." He murmured.

After kissing me that way, when he had no right to do so, he had the nerves to call me his love. I was getting more pissed.

"I'm waiting for your answer." Logan called out.

"I kissed Belle."

"Wow! First correct answer for today. Take off your blindfolds."

I turned back before ripping off my blindfold. I tried to get a hold of myself as I placed my hand to my chest, on my racing heart.

"Belle, please..." 

I hissed, storming out of the booth. He should shove whatever nonsense he was going to say down his throat. I don't care!

I have to brush my teeth all over again, or floss my mouth, or do whatever... But I must get the taste of his damn lips out of my mouth.