When Best Friends Kiss

The words came out in a choked whisper as I stared blankly at the screen. “Jason broke up with me?” From the corner of my eye, I saw Rosalie peer over my shoulder and freeze. “No, he did not!” she exclaimed, reaching for my phone gently. “What a coward! Who breaks up via text?” I was frozen, re-reading the message over and over while letting humiliation wash over me in cold, relentless waves. My steady boyfriend of two years had just ended things, and in his exact words, the reason was: ‘This whole thing between us has gotten boring, Rory. I need some excitement in my life.’ My eyes burned, blinking back the tears threatening to fall as my older sister put an arm around my shoulders and sat beside me at the kitchen table, setting the phone down. “I’m so sorry about this, bun,” she said, her voice soft. “Please don’t believe anything he says! I always told you that you were too good for him anyway.” I looked down at my fingers, twisting them in my lap. “I don’t think he’s lying,

(RORY’S POV) For the fifth time tonight, I caught Todd watching me from the corner of his eyes. This time around, he was not fast enough to tear his eyes away and a blush crept to his cheeks as he chuckled roughly. Omg! Is he blushing? “You look gorgeous, Candy.” He said turning his eyes now back to the road. “Thank you.” I said and nodded at him. “So do you.” I thought for a moment and then chuckled nervously. “I mean, you look really good.” Todd laughed just as we drove in to a large mansions sprawling with carpeted grass and perfectly trimmed hedges. Loud music was blaring loudly from the house and I eyes the place warily wondering if I did the right thing by coming. Todd’s warm hand reached for mine and I gasped softly in response. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” He assured me with a warm smile that made my insides swoon. Then he came out of the car and opened the door for me taking my hand in his as he led me to the door. Kids were skatin

(RORY’S POV) “Well that is an interesting turn of events. Shocking but interesting, I can’t lie.” I heard Laurel whisper in glee. There seemed to be a moment of silence, with everyone processing what had just been said. And then all eyes turned on me and Todd. I could feel my cheeks go hot from all the attention. My heart was thumping so loudly that one would think that I had been dared to take off my clothes even though for me, it was almost the same thing. Kiss Todd for three whole minutes? I dared to cast a glance at him and my heart beat picked up when I found that he was watching me. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. I made us play this stupid game.” I whispered to him. A small smile tugged at his lips making me ache in my heart. “It’s not your fault, Candy.” He whispered back. “Oh please! It’s a fucking dare! Just kiss already…or better still, Todd O’Connor go naked for us .” Majorie said with her eyebrows wriggling teasingly. The group cheered and laughed while I

(RORY’S POV) The first thing I notice when my eyes open is the insane hunger I feel. I hiss sharply as my hand stretches over to turn off the alarm. Then, I slowly sit up in bed, holding my stomach as if that would make the hunger miraculously disappear. Yawning, I look down at myself. I am in my room, dressed in my pajamas, and I can see the morning sunlight streaking in through my window. Wait a minute! My pajamas??!! I look down at myself again. Yup! I am wearing my ‘cow seated on the moon’ two-piece silk pajamas, and I am wondering if Todd is the one who helped me get dressed because I don’t remember doing any of that. But somehow I know it’s Rosa who did it; Todd was too much of a gentleman. Todd. I think of him and a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and general thoughts flood my head instantly, leaving me with no space to think properly. Above all, of course, is the kiss. The Kiss!!! I sigh, and my hands involuntarily fly to my chest as a smile curls up on my l

(RORY’S POV) My body trembled as I slammed the door of the toilet stall. My throat felt raw and my bones even weaker than they already were. My heart was racing so hard that I feared it would leap out of my chest. Something was going on and I could feel it deep in my bones. I shut my eyes while I leaned back against the door, trying to steady my breathing. The one day I decided to leave my phone behind is the day I need it the most. Is this my punishment for behaving unbelievably childish and running away because of the Kiss. I take in another deep breath and use my shaky hands to smoothen my curls, a classic act of anxiety. I try to recall what had happened at the Science Room, I think about the wide-eyed stares, the hushed whispers and mouthed words but the sound of the door being loudly shut pulled me out of my thoughts. I heard footsteps and laughter making its way into the Ladies room. I stayed still. “Hurry up Cara, I want to watch the basketballers warm up before the