Forgotten Kiss - Rylee (latest books to read txt) š
- Author: Rylee
Book online Ā«Forgotten Kiss - Rylee (latest books to read txt) šĀ». Author Rylee
My first kiss was a boy who lived just across the street. We were the same ageāSam was only two weeks olderāand we went to Kindergarten together. We were best friends.
Years later, it was his ninth birthday party. I was the only girl, and Samās mom didnāt want me to feel left out, so she didnāt let any of the boys spend the night. After all the other guests left, my mom volunteered to help clean up the mess we kids made.
Sam and I went outside, to the creek almost hidden in the trees behind the house. We had always been told not to go into the water, or even near if it was in the rainy season. It had been dry for almost a week, so we sat on a log and watched the water trickle by.
Sam surprised me by asking, āHave you ever kissed someone? I mean, outside your family.ā
I glanced over at him and gave him the answer Mom told me to give any boy if he ever asked such an inquiry. āSamuel Levi Jackson! That is not a question you should ask a lady!ā
His forehead wrinkled. āI know, but Iām asking you.ā
I looked back out to the creek. āNo, I havenāt. Why would I? Only grown-ups kiss. Why would you even ask a question like that?ā
He blushed. āSomething one of the guys saidā¦but itās nothing, really. I was just wondering, thatās all, I pinky promise. No need to get your braids in a twist.ā
āUh-huh. What did he say?ā
āThatā¦you were my girlfriend. He said he bet we kissed behind the bleachers in gym class. So I was just wonderingā¦ā
āWhat?ā I stood up quickly. āI am not your girlfriend! Who said that?ā
āI-I canāt tell you. But donāt worry, I told him he was wrong. I know youāre not my girlfriend.ā
And then Sam did something that, now as I look back, made me sure he was just playing me. At the time, I didnāt know what to think. Sam Jackson, my neighbor and best friend, pulled me back down and kissed my mouth.
The moment he let go of me, I ran back up to the house, ignoring Samās pleas for me to stop, to wait for him, and told Mom I wanted to go home that instant. We left, Mom giving Mrs. Jackson the look that means well, what can you do?
Sam and I didnāt talk after that. He moved later that month. I didnāt know his family was moving away, but all his other friends knew. After he left, they all ignored me. Sam was the only thing tying them to me. That tie was now broken.
I passed through the rest of the school year without any friends, but I befriended some other girls over the summer. When school came around again, I had my own little gang and I forgot Samuel Levi Jackson.
I woke up on the last day of my freshman year, looking forward to the summer. Anne and I were going to go to her grandparentsā house in California for a month. They lived right on the beach. Anne and I vowed to get the best tans in the whole school, as well as meet hot California boys. But first, I had to go to the educational prison they called school for three more hours.
I hurried out the door and into the green civic that was idling on the road in front of the house. In the driverās seat was Alex, Anneās older brother. Anne was waiting in the backseat for me.
The plane soared up, above our heads. I smiled. Soon, Anne and I would be laying on our towels on the beach, peeking around at eye candy. We walked into the airport, checked our bags, and walked through security with a half hour to spare, so we grabbed some lunch at one of the over-priced cafƩs.
A week passed, quick as a blink. Neither of us had a summer romance yet. I was depressed, in that regard. I thought my hot pink bikini and Anneās lime green one was going to get the boys to flock around.
Anne was sunburned, so we decided to stay away from the beach for at least a couple of days. She wanted to just stay inside all day, but I couldnāt agree to that. I wasnāt exactly claustrophobic, but I simply couldnāt stay in a house all day unless the weather was absolutely horrible. And this weather wasnāt bad in the least.
I pulled on a bright blue tank, a white jean skirt, gold bangles, and my black flip-flops. Grabbing my wallet and phone, I put them in my bag and promised to be back later.
Walking around in downtown alone was depressing. Everywhere I looked, there were couples of every age or friends hanging out. I ducked into what looked like to be a coffee shop. I was right, although it was also a bookstore. I ordered a frappe and sat at a table by the window, the only empty table in the whole store, it seemed.
As I was sipping my drink, a hand touched the table. I looked up to see a boy who seemed like he lived here. It wasnāt that he was messy or anything, but he looked like he simply belonged here.
His kinda long, dark brown curls framed a cute tanned face with those black nerd glasses that rarely look good. He made them look good. He wore a blue-purple-green plaid shirt and a black tee over dark wash jeans. On his feet were black converse.
āCan I sit here?ā He asked me, quietly.
āYeah, yeah, sure you can.ā I moved my bag from the seat across from me and put it on the floor beside me.
āThanks.ā He smiled shyly and glanced down at his scone before looking back up at me. āI havenāt seen you around here before.ā
āI havenāt been here before. Iām just visiting California with a friend.ā
āOh. I didnāt know you were with someone hereā¦ā He stood as if to go, but, surprising even myself, I reached out and grabbed his arm to still him.
āNo, no. Itās fine. Stay, please. My friendā¦she wasnāt feeling well, so she stayed home. But I couldnāt stay inside all day, so I opted for exploring the city. Do you know any fun places I should go see?ā
āYeah, I do, actually. Thereās a bunch of sites to see, but I donāt know exactly what you would be interested in. I mean, thereās museums, restaurants, beachesā¦Thereās everything and more, really.ā
āAre there any good art museums?ā I asked, starting to get excited. Art was one of my passions. I wasnāt a Monet by any stretch of the imagination, but I loved looking at paintings and sculptures.
āYeah, there is. Ummā¦okay. So you walk out of the door, turn right, and go straight for about three blocks. Then turn down Fifth Ave. and walk about half a block. Thereās a brick building there, kinda looks like an apartment building. Go inside. The outside doesnāt look like much, but the art inside is priceless.ā
He lost me at the doorāalmost literally. I had always been bad with directions. āWaitā¦can you write that down?ā
He laughed softly. āBetter yet, I can take you there. My shift doesnāt start for another hour or so.ā
āOh?ā
āYeah, I work here. Thatās how I knew you hadnāt been here before. I know all the regulars, and thatās all who come. That, and I think I would remember seeing you.ā
I blushed. āThanks.ā
āYouāre welcome. Itās only the truth. Iām Sam, by the way.ā
āIām Danni.ā
Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone before I could identify it. I quickly forgot it, though, as he answered, āWell, no time like the present, I suppose. Are you ready to go?ā
I finished my frappe and threw away the cup. āYep, all set.ā
He tossed his trash in the garbage too and walked forward to hold the door open for me. āAfter you.ā
As I walked by him, I heard from behind me someone yell, āJackson! You better be back on time! You already got two strikes, dude!ā
Sam chuckled, and I realized the shouter was talking to him. āYou said your name was Sam.ā I accused, turning to face him.
āYeah, it is. Sam Jackson. Thereās another Sam who works here, a girl, so I go by my last name to make it less confusing.ā
The name sounded familiar, but I couldnāt remember from where. I shrugged it off and followed him down the sidewalk. Within ten minutes, we were in front of the brick building.
Sam glanced at his watch. āI got a lot of time to spare. Mind if I join you here for a while?ā
āOf course not! Iām sure you know your way around this place. Better than me, anyway. But only if youāre sure you donāt mind babysitting a tourist.ā
āI donāt, I promise. āSides, I got nothing better to do.ā
I led him up the steps and to the door. āOh, how much is it to get in?ā
āTwo dollars per person.ā
āThatās it?ā
He shrugged and opened the door for me. āYeah, well. Itās a small place and doesnāt have any stuffy, old, world-famous paintings like the Mona Lisa. You arenāt complaining, are you?ā
āOf course not!ā I grinned and walked inside. A brunette woman sat at a desk in one corner. Behind and to her right was a doorway. Through it, I could see art on the walls and on the floor.
The woman looked up and smiled at us. āNot you again, Sam. When will you get tired of the art in these walls?ā
āWhen pigs fly and fish walk.ā He answered and went up to the desk. I followed, digging into my bag for my wallet. When I glanced up, Sam was handing over a five dollar bill. The woman gave him only a one back.
I shook my head. āI can pay my own way.ā
Sam turned to me. āDanni, come on. Let me do the gentleman
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