As Cole and I walk out of the school doors I tell him, "Just so you know, I have to be home before band rehearsal ." He smiles and says, "Band rehearsal? what do you play? The trumpet?" I nod my head and say, "Not school band smart-ass, I play in an Indie band with my friends." He nods his head and says, "Deal." I open my mouth to say something when i here my name being called. "T!" I look across the quad to see Derek jogging toward me happily then he sees Cole and his smile fades. "Hey Derek. I don't need a ride today me and uh, Cole are going to get pizza." Cole reaches out his hand to Derek, "Cole Lightwood," Derek just stares and his hand and back to his face. "Derek, T's best friend." Cole takes his hand back and says, "Cool. You ever think Twisted would get a date?" Derek switches his gaze back to me and growls, "You're dating this prick?"
I feel my hands begin to sweat but, I'm annoyed that he could possibly get mad at me for going on one date. "Yes, we are going on a date and how dare you call him that? You don't even know him Derek." He huffs and says, "Wow, he's the first guy to pay you attention and you're already going to put out? I didn't think you were that pathetic." I feel like a knife is driving into my heart and i know there are tears and my eyes, I grab Coles hand and pull him behind me as I walk away. "Twisted wait I didn't mean it!" Derek calls after me.
Cole turns to me and says, "Sooo... I was thinking Lazer tag then pizza." I smile and wipe the tears out of my eyes. "As long as I'm at home by seven."
******
"I really don't think this is my thing." Cole turns to me, "Listen, there's four of them, two of us, you have to keep your head in the game." I pat his chest and say,"What if someone begs for mercy?" He nods his head no, "You run in there guns ablaising, failure will NOT be tolerated," I take a deep breath and say, "I'm ready." he nods to me, "Goooo!" we both run from our barracks, on edge and looking for any threats. I creep to a corner, turn to look behind me and he's gone. "Oh no. Cole?" Its silent other than the breathing of my enemy that i can hear from around the corner, as i turn, the gun is pointed at me, we're both prepared to take the shot but, I still see fear in his eyes. Just as he goes to pull the trigger I hear the sound of defeat, not mine, his. I look to see Cole behind him and I know I've been saved.
"Whats the deal?" my enemy screeches, "No mercy!" cheers Cole. With tears in his eyes, my enemy cries out, "But I'm seven." and he runs off, his curly hair blowing in the wind. Cole and I high five each other. "Five wins in a row!" he laughs. "I know, never thought I'd see the day I defeated a second grader in combat." Cole rolls his eyes, "Come on, you had fun." I shrugged, "Maybe." As we walk to the entrance he jives, "Oh I know you had a blast Twizzler, I saw that smile." I grimace, "Twizzler?Really?" He nods, "Its cute, like you." I laugh as we walk back to his car. "I think that It's a little to early for Nicknames, don't you?"He sighs, "Whats so wrong with nicknames?" I slide into the car, shutting the door on him." when he gets in the car I say, "I don't hate nicknames, I just hate that one." He smiles and starts the car. As we pull out of the lot he says, "Ill think of a better one,besides, who wants a girlfriend called Twizzler anyway?" I put my finger up and say, "This is our first date guy, I'm not your girlfriend."
He dusts off, "So there will be more dates huh?" I roll my eyes, "I didn't say that." He turns and laughs at me, "Yes you did!" I smirk, "Keep talking and its a definite no." He throws his arms up in surrender, "Okay. It was nice to see you smile." I smirk,"It was nice for me too." He smiles, "Soo... a band huh?" I sigh and say, "Derek and I started a band in seventh grade, we've won a few contests, nothing big but, we're going to a tournament." He nods his head, "What do you play?" I look down at my shoes nervously, "I sing and write the songs." He smirks, "That's impressive." I laugh and say,"They're really not that great,We haven't even had a REAL gig yet."
"Maybe its not the songs. Have you guys uploaded any of you music online?" I nod my head no and he looks shocked, "Twisted, almost everyone is on social media these days, how do you expect you guys to get discovered if you never put yourselves out there?" I shrug, "I don't know, I guess we never though about it." There's a moment of silence, well if you'd like, I'd love to help you guys out." I smile, "That would be great!" We pull up in front of my house. I just stare at it, not ready to go in. "You okay?" he asks. I just nod my head yes. He doesn't ask me to get out or push me to say more. When I turn to face him, I see in his eyes that he understands.
I see his gaze turn to my lips and something in me wants him to kiss me. Maybe, its because I've been alone for so long, or maybe there's no denying how he has an odd way of making me feel safe. As he closes the distance between us, he doesn't kiss me at all but, wraps me in his warm embrace. I cant remember the last time I was held like this or even the last time i wanted to be. I feel him go to release me and I quickly grab his hand keeping me in his arms. When I look up to meet his eyes, I can see that they're full of lust and maybe even longing. I can't understand whats gotten into me but, there's no denying that in this moment, I feel the same. For a moment I think that we may be going too fast but, It would be just a kiss right? He bring his face only an inch away from mine and I can feel his breath brush across my lips. He stops, as if asking for my permission. It's my choice. Do I want to dive in? Will I regret it? At first I was unsure but, as I closed the little space left between us, I feel the hunger in his kiss and I know that in this moment, this is the exact place I want to be.
For a brief moment, this kiss makes me forget about all the bad, June Perry, my father, my mother and even Derek. It's odd wanting someone for so long and having someone come along and show you what you've been missing out on. I spent so much time wishing for something that would never happen, that i missed out on somethings that may have been real. I'm not some silly girl who thinks from one kiss that everything will get better and that this will last forever but, I do know that Cole has made me realize that moments like this are too good to miss. I break our kiss for a moment and say, "Is it always like that?" he laughs, "Never." Then we're at it again. I'm melting into every second, loving every moment. I don't think I can remember a time that I felt so good and more importantly, wanted.
Suddenly there's hard knocking on the window behind me and we spring apart. For a moment I think it may be my father, and i'm afraid of what he'll do to me. I'm to afraid to even look. As Cole piers out the window I see him smile at whoever it is. When I turn to see Derek I feel so much relief that I think I may just pass out but, it only takes a moment for me to recognize the pissed off look on his face. I turn to Cole, "I gotta go." I reach for the handle and he says, "Wait." he grabs my chin and gives me a quick peck. "Ill pick you up at noon tomorrow." I smirk, "We have school." he tilts his head, "You have straight A's I think you can play hooky for one day. I promise it'll be fun." I laugh, "Again, how do you know that? But Fine, see ya tomorrow." I slip out of the car and watch him drive off. Derek grabs my arm and whips me around to face him. "What the hell Twisted?" I yank my arm from him, "What?" he throws his hands up and says. "Jesus, you've known the guy a whole thirty seconds and you're already letting him put his hands all over you? Are you that desperate?" I sigh, "It was a kiss Derek." He huffs, "Yeah well, that kiss was getting pretty steamy, it makes you look easy, like a slut." My mouth drops open but, I shut it just as quickly and walk away.
He tries to catch up, "T wait." I open my door and turn to look at him. "Fuck you Derek." and slam the door in his face.