“So alcohol wasn’t the reason?”
Right. Alcohol was the reason for him. Why else would he touch me?
“Eve,” he prompts when I don’t answer.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” I ask, standing up and putting my half-finished cereal in the sink, appetite gone. “I know this is embarrassing, so let’s pretend it never happened. I would have never mentioned it anyway—”
Oliver touches my waist. Sitting on the stool, he’s now the same height as me.
“Did you want to kiss me last night?” I’ve never heard him sound so shy.
“Um,” I say, my waist warm at his touch. We’re so close. “Did you?” I whisper.
He nods. I nod too. He leans forward slowly, giving me the chance to leap away.
I don’t escape, not understanding what’s happening until I’m in the middle of it. My heart is pounding so loud that I can’t think, and my lips are against Oliver’s.
Holy fuck. Oliver. Me. Kissing.
He pulls away as I start to pay attention, eyes dilated. I’ve kissed those lips. Twice.
He smiles. He has a perfect smile. “That’s why I came here.”
“Huh?”
“You asked me why I’m here. This is why. So I’ve answered your question—”
This time, I kiss him.
Kissing is weird. If Oliver was anyone else, I’d find the whole affair gross. Our mouths are open, and his tongue slides against mine. If he was anyone else, I’d worry about germs. But I press my body harder against Oliver’s. I kiss him harder.
Kissing is weird because it makes my brain go haywire. Now my hands can’t help but run themselves all over Oliver. He’s so gorgeous.
We stumble around the house without breaking contact. Our hands intertwine. We push through my bedroom door and crash onto the bed. Kissing is like a sport. I have to remember to breathe.
He smells so nice. He feels so good against me.
Kissing is weird because I don’t want to stop. I would have thought I’d get bored. It feels like we spend hours lying on my bed, hands sliding under clothing, kissing.
22
Noah: She's Not My Type
Since Kaito and Tiana left two hours ago, I’ve done nothing except throw myself onto the living room couch and scroll through my phone. I read Wikipedia articles about footy players, which lead to me reading the pages for Australian politicians. That’s how I know I’ve sunk to a low spot. Nothing bores me more than politics, though I’ll soon turn eighteen and will have to vote.
That’s right. I’m going to be an adult, so I should be mature and sensible. Instead, I’m lying here, trying not to mope about Henry.
I think we should stop.
Don’t think about it. I attempt to distract myself by checking the Easton Grammar grades portal because feeling down about my grades will numb my pain over Henry. Like stubbing a toe when you have a broken arm.
Ben enters the house wearing his work uniform. “Hey,” he calls when he passes through the living room. “How was the party?”
“Fine.”
“Have Kaito and Tiana left?”
“Yeah.” I push myself up into a sitting position on the couch.
