I’m still standing on Eden’s porch. She’s in the doorway. I’m sure her mom, dad, and sister are just a stone’s throw away. But I don’t care who sees what. All I can think about is Eden’s lips brushing against mine. Yet another intoxicating thing about her.
Our noses brush together as my tongue slips into her mouth. Like yesterday, our make-out goes from zero to sixty in seconds. I know it’s partly because I’m a horny teen. But mostly, it’s Eden. Her body close to mine sets off afuse. I lose all rationality. It’s insane. I knew we’d be good together, but even this surprises me.
“Whoa,” a voice says from behind Eden. “Get a room. I don’t want to throw up my breakfast.”
A low growl comes from Eden’s throat. She pulls away and flares her nose. “Sorry,” she mumbles before turning around. “Jenna, don’t be rude. I know it’s your default right now, and I’ll put up with it directed my way, but you don’t get a free pass to be a jackass to guests. Understood?”
The young version of Eden flushes slightly. To save face, she rolls her eyes and shoots out a caustic, “Whatever,” before stomping away.
“She’s just getting worse.” Eden sighs.
“I didn’t think she was that bad, babe. Weweresucking face in front of her.”
“Yeah, well she needs to get used to it. I kinda like kissing you, Sloane.”
“God, you’re corny.”
“You like it.” She grins, leaning back in to peck me on the mouth.
“You’re going to be late!” her mom shouts from the kitchen.
Holding up a finger, Eden heads in the house. I hear her say goodbye to her family. When she returns, she kissesmy cheek and off we go. We hit the street at a much faster pace than I’m used to walking with her. We make it to school ten minutes faster than the first time we walked together.
“Hey, before we head in.” Eden begins slowing down. “How do you want to deal with this?” She finishes hooking her thumb towards the crowd of people hanging outside the school.
“Frankly, I want to shout it from the rooftops, but that’s just me.” I smile.
Her smile stretches from ear to ear. “Okay then.” She holds out her hand for me to take. Which I do enthusiastically.
An ear-piercing scream echoes across the parking lot. Eden jumps and grips my hand tighter. I laugh as I see Becca running towards us, clapping and whooping like a crazy person. Her antics have drawn the attention of everyone.
“Finally!” she screams. “Oh my god, how? When?”
Eden clutches her chest dramatically. “Jesus, is she always like this?”
“I am when my bestie gets with the girl she’s been after for three years. Fuck, I never thought it would happen.”
“Well, it did.” I laugh. “Can we talk about it later? When we haven’t got half the student body staring at us. Thanks for that, by the way.”
“Are you wearing sneakers?” Becca demands, ignoring me completely. A murmur of voices ripple through the crowd.
“Bloody hell, it’s not that big a deal,” Eden gruffs. She’s cute when she’s grumpy.
“Eden, what are those?” Pia says coming up to stand next to Becca. She has one hand on her hip and the other pointed at Eden’s feet. This is turning into a circus.
“Okay, everyone. The interrogation into our lives and Eden’s choice of footwear can wait. The bell’s going to ring any second.”
“Hey, UK,” Bryce calls from his car. “Cool if I sit next to you again in art?”
Eden gives him a thumbs up and pulls me past everyone. “I feel like I’m on display.”
We head to the lockers. Eden waits while I pull out the books I need. Then, like the soppy lovebirds we are, I follow and wait for her to do the same. With exactly thirty seconds to get to our classes, Eden steals three quick kisses.
“See you at lunch?”
I float into algebra.
Thebest start to senior year. Ever!
