K.I.S.S. - Four Easy Steps to the Kissing Success

P r o l o g u e   ♥ 

               The sun was high and radiating its summer glow, sending down hot rays to burn our skin golden brown. Its shine was reflecting on the ocean, making it light up in specks of blinding white and blue. I watched as the waves gently lapped over the shore like a frothy tongue. The break was pretty sweet that late morning.

               I was chilling on the beach with my mate, Cody, watching the babes in bikinis giggle as they fluttered past. A gorgeous girl with blonde, wavy hair wiggled her fingers at me, shooting me a flirty pout. I lowered my shades a little and winked at her, giving her a charming smile. Slowly, I devoured her figure, hazel eyes lingering at the deliciousness of her toned, tanned stomach, admiring her gleaming piercing.

               “Dude, you’re such a flirt,” Cody snorted, punching my arm. “And a perv.”

               “You’re just jealous,” I snickered, bringing the Coke can back up to my lips and taking a swig, feeling the cold fizz bubble down my throat, the sweet taste exciting my taste buds.

               “Summer’s been a bummer this year.” He sighed, ignoring me, resting his hands behind his head and closing his eyes. “Maybe we should get jobs to kill some time.”

               “But look at all the chicks!” I pointed at the endless clusters of girls. “Frickin’ heaven, mate.”

               “Yeah, for someone single like you,” he said, propping himself up and leaning back on his elbows.

               “I just don’t see the point in a committed relationship.” I shrugged. “Where’s the fun in that? There’s so much of Jake to go around.” I pointed at myself triumphantly.

               “You’re a loser.” Cody smiled and shook his head.

               “At least I’m a sexy loser,” I said, grinning.

               Cody rolled his eyes but the corners of his lips rose and arched into a smile. He ran a hand through his dark hair, messing it up and sprinkling sand through the tangled mess.

               Ever since year six, we've been best mates. He was the smart guy, yet popular with his killer confidence and laid back attitude. Then there was me: class clown. Humiliating myself mostly unintentionally, scoring waves of laugher. The next year was high school and when you pair popular and funny it's the most unbeatable combination to survive. We were living the life, nothing getting in our way... until he met Georgia.

               I tore my eyes away from the sea, just in time to jump back into the conversation.

               “Someday, you’ll find a girl and realise she’s the only one you want,” he said, glancing at me seriously.

               I chugged down more of my drink. “You are so whipped,” I answered, relaxing back onto my towel and watching a group of girls squeal as they dipped into the ocean.

               “Falling in love ain’t as bad as you seem to think it is,” Cody replied, plopping back down onto his towel. “And stop using the word ‘whipped’ and start using ‘in love.'"

               “Georgia’s been messing with your head,” I retorted, knocking on his skull with my knuckles.