Sharp Edges

Chapter 5

Just...

A moment...

As he leans in...

His lips press gently against mine. My first kiss. And it was with my best friend.

This was the right thing to do. I've trusted Evan forever. I don't pull away as the kiss lasts a little longer than I expected. I can't pull back, my brain is convinced I'm loving it. But my heart pulls in a different way.

My heart pulls towards something I don't know.

~

We part ways after looking into each other's eyes for longer than usual. We stayed in his car for the last of the period just talking about random shit. I take the trek to the gym, and it's then that the reality sets in.

I have my first boyfriend. I have someone who'll love me more than life itself. I have someone who'll kiss me in the hallways and be that one cringey high school couple with me. I have someone who I can obsess over.

I squeal in excitement. Rowan sees my little dance and waves me over.

Rowan and I have become a lot closer. I found out he was in my lunch period so now we eat lunch together every day. Sometimes he helps me with some of the workouts that the coach gives us to work on. Rowan is so much stronger than me. Leg day is his thing, quite opposite to myself.

I learned that he's lived with his grandma since he was a kid. He had family living in Desberg and since his grandma's health was declining, they decided to move here. His grandma now lives in the senior living home right down the street while he stays with his cousin and his aunt and uncle. His cousin is only 7 so she's in school most days while his aunt works a night/afternoon shift at a hospital from 3pm to 12am. His uncle works school hours.

He loves talking about his cousin. From what I hear, she's a cute little girl who really loves drawing things for her family. Apparently, their fridge is DECORATED.

He greets me the same way, with a very french "bonjour" and then we talk about the assignment.

"You might need some help today." He says sheepishly. He doesn't like thinking he's insulting me, but I understand when I need help and so does he.

"Great, are we doing squats?"

"Ding ding ding! We have a winner! It's a bunch of random hard ones."

I roll my eyes as we make our way over to our secluded mat area that we claimed near the beginning of the year. He shows me how to do the first squat which is really unnecessary. It's so stupid when coach makes us squat weirdly. We start doing them in sync, Rowan probably being able to go a little faster, but he matches my pace.

"So, everyone is busy tonight and I'll be home alone. I was wondering if you wanted to come hang out?"

I stare.

Is it bad if I go to another guy's house alone with him. It's not like we're gonna do anything bad. Rowan is a friend. Strictly a friend. It's not cheating, right? But that time could be spent on Evan... we just got together today but... we have all the time in the world. I haven't hung out with Rowan outside of school yet.

"Sure. Gimme your address and I'll see if I can get my bike before I come over."

"Don't you ride your bike to school?"

I continue by explaining how my situation changed. Rowan reacts the same way, but more positive because it's positive news.

"Awesome! Well, just text me when you leave."