(Outdated) The King of Elements (part 2)

Chapter 82

Dre gave a charming smile. "Everyone did. But that's not why we're here." She followed him to the swing set and sat down beside him, grabbing the chains that hung the rubber seat up. She was surprised that she didn't grow out of it. "I can't believe how long it's been since we left here. It still feels like yesterday. Well-" he rubbed under his eye, where a deep gash had since healed over, "not everything."

Kim nodded. They both swung slowly, looking at the dirt under their feet. Occasionally, they'd look up at each other, only to hastily turn back around, chuckling nervously. "Do you remember when you left that can of juice by the slide?"

"Huh?"

"You left some juice in the pebbles to go down the slide one day. There was, like, a long line behind it before you, so it took a while for you to get on. By the time you finally did, and get back to your drink it, ants had crawled into it."

"Oh, God, I remember that." Dre laughed, doubling over in the swing. "I wound up getting ants everywhere. I'm still surprised that I didn't get bit once. Oh, you remember when the lunch ladies gave us some macaroni and cheese that tasted like feet?"

Kim stuck out her tongue in disgust. "I remember that. I didn't eat cheese for a whole month. Then we had some worms in our chicken spaghetti one year."

Dre let out a repulsed groan. "I'm glad I don't eat chicken spaghetti now. You didn't eat it, did you?"

Kim quickly shook her head. "I learned after the macaroni fiasco to not eat lunchroom food."

They both laughed silently as they swung under the moonlight and stars. They could still hear the fast-paced rock music pounding from the swings. She didn't really have any need to go back in now. The only reason why she agreed to come out was because she wanted to be alone with Dre. Before her family went to Dre's house, Megumi gave her some "pep-talk" about getting closer to Dre. She said that with the way things were going between them, today would be the perfect time to confess how she really felt, as long as they could be alone. Even still, she was nervous. Her inside tumbled over themselves at the thought of mentioning it to him, despite Megumi saying that he felt the same way.

And yet, a thought crossed her mind. There had to be a reason to bring her here, to the place where their friendship began. She thought that she was reading too much into this, but it didn't make much sense. Any other day would've been just as good, but today, under the full moon and stars, during prom. It almost felt... romantic.

Kim looked up at the cloudless sky. The stars twinkled in the darkness, the heavens beaconing her to ask him. "The stars sure are beautiful tonight."

"Yeah," Dre said as he looked up. "It probably would've looked better if we weren't in town though. But, I'm not really complaining. I wonder how many couples get their first kiss under the same stars we're sharing." She could feel the hesitation in his voice.

"No telling," she said, almost mesmerized by the heaven's push. She wanted to adhere to the sky's push, but something inside of her was telling her to hold off for just a little longer. Unsure of herself, she ultimately decided to wait.

They both were silent as they stared at the sky. She hadn't even noticed when she stopped swinging, or that she even stopped at all. Nor did she know how long they had even been out here. Time was at a standstill.

They both gasped at the same time as two meteors zipped through the sky. "Wow."

"Quick. Make a wish," Kim said, giddily. She closed her eyes, silently wishing that this moment would never end. After a moment had passed, she asked, "What did you wish for?"

"I-I'm kind of embarrassed to say," Dre chuckled.

"I won't laugh. I promise."

Dre looked over to her, his eyes shining with the stars. "Well, I wished that we could stay like this forever."

Kim's heart leapt up her throat. Her mind went blank as she allowed what Dre said to run through her mind. Come on. Think of something to say. "O-oh," she muttered, wishing she had said nothing at all.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make this awkward or anything."

"No, it's okay. You didn't make it awkward." After a moment's hesitation, she continued. "I actually wished for the same thing."

"Oh. I see." Dre nodded slowly as he looked down at his shoes.

They both fell silent again. Kim could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She had come this close; there was no chance that she could stop now. "Why did you mention the couples getting their first kiss?"

"I don't know. It just felt right, you know? Like, something was basically forcing me to ask about it. It's kind of hard to explain." A light breeze began to blow, making Dre's hair dance gently with the wind as he kept his eyes on his shoes.

"I know what you mean," Kim said. She gulped. If there was a best time to say it, now would be the time. "I have something I want to try, but I don't want it to make things weird."

"It won't," he assured her.

"Well... you're my friend, right?"

"Yeah. Best friends."

"And you trust me?"

"With my life."

Kim's heart was thumping in her chest, threatening to burst through it if she didn't ask him already. "Then... since neither of us have had our first kiss yet, should we... share our first kiss?" she suggested, looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

Dre turned to her, his mouth formed into a little "o". She didn't hear him breathe for a minute. Aside from the pounding music and the chirping of cicadas and crickets, it was completely quiet. The silence was so uncomfortable it almost hurt. Finally, he said, "You mean we should kiss?" Kim nodded out of fear that he would be able to hear her heart pounding in her voice. Dre gently brushed hair from her face, looking into her eyes. "Are you sure that you want to? I mean, I'm not saying that I don't want to, but I think that you should share it with someone you-" Before Dre could finish, Kim leaned to him and pressed her lips with his, sending a volt thundering through her. The moment their lips contacted, she felt her body flare. Heat pulsed through her, as if she'd drank a mug of hot chocolate in a raging blizzard. It coursed through her, burning hotter than anything she had ever felt in her life. And yet, it didn't hurt. It felt as if she was being pieced together, making her stronger than what she thought she was capable of. The power pulsed through her, and as quickly as it came, it ended.

Kim slowly pulled away, her eyes half closed. "Nevermind," Dre said, their foreheads resting against each other. "Did you feel it too? That weird sensation?"

"Yeah. Was that how your first kiss supposed to feel?"

"I'm not sure. It could be." Dre shook his head. "I've always heard that it feels like fireworks." He licked his lips. "So, are we officially dating?"

"Yeah. I think so," Kim giggled.