Bright's POV
"Next," I wave the next person up. Today hasn't been a repeat of my first time in the booth. I don't think I have seen one girl I have dated the entire time. Maybe they all showed up on Monday. Contrary to what my friends believe, I do remember who I date. I am not that shallow.
"How many tickets?" I ask, holding out my hand.
"Two," the person in front of me says, and I look up.
"You!" I gasp.
"You!′ Kammon laughs. "Seriously, is that what you are going to say every time you see me? Should I change my name to You?"
"W-Why are you here?" I stutter.
Kammon holds up the two tickets smiling, "I bought tickets."
"What about your killer cousin?" I question.
"Oh, they went off with some friends," Kammon explains, "I was only there to run interference. Someone didn't show up like they were supposed to do," Kammon frowns, "I feel sorry for them since I am pretty sure they will die for ditching my cousin."
"I see," I nod. "Why two tickets?"
"Simple," Kammon gives me a wicked grin, "One for you to kiss me and one for me to kiss you."
"K-K-Kiss you," I stammer. "Why?"
Kammon crooks a finger, and I lean closer, "Just in case you don't know. You are in a Kissing Booth."
"I know that!" I bark, straightening up. "Why do you want to kiss me is what I wanted to know?"
"Fine," Kammon places the tickets down and begins to walk off.
"Wait," I grab Kammon's arm. "Sorry. Come here." I lean over and kiss Kammon on the cheek and turn mine so Kammon can kiss mine. "Well?" I goad when I don't receive a kiss. I turn to look at Kammon, and I am stunned when I receive a kiss on the lips.
"You!" I shout.
"I really should change my name!" Kammon laughs, running off. "Oh, and when are you going to test out calling my name to see if I will appear. I was disappointed you haven't. See you, P'Bright!"
I touch my lips, watching Kammon run away.
"Can I kiss you on the lips, too?" A girl who puts down her ticket asks.
"I am sorry that is not allowed," a senior comes up frowning. "Are you ok, N'Bright? Sorry, I didn't think that would happen, or I would have stopped it."
"You and me both," I mumble, "I am fine. I just wasn't expecting that."
"Ok," the senior says, patting me on the back, "You only have ten more minutes, and you are done." He turns and looks at the girl. "Cheek only, or you will be banned." The girl nods, and I turn my cheek for her to kiss.
"Thank you," I tell her and look in the direction Kammon disappeared. "What was up with that?" I ask no one.
Aim's POV
May is glaring at me. What did I do that was so wrong? It is not mine!!
"Why did you buy this?" May asks, looking at the box in her hands.
"I didn't!" I say louder than I probably should have. I can't believe this. I promise to kill whoever put that in my bag. P'Bright comes to mind first. "I don't think of you like that!"
"You don't think of me like that?" May asks. "Then why are we dating?"
"Huh?′ I am confused. I look at the box in May's hands and back at her. "Y-Y-You don't want to use those? Do you?"
Yes, I want to have sex with my girlfriend, but I am sure the hell not going to say that to her. We have only been dating a short while. I didn't think we were at that level. I wonder if the guys have already done that with... Oh, my God! I shake my head, trying to clear the images that came to mind. That is not what I need to be thinking about right now or ever.
May sighs and sits down on a bench outside of the restaurant. I had made a reservation for Valentine's Day. I look at my watch. We have thirty minutes before the reservation so we won't miss it.
"You don't find me attractive in that way?" May asks.
I take the box from her hands and put it back in my bag when I notice people looking at us.
"That is not it, May," I explain. "I-I-I..." I stammer. How do I explain?
May is staring at my bag, and I sigh, "Look, May. Yes, I want to, but you and I just started dating." I turn to look at May, "I am serious about dating you, and I don't want to rush things."
"Oh," May replies, "I mean..."
"I am not ready," I cut off May. "Are you ok with that?"
"I am ok with that," May smiles at me. "So, how did those end up in your bag?"
"Not a clue," I mutter, shaking my head.
"P'Bright?" May questions.
"P'Bright was the first person who came to mind, but I really don't think he would do that," I reason, "He wouldn't want what just happened to happen. If he were going to do this, he would have handed them to me in person so he could watch me have a mental meltdown. Stashing it in my bag isn't his style."
"True," May agrees.
Standing up, I hold out my hand toward May, "Come on," I smile, "We have a date. I hope you like this restaurant and what I have planned later."
"Ok," May grins, "Did your plan include using what was in the box?"
"May!" I shout, "Can we just forget the box!" She giggles. My girlfriend has a mean streak.
Bright's POV
"Your done, N'Bright," my senior claps me on the back. "You can leave. I am sure you have a date."
"Thanks," I say as I walk away. Why did that kiss short my brain out? I have kissed and been kissed countless times, but this kiss has had me touching my lips often in the last ten minutes. It is like I can still feel Kammon's lips on mine.
First, the Confession booth and now the Kissing booth, both times Kammon has turned my brain sideways and just run off. Even today, before the booth, Kammon messed with my mind. What is it about that person that unsettles me and makes me think things I usually don't think about thinking? Like dating for real. Where did that desire come from? And why do I also picture that person to be Kammon is another thought that I can't seem to shake, especially since the person in question to have only appeared in my life yesterday, and the amount of havoc caused is huge.
"P'Bright!" A voice calls behind me, and I stop to look back.
N'Jin is running up to me. See, this is what I mean. My first reaction is disappointment. Why am I disappointed, and why is that disappointment tied to the fact this person is not Kammon?
"Hello, N'Jin," I smile, "Why are you not out with your boyfriend?"
N'Jin stops and looks at me, "I am waiting for him to finish his time in our booth. I thought you would have a date." Yes, I know you have a boyfriend now. And I don't play with other people's toys, so I hope she isn't expecting me to.
"I just finished my time in our booth," I explain.
"Oh," N'Jin hums, glancing about. I can only assume she is waiting for my non-existent date to appear.
"Did you need something?" I ask, beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"No, I just...," N'Jin trails off as she leans her head to look around me. I turn around, puzzled, and find Kammon standing behind me glaring at N'Jin.
"You!" I growl. "Come here. We need to have a little chat." I glance back at N'Jin, "Happy Valentine's Day, N'Jin. See you later."
"You, too, P'Bright," N'Jin waves as I drag Kammon off to our faculty building.
I stop in an open space by the canteen. Most of the students are at the festival, affording us a little privacy.
"Explain the kiss," I snap, "Why did you take advantage of me?′
"I thought that would be pretty simple for you to figure out," Kammon sighs.
"You do know my friends call me an idiot all the time," I growl. "Just say it out."
"I like you," Kammon shouts. "I like you!"
"But you are a guy!" I yell back.
"No, shit," Kammon growls as he runs his hand through his hair. "Not like I was expecting you to like me back. I know you only date girls."
"But why?" I ask, trying to wrap my head around the fact that the guy in front of me just confessed to me.
"Why what?" Kammon asks, confused. "Why do I like you?"
"Yeah," I answer, "You know I date girls, but you still like me."
"Liking wasn't a choice," Kammon explains, "I just saw you around my faculty once. I believe you were chasing after P'Mint back then."
"Yes," I mumble. That was at the beginning of last year, but P'Mint wasn't in the Architecture faculty. I look at Kammon. "What year are you?"
"I am in my second year of university, but I am a first year in my faculty," Kammon fidgets, "I withdrew last year and applied to a new faculty."
"How bad was it?" I ask. Kammon looks up quickly and pales. "You were in Economics. How bad?"
"I-I-I don't know what you mean," Kammon stammers. I take a step closer to him, and he takes a step back.
"I asked how bad was it," I say, taking another step, and Kammon takes another one backward, bumping into the wall behind him. "I know what went on there. We were the ones who exposed it. They targeted one of ours. So I am asking you again. How bad was it?"
"Bad," Kammon says, lowering his head. "If you know, why are you even bothering to ask?"
I step back. I pushed for the answer, and now I wish I hadn't. How do Prem and Tutah handle this? Knowing someone important to them was hurt by other people. How? Wait. Important? But I just met him. I glance back at Kammon and notice he is crying. Shit. I was not ready for the answers I just got or the questions that followed.
"I am sorry," I mumble, "I shouldn't have pushed, and you are right since I knew it was mean of me to make you remember that." I pull out a handkerchief and hand it to him. "You should go tell the university. They are compensating students. P'Win would help you. I have his number." Kammon shakes his head, and I sigh. "They don't ask for details, just that it was the reason."
"I am scared," Kammon sniffles, "I didn't tell anyone. I can't."
"I would go with you," I offer.
"Why would you do that?" Kammon counters. "I don't need pity. I am doing just fine."
"Yeah," I chuckle, "I can see that. Just be glad you don't wear makeup. You are a mess."
"Hey," Kammon snips. "Stop being mean."
"Come on," I say, grabbing Kammon and dragging him with me.
"Where are you taking me?" Kammon says as he wipes his nose with his sleeve.
"I gave you a handkerchief," I frown. "Use it. I need a date for supper. Since I made you cry, I should make it up to you."
"I don't need a pity date, P'Bright," Kammon snaps, digging in his heels as he yanks his hand from my grasp.
"Then consider it a pity date for me," I shrug. "All of my friends are off with their boyfriends, and I am all alone. So take pity on me and eat with me."
"You don't have a date?" Kammon asks, rubbing his eyes.
"No," I huff, "Some weird kid yesterday showed up and introduced himself to me and threw my game off. So you have to take responsibility for me being dateless."
"Oh," Kammon hums as he falls into step with me. "I guess I should."
Tutah should be here. I am doing something stupid. Where is my keeper when I need one? I am in trouble. I know that for sure.
"Come on," Kammon smiles at me, "Let's go eat. You are ready, right?"
"I am ready," I reply, ready for what I don't know.
2093 7-7-19
Please Vote!
Sorry. The family made device free rules at the family gathering. 20 min a day.