It was electric. How else was there to describe it? It felt like it was right, like it was meant to be. You were nervous he wouldn't reciprocate, but to your surprise, he leaned into it. You had your hand on his. His other hand was on your cheek. You couldn't have known how long it lasted, but it felt infinite. This was your first kiss, so you weren't sure how it was supposed to go. Either way, it felt perfect. You pulled away, nervous to see his reaction. You open your eyes as you do and see his face. His cheeks were flushed and his lips curled into a soft smile. You couldn't help but melt, not knowing what to say.
"Wow."
"Yeah, wow."
A comfortable silence once again filled the space between you and your... friend? You had both returned to facing the plaza, backs resting on the wooden bench behind you.
"I really didn't think you felt the same, Y/N."
"If I am being honest, I didn't either. Until now, I suppose."
He turns towards you and you meet his gaze. Your heart was still beating a million miles a minute. Your brain still hadn't caught up with your words, which left your next sentence uncontrolled.
"I really like you, Toms. I've never felt like this with anyone before."
"Me either. It's different, but better. Y/N?"
"Yeah?"
"Are we like... together now?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, Tommy."
You both chuckle. You were okay if there wasn't a label. You don't think there needs to be one.
"What if we just see where this goes?"
"Sounds perfect."
Your tones were calm. Tommy's smile is all you need to know it was right. You can't help but wear a dopey smile. Tommy laughs a bit and squeezes your hand.
"I have an idea. Follow me!"
He practically pulls you off the bench. You had no idea if you could even stand, but you didn't care. You walk with him, still holding his hand. You had no idea where he was leading you, but it didn't matter. You had no idea where Freddie had even gone. It was weird to think he was the one that led you to admit your feelings. You couldn't help but be thankful, even if it was in weird circumstances. It doesn't take long for you to notice where Tommy was leading you. It was a small black booth with a curtain as a wall. A photo booth. It was cheesy beyond anything, but you didn't care. You would do anything to live in this moment forever. Toms opens the curtain and lets you in first. He slides in next to you on the cold metal bench.
"It's cheesy, isn't it?"
"Oh come on! We are already here, aren't we?"
Tommy smiles as he slides the money into the machine. It starts to count down, and you both smile. For the second photo, you both decide to stick your tongues out in some distorted way. Next, you decide to kiss Tommy on the cheek. He seems surprised, but happy. For the last photo, he turns you towards him. He doesn't lean in, though. He just smiles and looks into your eyes. The machine begins to whir, symbolizing the printing of the photo strips. It spits two out, and you grab one. It was perfect. The perfect encapsulation of happiness and awkwardness. You look at the third photo, noticing Tommy's shocked expression.
"What? I am still not used to it!"
You stop for a minute, formulating your response.
"Thanks, Toms."
"If anything, I should be thanking you!"
You playfully shove him. The booth was small, and you were getting a bit claustrophobic.
"Can we get out of here? I hate small spaces."
"Of course, sorry."
He scoots out of the booth, holding the curtain for you.
"Wanna head home?"
"Sure!"
*Time Skip* ~20 minutes later
"Josh isn't home, can I drop my stuff off really quick?"
"Yeah, I can grab your bags from my place."
"Thanks!"
You unlock your door and slide your shoes off. Everything seemed as you had left it. You head to grab a water bottle from the kitchen. As you do, Tommy walks in.
"Can I just set this here?"
He gestures to the couch and you nod. He walks to where you were. You set the photo strip that you were holding on the island. You set the water bottle down and look into his eyes, studying his expression.
"Tommy?"
"Yes?"
"Would it be weird if I called a friend?"
He laughs.
"No, of course not! But only if I can call one of mine!"
"See you in a bit then, I suppose?"
"Just let me know when you're done, I have a bit of a... proposition."
"Okay!"
You look away for a moment. Before heading upstairs, you hug him. Just a quick one, but meaningful nonetheless.
"See you in a bit, Y/N"
You nod and watch as he heads toward the door. He glances back at you once more before he leaves, flashing a smile as he turns away. Once he shuts the door behind him, you bound upstairs. You honestly had no idea who you were going to call, but it would be the first time you had talked to them since you moved. You scroll through your phone, and decide on Jen. She would want to ask questions about where you had been, but you only had one thing on your mind right now. It rings twice before you hear her voice.
"Y/N? Finally! Are you okay? Where are you? Why have you been ignoring us?"
"Jen, I am okay. There is a lot I need to explain, but right now I only need to tell you one thing."
"What?"
"I kissed a boy!"
"What? Who? Why? Is he cute? Do I know-"
"Let me explain!"
"You better start explaining then!"
"Josh made me move to the UK and-"
"You have been in another country and you didn't bother to tell me?"
"No interrupting!"
"Fine."
"He is my neighbor, his name is Tommy, well actually Thomas but-"
"Just get on with it!"
"You're right, my bad! Well he has been really helpful and we have spent a lot of time together. I started to like him, but I didn't realize. Then his friend, Freddie, was arguing with him about me, and well, he ended up saying he liked me pretty much. And I don't know what got into me, but I kissed him! I k i s s e d him!"
"Oh my god!"
"I know!"
"I am so happy for you! And don't get me wrong, I love this for you. But I think I deserve a bit of an explanation."
"Probably."
You lay down on your bed and get ready to explain everything to her.
"Well it started when..."
*Tommy's POV*
I practically skip back to my house and up my stairs. I don't think I have ever been happier than I am at this moment. I have to tell someone, and it wasn't going to be Freddie. I sit at my desk and catch my breath for a minute before picking up my phone. I decide to call Toby, who is probably my best friend at the moment. It rings 3 times before I hear his voice.
"Toby!"
"Hi! Tommy! What do you need?"
"Well, I don't particularly need anything..."
"Oh just spit it out! What is it?"
"She kissed me!"
"The girl who just moved in next to you?"
"Yes!"
"Oh my god! Oh my god! I can't believe it! Tommy! You kissed a girl!!"
"No need to sound so surprised!"
"I didn't mean it like that! I'm just so happy for you man!"
"Me too!"
"Well, I was actually just about to call you myself!"
"Yeah?"
"I have a bit of a... proposal."
"Proposal? I didn't know you felt that way man"
"No, not like that!"
I laugh and so does he. I listen closer once he begins to speak again.
"You are off school for the next week, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, me and Wilbur and everyone have been planning a meetup!"
"What? No way! Where at?"
"We were thinking with you, since it is kind of the midpoint for all of us. We could all chip in to get an AirBNB!"
"That sounds amazing! When?"
"Um, tomorrow? Sorry it's such late notice, we wanted it to be a surprise, but it wouldn't really make sense if the host was the only person being surprised!"
"That works great Toby! I can't wait! Is everyone's tickets bought?"
"Um, yeah. We've been planning this for like 2 months."
"Oh, well perfect! But, well-"
"What's wrong?"
"What about Y/N? She's never met any of you, but I don't want to leave her home alone."
"I am sure everyone would love her! Any friend of your is a friend of ours!"
"I can't wait man! I have to tell her!"
"I'm so excited! See you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow!"
I hang up the phone and rest my head against my chair. After about a minute of getting my bearings back, I check my phone to see if Y/N has texted. To my surprise, she has!
Just got off the phone! Wanna come over when you're done?
I text back quickly, affirming that I am coming over. I rehearsed what I was gonna say in my head, but it all went away when she opened her door.
"Y/N! I have a surprise..."