288 The Kiss (1/2)

”But...” Kyle continued to hesitate.

”Stop being a wimp!” Jason called out and soon the nearby classmates started to egg him on.

”Do it!”

”You can't back out!”

”Even Marie is in!”

Kyle turned red, yet he stood up and walked over to Marie. Every step brought more gossip and attention. Soon, the group around the beer pong table even turned to look and see what was going on. It didn't take long for them to figure out what was going on too.

”Isn't this a little dishonest?” Noah frowned at the scene. ”You guys are basically trapping him into this kiss. Plus, he might not even start a relationship with Marie? Won't that hurt?”

Kaylee could only shrug. ”It wasn't my idea. I only got to overhear the plan. Marie and Dave are the main culprits.”

”Does Dave think Kyle really likes her?” I asked Noah.

He raised an eyebrow. ”Like her? How? You saw how they were on the bus, attacking each other...that's not how you treat someone you like. If anything, her and Dave looked close during lunch with us. Wouldn't that be more normal?”

I shook my head, not sure how to answer. I don't know what's a normal start in a relationship. My parents split when I was young and then my mom stayed single until they took her away. The closest I've come to seeing an actual relationship is Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. They were always nice to each other, but also to strangers.

At this point, Kyle has reached Marie and they stood eye to eye, barely a few inches apart. Marie closed her eyes and looked at peace, ready and waiting. Kyle nervously wiped his hands on the sides of his shirt, before placing them on her shoulders. He tilted his head and leaned in. The inches between them became centimeters, their lips touched, and the whole backyard started hooting and hollering, attracting attention from those inside.

”What's happening?”

”Is that Kyle and Marie!?”

”It's a dare. They both agreed too.”

”I didn't even think they got along.”

”They fight in history all the time.”

”They must still be like elementary kids, picking on each other to show affection.”

”I would never kiss a guy that treated me like that.”

”Eh! She treats him the same way! Doesn't that make them made for one another?”

It got even more crowded, making me feel a little sick and nervous.