<3<3<3
I heard the running of feet behind me in the hallway of our crappy, falling apart High School in a smalltown in Illinois, and before I could do anything, I was pulled into an awkward side hug, a familiar face pressed on my cheek. Cody, my friend, was clinging on to me, almost pulling me down.
"Hey, Gracen! What's up, bro?" He asked, a little too excited. When I didn't answer, he started talking nonstop about the day, how it would unfold, things like that. How he wanted it to unfold, anyway. I sighed audibly, but he didn't seem to notice. I smiled.
Cody had been my friend since kindergarten, when he moved here. I couldn't remember what I did that made him warm up to me, but I did something, and he'd been with me ever since. He told me that he'd been interested in the same sex before and asked me out when we were Freshman in High School. I refused him, though, but we still stayed good friends. Sometimes he could get a little flirty, though, which was awkward. On my part, at least.
Me and Cody were like opposites. In appearance, at least. He was short and lanky, with chin length チョコレート brown hair and dark brown eyes. He almost always wore shorts, または clothes that exposed a lot of skin, for that matter, and was slightly tanned. I, on the otherhand, was tall, slim, and slender. My hair was shoulder length in the back, blonde, and my bangs were chin length, but I kept them swept neatly over my left eye, slightly concealing my big ocean blue eyes. My skin was pale compared to most, and I almost never wore clothes that exposed too much skin. Today's ensemble of choice was faded black skinny jeans and a purple and black striped jacket.
"And duuuuudddeee!" He said, getting all excited. "Have あなた seen the new kid yet? He's totally cute!" His statement turned a few heads his way, which gave him quite dirty looks, but he brushed them off. "He even let me see his schedule. あなた two have a lot of the same classes!" He beamed. It was awkward, because I knew he had my schedule memorized.
Just then, a new face appeared. He was tall, but a little shorter than me. He had blonde hair, but it was like mine in every other way. He had chin length hair, which appeared kind of spiky, and his bangs fell slightly in his beautiful light green eyes which were already slightly obscured によって the glasses that he wore. He was wearing light blue jeans and a light and dark green jacket, carrying his 本 close to his chest with his arms folded around them as if someone might try to スマック them out of his hands. Cody was right.. He WAS cute.
Just then, Cody's arm shot out and grabbed the cute kid, pulling him into our little circle. He gave a surprised yelp but couldn't do anything about it. I shot Cody a "be nice" look and turned my attention to the kid. I immediately made eye contact with him and he looked away, blushing. I laughed.
"Gracen, this is.. I dunno. Did I ask for your name?" Cody looked like he was trying to remember. The kid gave a muffled "no", moving his arm up so that his jacket's sleeve covered his mouth. Cody and I looked at him expectantly.
"Oh.. My name is Mika Baine." Mika? (Pronounced "Mee-kah) That's a cute name, I thought to myself.
"And this is.. Gracen!" Cody gestured to me and I reached my hand to Mika. "My last name is Lyen. Hi," I smiled as he took my hand and shook it, moving his arm quickly up to block his mouth once again. He made eye contact with me again but held it for a few 秒 before looking away.
Cody talked on and on before the ベル rang. We all stood there as the hallways cleared. Cody looked back at us and winked as he turned to leave.
"See あなた later, my peeps!" He took off. I turned my attention to Mika, who was still standing with me.
"So.. What's your first class?"
"Honors English II.." he said, muffling it once again with his sleeve.
"Really? That's my first class. With Robinson, right?" He nodded. "Well then come on. I'll 表示する あなた where the class is." I turned around and headed for the English wing of the school, Mika following behind me with his head down. I smiled back at him, and he smiled as well. I then opened the door to our class. We'd be spending another whole 時 together. Which wasn't a bad thing.
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After English, me and Mika had to part ways until lunch, though I still showed him to his classes. When lunchtime rolled around, I headed for Mika's locker, whose number I had acquired from Cody when we were texting in Algebra II. Mika didn't notice me until I was close.
"Hey," I said, watching him dump 本 into his already messy locker.
"Hi.." he replied, turning a slight shade of pink.
"So.. Cody usually goes ホーム for lunch, since he lives so close. I usually leave campus. あなた up?"
He looked genuinely confused. "Up for what?" I laughed.
"Up for lunch with me, dork." His face reddened and I giggled softly.
"Oh.. would that be okay?
"Of course! Come with me." I smiled and grabbed his wrist, leading him out into the parking lot and to my car. When we arrived, I unlocked it and hoped in the front シート, 座席 as Mika slid into the passenger seat. As soon as he did, he started playing with a ネックレス that he had pulled from under his jacket. I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, already asking questions.
"So where did あなた 移動する from?" I added an inquisitive tone to my voice. He looked up and over at me.
"I moved from Orlando, Florida."
"Really? I've been there before. Why 移動する from there to here?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Uh.. a lot of my family lives up around here. My dad wanted to be near them since.. since my mom died." He looked suddenly depressed. I felt bad for asking.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It's alright.." he smiled and continued playing with his necklace.
"That's an interesting necklace." I said, admiring it. It was a silver ハート, 心 locket with a swirling デザイン in the middle. I didn't ask to see what was inside.
"Yeah.. I like it. My first and only ex gave it to me, though.." he trailed off.
"Ah. She must've been sweet to give あなた such a nice gift." I flashed a smile.
"Uh.. I suppose." He had a nervous look on his face.
"Something wrong, Mika?" He looked over, embarrassed.
"No, no. It's just.. my ex wasn't exactly.. female." He blushed and looked out the window. I felt myself blushing as well.
"Oh! I shouldn't have assumed. So.. あなた dig dudes?" I asked, my voice cracking when I 発言しました "dudes". I hoped he didn't notice.
"Yeah." His voice lowered and he slunk down in his seat. "People used to tease me about it at my old school. That's why I was so glad and eager to 移動する here. I just hope it isn't the same." I was surprised at how quick he was to open up. I had pegged him to he really shy.
"Well, people shouldn't give あなた trouble about it here. If they do, tell me! I'll set them straight." I smiled and puffed up my chest playfully, earning a fit of giggles. He had the cutest laugh ever! It was the first time I'd heard his laugh. It was so boyish and charming. I smiled and felt my ハート, 心 flutter.
"Well, thanks. So.. あなた don't have a problem with it?" He looked up at me. I looked over and shook my head, and he smiled. "That's good. I've never really had a friend that accepted me.. for me." My ハート, 心 skipped a beat. He already thought of me as a friend? I felt like I could start giggling like a girl who just found out a guy was crushing on her. I kept myself composed, however.
"So. What do あなた want to eat?"
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We had decided to get ice cream for lunch. We were eating it on the ride back to school. It was indeed awkward, because I thoroughly enjoyed watching him lick up the ice cream. It sent shivers down my spine.
When we arrived, I showed him to our 次 class. It turned out that we had all of our afternoon classes together. First off was Foods class, then art, then P.E. I helped Mika pick out a locker in the boys locker room. We waited until everyone was done changing before going in, however, because he 発言しました changing in front of other guys embarrassed him. He even had me wait outside the locker room. I was surprised to hear him call for me a few 秒 after I shut the door.
"Um... Gracen?"
"Yeah?" I called through the door.
"I forgot my gym shorts at home.." He sounded embarrassed. I smiled.
"You know.. I have a few spare pairs in my locker. あなた could wear a pair, if あなた want."
"Oh.. Is that okay?"
"Yeah! Just let me come in and get them."
"Just a moment!" He almost yelled. It was a few 秒 before I heard him say it was okay to enter. I opened the door and seen him hiding in the shower. I tried not to laugh so I didn't embarrass him. I quickly opened my locker and grabbed a pair of shorts from them and tossed them over the シャワー stall door. He caught them and came out of the stall moments later, cheeks flushed. My shorts fit him good.
He smiled and I patted his shoulder, dreading the awkwardness that awaited when we would have to change at the end of P.E.
After that, we had History together, and then it was time to go home. We sat outside on the steps of the school, waiting for his bus to show. We were talking a lot, about anything that came to mind. Before I knew it, everyone had left, and we were all alone. Cody had long since departed, but I hardly noticed his presence. I was too absorbed in Mika's. When we seen his bus turn the corner a little ways down the road, we both stood up. He dusted the dirt off of his pants and looked at me.
"So," I said, disrupting the silence.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"For being nice to me. It sucks being the new kid." He laughed softly and messed with his hair. He messed it up a little, and I reached over and fixed it for him, making him blush once again.
"Don't mention it, Mika." I smiled and held out my hand when I noticed his bus nearing. To my surprise, though, he pulled me into a hug. He held on tight around my neck. A hugged him back with my arms wrapped around his waist. We stayed like that for a while. I noticed that I didn't want it to end. But he pulled away, and his eyes were watery. "Don't cry, Mika.." I wiped away a tear. He smiled and laughed a little. I loved his laugh. It was strange how close we already were to each other. The bus pulled up and he pulled his backpack up to leave.
"I guess it's time for me to go," he said. He sounded sad because of it.
"I suppose it is." I smiled and took his hand, turning it over in mine. He blushed, and I pulled out a sharpie and wrote ten numbers on his wrist. "Text me sometime. または something," I added with a grin. He looked at my number on his wrist and blushed even more. He gave me one もっと見る quick hug before he hopped on the bus. I watched it until it turned off the road before heading to my car.
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The 次 few weeks went similar to that. Every morning, I'd arrive at the school early and wait for him at his locker. He'd blush when he seen me, and I'd help him with his books. Everyday we'd go out to lunch together, enjoying each others company and the casual conversation. Every gym class was spent together, whether we were playing on the same team of some game または walking laps. And everytime we'd have to change, I'd loan him a pair of my shorts.
But none of that was the best part of my day, however. I constantly awaited the end of the school day, when me and Mika would sit on the steps of the school together and wait for his bus. We'd talk and talk until it got there, and everyday he gave me a hug. It was warm when he hugged me, no matter what the temperature outside was. I'd felt the urge to キッス his cheek before during the hugs, but I never did. I'd watch his bus longingly as it drove away.
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When I had arrived ホーム one Friday, I sat down to do my homework. It was a Friday, which meant no school for two days. I climbed into ベッド at nine o'clock, awaiting a text that never came. The 次 morning, it had been awhile before my phone went off. The caller ID 発言しました it was from Mika. I answered the phone curiously.
"Hello?"
"Gracen?"
"Mika?" I recognized his voice instantly.
"Yeah. It's me. Sorry.. I didn't feel like texting."
"That's alright. What's up?" I started playing with my hair, but then I stopped, thinking it was kinda girly.
"Nothing.. I was wondering if あなた might want to.. hang out.. または something." He exhaled deeply, like it took him awhile to work up the courage to ask. He used a falsetto when he 発言しました "or something", probably trying to reference what I had 発言しました Friday. I was all grins.
"When and where?" I smiled into the phone.
"Hm.. How about the lake? I've always liked places like that.. does that sound good?"
"Sure! I'll meet あなた there soon, okay?"
"Okay. Uh.. See you, Gracen."
"Bye, Mika." I hung up and exhaled deeply. I really hoped he had just asked me on a date, and not just to hang out.
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I pulled up at Coolwater Lake in my beat Explorer. I could see Mika in the distance, sitting on a bence, 読書 a book. He had his legs crossed in front of him, obviously into what he was reading. I started to walk towards him.
When I was just a few feet away, he looked up from his book. I took a シート, 座席 次 to him, but he held the gaze.
"Hey," he said, offering a smile.
"Hey there, Mika." I smiled back.
"Thanks.. for coming to hang out and all."
"Don't thank me. I wanted to." He blushed.
"So.. What do あなた want to do?"
"Anything that あなた want." I looked over at him. I couldn't read his facial expression at all. I wondered what he was thinking.
"Uh.. あなた pick." He smiled playfully, softly poking me in the ribs.
"Let's make out!" I 発言しました with fake enthusiasm. He gave a shocked look and his face turned ten shades of red. I laughed. "I was only kidding." He laughed with me.
"Do あなた want to go swimming? I brought an extra pair of swimming trunks."
"Oh? That sounds fun. あなた wouldn't mind? There are other people here." His face paled a little, but I could see that he wanted to. I used to come to the lake a lot when me and Cody were in Middle School. It wasn't far from town, so we could ride our bikes here whenever we wanted to. We would always come to play in the shallow creek a little ways into the woods and catch small 魚 with nets. There was a small pond area where the creek widened and got deeper, deep enough to swim in. "You know, there is another place where we could swim near by. I don't think there'll be anybody there, if you'd rather go there instead of here." His beautiful green eyes flashed from underneath his glasses and I already knew the answer.
"That sounds perfect," he said, beaming from ear to ear. I laughed and started to walk off into the woods near the edge of the lake where there was a beaten trail that would take us to where we wanted to go. After about five 分 of walking, the trail stopped a few feet away from a creek that was about ten feet long and about six inches deep. I took off my socks and shoes and set them a few feet away from the water, Mika following my example soon after. I placed one foot in the cold water and started walking opposite the current of the creek. I turned to look at Mika as he stepped in to the water..
次 thing I knew, Mika let out a small yelp as he slipped on the rocky bottom of the creek. I shot out my hand quickly and grabbed his, pulling him towards me. However, things didn't go as smoothly as I thought. Mika bumped in to me and then we were both falling in to the water, him on 上, ページのトップへ of me. We hit with a splash of cold water and immediately started laughing, Mika still laying on my chest. When he realized this, he shot up quickly and apologized.
"I'm sorry.. I should've watched my footing." His face dropped like I might be mad. I reached over and took his hand, causing that familiar shade of red to rush to his cheeks.
"Don't apologize, Mika. It's alright. Just keep your hand in mine and I'll save あなた if あなた start to slip." I smiled protectively towards him and he nodded, keeping his hand in mine. We continued on up the creek, me taking the lead, until we found the pond I had told him about. It was about thirty feet long and wide and felt great in the summer heat. I looked over at Mika and smiled.
"The water feels great. Where are we going to change at?" I gave an inquisitive look. From the looks of it, he hadn't thought about it.
"I don't know.. behind a tree?" I laughed.
"You don't need to be worried. It's just me out here. Let's just change back to back."
"Oh.. okay. That sounds better. No peeking." He gave me a serious look.
"No peeking," I agreed. Mika then started rummaging through the backpack he had brought along. Moments later, he looked up with an embarrassed face.
"I.. I forgot the swimming trunks." He looked down. I thought about it for a moment. Would it be awkward for us to swim in our underwear? I used to when I was a kid, but things could be awkward since me and Mika are both teenagers.
"We could swim in our underwear. I don't mind if あなた don't." I flashed my trademark smile.
"What?" He looked astonished. I gave him a serious look and he thought about it. "Hm.. okay. But turn around and wait until I'm in the water." I turned around as Mika 発言しました and closed my eyes for good measure. I could hear the whooshing sound as his clothes were pulled of his body and tossed on the ground and then the splash of water as he jumped in. I then peeled my clothing off as well, exposing my gray and black striped briefs, and hoped in as well. The water felt great! I swam up for air.
The first thing I noticed when I surfaced was Mika. He had taken off his glasses and his wet bangs were pulled back out of his face. His eyes are gorgeous, I thought to myself. He blushed when he noticed me staring at him and sent a splash of water my way. I splashed back, but he took off swimming away towards the edge of the pond, sitting on the rocks, but still submerged from his chest down in water. I sat down 次 to him.
"You know, I used to sit here all the time like this, on the edge of the water.. trying to catch little minnows in my hands." I smiled as I recalled the memories.
"Really? あなた can do that?"
"It's really easy. Watch," I said, placing my hand a few inches above the water. When a minnow was about to swim under it, I slipped my hand in and clenched my fingers. I smiled and displayed to him the minnow I caught. I watched him try and fail a couple of times, giving him pointers. Finally, he managed to catch one, and he couldn't stop smiling as it wiggled in his fingers. He let it go shortly after.
I grabbed Mika's hands in mine and told him to form a cup like shape with his fingers, keeping them mostly submerged in the water. I snatched up two 魚 a put them in his hands, watching them as they swam around in the little 宇宙 they had. He smiled and laughed before setting them free. I looked at Mina's face again and became overwhelmed with a sudden urge. I grabbed one of his hands and looked him in the eye.
"Do あなた want to see one もっと見る trick?" I winked and watched his face flare up.
"Sure," was his reply. Still holding his hand in mine, I waded out further into the water, pulling him with me. I swam when it got deeper and stopped in the area where the water was deepest. Mika looked at me expectantly.
"Okay, wait until I say so, then take a deep breath." I waited for him to nod. "Okay, now!" We both took breaths and swam underwater, still hand in hand. When I felt the bottom with me feet, I opened my eyes. I could see the fuzzy outline of Mika in front of me, and reached my hand to his cheek. He jumped a little, but let me caress his face. When I was running short on breath, I pulled him up and we resurfaced. His face was red and his eyes were surprised.
"What kind of trick was that?" He smiled faintly. I smiled.
"Oh, that wasn't the trick." I giggled slightly and he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh..?"
Then, I did what I felt like doing since the moment I laid eyes on him. I brought my lips down to his gently, placing a soft キッス on his lips. I pulled him closer to me, still pushing with my feet to stay afloat, and kissed him much deeper than before. I smiled when he was キス me back, not severing our lips' connection. I looked deep into his eyes. I kissed him once more, softly, before swimming to the edge of the water again, pulling him beside me.
As soon as I was seated on the rocky bottom, I resumed キス him. We got much もっと見る aggressive with the action as I could feel the hormones kicking in, gathering in my lower regions. I pulled Mika on 上, ページのトップへ of my lap and crushed my lips down on his, running my tongue along his lips, seeking entrance. He parted his lips and my tongue darted inside, exploring the insides of his mouth. His did the same. After a couple minutes, I broke the connection, fearing that things would go too far, as I could feel Mika's erected member inside of his underwear.
I pulled him up closer to my face, our lips inches apart. I could hear his gasps, though he tried to muffle them. I smiled at him, staring deep into his eyes.
"I've been wanting to do that for awhile," I admitted, playing with his upper lip. I wrapped my arms around his back and he shuddered.
"Me.. too," he 発言しました between gasps. I sat up, still holding him on me, and walked over to where our clothes were piled. I sat him down gently and kissed his cheek before I started to dry off with a towel (provided によって Mika) and slip on my clothes. This time, Mika didn't mind me watching him. His body was slim and slender. I had to look away before I got aroused. I dried my hair with the towel and shook it free of water, handing the now dampened cloth to him. He smiled when our fingers touched and packed the towel in his backpack. His fingers traced up to his neckline and his eyes widened in shock.
"My necklace! I forgot to take it off. It must've fell off while we.. while we were.." he stammered as he blushed, thinking of our many kisses. I immediately started to peel away my clothes once again so I could look for it underwater, but Mika stopped me. I gave him a puzzled look. "No. Don't. I don't want it anymore." He smiled, 表示中 me that he meant it. I walked over and kissed Mika again. He made my ハート, 心 flutter even more. I took his hand in mine and led him back down the creek, stopping to put on our shoes where we left them. I walked him all the way back to his car. He stopped at the door.
He gave me a serious look. "So..." He trailed off.
"So?" I asked curiously.
"Are we like.. an item.. now?" His shyly smiled and looked down. I slowly pulled his head up によって his chin before I planted a キッス on his sweet and wet lips. He smiled and broke the contact. "I'll take that as a yes," and he threw himself into my arms, hugging me tightly. I returned his hug, and gave him one final キッス before returning to my car. When I sat in the seat, I thought back to what had happened, and found myself giggling uncontrollably.
I had a boyfriend. Mika Baine was my boyfriend.
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-Mika's POV-
That night after me and Gracen's.. date.. I woke up in the middle of the night. I though I had heard a noise outside.. Just then, the sound of a car roaring to life filled me ears. I ran to the front door of my house, and I followed the sight of a car speeding away. I wondered what they were doing making so much noise. Then I looked at our mailbox, which had the little red extension up, 表示中 that we had mail. I walked slowly over to the mailbox, placing my hand inside and pulling out a small white box wrapped in a ピンク ribbon. I looked at it curiously I opened it.
Inside was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. It was a silver necklace, in the shape of a heart, with two feathered エンジェル wings folded over it in an X like fashion. Attached to the chain was a note. I opened it and recognized his elegant penmanship. I read the letter to myself.
Mika,
I know あなた ロスト your necklace, so I decided this was a good chance for me to get あなた a replacement. I hope あなた like this ネックレス as well as I do.
Yours,
Gracen Chance Lyen
P.S. XOXOXOXOXO <3 (;
I smiled at the letter and immediately undid it from the necklace. I then clasped it behind me neck and looked down at it, a single tear rolling from my eye. I looked back at the letter and moved my fingers. There was more.
P.S.S. I 愛 you, Mika.
I smiled yet again, もっと見る tears threatening to spill. I 愛 you, too, Gracen, I thought to myself. Forever and ever.
------ <3 FIN~<3 ------
