35) Two Kisses Too Many

Ps. Warning in advance: this chapter will either blow your mind or be completely off the rail
+++

Shock, confusion and embarrassment are the words that seem to best resonate with my life at the moment.

Sam stands in front of me covered in sticky blue noodles, with a blue puddle that is growing bigger underneath his feet. Technically it's his fault that he's in this mess. He needs to learn to announce himself before entering a room.
I only feel slightly bad that we threw this on him, only slightly.

"Let me help you clean up," I step forward towards Sam who takes an immediate step back.

"You've already done enough for today. How about you go get lunch before you get hangry and throw another bucket of sticky noodles at someone else," he runs a hand through his hair which is a bad decision on his behalf as the syrup is now combed through his hair.

"Sam I-"

"It's okay," he forces a smile before walking away.

A feeling of guilt settles in my stomach. Let's hope that blue food dye doesn't stain white t-shirts.

When Charlie taps me on the shoulder I'm slow to respond. I take the paper towel from his hand and kneel down to mop up the mess that I've made.

I really hope the teachers don't notice the large blue stain at the entrance of the classroom.

"Let's go Mace. I think he was right about the food, you look a little pale. Well paler than usual." Charlie loops his arm through mine and tugs me along towards our normal lunch spot.

Zoe comes around from the other side and bumps shoulders with me "So, how'd it go? I didn't hear anything from the other end of the walkie talkies so I'm really hoping you took a photo. What was her reaction like? Was it more of a squeal or screech?"

"Well, it worked. Kind of." She scrunches her eyebrows in confusion. "The bucket mixture was dispensed on a person. Just not Josie," I cringe, replaying it over in my head.

"Who was it then? It can't be that ba-"

"Sam," Zoe looks over to Charlie for confrontation, all he can do is give her a small grimace.

"That's awkward but he deserves it for kissing that-" she stops when my muscles tense. "Let's forget about what happened and focus on more important things. Like food."

She knows exactly what to say to lift my mood.

My happy mood is short lived as Josie decides to pay us a visit.

"Did you really think I was that dumb? Seriously prom committee? We don't even have a prom. Next time I'd appreciate if you put more effort into the planning of your little schemes. It's the thought that counts you know?"

I restrain myself from tackling her to the floor by squeezing Charlie's leg. It seems to be the best stress release I can find at this moment of frustration.

When I release my hand his quickly goes to the spot I was gripping and starts to rub it vigorously. That's probably going to leave a mark.

"Hello, Josie. I'm so very glad to see you in one piece," my voice is dripping with sarcasm "Obviously you haven't been putting much thought into your actions either as you sent Sam in your place knowing that something was going to happen. Isn't that a bit cruel, even for you?"

Her laugh fills the courtyard "Oh no. He volunteered to go. Sweet guy. Just jumped right out of the seat and stalked into the classroom where you were waiting. Sad he didn't know what was waiting for him on the other side of that door."

"You don't know who you're messing with."

"Actually I do and Mackenzie, honey, you're threats are almost as pathetic as your existence. Plus you have no backbone which means you won't do anything," her nagging is weak and repetitive, I've gotten used to the usual teasing and prodding from her. It's getting tiring.

"I'm not that hungry anymore." I slide off the seat and push my food toward Zoe.

"Mace-" Charlie stands up and reaches out to me.

Moving away from them I scurry quickly trying to avoid all the eyes that are following me.

"Typical, running as soon as someone hurts your little feelings," Josie calls out after me.

I quickly turn around and make my way back to stand face to face with her. "I don't run away from my problems no matter how obnoxious or frightening they are. You know why? Because I'm a fighter, I don't back down and I have too much self-respect and love to let somebody try to bring me down with pathetic words."

I don't see anybody's reaction as I power walk away. I don't even stop when I walk into the side of a metal bench which is going to leave a lovely bruise tomorrow.

All this talking to people is exhausting. I need some fresh air. Maybe a packet of skittles will help with the sudden tiredness that has swept over me.

I'm so distracted by dramatic exhaling that I don't realise I'm about to run into trouble.

Literally.

"Cupcake!" a hand catches me by the elbow and pulls me back "You look distressed. You okay?"

PJ ducks his head down so he's eye level "I um-" I squeeze my eyes shut tightly trying to collect my thoughts that have escaped me in the past five minute "It's complicated" seems like the best phrase, to sum up, everything that has been happening.

He lifts my chin so we're staring into each other's eyes "Did someone hurt you? Was it your boyfriend or that chick with the really annoying voice?"

"Life doesn't like me at the moment" I huff in exhaustion.

"Aren't you just a ray of sunshine today?" I don't appreciate his sarcasm. PJ looks down both side of the hallway and pulls me into what appears to be a supply closet.

Looking around in the dim space, I see all the chemical bottles and the spare school supplies,"I never knew this was here, since when did we have a secret closet? If I'd known about this place sooner I would have hidden here instead of going to math" trying to find his face was hard as there is no proper light in here, which is a hazard within itself.

"What are we doing in here because if you wanted to talk I would suggest a much better-lighted area where I can actually see your face?"

PJ responds by slowly leaning forward so his face is mere centimetres away from mine "I think you've been overthinking a lot of things lately and the best way to do that is to loosen up which I am very good at helping with," his voice is husky and his breath smells like teriyaki sauce. I could really go for some sushi right now. I wish I had taken the food with me.

It all happens so quickly after that he slides an arm around my waist, pulls me forward and
before I can protest his lips are pressed against mine.

I'm shocked by his action and how soft his lips are. My arms are glued to my side as my state of surprise has left me paralysed.

What is with people and unexpected kissing? Is it a new trend that I'm unaware of? Has nobody heard of chivalry? Is it normal for someone's lips to be this soft?

Snap out of it woman.

I push him away and wipe my mouth. Great, now I've got boy cooties.

"No. You just don't go up to a girl and kiss her! That's extremely rude I'll have you know. Do you go around kissing old grandmas to help them loosen up? I THINK NOT! Do you know creepy that was; being pulled into a dark closet and kissed. Normal people don't do things that. I would know because I'm a semi-normal person!" my attempt at slowing down my breathing is unsuccessful.

There is a long silence until PJ answers awkwardly, "I'm trying to help you practice kissing so when you kiss your boyfriend it will be mind-blowing."

That makes no sense "You are crazier than me and that's saying something." I linger in the silence not sure where to go from here because I have no clue when the door is. "So umm.. out of pure curiosity only, was I a terrible kisser? " while he's here I might as well ask.

He shrugs "You need a little more practice with the whole technique thing but you were fine if that was the first time. All you need to remember is no eye contact and use him as support because people don't appreciate it when you fall over in the middle of a kiss."

Reality comes rushing back making snap out of the trance I'm in. Stepping back only leads me to run into the door.

Everything starts to spin; this is what happens if you're in a closet with chemicals for too long "This is so weird, I'm surprised I haven't punched you in the face yet. I usually don't let people near me."

"Progress," I can still barely see his silhouette but I can tell he is smiling.

"Now if you'll excuse me there is a vending machine that needs raiding," I turn around and jiggle the handle. The door isn't moving. I don't want to be stuck in a closet with PJ it's already awkward between us without what just happened.

I now have something else I can put on the list of things I can't do.

Open a Door.

"Seriously why won't you budge," I yell at the door who doesn't seem to care about the threats I throw at it. Like how I'll chop it up with an axe or how I'm going to kick it so hard it will split in two.

"Mac-" I put my hand up in front of his face silencing him.

"No, I can do this," pulling the door repeatedly still doesn't make it budge.

"It's a push door"

Now seems like the perfect time to hit my head against the wall repeatedly

"I knew that" I mumble quickly pushing the door open and quickly shutting it behind me.

A cry comes from the other side of the door; I ignore the swearing and make a run for it.

Luck is not on my side today as I barely get around the corner before someone grabs my arm and pulls me into a classroom. At least it is a well-lit area and I can see my kidnapper.

"Charlie?" I'm pulled into a tight embrace that almost suffocates me. It's better than a kiss though.

"Thank goodness I found you, we had no idea where you went. You need to stop disappearing on us." his expression goes quickly from relief to serious. "I'm glad I've got you alone. I needed to talk to you. Like serious talk."

I don't like it when people use the word alone. It makes everything else they say sound possessive. Attempting to lift the mood I smile brightly "But we did have a serious talk. You gave me the down low on what was happening I gave it the A-Okay. We're cool right?"

"I need to get something off my chest," I silently cry on the inside "I lied."

There goes my lunch break.

He starts to talk, completely ignoring my pained expression. "We've been friends for a while, right? After such a long time together I've noticed you can start to develop feelings. These feelings start to grow more and more the longer you're around the person. I really hope you know where this is going."

"Oh trust me I do," I want to run back and hide in the supply closet again.

He sighs in relief "Good because it makes everything so much easier."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I was embarrassed about how you'd react to the news."

"There's nothing for you to feel weird about, liking someone is totally natural."

"So do you feel the same way?"

"Well Zoe is a great friend and I love her so I guess so."

"Mace. I mean you. I LOVE YOU!" He shakes me.

There is a very nice silence that follows.

I need to fix this "I love you too bro" I playfully punch him on the arm.
I know what you're thinking. That wasn't what he meant. That was a terrible way to friend zone him. I'm a horrible person.

"Mackenzie you don't get it. I don't regret kissing you at all. I'm glad it happened, it made me realise my true feelings for you. You've always been there for me and I don't know why I didn't see it before. You were right there in front of me all along."

He reaches out and takes my head in his hands carefully "Can you forgive me?"

"For wh-" For the second time today a pair of lips attaches themselves to mine.

What is it with people and wanting to kiss me today? It must be the old bubble-gum lip smacker that I found at the bottom of my bag!

He tilts his head to deepen the kiss. Is that what people do when they kiss? I try to push back but he takes that as a sign to bring my face closer. What's the kissing signal for 'let me go'? Making a bold and idiot move he bites down on my lip a little too hard which makes me yelp and shove him back resulting in him tumbling backwards over the table.

"You bit me! Why in the world would you do that?" I yell covering my mouth. I should just wear one of them dentist mask from now on to prevent people from kissing me.

Charlie, who is lying in a pile of chairs, sits up straight while scratching the back of his neck. His face is the colour of a tomato. Mine probably is too "Well, usually when you kiss someone and you bite their lip they like it."

"I've never heard something so absurd in my life! Biting someone's lip is not appealing. It hurts. A lot." A metallic taste lingers in my mouth. I taste blood. I run my tongue over my lip to find a small indentation. "My lip is bleeding."

Charlie struggles to stand up and make his way over to me.
Just as he gets to his feet the bell rings for the end of lunch.

I have never been too relieved to hear that bell in my life.

"Gotta go. Need to make sure I get the comfortable chair in the library," I smile and wave to my best friend who is lost for words. "Talk to you later"

And for the second time in a month , I run. (I really should stop as I don't want this running thing to become a habit.)

I didn't really run that far, it was just to the library but I think it should count as my exercise for the week.

Releasing a deep breath, I take in the wonderful silence and serenity.

"Macey!" ANOTHER males voice calls through the library.

If I ignore the voice it will go away, I tell myself.

"Mackenzie StClair where are you?" the voice is louder and clearer than ever. God, is that you?

Looking over my shoulder I see another person that I'd rather not interact with walking in my direction.

NO! JUST NO! First PJ then Charlie. This is not happening! I am not kissing Sam. Two kisses are already too many. I am sealing my lips both physically and metaphorically.

"What?" Sam stops and looks at me in his usual confused state.

I have that effect on people.

Note to self: When talking to yourself, talk in your head not out loud.

"I'm not doing this now Sam. I'm not in the mood" I make my way through the shelves, attempting to find a place to hide from life.

"I just came to check on you. Zoe messaged me saying that you stormed off because of something Josie said."

I scoff "And you would care about me why? We're not friends; we're not even fr's."

He leans against the shelf, "I'm hurt that you question our strong relationship."

"You chose her over us, that's proof enough that I mean nothing to you. But that doesn't matter because you don't mean anything to me either."

"I never chose her over you. Nor will I ever."

I roll my eyes "Your lips say otherwise."

"Did you ever think that maybe I was trying to help you?" He asks with sincerity.

He's got to be kidding "Oh yes. You must have put yourself through torture kissing her."

"I was distracting her so she would leave you alone," his defence is weak.

"Pft yeah sure" I cross my arms in disbelief. Who does he think he's fooling?

He takes a cautious step closer "Trust me when I say there are other people I'd much rather spend my time with," his gaze wonders slowly around my face like he's taking my features in for the first time. His eyes stop at the lower half of my face. I really hope he's staring at my chin or maybe a pimple that has just randomly come out of nowhere.

He bites his lip.

"NO. Don't you dare even think about it" I raise my voice and it echoes through the library.

Within two seconds the librarian is standing in front of us.
"Shhhhhh. No talking" she gives a stern look and we give her a stiff nod back.

Sam goes to talk but I cut him off in a whispered shout. "No kissing! Not when the devil has touched your lips."

A smirk crosses his face as a single eyebrow is lifted "So you would kiss me if they haven't touch hers?"

Smug idiot "You're twisting my words again."

He takes another step closer so we're toe to toe. "Admit it you love it" his smile is infectious and I can't help but smile back.

I hate that he does this to me.

"Sam," I sigh "we can't."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he says softly. He takes my hands and intertwines his fingers with mine.

"I'm scared and confused and have no idea what this thing between us is. It terrifies me. I think we need to stop it before it can start." He looks at me in question. "To make it easier on the both of us I'll close my eyes and count to ten. And when I open my eyes you'll be gone," the forced smile hurts more than I thought it would.

Sam just shakes his head.

Closing my eyes I take a long deep breath "Ten."

As soon as I mutter the word I feel myself being pushed backwards against the bookshelf and hands being pinned beside me. My breath hitches. I don't dare to open my eyes. Fearing what exactly I know is going to be staring back at me

"Nine."

His hands slide up my arms slowly. A tail of fire follows his touch up to the crook of my neck to my cheeks.

"Eight."

His thumb gently strokes across my cheek which instantly heats up.

"Seven. Six."

The lightest feather of a kiss is left on my left cheek.

"Five."

The kiss on the right cheek lingers for a little longer.

"Four" by now my breath has picked up as well as my heart rate which can't be good.

He presses his lips firmly on my forehead. They linger there for what feels like an eternity but is barely a couple of seconds. My knees start to go weak.

"Three."

The warmth from my face is only slightly taken away when he detaches his lips from my forehead and his hand is taken away. Something in my heart sinks. I'm now longing for the odd sensation of his hand in mine.

"Two" Sam's voice hoarsely whispers, I feel his hot breath tingling on my lips. I hold my breath.

My legs feel like they're about to give way. And my heart is racing a hundred miles an hour but all I can think is 'Do I really want to say the final word?'

It's the best for both of us; I tell myself.
I convince myself.
I repeat a dozen times over to myself.
It's just a word I tell myself.

"One" I barely say, hesitantly I open my eyes and he is nowhere to be seen.

Good.

Yes this is great.

Just Perfect.

This is exactly what I wanted

I think.

Everything that just happened comes rushing back over me like a tsunami.

I freeze.

My lips tingle.

I sink to the floor.

Why does it feel like I did the wrong thing? I don't like this feeling. The feeling of doubt and guilt.

My breathing starts to get shallow and my stomach begins to swell. I can feel the hot tears running down my face.

You're more than a decision.
You're worth more than you will ever realise.
Nobody is worth your tears.
Tomorrow will be here soon.
Tomorrow will be better .
You will be fine.
You are fine.

I repeat this over to myself until I can feel my breathing slow down.

Tomorrow will be better.
Tomorrow is always better.

Cupcake Theory #35
Don't wear lipsmacker unless you want to be kissed and lose your sanity.

:):):)

I need your honest opinion about this chapter. Did it sound okay/ work?

So attempted to upload the book while hiding in the storage section of Kmart but it didn't like me enough and kept coming up with error ( whatever that means)
3 things that happened this week
-I wrapped Christmas gifts
I stared the laptop broke down again (yipee)
-I fell off a chair
- I stressed way to much over this chapter

Can we also talk about how this book got over 800 views in a week??!!!

I don't deserve you guys.

I love you guys!! You deserve all the food in the world.

Lots of kisses
Theforgottonone xxx