Page 5 of Once Upon an Apocalypse

“Go Cathy! That’s wonderful to hear.”

“Yeah. I’m really proud of her.”

“And I know she is incredibly proud of you. Full-ride to Rutgers I hear.”

The heat on my cheeks tells me I’m blushing enough for it to be visible, so I drop my gaze to the floor. I’ve never been great at receiving compliments. “Thanks. Yeah. It’s very exciting.” To change the subject, I ask, “What are you watching?”

“Oh. A news report about a research lab in Pennsylvania that exploded earlier today. There were people running out of the building engulfed in flames. I haven’t seen anything like it since 9/11. Those poor souls.”

“That’s terrifying.” I don’t know what else to say as I imagine the scene Mr. Rosenberg described. Utterly terrifying. Fire doesn’t usually scare me. My father was a firefighter. But the idea of people still being alive as they escape an inferno like that, terrifying.

“Oh, hey, Lori,” Jonah says from behind me at the basement door. “What are you up to?”

“I was looking for you, actually. Sarah is on the phone with Dylan.”

“I came up for a snack, but would you like to hang out downstairs?” He gives me a look that says we can do more than hang out if I want. And I cannot resist.

“Yeah, sure.”

Jonah grabs a bag of sour cream and onion chips from the pantry and reaches out for my hand, dragging me downstairs. “I was playing online with some friends, but I can log off if you want to talk or do something else?”

“I’ve got my creative writing journal, but I’m not feeling very creative.” I place my journal on the coffee table and flop down on the futon. Jonah joins me, sitting so close that our thighs touch.

“Well, I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” he says, twisting his fingers nervously, which is so unlike him. He’s always so sure of himself.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I’ve chosen to stay here for college. Knowing you feel the same way about me, I no longer want to be on the other side of the country. I want to be with you. I want to see where this leads.” He moves his hands between us as he says this. “So I’m going to Rutgers.”

“You got into Rutgers? How? The application deadline pas–”

“I applied to every college you applied to. Part of me hoped you would dump that sack of shit and fall into my arms. When you did break up with Jake, I was still too much of a pussy to tell you how I feel. I love you, Laurel Hill.”

“Oh,” I breathe out as my body turns to rubber and my heart thumps so loudly I’m sure Jonah can hear it. Before I can say anything else, Jonah’s lips are on mine, parting the seam to taste me, and I let him in. I let him explore, our tongues in a frenzy at finally being able to touch.

When we part to gasp for air, I say, “You’re a really good kisser.”

Jonah’s breath tickles my cheek as he chuckles. “Do you want to see what else I’m good at?”

“Hmmmm, yes.”

His lips return to mine, but this time for a soft peck. “I also wanted to ask if you’d like to come to prom with me.”

“What? I mean, yes. I mean, are you sure? Really?” I’m so flustered I immediately think that I didn’t hear him properly. That part of my daydream from earlier infiltrated my mind.

“Really. I can’t think of anyone else I want to go to prom with. Even if we go as friends. I want to share that memory with you.”

“And what if I want to go as more than friends?” I ask, my heart beating so fast I’m afraid I’ll pass out.

Jonah leans back in, lacing his fingers with the hair at the nape of my neck, and kisses me. This one is slow but full of a raw hunger I’ve never tasted before. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull myself on top of him. We are so absorbed in each other that we don’t hear the door to the basement open, nor do we hear footsteps walking down the stairs. It’s only when Sarah’s voice echoes off the walls do we let go of each other.

We are off the couch and miles apart within the next breath. Only the heaving of our breaths can be heard until someone breaks the silence.

“This is…this is…” Sarah takes a deep breath to compose herself. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this to happen! I mean, ew, but yay!”

She runs over to me with arms wide open, squeezing me tightly. Then waltzes over to Jonah, punching his arm while yelling, “You perv!”

“Ow! You just said you were happy for me and Lori. Why the fuck are you beating me up?”

---