Page 80 of As You Walk On

Our fingers intertwine. I trace the smoothness of his knuckles.

Pop! Pop!is the soundtrack around us. Red lights streak over our faces. He leans forward first. I tilt my head. Hesitation fades like the dying glow of a firework before another explodes.

I taste the smoke in the air before the flavor of his kiss: sour-sugar and lemony vodka andwow.

No other word.

It’s far from urgent and desperate like making out behind the bleachers with Ghost Boy. More like clumsy on my end and patient on his. He knows what he’s doing. His lips are velvety, his tongue teasing.

It’s everything I wish all those previous kisses had been:

Unforgettably perfect.

He leans away first. I spend two seconds kissing the air, eyes closed, undoubtedly looking like a horny teen virgin. If the Jordans fit, right?

Our fingers unknot as we shift back on our heels. Words fly out of my mouth before my brain has an opportunity to filter them.

“What was that for?”

For a moment, he doesn’t react. I think he’s processing. Then the softest grin pushes his cheeks up. “Never have I ever kissed a boy just because,” he replies.

“Just because?”

He nods, no explanations offered. Only a flicker in his eyes. Blush rising in his cheeks.

I consider leaning in for another kiss.

Should I give him a reason?

But a voice shrieking over the explosions in the sky makes me jolt backward.

“Wait! Don’t leave me!”

I blink twice. It’s Makayla, sprinting toward us like she’s poised to replace Darren on the track team. Alcohol clearly has no effect on her coordination. From our other side, I can hear Aleah and River jogging up.

“You’re back?” River says excitedly, sidling up to Luca’s side.

“Yeah,” Makayla replies breathlessly. “This party’s dead anyway.”

Aleah narrows her eyes, hands on her hips. I share her doubt of Makayla’s sudden change of heart. Just not as aggressively.

“Are we still going to get real food?” Makayla asks as ifshehadn’t abandoned us fifteen minutes ago. “I’m starved.”

Aleah juts her chin like she’s still waiting on a very loud, very public apology.

Luca combs fingers through his hair with an unsteady hand. I wonder if he’s thinking about the kiss.

I wonder if anyone saw.

River holds up their phone. “There’s six different restaurants open late. Most of them are bars, so I doubt we get in.” They tap on one location. “Ooh, a Waffle House not too far away!”

Aleah’s next words come out shyly, something I’ve rarely heard from her. “Perfect. Uh, if that’s okay with everyone? I don’t have a lot of money.”

No one speaks. We don’t give her pitying eyes either. I get it. Dad always makes sure I have enough money forreasonablethings. But I know the cost. The days he’ll have a sandwich or microwavable Japanese noodles for dinner to stay in budget.

“I’m down,” Makayla chimes in.

Behind their glasses, River’s eyes brighten like a new cascade of fireworks.

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