Page 30 of The Kissing Booth
‘Sure. Uh, salted popcorn okay?’
‘Yeah, that’s great.’ He shot me a smile, but as I turned away I wondered if it had been a little strained. Huh. Probably just me imagining things. As I ordered the popcorn, I wondered if I should’ve gone for something less... well, something that didn’t get stuck in your teeth. If we did end up kissing at all, then... I sighed. I was just way too inexperienced when it came to date etiquette.
I thanked the vendor and made my way back to where Cody was waiting, a scowl on his face.
‘What was Flynn doing out there?’ he asked me. Oh, sothat’swhat the frown was for!
‘Just... being Flynn,’ I muttered, shaking my head. ‘Forget about it.’
‘I didn’t know you guys were close.’
‘We’re not. Lee couldn’t give me a ride, so Noah – so Flynn did.’
‘Oh. Right.’
We walked into the screen, the adverts already playing. I let Cody lead and pick the seats. He went for some more toward the middle. Not at the back, where the couples would all be making out. I didn’t know whether or not that was a good thing.
‘Do you want to get something to eat after?’ I whispered, plucking up the courage.
‘I ate earlier, sorry... I didn’t know... but, I mean, if you’re—’
‘Oh, no, that’s fine,’ I said quickly.
‘Shh!’ somebody hissed behind us.
I rolled my eyes and ducked back down in my seat. The movie came on, and I didn’t know what to do. I wondered if Cody would be cheesy and do The Yawn, and put his arm around me. Or if he’d claim the armrest and I’d hold his hand. Or if he’d try and kiss me.
So far, I didn’t know whether or not this date had been successful. He’d been late, though he’d been polite enough. He hadn’t tried to make a move, but maybe I was blowing things out of proportion. Maybe it was just in books and movies that guys made a move or kissed you on the first date? Maybe he was just as nervous as I was. Probably – he had every right to be nervous about Flynn’s threats to any boy who looked at me, let alone dated me.
It was just ridiculous. I hated Noah sometimes.
The movie ended and we walked out. Cody started conversation – first about that movie, then about what kind of movies I liked. He liked sci-fi films and thrillers. I was more of an action or romance person myself. We didn’t like many of the same movies.
We didn’t have similar tastes in music either, really.
But he was nice, and easy enough to talk to.
We just... didn’t really seem to have much in common.
We talked the whole ride home, and he stopped outside my house. I unbuckled my seatbelt but didn’t move. I tried to play it cool, and do it like the movies did. (I always found them to be an excellent source of education. I was so lucky I’d watchedJohn Tucker Must Dieon the weekend.)
‘Well, thanks, Cody,’ I said, smiling. ‘I had a nice time.’
‘Yeah. We should do this again sometime. You still got my number?’
‘Well, I haven’t lost it since this evening.’ I laughed nervously, and he smiled back. I saw him look at my lips and my pulse picked up. Oh gosh. Oh God. He was going to kiss me now, wasn’t he? Oh gosh.
He leaned in – yep, definitely going to kiss me.
My first kiss. I’d have my first kiss with Cody Kennedy. He was nice, kind of cute and easy to get along with... But honestly, I didn’t feel anything for him. But what if I ended up getting stuck on his tongue piercing or something, if he gave me a French kiss? I was so not ready for this. Totally unprepared. But it was happening. He was leaning ever closer...My first kiss!
I chickened out.
I turned my head and kissed his cheek instead.
And then I got out of the car before I could feel too embarrassed by what I’d done. I smiled and waved, then headed to my front door as fast as I could while trying to look casual. I got inside, shut the door, and leaned against it. I let out a gigantic breath and sank to the floor, putting my head in my hands.
‘I’m such anidiot.’
