Cool for the Summer

‘Bella?’ He said, pulling apart almost immediately. My pride took a blow, but his confused expression was my main focus.
‘I’m sorry.’ I bit my lip and looked up at him. ‘You just… What?’ I changed my words at the last second as his expression changed.
‘Where’s Alex?’
‘In Zack’s room?’ I raised an eyebrow.
‘Okay, good.’ He moved closer and before I could even comprehend what was going on, he was kissing me again.
His lips were still soft. They tasted sweeter, like toffee popcorn and my entire body felt like it could’ve melted as he moved his lips with mine.
I snaked my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He moved his arms to my waist, his fingers brushing the soft curve of my back. I stood on my tiptoes, as he bent his face down so we could kiss at the same level. I couldn’t help but smile into it.
We broke apart after a few minutes, our mouths hovering away from each others. I dared a look up to see his expression, only to see a warm smile at me.
‘What… Was that?’ I asked, readjusting myself so I was peering up at him again.
‘A kiss?’ He shrugged. ‘A good one.’
‘What happened to not wanting to kiss me anymore?’
‘I can’t help it, Bella.’ He scratched his head, one hand still lingering on my back. My arms were folded across my chest. ‘You… You were right about Taylor, and seeing you again… It makes me want to kiss you all over. I can’t help it.’
‘Seeing you makes me want to kiss you too.’ I admitted. slowly ‘I don’t see why that’s so wrong.’
‘Me neither…’ He replied, slowly. I could see his brain working, cogs whirring in motion. ‘That doesn’t mean… We can tell the guys about this…’
I knew he was thinking about Alex. Alex, my overprotective older brother that would beat the crap out of him if he found out.
‘We’ll keep it a secret.’ I offered. ‘We’ll… Help each other forget. Move on. But it’ll be a secret.’
‘Are you sure, Bella?’ He asked, his face searching mine.
‘Yes.’ I promised firmly. ‘I’m sure about this.’

It was a secret somewhat fun to keep. I couldn’t help but steal glances at Jack, my eyes meeting his and my lips twisting into a smile. I couldn’t help but recall the kiss and let a light blush spread across my cheeks, allow my fingers to drift to my lips, desperate to remember the soft touch that had only just been there. We walked around with Alex and Zack in Miami, listening to them crack jokes about cocaine (it was rubbing off on me), our eyes meeting and our smiles sharing a secret we were forced to keep.
‘What time is the show today?’ I asked, in between licks of a strawberry gelato cone Alex had bought me. My head was throbbing, and Alex declared that my childhood and current favourite dessert was the only thing that could help the hangover he had caused.
‘Like… 7pm?’ He shrugged. ‘We have 5 hours, Bells. Calm down.’
‘Sorry.’ I scowled at him. He scowled back, then dared a lick of my ice cream.
‘Go away!’ I gasped, pushing him away with as much strength as one hand could muster. ‘You have your own cone!’
‘Mint isn’t as good as strawberry.’ He pouted.
‘Your problem, not mine.’ I put a hand on my hip and licked the scoop the whole way round. I noticed Jack’s stare on me and immediately blushed.
We weren’t going to have a sexual relationship – I knew that much. There’s only so far you can go with a 17 year old girl before you guilt ticks in and slaps you round the face. But kissing… Was harmless. And it was true – I hadn’t thought of Henry since.
This was going to be an interesting turn of events, I was sure of it.