Page 22 of Something New

I put down the book and wrote a note for John-Michael. I wasn't sure how much of a hurry he would be in once he was finished, and I didn't want to forget to talk to him about a few things. I had gotten some amazing photos of Ethan. I would have to get them home and see them on a larger screen to know just how pleased I was, but I thought I had some great shots.

I mentioned them in the note. I finished it, and I tore the piece of paper out of my small notebook. It didn't make a lot of noise, but Ethan stirred. He sat up, and I reassured him that he should go back to sleep. I reached onto the bedside table and turned off the lamp. I left the note there.

I would lie beside him for a few minutes to let him fall back asleep, and then once he was out, I could clean up the room. I noticed a round gadget on the table as I stretched out next to him. It was a white noise machine, and I smiled, knowing this would do the trick. I reached over and turned it on. My movement made him stir, but it was worth it because it made a soothing, warm sound that lulled him right back to sleep.

The sound itself was like a heavy blanket. It was so relaxing that I stretched out and closed my eyes next to him. I would stay like that for a few minutes and then once he was sleeping soundly, I would get up and clean up our mess. John-Michael would certainly rather come up here and find a clean room rather than a…

and then the darkness began to envelop me.

I got too comfortable lying next to the boy. The room was dark and cool and the white noise machine was like the hum of a thousand angels. I was so comfortable that sleep found me unusually fast.

The next thing I knew, I was with someone else.

It was John-Michael. I wasn't just standing next to him, either. We were together. My heart was with him. I felt like we were pulled to each other. I knew he was Ethan's dad, but right then, I didn't see him that way. He was looking at me like he wanted to kiss me. He was about to do it. I stared directly at him, and we both knew what was going to happen.

Light and color swirled around us. It would be our first kiss. I knew him deeply, but this would be the first time I kissed him. I smiled shyly at him, and he nudged his chin at me, drawing me closer. In a moment of bravery, I reached out for him.

I had the feeling we had kissed a thousand times. I reached for him, and somehow, I was relieved when he was there. His form was solid, and he felt different than I expected him to feel. This kiss was real. He was real. It was utter bliss. My body floated, but I was held steady, anchored by his mouth, his kiss. His touch was amazing, and I needed more. I opened my mouth to him, kissing him deeply, tasting him, feeling him. My life was in technicolor. This moment was alive and real and it occupied all of my senses. John-Michael Kennedy was the best kisser in the world, and

I… I… I…

I snapped to reality when I felt his mouth tear away from mine.

I felt him pull back, out of my hands but I could still see him there, kissing me. He was kissing me visually, but in my hands, he was gone. It was like a dream.

A dream.

My eyes.

I gasped and my eyes popped open.

I blinked.

He was there.

Really there.

John-Michael.

He was near the side of the bed right next to me, and I sat up with a gasp.

"I'm sorry. What happened? I was dreaming?"

I shifted and stared behind me, looking at Ethan who was sleeping next to me.

I blinked.

The room.

"I clean—I didn't clean—I meant to clean. I am going to. I think I just dozed off for a second." I was whispering a mile a minute because I was freaking out a little. The kiss had seemed real, and he was looking at me with a stunned expression like it might have actually happened.

I turned and got to the edge of the bed. It had been so realistic that I could still feel the after-effects on my lips.

I had kissed him. It had been real. I knew it. I touched my mouth with my fingers, but instantly stopped since I didn't want to be obvious.

It had to have been a dream.

"I wrote you a note," I said, speaking quietly.

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