Page 21 of Charger

EIGHT

Jules

It doesn’t feel the same kissing Tommy like it felt when I kissed Zach. I wait for the sparks, for the butterflies when he touches me, moving his tongue inside my mouth. But there isn’t anything. No spark, no fire, no desire deep inside. Nothing but a sloppy, wet kiss. There’s nothing sexy about that.

I pull away from him, biting my swollen lip.

“Did you want something to drink?” I ask him, getting up from the couch. I start walking to the kitchen. He looks a little annoyed at me for abruptly ending our make out session.

“Um, I’ll take a water I guess.”

I stop with my hand on the fridge door handle. I touch my lips at the memory of Zach’s kiss. It felt so different. It felt… amazing. Sure, making out with Tommy was nice. But I don’t want it to feel nice.

I’m back in the living room and Tommy is texting on his phone. I plop down next to him again and grab for the remote. “Want to watch that movie now?” I ask him as he slips his phone back into his pocket. He reaches for my hand and pulls me forward to him.

“I would rather be doing this instead.” He tries lip-locking again, but I dodge it.

This would be the perfect opportunity. I should tell him that I’m not into him like that. Maybe I just need more space between Zach’s kiss and his. To give myself time to forget what his lips felt like. Or how his arms felt around me, his hands touching my skin. I take a swig of my water, attempting to cool myself off.

Tommy tries again and this time his mouth crashes hard on mine. I give in to him just a little, until his hand starts moving under my shirt. I push at his chest. “Uh, maybe we should slow down.”

He smiles then goes in for another kiss, this time cupping my breast.

Oh, hell no.

I push harder against him and I jump up from the couch. “What the hell are you doing? I said slow down, not speed up.” I violently tug at my shirt, trying to pull it down even though it’s already covering me. Suddenly I feel more exposed than normal.

“Are you fucking serious right now?” He gets up and stands there, like I’m the one who did something wrong. I don’t think so, buddy.

“Pretty sure I am serious, yes.”

“Right. I forgot… you’ll only fuck Zach, not anyone else.”

“I think you better leave, Tommy.” I stand there waiting for him to go.

“Fine, whatever.” He grabs his jacket off the back of the couch. He turns around right before walking out the door. “You’re a fuckin’ tease, Jules. But just so you know, it’s not like I really liked you anyway. I just wanted an easy fuck.”

I walk up to him. “You thought just because I kissed Zach during some stupid truth or dare game, that I was screwing him?” He shrugs. “You are a douchebag.”

“Whatever,” he mutters, then stomps down my front steps.

“Oh, and Tommy!” I shout. “You suck at kissing!” With that, I slam the door. I have a quick high of Wonder Woman power before I break down. Tears roll over my cheeks and I run, faceplanting onto the couch.

I hug the pillow under me and stare at the floor. So, it was true… he didn’t like me. I take out my cell and text the only person I want to talk to right now. The only person I was thinking about all night anyway.

Me: You were right.

I go to my music and scroll through my songs. Taylor Swift is my girl right now because her songs always know how to make me feel better.

Stuffing my phone into my pocket, I walk upstairs to change out of my jeans and into my sweatpants, before grabbing a hoodie. Just as I make it back downstairs, someone knocks. If it’s Tommy trying to redeem himself, I might just kick him in his balls.

I swing open the door in exhaustion and there’s Zach, standing on the top step looking like he’s ready to kill someone. He’s breathing heavily and his school hoodie has never looked smaller on his puffed-out chest.

“Zach, what are you…?” He comes stomping in and it forces me to take a step backwards. He doesn’t move, just looks around.

“Where the fuck’s he at?”

He was here because of my text? “He left like twenty minutes ago. It’s fine. I kicked him out. How did you know I was talking about Tommy?”

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