Page 43 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

“So let’s get on with it.” She insisted.

Her drunken giggles were gone. That was what worried me the most. I couldn’t come up with one single reason I wasn’t allowed to kiss Maddie. It was a silly challenge; I told myself. My hands closed in a fist. I was lost, mouth dry, without excuses.

I marched towards Maddie feeling like my skin was too tight. Aisha moved along with our friends, giving us space as I took the step in front of her.

“It’s a silly challenge,” I said out loud.

Maddie shrugged. “We have been friends for sixteen years, Z. We had to kiss eventually, right?”

What?No. That never came up. What would ever be a reason, except Jason’s sudden thirst for a win?

“It’s better that at least now we know how to kiss. It’s not like ten years ago and we had to practice with each other.”

“You never asked me to practice.” I frowned.

“No.” She smirked. “I knew you were better than me already when it occurred to me.”

“I’d have taught you.” Slipped through my lips. I was always the one teaching her to play games that did not interest her. It was only fair to teach her everything else. If she had asked, I’d have kissed her.

“It will be ok.” She nodded and stepped forward.

Maddie was small, our height difference was even more stressed when she stood so close. She craned her head up. I licked my lips. Maddie smiled as I tried to count the little freckles on the bridge of her nose. They weren’t natural to her. Maddie got a freckly nose after a terrible sunburn when we were ten and could never get rid of them. Everything about her held history, one I knew by heart.

“You sure?” I swallowed, pretending I had to pacify her.

“I am a good kisser, you know?” She joked. Turning to the rest of our group, Maddie hollered, “Is the camera ready?”

They must have nodded. I did not hear a reply, but when Maddie turned back to me, she seemed ready. I stepped even closer, our chests brushing.

Maddie smelled like the oranges that grew outside our windows.How the hell did she do it?

Her hands found my chest, placing her fingertips on top of my racing heart. I place my hand on top of hers. Maybe if I kept touching her, I’d turn off my brain.

She raised on the tip of her toes, as her right hand found the back of my neck. Oxygen got stuck in my lungs, “You’re too tall, Z. I need help.”

And whatever Maddie asked of me… I gave to her.

I curved myself enough so our mouths brushed. Maddie gasped when our lips touched, and the world stopped. My eyes found hers as we watched each other in quiet wonder. A second to last forever. I curved my arm around her waist, then she melted in my arms.

Maddie opened her mouth to mine, and I hungrily kissed my best friend. Her tongue slid in, she moaned when I sucked on her. My hand cradled her face, turning it to the side so I could devour her better. Maddie’s hand fisted on my t-shirt like she wanted me even closer. I ate her whispers. She gave me as much as I needed, like we shared one mind.

I lost track of time. My hand went to her lower back, dipping to the sliver of skin between her shirt and shorts. I gripped with all my might as she moaned my name. The vibrations of her voice shot through me, and I lost all reason. I fucked her mouth with my tongue. Her hand clutched my hair, tugging just a little to make me growl like a caged animal. I wanted to have her legs wrapped around my waist, take her whole body into mine and…

Maddie slowed down. Her hand fell from my hair, going down to my arm, leaving goosebumps on its wake. Her lips left mine, and I missed them terribly. I opened my eyes, and she was still there. Still in my arms like so many times before.

“You ok?” I asked for lack of things to say.

Maddie looked terrified. Her eyes traced my face like she was trying to figure me out. Which was insane. She knew me better than I knew myself.

“I’m ok, Z.” She licked her lips, and I knew they tasted like me.

My arms moved to give her space when space seemed like the worst thing we could give each other. Just a second ago, I knew we needed to be even closer.

Maddie turned to our friends watching us - recording us- I forgot they were there. I rubbed my temple, diverting my gaze.

“You got it?”

I heard Jason scoff. “You think?”

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