Page 1 of One Little Kiss
ONE
Noelle
As a ruleI don't hide out in guys' bedrooms.
Actually, I don't hide. Period.
But this has been aday. And while the pounding bass coming from downstairs is a dead giveaway that the party is still raging, I can't bring myself to go back down there.
Instead, I sink down further into the pile of pillows on Elijah’s bed. My friend’s got the sort of memory foam mattress and thick comforter that make me feel like I’m being swallowed alive, and I’m here for it.
I groan as my character dies on the screen, and click the button on the controller to start a new game.
My friends are all caught up in their boyfriends downstairs, and I’m in no rush to head back home and face more lectures from my parents. So here I am. A useless pile of limbs in a way-too-comfy bed.
I am sloth, hear me roar.
Honestly, I have no idea how much time passes before Elijah finds me. Video games are awesome time-sucks like that.
But at some point, Elijah opens the bedroom door and stops. I don’t glance over. I know it’s him. And out of the corner of my eye I see his long, lean silhouette resting against the doorframe as he crosses his arms. “Of all the hot girls to find in my bed…”
I glance away from the screen to give him a little smile of welcome. It is his room, after all. But he doesn’t see my smile because he’s eyeing me from head to toe. And that’s when I remember what I’m wearing.
Or…not wearing.
“I know your parents have dress codes for their dinner parties, but I promise Friday nights atCasa de Elijahare a far more casual affair.”
I look down at my little black dress with a wince of feigned embarrassment. “Too much?”
He chuckles, pushes away from the doorframe and joins me on the bed, sprawling out beside me. His head’s close to mine on the stack of pillows and the weight of his body makes me roll slightly toward the middle before I adjust.
We’re silent for a while as he watches me play the game. Then he says, “You okay?”
That’s it.You okay?
Not a million questions and looks of concern. No hugs and well-intentioned pep talks. Just “You okay?”
I love my girl friends but they’d never be cool with my answering shrug. And this is why it’s Elijah’s room I escape to on days like today. Days when I’m in a “mood” as my dad calls it.Just like your mom.As if down days are exclusive to females.
“Fine,” I eventually sigh. Which I know Elijah will accept, even if he doesn’t believe it for a second.
But I love his silence so much right now, I feel my chest swell with gratitude even as I smack the controller in a rage when I miss the freakin’ target for the fifth time in a row.
“I’d be better if I could beat this stupid level,” I mutter.
He reaches for the controller. With a few quick moves he clears the level and hands the controller back to me.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
I love this guy. Have I mentioned that? I love all my friends, but there’s a comfort and understanding with Elijah that is so soothing right now, I know I made the right decision having my date drop me off here tonight rather than taking me back home.
I focus on the game again as Elijah scrolls on his phone beside me, like he doesn’t care that his first floor is currently swimming in friends and hot girls who are no doubt waiting for their favorite host to do what he does best.
Elijah’s one of those natural born extroverts with the sort of innate charisma that even talk show hosts and A-list celebrities would envy.
Everyone likes Elijah. Especially girls. And the feeling is mutual.
