The school bus came to a slow stop, the squeaking sound of the brakes reverberating through the air. I glanced behind me as I stood, making sure Sara was paying enough attention to realize this was our stop. Right on cue, she slid into the aisle and followed closely behind without a word. I glanced out the window as I walked and noticed a lean figure slumped against the ancient oak tree at the end of our driveway. A huge grin crossed my lips—I hadn’t seen Jackson in over a week. I hated that he rode a different bus, and since he’d gotten grounded, his parents kept him on lockdown. Literally. They decided to nail his window shut, leaving him unable to escape into the night, which left no time to see each other.
“What’s he doing?” Sara giggled as she hopped off and landed on the country road.
“Not sure.” I was equally curious.
Jackson didn’t move until the bus started to drive away, then he slowly stood and dusted off the back of his faded jeans with his hands.
“What are you doing here?” Sara’s blunt question caused a grin to appear on his face. But it was overshadowed by the dark ring under his left eye. My stomach turned at the sight.
“I came to see you, kid.” Jackson pulled a sandwich bag full of chocolate Santas out of his coat pocket and tossed them in her direction.
“Awesome, thanks! But you’re a liar.” Her face lit up as she tore into the plastic, pulled a piece of candy out, and unwrapped it in record time.
Candy rarely made an appearance at our house. It was a luxury we couldn’t afford, and really was the least of our worries in the grand scheme of things. But still, it was nice to see her happy.
“So what’s up?” I stared up at him, trying not to focus on the bruise, but it didn’t work. Sara had started to stroll down the driveway, unwrapping another chunk of Christmas chocolate.
“Don’t eat all of those at once,” I yelled ahead to Sara, who would ignore my demand. “Save some for later.” I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Jackson.
“Can you go for a walk?” His eyes moved to the end of our winding driveway as we turned the corner.
I stared at the house, not seeing his car and realizing how much I had missed Jackson. I threw caution—and probably all common sense—to the wind before answering. “Sure.”
“Cool.” His quiet mumble gave me unexplainable butterflies.
“Sara, wait!” I called, watching as she stopped in her tracks and turned back to face me. “Just go inside, okay? I won’t go far or be long.”
“Okay.” Her chocolate-covered teeth made an appearance behind a genuine smile—a little sugar had given my baby sister a few minutes of pure bliss. “Just be back before Mama gets home from work.” She glanced back and forth between the two of us before tucking the remaining candy into her coat pocket.
“I won’t be long,” I repeated.
Mama didn’t get off work until eight tonight, but it wasn’t her I was worried about. I wanted to be back before Duane got home. Not that he would care if I was there, but I needed to keep an eye on Sara. I didn’t trust him—at all.
We walked for a few minutes in silence, our feet shuffling down the familiar dirt road.
“So when did it happen?”
Jackson shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked a rock that lay in front of us. “The other day. He swore I stole the car and parked it crooked in the driveway. The dumbass drove it home from the bar. I never touched it.” A humorless laugh escaped his lips.
“Asshole.” I didn’t understand why men were so mean. Maybe it wasn’t all of them. Just the ones I knew. I shook my head, disgusted with the entire adult male population.
Jackson turned on his heel and made his way into the woods, so I followed directly behind him, unsure of where we were going, yet following without question. Apparently, not far. He stopped next to a large tree, leaned against it, and gave me a mischievous grin.
“What?” I cocked my head, trying to figure out what he was smiling about.
“Can I tell you something?” As he spoke, he cracked his knuckles, a nervous habit of his.
“Yeah…” I stared up at him, watching and waiting.
But he didn’t speak. He leaned in and pressed his cold lips against mine. I remained still, completely frozen, unsure of what to do. Shock ran through me.
He’s kissing me. Jackson is kissing me. I’m getting kissed.
But still, I remained a statue.
“Sorry.” He looked embarrassed as soon as he pulled away, his downcast eyes staring at the dead leaves surrounding our feet.
I should speak. I knew that. But the words wouldn’t come. I just had my first kiss, and I was completely dumbfounded. I was pretty sure this wasn’t the way it was supposed to work. The girls on TV never stood there like an idiot when their lips were met by those of another. They responded. They kissed back. They puckered their lips. Something. Anything.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I know I’m older, and it’s probably weird. We’re friends. I’m sorry.” His rambling brought a smile to my face as I watched how uncomfortable he became.
“Jackson.”
His eyes met mine at the sound of my quiet voice.
“You’re the only one who gets me.” His voice was soft, much softer than I’d ever heard, and my heart began to pound against my chest. Because he was right. But I didn’t just get him. It worked both ways. He got me, too.
“I just wasn’t expecting it.” I bit my bottom lip, trying to keep it from trembling.
“I know.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Try it again,” I said before exhaling a nervous breath, waiting.
He blinked a few times before leaning closer to my face, pressing his lips gently against mine. They were warmer this time, softer. I returned his display of affection, but my body stiffened when he placed his hand on my hip. Mine remained at my sides, and I was okay with that. This was all so new.
“I better go.” His hot breath drifted over my face once our lips parted.
I swallowed hard. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of the last few minutes. “Okay.”
“You need to go, too.” He ruffled my hair like a child before turning his back to me and disappearing into the woods.
He was right, and I started to move my feet, adrenaline coursing through my veins. My walk turned into a full sprint as I made my way down the dirt road and then my driveway. I glanced to the side, hoping for some sign of Jackson. I didn’t see him, but I could feel him.
Somehow, I knew he was watching. I couldn’t hide the grin on my face as I continued to run, only stopping when I reached the side door.
But just because my feet stopped, it didn’t change my smile. That remained there the rest of the night.