Scene requested by cookiesadvice :3

This will be Rebbie's point of view of her and Joi's kiss in Chapter 27 part II, the scene beginning as the squad is walking back to Jhonny's car from the old CoA building.

Hope you enjoy :)

~~

As we file out of the Club of Art's old building, Joi holds the door for us. Twiddling my fingers, I purposely move to the back of the group so I can look at him longer.

I hold back a round of giggles as I take nervous glances at him. He looks so much like a gentleman in his little tucked collared white shirt and black shorts. He's like a younger, cuter Frank Sinatra.

My mother isn't shocked at all that I like white boys since she herself married one. I'm glad she did since I don't know if I would have been accepted into this amazing friend group if my negro genes really showed.

As I pass Joi to leave the building, I catch him looking at the little corner on the wall behind the door. I stop walking as I watch him stare at the spot where we shared so many memories.

The spot where he first introduced me to Petta.

The spot where we had our first real conversation.

The spot where I first kissed him...

From the way his face flushes adorably as he walks away from the spot toward me, I can tell he was thinking about that too.

As we start walking to catch up with our friends. I hesitantly take his arm and wrap it in mine like we usually do. It's been too long since we've done this, and the comfort that surrounds me when he doesn't pull away is almost overwhelming.

But after a while, he starts picking up his pace. It's almost as if he's trying to run again.

Is he...is he trying to run away from me?

Tears daring to pour from my eyes, I tug Joi's arm and manage to gasp out, "Slow down, Joi"

He does, but he doesn't say anything.

Why is he so silent?

I follow his eyes and see that he's looking to our friends. They're far ahead. I guess he was trying to catch up with them.

I smile a little as I see Ruth and Jhonny glance mischievously back at me. I told them all a while ago that I like Joi, maybe they're trying to give me my chance by giving us some distance...

I take a deep breath and look up at Joi's cute little face. His beautiful brown eyes are what originally pulled me in, but now that we're close, every aspect about him seems to make my heart flutter.

Now or never, Rebecca, I say encouragingly to myself.

Biting my tongue, I start to inch my fingers down his arm and reach for his hand. When my fingers brush against his palm the first time, I feel his arm stiffen in shock, but he doesn't pull away.

Holding my breath, I slowly reach further and further so that our fingers can interlace...

But he stops walking and jerks his arm from my grasp.

The tears jump back into my eyes as I let his arm slip away. I stand for a second, not facing him, to try to get my emotions under control.

He's just scared and confused, I reassure myself, just explain this to him and this will all be fine. You already know he likes you back so just relax...

After another deep breath, I turn to face him. I step close to him, forcing him to make eye contact with me.

"Joi," I start, "I have to tell you something."

I see his throat bob as he swallows and he looks at the spot between my eyebrows so he doesn't have to look me in the eyes.

I clasp my hands in front of me and rub my thumbs for comfort as I say, "I think...I think I like you."

I see him suddenly lean to the side. His leg must have twitched. He doesn't say anything for a while, but I see panic in his eyes as he manages to finally say, "Okay."

I sigh. This isn't going how I dreamed it would.

"I think I have for a long time," I continue, still stroking my thumbs.

He stares at me, apparently unable to speak.

"That's why I kissed you on the cheek," I say, looking down at my hands as despair starts to overtake me. "I was afraid."

He lets out a shaky laugh. "You should see my leg."

Then he looks over my shoulder to our friends again.

I wipe my eyes before the tears fall.

Why did I do this?

He's not ready, I should have seen it. I should have known.

Why do I assume that everyone my age is already dreaming about and searching for their Prince or Princess Charming?

Before a dark wave of emotions completely overtakes me, though, I see Joi suddenly lean down toward me.

I don't care if he actually wants to kiss me or if his twitching leg makes him do it, I am not missing this opportunity.

There may still be time to save this dream.

Clenching my fists and jumping on my tiptoes, I close my eyes and bring my lips to his.

It's quick, it's fast, but I feel every nanosecond of it.

If he really can't be mine, this will be enough for me.

When I open my eyes, I see him looking down at me, dazed.

I look down at my shoes as I feel my face burn. At least he doesn't look horrified.

He blinks. "Um..."

I turn to see what he's looking at and see our friends losing their minds from the park's parking lot. My face burns harder when I see them all wave and applaud me and give me thumbs up as they grin and laugh.

Joi chuckles, the nerves obviously still firing off in him. "We should go to them, we need to get home."

Ah, I think to myself, this is the tragic love story where the two lovers don't talk about...and it never works out.

Nodding stiffly, I return to his side as we resume walking. The silence between us that used to be so comfortable is now filled with awkward tension.

This is the outcome I feared.

This isn't my dream.

I look up at him. I take in his nice jawline, pretty skin, and those brown eyes I fell in love with.

After years of liking each other, I know I've just ruined any chance we had together.

And that's okay. There's someone better out there for him when he's ready.

So, for old times sake, I take his arm for what will probably be the last time.

And somehow, this seems to make the awkwardness a little more bearable.

~~

Thoughts?

A scene from Petta's point of view is coming up soon. :3 Don't worry, it will be ten times happier, promise.