The kiss was swift, smooth, and surprisingly gentle. But it lasted only a few seconds before Eugene pulled away, covering his mouth with his hand.

I stood there frozen, uncertain of how to react. Should I yell? Get irritated? Be annoyed? I didn't know what to do, but one thing was clear: I didn't hate the kiss. For some reason, his lips on mine felt oddly comfortable.

Eugene looked at me, his hand resting on my waist, and I found myself staring into his beautiful eyes. Our faces drew closer once again, and I felt his lips on mine. Instead of pushing him away, I moved my lips in perfect rhythm with his.

After a while, we pulled away and looked at each other. I was dazzled, and he seemed mesmerized, at least that's what I thought. He immediately apologized and left my house, getting into his car and driving off.

I stood there motionless, feeling his absence. In the following days, Eugene avoided me. He didn't meet me, and I didn't receive any calls or texts from him.

When I called him to confirm plans for Monday, he told me it was postponed. I knew why he was avoiding me, but I wished he'd make it less obvious. Since Eugene already knew, there was no point in hiding it from Jake and Vivian, so I told them about the bruise and how it happened.

Jake started hating Eugene even more after hearing this, which made me wish that Eugene being my boyfriend could be kept from Jake since we didn't have to continue this facade after school as well.

As our beach plan drew closer, Vivian and I got more excited. We decided to go to a faraway beach and rent a cabin for ourselves for two nights and three days, an awesome way to kick-start the summer break.

Matty was thrilled when I told him about the plan, and so was Rose. We usually didn't bring our siblings along, but this time, Jake said his mom couldn't take care of Matty.

Jake would be enrolling in Arden's College in the fall, and I was ecstatic to have him there. It would be more fun to hang out with him, not that I had any problem with Vivian. But college friends would mean getting invited to dorm parties and every game they had, Jake is really good at football and I'm hoping that he will join the 'White Dragons'.

Eugene stopped coming over, and I had to endure seeing Matty sulk over his absence. Instead, I took him gaming, bowling, and every possible fun activity.

We visited Mom and Dad's grave too, as it had been too long, and I needed to talk about all the mishaps I'd gotten myself into.

As the beach plan drew closer, we started planning and shopping for new bikinis. After hours of searching, I found a sexy yet subtle black high-waisted bikini that I immediately fell in love with.

Vivian got herself a blue coral bikini with shells for bra pads, which looked funny on the mannequin but adorable on her.

One day, while we were eating at the food court, Vivian asked, "So what's up with you and Eugene?"

I paused in between my bites, I realized I hadn't told her about the kiss and finally recounted that day when he kissed me.

Her eyes widened, and a stupid grin spread across her face as she cringed really hard, squeezing her eyes shut. I laughed at the sight.

"Jeez, look at you all happy after getting such a kiss." she teases

"I'm not happy because of that," I said. "I'm laughing because of your stupid face."

"But honestly, tell me, what do you think of the bad boy?" she asked.

"I don't know, V. We live in two different worlds, and I have enough to handle the debt and Matty. I don't need another distraction."

"But he's a good distraction," she pouted.

"Maybe so," I smiled, surprising her.

"But," I continued, "I don't think we should be together, this isn't a rom-com where the rich guy falls for the poor girl"

"Don't be so hard on yourself" she says

A pat on my arm made me look at Rose. "It's alright," she said. "If he's meant to be with you, he will."

I laughed along with Vivian "Thanks, I'll remember that," I told her, and she got back to eating her burger.

"What the hell do you teach your sister?" I playfully yelled at Vivian, and she giggled. She dropped us home, and we slowly started packing as the days for the plan drew closer.

Finally, the day arrived, and I rushed to get Matty and the bags out of the house when I saw Jake and Eugene waiting with their bags near the car.

I look at Vivian "What are they doing here?" I asked, surprised.

"What do you mean, They're coming with us too," she said, getting into the driver's seat.

"What?" I widened my eyes at her. "You didn't tell me."

"Did I not? Jeez, I must have forgotten," she said, batting her eyes innocently.

I got into the car, in front with Vivian, shooting her my deadliest glare. Eugene and Jake sat in the backseat, far apart from each other.

I look at them through the rear view mirror

Eugene not sparing a glance at me and neither did Jake

Vivian made things even more awkward by making Rose and Matty sit between them.

The only sound in the silent car was Vivian, Rose, and Matty's loud laughter, and I was already starting to dread the days ahead.