Mel just stared at me for a second. Then she grinned widely. "That's great, I'm really happy for you! When did that happen?"

"He drove me home the night of the party, and walked me up to my apartment."

"I didn't much think you were the type," Melanie said, looking mildly surprised. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I've taken a few people home myself--"

I practically choked on my drink, my face as red as a tomato. "WE DID NOT HAVE SEX."

"Oh." Melanie gave me a sheepish look. "Sorry."

"He walked me up to my apartment, and I thanked him for driving me home, and we kissed for a few seconds. Then he left."

Mel cocked her head to one side, thinking. "How was it?"

"The kiss?"

She nodded.

"It was good." I blushed, happily embarassed. "The day after, we met at Taco Bell and I asked for his number. Like, in a friendly way," I added before Mel could get to excited, "so we could keep in touch. He also gave me a book..."

"What book?"

"The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka."

She dismissed this with a wave of her hand. "Not very romantic."

"It wasn't supposed to be romantic, I think, he was just giving it to me because I was interested." I blushed again. "He told me to call him when I was done with the book, and he wrote his number in the back."

Mel perked up again. "That's totally cute!"

I smiled. "He is. We've texted back and forth a bit since then."

"Do you like him?" Melanie finished off the last of her drink. "LIKE him like him."

I remembered the feeling I had when Josh kissed me, but then I remembered how my parents wanted me to be with a girl, not a boy. "I don't know. Do you think he likes me?"

Mel squinted like she always did when she was thinking hard. I finished my starburst freeze as I waited for her verdict.

"I would say so, yes," Melanie said simply. "In my experience a kiss is never just 'a kiss'. If he kissed you, it means he feels something. It's up to you to find out what."

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Art by Floralskeletons