"Wow."

"Is that a good wow?" I asked.

"Definitely."

Lindsey was still sitting on my lap, but she was looking away and her face was a little rosy. I didn't know the right thing to say. Maybe I shouldn't say anything at all. After the long silence, she ran her hand through her blonde hair and looked at me.

"Sorry I'll get off," she said lifting herself. I don't mind.

I sat on her bed debating whether or not I should leave.

"You can leave if you want," she mumbled.

I guess that's my dismissal.

"I'll see you on Monday," I said and left.

~Monday~

I woke up with Saturday's events fresh in my mind. I couldn't read her reaction. Did she like the kiss? She was the one who made the first move. Did I kiss her well enough? Was she disappointed is that why she stopped? I clapped my face to wake myself up. No, no. Don't overthink it. You can't help that it was your first kiss. I checked my phone to see if she texted me.

Good morning :)

5:45 am. What an early riser.

Morning
Whats breakfast

Speaking of breakfast I had to figure out what I was going to have myself. I took a shower and put on my outfit for the day. No one had cooked any breakfast so I had to make something for myself. I grabbed a bowl and tossed blueberries in it. Then I poured with Cinnamon Toast Crunch on top and a cup of yogurt to finish it all off. I feel so healthy today. I slung my backpack over my shoulders and walked to school.

We had a morning meeting today. How boring. I got there a little late and had yet to find my buddies. I plopped my backpack on the floor and stood at the back. 

"Psst."

I whipped around to my left and Lindsey was smiling with both her hands up. 

"What's got you on edge?" she laughed.

I sighed, "Probably the fact that you were practically spitting in my ear. What's up?"

She rested her elbow on my shoulder, "Not much. To answer your question I had cereal."

"I have a very important question. It will dictate whether I like you or not."

Lindsey furrowed her eyebrows, "What?"

"What's your favorite type of cereal?"

She rolled her eyes and gently shoved my head.

"Cheerios. Do I make the cut?"

"Barely," I squinted my eyes.

"You two in the back. Stop talking."

Oh that's us.

The 11th and 12th graders were going on another trip. They'd semi-reserved a mall for us. There were still going to be locals, but they limited the number. This was a test of the student's time management and responsibility. They'd tell us where and when to meet and we'd all have to heed to it. If there's a single group of students that doesn't listen, they wouldn't do it ever again.

While I was glad we got to be the guinea pig group I knew they weren't ever going to do this again. They were giving us free rein of the mall and if that doesn't spell disaster I don't know what does.

The meeting ended and it was time for first period. 

"See you later," Lindsey said.

"Bye!" I waved.

On my way to first period I met up with Amelia.

"Where were you?"

"I came late-"

"I came late too and I was still with the everyone."

"Hey I wasn't finished. I came late and found Lindsey. We were near the back."

"Were you the 'two in the back'?" Amelia asked.

"Yeah I'm pretty sure," I replied.

"Aww how cute. You two are starting to get in trouble together," she joked.

"Yeah, sure. C'mon we're gonna be late."

The morning passed with ease. A test in math, project in American Lit, and the entirety of American history was taking notes.

I left the history classroom and found Lindsey waiting for me.

"Hey stranger. Stalking me?"

"Only a little," she giggled, "Headed to lunch?"

"Yes, but I've gotta stop by my locker first. Have you come to escort me?"

"Absolutely."

We grabbed my lunch, walking very close together, but I didn't mind at all. We approached the table and everyone else was already there. Lindsey pulled a chair out for me and patted my shoulder when I sat down.

"Bye," she whispered. 

My god. 

As soon as she was out of earshot I was interrogated. 

"And they say chivalry is dead," said Bellamy.

"I see you Nicky," Saffron smirked, "Did anything happen?"

"Yeah how'd you two get so close it's been like a week," said Prudence.

"Well," I started ,"I guess I've got to tell you this story."

Everyone listened intently while I retold Saturday's events. I used as much detail as possible to make them feel like they were there.

"And yeah," I concluded.

"No! Not 'and yeah' she literally kissed you!" Saffron exclaimed.

I held back the grin growing on my face and looked at the ground. Telling people made it seem more ethereal. That was literally my first kiss.

"So are you getting railed soon? Tomorrow maybe?" asked Amelia.

"I'll get back to you on that one," I said, "Anyways, mall trip or no?"

"Yeah I think it'll be fun," answered Bellamy.

"I have no problem either," Elgort agreed.

"So that's that," finished Prudence.

. . . 

I got home and plopped onto my bed. I didn't feel like doing homework. Even if I felt like it I wouldn't be able to. She plagued my mind. When was the last time I had a crush like this? I guess I've come to terms with it. That I liked her back. Back? I guess she did initiate the kiss. You don't do that to someone you don't like. I stuffed my head in my pillow giggled. Ding. I shot up, excited to see if it was her. Speak of the devil.

Good evening

Good evening to you too
Whats up

You wanna get lunch sometime this week?

Yeah I'd love to

Wednesday maybe?

Yess
See you after school

We'll go to chipotle 

Chipotle again. Was it all she ate or was there reasoning behind it. Either way I got giddy thinking about spending more alone time with her.

~Wednesday~

"Guys I've got another Chipotle date. I'll see you later."

"Isn't that where you went last time?" Prudence asked.

"Yeah. I guess she must like the place," I shrugged.

"Well have fun," Amelia waved.

I waved and walked off to Lindsey's car. I looked into the passenger window and knocked. She was applying lipgloss in the mirror and jumped. I heard the click as she unlocked the door and let myself in.

"You startled me," she said going back to the mirror.

"Sorry," I hesitated, "You look nice."

Lindsey paused and snorted. 

"You look the same as usual," she joked.

"That just means I look great all the time," I huffed.

Lindsey pulled up to the parking lot and told me to wait. I guess we aren't sitting inside today.

She came back with our bag of food and set it on the back seat. 

"We aren't going to dine in?" I questioned.

"No we did that last time. That would be boring."

"So we're sitting in the car?"

"Not that either," she started the car, "We're going to the park."

How fancy. We arrived at the park that was a few miles from school and she popped the trunk open. 

"I've got things in the back. You can take the food and find us a spot."

I took our lunch and found a spot under a tree. Lindsey came over with a large blanket and a plastic bag full of drinks and a bag of Flaming Hot Doritos. She lay the blanket on the ground and sat down next to me. I handed Lindsey her bowl and opened my own. She remembered my order. That's why she chose Chipotle. 

"I've got a few cans of Izze. Is that fine?" she asked.

"Perfect, actually. I love Izze."

At first we ate in silence, staring at the clouds as they moved across the sky. I leaned back and propped myself up with my hand. I felt Lindsey's fingers delicately approach mine, as if she was scared to touch me. I looked over at her and she was looking down at our hands. 

I laced our fingers together and she squeezed my hand in response. Never have I felt such happiness. Never has holding someone's hand made my heart beat this hard. I couldn't get rid of the smile plastered on my face.

"Someone's joyous."

"I had to hold your hand for you," I laughed.

"I was just making sure. I was testing you," she huffed back.

She reached for the bag of Doritos and tossed it to me. I opened it with glee.

"So," I started, "you know my favorite chip and my Chipotle order."

She shrugged, "I try."

"Yeah. I feel honored to be the subject of your effort. You want a some?"

"Nah. I like the original ones better."

I ate a couple of chips.

"Nicky there's something I need to tell you."

"Yeah, go ahead," I said chewing.

Lindsey gently grasped my chin and turned my head towards her.

"No I'm serious. I need you to put the chips down for a minute."

I complied and turned my body to face her.

"I don't know if you knew," she looked me dead in the eyes, "but I really like you."

"Well I like you too."

"No I mean, I like like you."

"Yes," I nodded, "I like you too."

I reached for both her hands and scooted so close that we were practically sitting on each other. I leaned into her chest and felt the heat of her body wrap around me. She let go of my hands and embraced me in her arm. I could sit here forever, in this feeling of bliss.