<Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you>

|29|

THE PEOPLE around me faded away, and I entered into a trancelike state, rooted to the ground and unable to move as I watched Kian.

A glimmer of the firelight dancing in his eyes, he gave me a crooked smile and settled his lips on mine.

When the softness of his lips enveloped mine, I tasted mint and something else I couldn't place a name to, feeling warm tingles run through my body from where our lips met but later on, his tongue became bold and demanding, seeking more than I could give and the warmth I felt earlier dissipated, and in its wake came confusion and with confusion fled my trance.

A blinding ache swept through me in full force and my feelings were in disarray, muddled and bewildered thoughts plaguing me. This wasn't how I wanted my first kiss to be like. I had wanted it sweet, calm and nice so I did the first thing that came to mind. I wenched my lips away, chest heaving and breathing heavily.

There were cheers and snarky comments from people but I wasn't paying attention to any of those. My attention was fixated on Kian.

He didn't appear happy that I'd cut the kiss short, rather a sullen look crept on his countenance and suddenly I felt nervous. What if I had been too fast and sloppy? My self-confidence plunged to zero level.

Maybe that was how people kissed nowadays and me being a first timer wouldn't know the difference between a good kiss and a bad one, I thought still watching him catch his breath from our kissing episode. But doubt permeated that thought, the novels I had read reminding me that most kisses were nice and warm, not demanding and choking.

He gazed at me and those lips--- they were as swollen as mine--- which had touched mine a few seconds ago lifted up in a grimace when he saw the baffled and wounded look ingrained in my facial features. "I'm sorry. I got caught up and I didn't know when I lost control. I just didn't know your lips were going to taste so good."

Once he said that, I couldn't help the blush that coated my cheeks and the awkwardness I had been feeling some minutes earlier disappeared. "It's okay."

I didn't know why I lied but I did, perhaps to soothe his ego after I'd ruffled it up, double cringing inside as I said, "You're a good kisser."

He smiled, and though it didn't reach his eyes, I knew he was back to good ole Kian.

I didn't want to look at him anymore---I wanted some time for myself and his presence was clouding my rational thinking--- so I set my face away from his and observed my surroundings, still not used to the fact that I'd just gotten my first kiss. It had all happened fast.

They were still playing spin the bottle although half of the camp was empty now and every once in a while I saw some people call goodnight to their friends.

"Goodnight Jayden. See ya tommorow," a girl called over her shoulder as she plodded along.

I stared at him, focused on him now, as he waved to the girl, mumbling a faint goodnight that I was able to hear.

Suddenly his eyes met mine across the chasm separating us and we stared at each other for a long time. Although I couldn't see them clearly--- the fire was dying--- his eyes seemed bleak and he finally turned away.

The moment he did that, I was hit with an abrupt wave of guilt like I'd done something wrong. Something very wrong.

***

The next day came bright and clear. There were no dark, gloomy clouds overhead and the birds sang in a melodious manner, uplifting one's spirit. I had already had my morning bath and was outside, perching on the porch seat, eating a can of sour and cream pringles.

I shook my head a little as I surveyed everywhere. The once clean environment was littered with crumpled paper cups, just as I had predicted and a few volunteers were tidying it up.

"Very good day for swimming in the lake don't you think?" Kian asked. He was sitting besides me, legs crossed and drinking a cocktail juice.

"Yeah." I wasn't really in the mood for small talks or having a conversation with someone. I was still dazed that I didn't have virgin lips anymore and the person who'd helped in that fact was close to me, behaving like it was a normal occurrence for him everyday.

Don't be surprised, of course it's a normal thing for him, good mind threw at me from nowhere.

You're not helping so shh, I snapped. Good and bad mind had been silent for so long and I had to admit, I was kinda glad on hearing that annoying voice. Despite its chafing tone, it was usually the voice of reason.

Kian's shadow fell on me as he stood up. "I'm gonna announce that we'll all be swimming by noon."

I nodded and watched him go over to the volunteers to tell them first. Grins showed up on all their faces when he told them. Then they began rapidly putting, after he'd left to the next cabin, the refuse into the sack bags, rushing to dress up. All of the volunteers except one. Jayden.

He'd only nodded solemnly and went back to his dirt picking, his movement almost mechanical and robotlike. Seeing him like this made me feel guilty again and I didn't know why.

It was around 12 pm. Everybody was out, clad in their swimwears and trickling onto the path that led to the lake. I waited for Kian and Jayden for quite some time but when they were nowhere to be seen, I followed everyone else, sticking my hands in my jean bum short pockets.

Once in a while, thin branches scratched my bare arms--- I'd worn a yellow tank top--- but I barely noticed. I was lost in thought about that darn kiss.

Why had I let him kiss me? Couldn't I have said no or ran away like I did earlier at the party? Had I really wanted him to kiss me or I was just thrilled by the thought of him kissing me? Why had I ached when Jayden had wanted to kiss Katharina? What on earth was wrong with me? But the biggest question of all was why did I feel really bad when I thought of Jayden after yesterday night?

I had an elusive feeling that the answers to these questions were within me and if I was to scratch the surface a little bit, I would finally know why. But there was something stopping me. It was almost like I was afraid of facing my problems head on.

After quite some trekking and thinking, we finally arrived and the scene that met us was breathtaking.

The lake was as blue as the sky in spring and the atmosphere surrounding it was quiet, apart from the rustling of leaves and bellowing of animals. Even the depths were very clear, enabling someone to see the smooth speckled stones nestled in its bottom. Once in a while, a few fishes leapt out, looking for food and in the process disturbed the stillness of the water's surface. It was a soothing place to be and I breathed in the pine and minty scented area, relaxing a bit.

Going over to the dappled shade under a magnolia tree, I kicked off my sandals, then sat down on the spongy grass and watched people go about their business.

Most girls wore skimpy swimwears, bras and panties showing off their assets while the boys wore shorts, some with their swimming trunks on.

"Hi I'm Malia," the girl who'd taken a place beside me introduced herself, teeth glinting white in the sunlight. I recognized her voice as the girl who'd told Jayden good night yesterday and shifted my gaze towards her form reclining on the mat she laid on.

Petite, pretty and her afro hair packed in a bun, she wore shorts and a homely t-shirt engraved with, 'Good times and tan lines!'

I smiled back at her. "Hey Malia. I'm Jamila."

"Nice to meet you Jamila." She sat up and brought out a novel from a flower printed bag.

"I like your name. It suits you."

"Same here," I said in a pointed tone, then turned my face towards the left and began rubbing on some sunscreen. I wanted to keep myself busy so she wouldn't talk anymore. After years of being bullied by Kian and seen as an outcast, I wasn't comfortable talking to people. Even if they talked to me first, being friendly and all.

My plan worked. She went back to reading the book she'd brought with her.

Done with my sunscreen lathering, I made myself comfortable and observed people swim, some fishing, the scene just like deva ju.

It was quite boring and many a times I found myself gazing at the water with longing. It called to me but fuck if I answered its call. My memories of the water were quite fresh and the only reason I'd come to the lake was because I'd promised myself that I'd have fun.

Sighing, I speared a glance at the path we'd followed only to see two familiar boys walk out into the sunlight.

"Hot specimens aren't they?" Malia sighed dreamily.

I didn't reply but continued to stare at God's beautiful creations. I don't know if they were aware but Kian and Jayden moved simultaneously, both boys hot as fuck. I flickered my eyes between their lithe forms, trying to decide who was hotter.

The only thing similar between them was that they both wore shorts, with the sunlight setting their features in intense blazes. Apart from that, they were world apart.

A towel hanging around his neck, the fabric meeting his well-defined chest that sported six mouth watering abs, Kian strolled past, his hand raking through his already mussed hair and the ring in his right ear glinting dangerously. I swallowed my spit and faced the bronze skinned boy.

Yes, I've seen Jayden without a shirt online but seeing him shirtless in person without his ugly glasses was more than mesmerizing. He gripped a white fluffy towel in his hand as he walked past me in a jaunty pace, a fierce look on his gorgeous face. The tattoo I had spied on his instagram page was more stunning in real life. Spanning around his right biceps, the inked tiger tattoo flexed with each step he took. Omo!

Someone should please fan me because it was too hot here and I wanted to faint out of the sheer attractiveness of both of them!

Girls lounging on their mats removed their eyeglasses to give them a second look 'cos like which hot-blooded girl wouldn't?

My eyes still followed their movement. Kian had gone over to his friends and was talking with them while Jayden was already swimming. After some minutes, he was done.

Now was my chance to talk to Jayden, you know, just make small talk with him--- which was quite ironic as I'd been avoiding having convos-- I hadn't talked to him since yesterday night.

I prepped myself up, creating an immunity shield against his gorgeousness---just in case--- and ambled over to where Jayden sat, toweling his hair.

Water droplets shimmered all over his body and I watched, transfixed as a pearl of glittering water trailed down his pecs and into his shorts. I gulped then lifted my eyes up to his face, fixated on his lips and the scattered freckles that dotted his cheeks.

He coughed, suddenly bringing me out of my perusal.

"Uh, hi Den. How are you?" I blushed tomato red, chagrined he'd caught me checking him out. I'd brought up that immunity shield for nothing.

Instead of taunting me as usual, he gave me a tight lipped grin and asked, bending down to wear his crocs. "Hello Olay. I'm good. How about you?" His curls bounced as he focused on his task and I resisted the urge to run my hands through them.

"Yeah?" he asked again, on the other leg now. I caught myself again and mentally facepalmed.

"Sorry. I'm fine and uh . . ." I began, not quite sure on how to approach him---he appeared distant---but didn't get to finish my sentence.

"Hello Jayden dear," Katharina's frilly voice cut me off. The audacity!

I glared at her, irritated she'd interrupted me, but she ignored me like I wasn't there.

Jayden was done buckling his crocs and greeted Katharina in a pleasant manner.

"I saw you swimming earlier and since I don't know how to swim, I was thinking that maybe you could teach me how to swim." She fluttered her eyelashes at him, a very innocent and helpless look on her face.

It was on the tip of my mouth to say it was a lie but I held myself and waited for what Jayden would do.

"Okay." He shrugged. "I have nothing else to do so I'll help."

She squealed, a high pitched voice that was likely to make one go deaf and threw herself in to his arms, plastering her bikini clad body to his, her arms around his body.

I swear if looks could kill, Katharina would have been incinerated and her ashes floating in the mild afternoon breeze.

When Katharina realized Jayden made no move to hug her back, she retreated, a sickly sweet smile highlighting her conniving bitchy yet beautiful face.

"Let's get going then." She cuddled next to him and placed a hand on his tattoo.

"No." He removed her hand. "You get going, I want to talk to Jamila here." She huffed and sauntered off.

"So what do you want to talk about?" He crossed his arms and I had a hard time remembering what to think or say, mesmerized again.

I shook my head. Finally, someone noticed I wasn't a statue but I no longer wanted to talk to him. "Nah don't worry. It's not important."

He nodded. "Okay." Then he was off to teach Katharina how to swim.

Feeling dejected and left out, I walked back to my spot. I sat down and did nothing but watch everyone. They all seemed to be having the time of their life while I sat down alone, my two friends having their own fun too. One was fishing with his friends and the other was teaching a girl who already knew how to swim, how to swim. And I didn't know which pissed me off. The fact that the said girl in question was Katharina or that Jayden was willing to talk to her. Sheesh!

And I finally knew the answer to one of the questions that had been disturbing me.

I was jealous of Katharina!

A/N: Hello. . . Be sure to get ready for the something that'll have you wringing your hands in the next chapter tmoro. I'll also love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. Do you think Olay's ready to face all her haunting questions?

Nita.