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Sh*t!

Sh*t!

Sh*t!

Holy sh*t!

Oh my god!

Fu_k!

What the hell just happened?!

I couldn't control my breath. My mouth was as dry as sand but it was warm. My heart was laying out on ground. Okay, not that but it was going to come out any minute. I couldn't stand properly. My feet had given up long time ago. My hand went up to my lips and I touched them.That's when it struck me.

No one kissed me. It's a dream. It's a freeking dream!! Thank god!

But it didn't feel like a dream. My lips felt like they were just kissed. My heart felt like it was never going to stop jumping. It felt so real. The sweat beeds formed on my head and my breathlessness were clear proofs of how real everything was but my mind couldn't accept it.

I ran.

I ran to Ms.Rose. "Can you just pinch me? Please? It's important." I asked, still out of breath. She looked at me with a weird expression on her face, examining me. I was aware how much of an idiotic condition I was in, with my face flushed red, all sweaty and hair out of place but I ignored it. I was not worried about it because it was a dream. "I'm not allowed to harm any student here Sophia. Are you oka-" I stopped her. "Come on Ms.Rose! It's a dream! Just pinch me! When I wake up it will be gone."

"Are you trying to kick me out of the school? I can't pinch you Sophia. Are you in your senses?"

"Please? I won't tell anyone I promise!" I tried to persuade her. "You sure?" She questioned moving closer. "Yeah. Please be fast." She came nearer and pinched me on my arm. Everything came crashing down. All my hopes were gone. I didn't wake up in my bed admiring how cool the morning sun looked. It wasn't a dream. It was all real. Tears started to gather in my eyes as I tried to control them. "Are you okay, Sophia?" I felt Ms.Rose's hand on my back. "Yeah. I'm fine. C-can you pinch me again? A little hard?" I asked, my voice cracked, thinking, there was still a ten percent chance of this being a dream.

"Ouch!" I winced, feeling a sting on my arm, rubbing it. "You told me to be hard." She shrugged. I didn't answer her. My mind was not at its proper place. My brain had decided to do somersaults causing different kind of emotions to secrete into my system. The emotions I was not accustomed to.

In search of Lia, I went out of the library leaving a worried Ms. Rose behind. Lia was found talking to Isaac on our usual table stuffing her mouth with not so good cafeteria salad. As I approached her she stiffened and noticing her Isaac turned to look at me too. "You don't look fine to me Sophia," he said, looking carefully at me his eyebrows meeting. "I'm fine. Just-can I borrow Lia for sometime?" I tried to sound cool. I couldn't let Isaac know. All he'd do is make a big scene here, and who wouldn't? I myself was freaked out. He'd start on about how he doesn't want me to hangout with Carter anymore and he could even go to kill him. There was a minimum chance of that happening considering the difference between Carter's and Isaac's bodies but we can count it as a possibility.

"Oh thank god! My ears are really bleeding now. Take her away. " Isaac replied, not quite catching my vulnerability, which I was really glad for. I saw a downhearted look passed over Lia's features but she recovered soon. "Aww! You love me too much!" Lia shouted putting on a smile concealing her sad look. She waved Isaac and was being dragged by me.

"You are the worst friend you know that?" I shouted at her letting out all the emotions on her. "I thought you'd say something like: you're the best friend ever with a very big smile on your now.......totally flushed face." She tried to make a joke. "This is not funny Lia! You don't know what the hell just happened!" I cried. "What the hell just happened?" She grinned widely showing her teeth, trying to look as innocent as a baby. "Lia, Carter-he-he-he just.....urgh! Lia-"

A sob escaped my lips. "I can't b-believe he-he-" I felt Lia's hand patting on my shoulder followed by a hug. "Shh, you're crying over this, like he didn't kiss you and had slapped you–but did he really kiss you?" She asked, receiving a nod from me, my lower lip quivering, cries getting even wilder. "Okay, okay, remember it's a school Sophie."

"You! It's because of you Lia! Why did you leave? Why do you always leave on such times?"

"Because I wanted him to finally kiss you Sophia. What happened? How was it? Did you like it? I need details Soph!" She exclaimed, her voice getting louder but no one seemed to notice us. They were all gathered at the far end of cafeteria. The usual drama!

"I was not prepared Lia. I don't know what I did. All I felt was his lips on mine and then my body froze. The only thing I found working was my heart, quite over efficiently I must say. And then, like a blink of an eye everything was gone. There was no Carter. My arms, that he was holding were cold again."

"He didn't say a single word?!" She gasped causing a junior's attention to draw towards us but she too moved away to the huge crowd. "I just said there was no him when I opened my eyes. In just a second he disappeared."

That got me thinking. What was running in his mind that he did such a thing to me?! He freaking stole my first kiss! How can he do that to me?! But then again he had done worse. And without any explanation he disappeared. What does that mean? I hate him for doing this! I really hate him for kissing me. He could've asked my permission- "Chill Sophia! He must be ashamed or something. He'll come to you. Just wait."

"I don't want him to!" I shouted. She was an idiot to expect this from me. I looked around and when I couldn't locate Carter I hissed, "I hate him for this!"

"You and I, we both know it's not truth Sophia. You have to-" she started but I stopped her, hitting my elbow in her ribs when my eyes caught a running Isaac, waving at us. "You have to see this, guys!" He grabbed my hand and started to pull me towards the group gathered around the popular table. I motioned for Lia to follow us but she didn't move, an alarming frown on her face. "Come on!" I mouthed and she dragged herself after us.

I could hear faint voices of Cakey Maddie. "I know........ my style..........personal." When I reached their I couldn't help my eyes from coming out of their sockets. My jaw was stretched down, too much it pained. "If anyone of you bitches decide to cheat my style you're going to be dead!" Maddie stood on one of the cafeteria chairs, examining her nails showing her new hair-I mean new hairstyle. Hairless style actually.

All people could do was stare at her in disbelief and I was probably the only one who started to laugh out loud. She thought people would actually cheat this?!

My laughter died down as soon as I noticed that no one else was laughing. This was a laughing matter, wasn't it? "And I thought only Maddy had sold her brain." I heard Lia say looking at Maddy's bald minions, after which she erupted into a wild laughter. "You oh-so-stylish nerd! If you cheat my style, I'm going to make your life a hell. Got it?"

Like Lia said, I haven't sold my brain. I won't ever cheat your hairstyle.

I nodded pressing my still vibrating lips together in an attempt to keep myself from laughing but I couldn't help it and fell beside Lia laughing like animals. My eyes caught Maddie standing above us, arms crossed tapping her foot. Looking at her made me crack up again but Lia recovered and soon stood up. She held out her hand for me and helped me stand straight.

Maddie's face was red. Words like 'I'll kill you' were coming out of her nose with the carbon dioxide she exhaled. "What are you laughing at?!" She raised her voice shooting daggers at me with her eyes. Before I could come up with a reply Lia beat me to it. "Laughing at the fact that how can you sell your brain to someone?!" Everyone around us started to laugh. "Also at the stupid person who bought that useless rotten thing from you!" She joked again but Maddie didn't catch it. "I didn't sell my brain stupid! You don't even understand the difference between brain and hair? What do you even mean by that?!"

People tried to not laugh but the confused look Maddie gave them did the deed. "Ups, sorry. I forgot it's empty inside. And I don't feel like explaining." Lia pointed towards Maddie's head and dragged me away with her. "I'm not sacrificing my lunch for that idiot." Lia whispered in my ear. I looked from the corner of my eyes, Maddie was running after us. "What do you mean?!" We heard her ask. "This style totally suits you!" Lia answered back loudly and giggled.

"We've got to do some discussions Sophia." She sat on the chair and started chewing her salad. "I'm not talking about the kiss Lia!"

*************

"Awww! You missed it."

Playing with josh and Frank had always been fun. Frank and I team together because Josh thinks he's good by himself and doesn't need any help. I'm really not a great player but Frank says otherwise. I feel he just tries to flatter me.

Josh had missed the basket and we were teasing him about this. "I'm not playing! You two can play!" Josh yelled in irritation and ran before sitting down on the stairs. "I really like annoying him." Frank laughed. "Frank! He's your best friend!" I reminded him as I walked towards my little brother. "Josh, come on. We were just messing with you."

"I hate you two!"

"But we love you!" Simultaneously, Frank and I exclaimed, I pinched his cheeks. "Please Josh. Let's play!"

"You guys are getting on my nerves right now!" He pushed me lightly. "Don't be like this Josh! Please? I promise-"

I heard the metal gate of our house open and I turned around to look who arrived. "Oh, you arrived! Now I'll defeat them!" Josh's enthusiastic voice faintly rang in my ear. My eyes were fixed on the gate. Never had I ever thought Carter would be here. Still staring at Carter I asked Josh, "you called him?"

"Yeah!" He ran towards Carter. "I'll.....be back Frank." I stood up and walked inside the house. Feeling of Carter's lingering gaze on my back tried to stop me from leaving but the mere thought of facing him after what happened that morning sent chills throughout my body.

We were supposed to discuss the problems today but I didn't wait for Carter. I was late home because I had to collect some books from library but Carter didn't approach me. That was a clear sign, he didn't want to talk. He didn't want to be friends with me anymore.

It was all because of that kiss. I had lost a great friend because of it. I didn't want to lose Carter. Sure I had developed little feelings for him even if I didn't want to but I had no intention of doing such a thing. He was the one who kissed me, who stole it. And not talking to me after that, was what hurting me. It was my place to be mad at him and it was his place to apologise.

Why do you care Sophia?! Just forget about him! He was just playing with you!

I had restricted my mind from thinking about him but all that kiss had done today was increase the attraction I had towards him. My heart went wild whenever I think about him. It was not good. The feeling was not good. I didn't want to feel that way but I did and that is the most annoying thing ever.

Washroom wasn't really a nice place to spend time and I wanted to divert my mind from thinking about the guy who had hurt me.

I walked out, praying that he had left and I get to spend some time with Josh, to be able to get my mind actually start working. But I could still hear their hooting and shoutings. My feet took me towards the balcony and I looked down at them playing. Tears started to gather inside my eyes seeing him play so comfortably, when he could do things like that to me.

Why the hell was he still standing in my house?! How can he even dare coming here after what he did?! Maybe he doesn't feel it's wrong. It's usual for him.

What had you expected Sophia?! For him to ask you out on a date?

I hadn't expected him to kiss me in the first place!

Carter noticed me standing there in the balcony it was like he had paused. I expected him to ask me to come down and play with them, like usually he would do but he didn't. After starting at me, all he did was turn around and go inside the house behind Josh. Frank was still outside dribbling. Guess they just fought. "Frank! What happened? Did you guys fight?"

"Your brother and Carter were ganging up on me. Why didn't you come to play?" He asked looking up at me. "Sorry Frank. I wasn't feeling really well." I tried to calm him down. "Are you okay? What happened?" I could see the concern in his eyes.

"Just a little headache. I'll be fine. Now come on, come inside. Aren't you tired of playing?"

"I'm really tired!" He threw the ball with a force and skipped inside the house. I turned around and went inside closing the sliding door as I stepped into my room again. A gasp escaped my mouth when I registered Carter's presence in my room. Had I know that Carter would be here resting on my bed I'd never come out of the balcony.

I looked at him, his hands raised up and he seemed to calculate something on his fingers when I interrupted. "Get out of my room Carter." I went ahead and opened my room's door. "Why?" He stood up from the bed. Thank god he got off my bed. I need to change my covers. He's a complete river of sweat right now.

"You're so cruel Sparkle! I went all the way to-to Africa to get these.....a-a....white tulips for you! And I'm not even welcome here." I was in no mode to hear his jokes. "Carter, these are from the garden downstairs. And for your information they're jasmines not tulips."

"Really? The shopkeeper must have betrayed me. I was in Africa Sparkle. I didn't know-" he started to make another joke but I stopped him. "Your jokes are not funny Carter. I don't want to talk to you. Really. Just go."

"It's because of what happened In the morning isn't it?" He walked towards the door. "No! I don't care about that! You've always hurt me. It's like your habit. Nothing new." I shrugged, opening the door further for him to get the hint and leave.

Just apologise! I'll try and forget about it.

"Sparkle-its not...." he mumbled looking down. "I don't want to talk to you right now Carter."

"I need to explain Sparkle." He held my hand tightly. "Carter, I know everything. I don't need an explanation. It's just how you are, I'm at fault this time. It's me who expects thing from you every time. I shouldn't have expected you to not hurt me again. Because it's what you do best. I totally get it." I nodded fake smiling and yanked my hand from his grip. "Now go." I continued. "No you don't understand anything! You can't ever understand. Why are you being this way if you don't care?!"

"Because I don't want to spend time with you! You're dangerous! You're a poisonous snake! Your poison affects slowly but effectively! That's why! I've had enough dosage of that poison Carter! Just leave!"

We stood there staring at each other, me panting a little because of the shout earlier and he was still. I gestured for him to leave and before going out he handed me those flowers. He came closer and whispered in my ear, his breath fanning my cheeks giving my heart another chance to come out and enjoy the world out of my body. "The type doesn't counts. It's the intention that does. I'm sorry."

Staring at those flowers, my mind wondered if he really meant what he had just said. He did apologise. My lips curved upwards in a smile. I can't stay mad at him, he doesn't let me.

I really love these White tulips from Africa....

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