Becky
had been planing this for so long. All the way back to the beginning
of the school year. She was thirteen and already showing signs of
womanhood. She had the beginnings of a figure. Just some slight
curves but enough so she needed to alter some of her nicer dresses.
Mother had given her “the talk” as if she didn't already know.
After all she was thirteen years old, practically an adult. It was
time for her to have a serious relationship with a boy. It was time
for her first kiss and it had to be perfect.
Several
of her friends had talked about it as if they had already had the
experience. Standing in a circle with their heads together,
predicting which boy would be their first. They all wanted Kent Reese
to be their first. He was so dreamy, with his blond hair and deep
blue eyes. Working on his parents farm had kept him slim and trim.
On
the other hand there was Seth Greene. He was a spoiled rich kid who
had never done a hard days work in his life. Sitting there in the
corner eating cherries and spitting out the pits into his hand, not
even using a napkin. He looked over at Becky with a lopsided grin. As
if Becky could possibly be interested in him.
All
of her classmate's were coming over for a Christmas party including,
of course, Kent Reese. Becky's mother had agreed to this only if she
were present to chaperon. This put a small crimp in Becky's plans but
she could improvise.
Her
new plan was simple; she would lure Kent into the kitchen on the
pretense of needing his help with refreshments for the other kids.
She had already hung some mistletoe in the kitchen as a backup plan.
Kent might not take the hint right away (boys could be so dense at
times), she would tell Kent it was a tradition to kiss under the
mistletoe, not to do so would result in catastrophe. He would simply
have to comply. Then she would come to him, put her arms around his
muscular shoulders and place her lips to his, tasting the warmth and
softness of a long, slow kiss. She would do her best not to swoon. It
would be perfect.
Becky
readied herself in the kitchen and with one final calming breath she
called out, “ Kent would you please come in the kitchen and help me
with some refreshments?” She could hear his heavy footsteps coming
toward the kitchen. Her excitement building to an almost unbearable
level. Quickly she smoothed her holiday dress then stood demurely
with her hands behind her. This would be perfect. Then the lights
went out.
“It's
OK everyone,” called Becky's mother. “It's just a blown fuse.
I'll have it fixed in a jiffy.”
“This
is perfect,“ thought Becky. When in stepped a dark figure. Becky
was so excited all of her plans were forgotten. Without a word she
leaned in and kissed Kent. It was short and chaste, not really at all
like she had expected. It was kind of mushy and cold, but sweet. It
had tasted like cherries. The lights came back on and Becky was
looking up at an enormous cowlick.
Seth
Greene.
She
had wasted her first kiss on Seth Greene. He looked at her with his
big brown eyes. Becky suddenly realized, she had never noticed how
warm and inviting his eyes were. Seth looked up and saw the
mistletoe. His mouth broke into the cutest lopsided grin.
“Mistletoe.
That was my first time”
Becky's
lips curled into a shy smile. “That was my first time too.”
"Cari Noga took her ten years of experience writing as a newspaper reporter and used her curiosity, observations of people, researching skills and ability to set deadlines to dive into novel writing."
