Again, I found Kyle in the library, but this time he was on the second level. It felt different here. In the first level library, you felt you could have fun, but here it had a tomb-like silence, where breathing was almost too loud and only tolerated because you had to do it to live. Talking here would be difficult, but Kyle had found an out-of-the-way corner near the windows. As I walked over, I could feel the books looming over me, as if they would topple from the shelves high above me. Un-nerved, I picked up my pace.1
Unlike the level below, where the tables were long and the chairs hard, the tables here were smaller, grouped with high backed cushioned chairs. Sunlight streamed in from long windows that lined one wall completely. Three piles of books surrounded Kyle. He looked like he had made a barricade from them, as if some unknown enemy was lurking in the rows.2
I slowly walked up and peered around the stacks. Kyle was sitting comfortably, chin on chest, an open book on his lap, and soft snores escaped through an open mouth. He looked like Master Ruben.3
I was almost too afraid to wake him. I didn’t know how he was going to react this morning or how I was going to act. Did everything that happened yesterday change things between us? I did need to talk to him about the situation on the path, though.4
His feet were resting comfortably on the corner of a worn footstool; I sat gently on the other edge, not wanting to disturb him.5
I sat there, watching his chest rise rhythmically, knowing he was sleeping peacefully. His face was relaxed, as if this situation didn't weigh on his broad shoulders. He had a slight smile playing on his lips and his eyelashes fluttered on sun-chapped cheeks. It looked like he was dreaming and I was suddenly very interested in what he was seeing.6
I slapped his feet with the back of my hand, while calling softy," Kyle." 7
His feet fell off, and he was very much awake when he kissed me.8
The world had stopped and all I could feel was his strong fingers holding me there and his soft lips pressed against mine. A tingle started in my stomach, curling my toes and then reality dropped a huge boulder on us. 9
Carmen threw down a stack of books.10
Kyle pulled back at the sound of thunder booming through the building. 11
"Carmen," he started to yell.12
"Next time you need help finding a book, find someone else,” she interrupted him before stomping off.13
I sat there, my face red. The heat my cheeks generated at that moment was probably hotter than the sun, but secretly I was pleased. Kyle had obliviously been dreaming of me. I stuffed a giggle back inside. Carmen had been put in her place. I knew I shouldn't be pleased about that, but I was very pleased.14
Kyle started to go after her, but stopped before he got too far. He turned, but didn't look directly at me, more at the floor at my feet. I didn't get up, but waited for him to say something. His face was also red and his breath was coming faster, like at the last restday when he'd completed the relay. 15
"Kyle."16
"Sabrina," we said at the same time. 17
“You first," I said.18
The silence of the second level library was eerie. When I had arrived there had been people studying. Now it seemed that everyone had left when we kissed. I shivered at the creepiness of it.19
"Sabrina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kiss you." Kyle dropped his head as he sat heavily onto the chair.20
"So, you are sorry you kissed me?" I had liked the kiss. I had never experienced one before and enjoyed the tingling sensation that it produced. Kyle's statement hurt. It wasn't the classic hurt of someone ripping out a heart and stomping on it, like I had heard other girls proclaim, but it twisted my gut. If I had really known how I felt about Kyle, it might be stronger. 21
"Yes." That one word said nothing, but I felt my eyes sting and tears gather.22
Kyle's face scrunched up in frustration. 23
"It was that bad, kissing me?" I asked while fighting the tears.24
His eyes widened. "No!" he shouted as he grabbed my hands from my lap. "No, it’s not like that,” he said quieter. "I've wanted to kiss you forever. I just didn't want to kiss you like that."25
"Oh," was my only response, said so low I doubt he even heard it.26
We sat there, him watching my face and me staring at our clasped hands, for a while. Finally Kyle broke the calm. "I guess Carmen's not going to help us anymore."27
I laughed hard. I didn't care that we were in the library; I just laughed the tension away.28
I stopped as quickly as I started. "Tell me what you've found and then I've got news and a surprise."29
Author notes
It's been along time since my first kiss, and so I don't remember much. Tell me if it is not enough, or too much. thanks
In a list
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
-
Beautiful, beautiful chapter you have here. Finally! I thought I'd never live to see the day! They kissed.
Oh, wow. If you only knew how happy I am...for them...
I really think this part was really light, beautiful. I was almost enraged when he said that, near tears, then he said that. I was so relieved he was upset because he "didn't want to kiss you like that."
I think they've definitely got chemistry, and I can't wait to move on to the next chapter and see what you have planned for them. I'm definitely on the Kyle/Sabrina bandwagon.
A few suggestions and whatnot:
Par 1: In the first level library [,] you felt you could have fun, but here it had a tomb-like silence, where breathing was almost too loud and only tolerated because you had to do it to live. Talking here would be difficult, but Kyle had found an out of the way [out-of-the-way] corner near the windows.
Par 3: I slowly walking [walked] up and peered around the stacks. Kyle was sitting comfortably, chin on chest, an open book on his lap, and [while] soft snores escaping [escaped] through an open mouth.
Par 5: His feet were resting comfortably on the corner of a worn footstool and I sat gently on the other edge not wanting to disturb him. [His feet were resting comfortably on the corner of a worn footstool; I sat gently on the other edge, not wanting to disturb him.]
Par 6: I sat there [,] watching his chest rise rhythmically, knowing he was sleeping peacefully. / He had a slight smile playing on his lips and his eyelashes fluttered on sun chapped [sun-chapped] cheeks.
Par 13: I knew I shouldn't be pleased about that but I was, very pleased. [, but I was very pleased.]
Par 20: It wasn't the classic hurt of someone ripping out a heart and stomping on [it], like I had heard other girls proclaim, but it twisted my gut.
Par 24: "No, [!]" he shouted as he grabbed my hands from my lap.
Par 27: I laughed hard, [;] I didn't care that we were in the library; I just laughed the tension away.
-
Sorry, I'm sure it has been much longer for me, something like fifty four years, but I remember.
Great chapter as always.
Trish
-
I was six the first time a boy kissed me--I bit his lower lip so hard it bled
.
Good Morning Brooke, a good linking chapter. Not a lot of change or problem solving taking place but enough activity to move the plot along
.
Apparently Sabrina got her man and poor Carmen got the shaft.
Just a few things to look at:
As I walked over, I could feel the books looming over me, as if they would topple from the shelves high above me. Unaware, (? Maybe Un-nerved?) I picked up my pace.1
I slowly walking( walked) up and peered around the stacks.
( He had a slight smile playing on his lips and his eyelashes fluttered on sun chapped (sun-chapped) cheeks.)
(NP) Carmen threw down a stack of books.9
"Carmen," he started to say.11 (yell maybe? I sure would
.)
Finally Kyle broke the calm, (.) "I guess Carmen's not going to help us anymore."26
I laughed hard, (.) I didn't care that we were in the library; I just laughed the tension away.27
Geri
-
What a lovely chapter... Keeps me going as always.
The kiss seemed realistic to me. But like you it has been awhile since my first kiss. However I do have teens and it seems like that is the way it goes. Can't wait to read more.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
-
I was wondering when they were finally going to kiss.
I knew Kyle would be the one to initiate it and you chose an interesting way for it to happen. Her feelings and his awkwardness sounded pretty realistic for the circumstances. I love the phrase 'and then reality dropped a huge boulder on us'. *laughs* The timing was great too.
So is Sabrina finally accepting that she has feelings for Kyle?
Lawrie already covered p2 with the '..1 - (one) wall completely'
The only other thing I noticed was
p25 - 'Oh was my only response, said so low I doubt he even heard it.' Should be '"Oh," was my only... 'since she was saying it.
This is an amusing little library chapter. It will be interesting to see how it affects the story from here.
Greg
-
-
So the kiss ok? I haven't been first kissed since I was a fifth grader and that was more year then I can remember. It was really hard, but Shelbie helped. Her awkwardness with her first 'boyfriend' helped. I would love to be that innocent again. I hate being jaded and wishing for more
Thanks for reading
Brooke
-
-
A nice quiet, blissful episode (until Carmen slammed down those books).
I think I've somehow missed a chapter, maybe two, so I'll be going back to catch up when I can.
I can't help you I'm afraid; my first kiss was so long ago it was in monochrome but the feelings aroused and the words spoken by Kyle seem to be about right. Naturally I can't offer a comment about Sabrina's reactions.
I've got one tiny suggestion which you may or may not be interested in:
para 2: Sunlight streamed in from long windows that lined 1 wall completely. - I would like to suggest that '1' be replaced with 'one'.
A lovely, comfortable read of an episode from your wonderful story.
-
-
Can't believe I missed that. I am always pointing that out in others.
Thanks for the advice and I do hope that the kiss was realistic.
Brooke
-
-
You've painted a lovely picture of budding romance here. It's been even longer since my first kiss, but I would say that the emotions portrayed are fairly accurate. I like the way you ended this chapter, leaving us wondering just what the news and surprise are. Very good chapter!
-
-
Steve, thanks for the comment. I try to leave everyone guessing and wanting more, but really it is just my insecurities and wanting my fellow writers to applaud me and help me continue.
You have done that, thank you
Brooke
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 10 of 10
