I DARE YOU NOT TO KISS ME

/Samantha/ Oh my God, I'm ill to my stomach. I can't believe I'm forced to attend this abomination of a school! Only last night did I return from a month's vacation, and the following day, I had to begin a new school year? This is a complete disgrace! Junior year was arguably the most difficult time of year to start a new school. The majority of people would have formed their own social circles by then, and I would be isolated and lonely for the next two years. I grunted and frowned as I looked out my car window, watching the entrance to my new nightmare come into view. South Shore High School is located on the South Shore of Boston. As I neared the school's entrance, I considered driving right past it, returning home, and pleading with my stepfather to simply let me return to my former school. I sighed heavily, knowing full well that he would not give in because I had been putting in the effort for the past three months to no avail, so I grudgingly twisted the steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot. Before entering the school, I pulled over in the first available parking spot and looked about anxiously, noting that there were people lounging around on the hoods of their vehicles, laughing and flirting, enjoying the last few hours of sunshine before heading inside. I gulped and reached up to adjust my rear-view mirror, peering into it at myself and attempting to calm my fluttering tummy. My long chocolate brown hair had been tied back into a loose bun, and I didn't look too bad. I had put on a smidgeon of mascara to make my blue eyes pop, as well as some clear lip gloss to finish off my look. In order to look presentable today, I hadn't gone to great lengths. It is my first day of school, all I hoped for was to get it through the day without humiliating myself. I walked out of the car wearing my leather jacket over my red shirt and black skinny pants, taking a deep breath and stepping out of the car. All eyes were drawn to me almost instantly as everyone stopped chatting and gazed at me. Everyone stopped what they were doing as if they were watching one of those movies where the new girl walks out and everyone stops what they are doing so they can analyze everything about her and determine where she fits in the social structure of the school. So much for slipping by unnoticed during the day! It was difficult not to exhibit any signs of nervousness on my face as I pushed my shoulders back and attempted to appear confident. Suddenly, as if on cue, the males began to whistle and hurl catcalls at me, while the girls looked at me with a mixture of envy and loathing in their eyes. It appears that I wasn't going to be a good match in this place after all.... “SAMANTHA!” I was startled when I heard my favorite voice on the planet yell. My pulse rate seemed to soar just by hearing his voice, and a huge cheesy smile sprang on my face as I heard him speak. I waited for him in the parking lot, my eyes scouting the area for him. When I saw him sprinting towards me with a large smile plastered across his lovely face, my heart almost stopped beating a little bit. Running through the parking lot, his short unkempt blond hair was swirling in the breeze as he dodged around people with deft precision. Henry William was my best buddy on the planet, the one to whom I confided all of my secrets and who was the only person who truly understood me. I breathed a sigh of relief as all of the tension and strain, loneliness, and heartbreak that I'd been feeling for the previous month simply drained from my body at the sight of him. It had been much too long since I'd last seen that grin of his. I threw my bag to the ground, and as soon as he came over to me, I leaped into his arms and wrapped my arms and legs around him, gripping him as tightly as I possibly could. I placed my lips on his neck and inhaled the scent he gave out. Oh my God, I'd missed him so much! It felt like I hadn't been able to take a breath for the previous month since he wasn't there. For the whole time I was away, I had scarcely eaten anything and had just wallowed in my loneliness, feeling as if someone had taken a piece of me away with them. I felt whole and entire again, here in his arms, breathing him in once again. In between laughter and firmer squeezes, he spun us in a short circle, making me moan with contentment. There were wide eyes and gaping lips from every single person in the parking lot when we walked into the lot. “Henry! "I've been missing you so much!" I informed him as I reluctantly unwrapped myself from him and kissed the side of his cheek. He exhaled, his lovely green eyes glistening with delight as he did so. "I missed you, Samantha Bear, as well. "I didn't expect you to be here today; you only returned from vacation last night, right?" “Chirp!” He said, nonchalantly putting his arm over my shoulder and snatching up my school bag, his grin still spread over his face. With a sigh and a roll of eyes, I grumbled, "Yeah, I'm really sleepy, but Brian said I had to come today because I had already missed the first week of school." "You should have informed me so that we could have arrived together." It seemed as if he was tightening his arm over my shoulder, steering me in the direction that he had fled from only minutes before. "I didn't think I'd be able to phone you because I didn't get back until after one o'clock this morning," I stated. Personally, I would have preferred to have ridden in with him today as well, since it would have saved me the trouble of trying to drive here with shaking hands. He came to a complete halt and stared me directly in the eyes. "Samantha Jane Thomas!" exclaims the narrator. You are aware that you may contact me at any time of day or night, you understand that" he replied firmly, his face a bit wounded. I gave him a snort and rolled my eyes. When he wanted to make a point, he always addressed me by my entire name. "Come on, Henry Richard William," I teased, calling him by his entire name, just as he had called me, and shoved him forward, laughing, as he looked at me. I was tucked under his arm as he kissed the side of my head, and he grinned and grabbed me again. When people looked at me, I tried not to get distracted by their looks. He appeared to be directing me towards a group of three boys who were perched on the bonnet of an old red BMW, according to my observations. As we neared, they gazed up at me with wide smiles on their faces, as if they were anticipating something. Curious, their gaze swept over me, causing me to feel a little out of place. I suppose that, as a newcomer, I would be subjected to a great deal of scrutiny today. I couldn't help but wish that someone else had begun today as well so that the attention would be spread out a little more evenly. "Guys, this is Samantha, my best buddy from high school. "Samantha, this is Thomas, Daniel, and Jerry," Henry said, introducing each of the three gentlemen in turn. I took a long, hard look at them, instantly seeing that they were all attractive in their own way. Their self-assurance informed me that they were part of the popular group at school and that they were well aware that they were sought after by their peers. Thomas had blond hair and blue eyes, Daniel and Jerry each had brown hair and brown eyes, but Jerry had incredibly lovely dimples on his cheeks when he smiled. Thomas, Daniel, and Jerry were all quite similar in appearance. They were all of the same builds, with a height of approximately six feet and muscles that were clearly visible under their clothes. They were also all of the same age. I flashed a sexy grin. I grinned. Hmm, perhaps this school will not be as horrible as I had anticipated! "Hey," they exclaimed, almost in unison, as they approached. "Hey," I said, flashing a flirtatious smile. Henry, who was sitting next to me, instantly tensed. Crap, I'd completely forgotten that he became very possessive of me when other men were there. The majority of my previous lovers had fled after hearing Henry's infamous 'You harm her, I'll kill you' speech. Henry was the only one who had stayed. His smile brightened as I wrapped my arm around his waist and squeezed it gently, bringing him closer to me. The fact that you have managed to keep this little cutie away from us for all this time is beyond me. Is this the Samantha, then? I'm talking about the girl who lives next door to you. "Is she the same girl who's been your best friend since you were in diapers?" Jerry questioned Henry, a sneer on his face as he threw out air quotes about best pals. Something about Henry's demeanor indicated that he was uncomfortable with what was going on. "Yes, and keep your hands off!" The fact that you are pursuing her around doesn't matter to her," he hissed, his voice having a menacing tone to it. I couldn't stop giggling. "Henry darling, I believe I am capable of dealing with the situation. "You don't have to act like a protective big brother to me," I say. I looked at him, shook my head, and touched him on the hard chest. "I'm not attempting to be your brother, Samantha," he whispered, his face contorted in displeasure. Just as we were about to leave, a group of five incredibly attractive young women approached us. They were all dressed in the same way, with short skirts, low-cut shirts, and much too much makeup. They were all wearing flirtatious smiles as they stood about. One of them threw herself over Daniel and began having s****l relations with him. Another individual went over to Henry and gave me a sneer, prompting me to hastily remove my arm from around his waist. "Hey, Henry. What's up? "How are you doing, little one?" She purred as she ran her fingers up his chest in a sensual manner. Despite his grin, I could tell he was unhappy because he was clenching his lower jaw. I gave him a kind grin and shook my head; he was much too sensitive to ever tell someone what he truly felt for fear of hurting their feelings; he was far too sensitive. "Er, how are you doing Miley?" "I'm OK, Miley," I say. He responded by taking a step backward. The move, however, did not have the desired effect, as she simply walked alongside him and pressed her chest against his, a seductive smile on her face. "Oh, I'm so much better now that I've seen you," she said, her voice soft and sweet. "How about taking me out to dinner tonight?" "Didn't we have a great time the last time we went out with you?" She smiled a bit smugly as she arched one brow in a seductive manner. Henry squirmed a little and gave me a short sideways glance before continuing.