Before We Broke

My First Spark

We made our first date official by text, naturally.

“Maleficent is out this weekend.”

“Take me.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

It was weird how fast things changed. One week ago, he was my best friend who quoted fantasy books and stole my cookies at lunch. Now I was standing in my bathroom, heart pounding, trying to choose the perfect lip balm for a movie date with the boy who’d sent me fantasies about locker rooms and breathless kisses.

I remember looking in the mirror and whispering to myself, “Don’t mess this up.”

He picked me up wearing a black hoodie and those jeans with holes in the knees that somehow made him look like trouble and safety at the same time. His hair was a mess — in a good way. And when I opened the door, he just looked at me for a second.

“Wow,” he said. “You really did your face and everything.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s called mascara.”

“Well, I like it.” He grinned. “But I’d like it off you too.”

I froze. “Excuse me?”

He laughed. “Your makeup. Like… later. After the date. When you wash it off. Relax, you perv.”

I punched him lightly in the arm, cheeks burning. But my stomach was doing flips. I couldn’t tell if I was embarrassed or thrilled.

Probably both.

The movie was… fine.

I mean, it was good. Angelina Jolie was terrifying and gorgeous and powerful. But I barely remember half of it. My arm was touching his the entire time. And every second I didn’t look at the screen, I was looking at his profile in the dark.

The way he bit the inside of his cheek when he was concentrating. The way his fingers twitched, like he wanted to hold my hand but didn’t know how to ask.

He finally did — toward the end of the film. Our fingers brushed. Then locked. I swear, the moment it happened, I stopped hearing the movie entirely.

When the credits rolled, I felt different. Like something had clicked into place, and my skin wouldn’t stop buzzing.

We drove home in silence. Not awkward silence — but thick, full, something’s coming silence.

He pulled up in front of my house. The porch light was on. My stomach was in knots.

“I had fun,” I said.

He looked over at me, eyes soft. “You looked at me a lot during the movie.”

“You looked back.”

“You smelled good.”

“I wore perfume,” I whispered.

“I noticed.”

It got quiet. He leaned in slightly. I mirrored him. Our eyes locked, and neither of us blinked. And then…

He kissed me.

Soft, at first. Just lips on lips. But it didn’t stay soft.

His hand slid into my hair. He tilted his head. I parted my mouth slightly — nervous, unsure — and then his tongue slipped between my lips.

That’s when I gasped.

It wasn’t like in the movies. It was hotter. Sloppier. Better.

His lips tugged at mine, teeth grazing just enough to make me shiver. His tongue found mine, slow at first, then deeper. Hungrier. I clutched his hoodie, grounding myself. My knees were shaking, even though I wasn’t standing.

I felt it — something tight and warm coil low in my stomach. The kind of ache that made me want to get closer. Closer than kissing should allow.

He pulled back slightly, his breath hitting my lips.

“You okay?”

I nodded quickly, but I couldn’t speak. I didn’t know how to explain what was happening inside me.

“I could kiss you forever,” he murmured.

My voice was barely a whisper. “Then don’t stop.”

So he didn’t.

We kissed again, and this time, his lips tugged mine harder — gently, but possessive. Like he needed to feel them give under his mouth. He kissed me until my head spun, until I forgot what air was supposed to feel like.

I barely remembered walking inside. I was floating. I collapsed on my bed, still wearing my jeans and jacket, heart pounding and lips swollen.

I stared at my phone.

And then I messaged the group chat.

Lila 🍭

okay. I just had my first kiss. like REAL kiss.

and I think I’m dying. or exploding. or turning into lava.

what is happening to me???

Nicole 🐍

omg DID HE KISS YOU IN THE MOVIE THEATER OR IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE SPILL RIGHT NOW

Mae 🌙

wait wait wait… did you get tongue?? 👀

Lila 🍭

tongue. teeth. lip pulling. gasps. my soul left my body

AND SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME

Mae 🌙

nothing’s wrong with you babe. your body is waking up. welcome to horny emotional purgatory 😇

Nicole 🐍

you got the kiss shivers. classic case.

you turned on for the first time didn’t you?

Lila 🍭

…I think so?

like my whole lower stomach was on fire. and I didn’t want it to stop. ever.

Mae 🌙

yup. sounds like arousal, sweetheart 💕

your body wants what your lips are getting.

Nicole 🐍

told ya it would happen when it was the right person

you like him bad, huh?

Lila 🍭

I don’t just like him.

I ache for him.

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

I kept reliving the kiss — the warmth of his mouth, the sound of his breathing, the way his hand had tangled in my hair like he needed it there.

And under the covers, I touched my lips, now slightly bruised from how hard he’d kissed me.

I smiled.

I was changed.