The Stolen Kiss

Chapter 2

Vien’s POV

“You kissed a stranger?!” Stellar shouted in disbelief. She almost spit her milk tea on me. We are currently here in her condo doing homework. Since my parents aren’t home, we decided to have a sleep over here at Stellar's place. It’s much better than being alone.

“Stellar, for the ninth time, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to steal her a kiss. It was supposed to be Carson, but then she appeared out-of-nowhere.” I took a deep breath. I have been explaining this to her for almost an hour now.

“It’s not as if I liked kissing her! No, I don’t! Hell, no!”

“She?!” Stellar in her second mini-heart attack.

“Yes, unfortunately.” I sighed.

My head is going to explode every time I remember what happened. After the accident, I had no choice but to run away. When she smirked at me, Jesus Christ! I just want to disappear. If only I could bury myself right at that moment. I already did.

“What does she look like though? I wanna know.” She then asked me as she put down her pen and set aside her Biology Lab Manual. She was answering to face me.

Well, it was my first time seeing her. Talk about first impressions, right? I tried my best to picture her face again, but that annoying smirk of hers is the first thing that comes to my mind. You don’t have any idea how much I wanted to scratch off that smirk on her face.

“She’s average, short, and skinny. She basically looks like cotton candy!”

Liar! My mind almost shouted at me.

“A cotton candy?” Stellar asked, as if to check is she heard it correctly.

I nodded.

“An ugly cotton candy to be exact!” She giggled before saying.

“You mean you kissed cotton candy?” I glared at her, then she burst out laughing.

“Anyway, where have you been a while ago? I was looking for you.” It was my turn to ask her. We were supposed to meet in my car after class, but she took a while before meeting me.

She faced me excitedly. “You will not believe who my lab partner is for Biology class.”

“Who?”

“Alexa Elrod”

I heard about her. Same with Charlotte. She’s one of the most popular students in the university. Everyone wants to be friends with her. She’s known to be outgoing and friendly. Add to it, that she’s ridiculously gorgeous. Though, everything about her is girly and stuff, don’t be fooled because she’s known to be the best gamer in university. Even guys don’t have a match with her in video games and online games.

“Do you know what that means?” She said while wiggling her eyebrows.

“What?” To be honest, I have no idea what Stellar is talking about.

“I am a step closer to ‘The Aces’!” Stellar squealed. Even tugging my shirt forcefully. She can’t handle her feelings. Apparently, this Alexa Elrod is the best friend of the Archery team’s ace player.

Speaking of the archery team, how can I forget that Stellar is a fan of our school archery team. She watches their games to support them. I even thought that she would join the school journalism club so she could watch and cover that club for free. Can you believe that she even studied the sport just to know how it is played? She's literally gushing over the team’s ace player. Whoever that is.

“Oh my God, Vien! She’s so beautiful! Like she has no bad angle. Everything about her screams' perfection!” I swear Stellar’s eyes are closed on forming a heart shape just talking about Alexa who she just met.

“More beautiful than me?” I pouted at her.

She nodded.

“Hey!” I hit her arm lightly, which caused her to chuckle.

“I’m just kidding!” She moved closer to me and hugged me from the side.

“Of course, you’re the one and only beautiful girl in the whole universe.” I couldn't help myself to grin.

“But you know, I can feel that Alexa is nice. I hope we can be friends with her.” She smiled. Among all of my friends, Stellar is the total soft girl.

I patted her head.

“Of course, come on! You’re the nicest person I’ve ever known, and she’ll definitely see that too.” I felt Stellar resting her head on my shoulder.

“Then she can introduce me to her best friend.” She chuckled. Befriending the best friend for her to be introduced. I am done with my best friend’s interest in this Ace.

“Why don’t you just simply talk to her? Then tell her that you needed to interview her for the school paper.” I smiled at my brilliant idea.

She shook her head.

“How I wish it was that simple.” She sighed.

—-

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Everyone got up and went out. I took my time in fixing my things as I didn’t want to go along with the sea of people in the corridor.

As there were only a few students, I got up and went to my next class.

“Wifey!” I mentally rolled my eyes as I heard that annoying voice. I continued walking and did not even bother looking at her. Can she stop? She’s been bothering the hell out of me since that day. As expected, she trailed behind me.

“So grumpy.” She whispered, but I still managed to hear it. This girl is really testing my patience and pestering me right now is not helping at all.

“What do you want?! f**k!” I turned to face her, but I stumbled a little as I bumped into her. She was literally behind me.

“You.” She immediately answered, even leveling her head at mine to meet my eyes. I felt something in me skip a beat. What the f**k is that? I didn’t notice that I was holding my breath because she was too close to me.

“Well, I don’t want you. So get lost!” She just shook her head.

Now that I’m facing her, I noticed that she’s wearing a black hoodie and a gym bag hanging on her right shoulder. This cotton candy must be one of the varsity team of the school. I wonder what team, but I don’t think she’s an athlete though. She doesn’t look like one to me. Probably she’s just holding her friend's gym bag, or maybe she’s the assistant of the team or, better yet, a water girl. Haha! Poor cotton candy!

But this is the first time that I actually paid attention to her. Cotton candy with her outrageous pink hair. I actually named her cotton candy because of it. Okay fine! It kinda suits her. Not all people can pull off that color, but she did. She also has doll eyes, a pointy nose, and those plump lips. Man, that lollipop on her lips is not helping at all. It’s adding some serious appeal to her! Then the image of our kiss came to my mind. I felt my blood rushing to my face.

“Done checking me out, wifey?” My eyes went wide. What the hell?! The nerve of this freaking cotton candy!

“In your dreams, Cotton Candy!”

Instead of being insulted, she just laughed at me.

“Ion!” A tall, black-haired girl called her out. Both of us turned in her direction.

“Hurry up! We’ll be late!”

So cotton candy’s name is Ion. Learned something new about her today. Yes, with all the days of bickering with each other, I still don’t know her name.

“Nice timing as always, Phia.” She mumbled before shouting back to her friend.

“Right, coming!”

Then she faced me.

“I’ll be going now, wifey. Take care!” She even patted my head, but I slapped her hand. She chuckled before walking away.

I was about to walk away too, when she called me again.

“Hey, Wifey!”

Even the few students in the hallway looked at her. Luckily, most of the students are in their respective classrooms.

“Don’t miss me too much!” Then winked at me before dashing out to catch up with her friends. Leaving me dumbfolded.

—

Days passed and nothing changed. I would like to believe that annoying me has been Cotton Candy’s favorite pastime. She will really find a way to ruin my day.

And today’s not an exemption.

Because I had a deadline for a research paper, I spent my whole afternoon in the library drowning myself in the pile of books and journals.

I was busy typing on my laptop when suddenly someone sat on the seat in front of me.

“The hell do you want?!” I hissed without even looking at her as I continued typing.

“Woah! Easy there, tiger!” She even acted as if she was surprised by my remark.

I rolled my eyes at her. Well, I don’t have time for her mischief as I have a f*****g deadline. Apparently, our absent professor gave us a activity and it is due today. How awesome is that?

“If you don’t have anything good to do, get out of my sight!”

“But I’m here to study too.” She then took out her books from her backpack.

I looked around the library. It’s not even full. There are only a few students here with us.

“There are a lot of vacant seats. You can transfer there. I need some peace of mind here so I can finish my goddamn paper already! I don’t want a distraction.”

“I will take that as a compliment, wifey.” I heard her chuckle.

“And also I need inspiration to study, so here’s the perfect place.” She looked at me with a teasing look.

There is no use arguing with her. Knowing how stubborn she is, she’ll never listen. After a few minutes of Cotton Candy pretending to be studying, she was again bothering the hell out of me.

“Wifey, I’m hungry.” She pouted and even made a puppy look.

I rolled my eyes. “Do I look like food to you?! Go to Cafeteria!”

“Oh, do you think it tastes good? Because if you do, I don’t mind you as my meal.” She smirked at me. And there goes that annoying smirk on her face.

Wait. Did she just? My eyes went wide on realization.

“What the hell!” I shouted and threw a crumpled paper at her which hit her shoulder, but she just laughed it off. Damn! She really enjoys pissing me off.

Then we heard “Shhhh” from the students near us.

Both of us went silent. Suddenly, my stomach growled. Oh yeah, because I was busy finishing this f*****g paper. I haven’t had my lunch.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten?” She eyed me.

I didn’t answer and just continued typing on my laptop.

“Wifey!” She called, trying to get my attention.

“Stop calling me wifey or else–!”

“Or else, what?”

“I’m going to break your neck!”

“Ohh, feisty! I like that!” She smirked. Trust me, I am so close to breaking her neck at this moment.

“Leave me alone.”

Can’t she understand? I want her out of my sight!

“No, I won’t unless you answer my question.”

I took a deep breath and shook my head.

“That’s it! You’re coming with me!” She said as she started fixing her things.

“I have already answered your question. Now, mind your own business.” I said in all seriousness.

She sighed and looked at her watch. From my peripheral vision. I noticed that she continued packing her things.

“I’m going to get going now, wifey!” And hung her backpack on her shoulders.

“Laters!”

Finally, some peace of mind! I decided to continue working on my paper first. Not minding the noise in my tummy. I’ll probably just grab some snacks on my way home.

And I’m done!

I made my way to the school field to look for my classmate, who was assigned to collect our papers. I texted her, and she told me she was in the bleachers near the oval.

“Woah, buzzer beater, Vien.” My classmate is surprised that I’m one of the late submitters. Luckily, I felt relieved that I passed it on time. If only that cotton candy didn’t bother me, I would have submitted it earlier.

I looked around the field and saw that the varsity players were already warming up for their practices. Team practices are usually around this time in the afternoon.

Paper done! Time to eat! I was deciding what to eat when I heard someone call my name.

“Hi, Vien!” I turned around and saw Karina. I literally froze to my spot when I saw the person beside her. It’s Carson in his soccer uniform. He looked so good in it. Such a view I must say. I wasn’t surprised that they were together. They are both in the men’s and women’s soccer teams of the school.

“Hi, what’s up?” I ran to her and hugged her.

“Hi, Carson.” I greeted him too.

“Hello, Vien!” He answered with his famous gorgeous smile that I fall for every single time.

“Why are you still here?” Karina asked. She knows that after class, I usually go home right away.

“Wait, don’t tell me you were stal—” Before she could finish her sentence, I glared at her. I know what she’s going for. She’s going to tease me again in front of Carson. Why do my friends enjoy embarrassing me in front of him?

“It took me a while to finish my paper which is due today.” I dismissed whatever she was thinking.

“Alright, Ms. Straight A Student Hansley.” She teased.

“Anyway, Carson here has a favor to ask.” She even nudged Carson lightly.

“Gotta go, guys! Time for practice.” And with that she left the two of us.

“Hmm, Vien. Can I ask for a favor?” He sounded so cute asking. I stopped myself from squealing.

But I’m actually surprised that he has a favor to ask. I mean, we’re talking, but we’re not that close. He’s closer to Charlotte and Karina. We were introduced because of them with subtle teasing, of course.

I composed myself before answering him calmly. “Sure, what is it?”

He searched for something in his gym bag.

“Can you give this to Charlotte?” He handed me a notebook.

“I borrowed her notes for English class since I missed our lecture because of our game. I wasn’t able to return it to her a while ago. I mean, you know she might kill me if she failed our exam tomorrow without this.”

“Karina told me that you lived near their house. I got caught up with practice, and we’ll probably end late. I mean, if it’s okay with you, and you’re not that busy—” For someone who acts so cool in front of everyone, I never thought he could also be a shy mess.

“I’ll return this to her.” I smiled and saw how his face lit up.

He suddenly held my hands. I literally couldn’t breathe because of the sudden contact. “Thank you, Vien! I owe you one.” He sincerely.

“An ice cream will do.” I don’t know where I got the courage to say that, but all I know is I need to step up my game.

He smiled. “Ice cream it is.”

He walked me off to the other side of the school field leading to the main building.

“Bye, Vien! Take care on your way home, okay?” He waved at me. How can someone not fall for this guy? He’s such a gentleman in every way possible.

I was absentmindedly walking while staring at the notebook in my hands. I still can't get over my conversation with Carson! He still has that effect on me.

I mentally noted to thank Karina tomorrow for this. I can’t help but to shake my head at her antics. She told Carson that I live near Charlotte's house when she lived in the same building as her.

Then suddenly, the notebook was snatched from me.

“What the?!” I looked up to see Cotton Candy with a serious look on her face.

“Give me that!”

Being stubborn she is, she raised her hand which had the notebook.

“I said give me that!” I tried reaching for it but because she was taller than me. There’s no way I could reach that.

“No.” She moved back and hid the notebook behind her back.

“f**k! Give me that!” I tried reaching for it again. My hands found her hands behind her back.

“Wanna do it again?” I looked up and saw our faces were just inches apart. I gulped when I saw her lips. Those inviting lips. And our position though. Anyone who's going to see us will probably think that I was hugging her because I was holding her hands behind her trying to snatch the notebook.

I abruptly distanced myself from her and looked away as I could feel the heat on my face.

“You don’t want to?” She said coyly. She laughed when I glared at her.

“Here.” She handed me a small paper bag.

“What’s this?”

“Eat. You haven’t eaten yet.” I was taken back. So she left me a while ago to buy me a snack.

“I don’t know what you like, so I just bought my favorite snack. But it’s delicious, so I’m sure you’ll like it. Hopefully.” She was scratching her nape and couldn’t look at me.

She also has a cute side. I smiled at that thought.

“And this one.” She showed me the notebook.

“You don’t need this! It’s gonna go to the shredding machine later.” She looked at the notebook furiously. What the f**k is wrong with her?

I almost forgot about the notebook.

“That’s Charlotte’s notebook. Give me that!” I hissed at her.

She raised her eyebrows at me.

“Charlotte?”

“Or that monkey?” She whispered something which I didn’t hear.

I took a deep breath before saying “For the last time, that’s Charlotte’s notebook. Now give me that back before she kills the three of us for not returning her notebook on time.” I explained to her, but by the look on her face. She’s not buying it.

She shook her head. “No, I’ll take care of this.”

WHAT THE f**k?!

“You thief!”

“Says the one who stole a kiss from me.” She retorted.

“It was just a goddamn kiss! Get over it.”

“You see, babe. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was my first kiss. You f*****g stole my first kiss, and do you know what that means?” I unconsciously shook my head, my heart racing as I tried to process the weight of her words.

“You can never get away from me. You’re mine, Vien Hansley.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but it echoed in my mind like a thunderclap. I could still feel the warmth of her lips on mine, the way the world had melted away in that fleeting moment.

It was supposed to be innocent, a playful dare between friends, but now it felt like a line had been crossed—one that I wasn’t sure I wanted to return from. I glanced away, trying to hide the flush creeping up my cheeks. The truth was, I had never imagined that my first kiss would be with her.

“Do you understand what that means?” she pressed, stepping closer, her eyes searching mine for an answer. “It means you’re stuck with me. Whether you like it or not.” The challenge in her gaze sent a shiver down my spine.

I realized that this was just the beginning. The kiss had ignited something between us, a spark that could either light a fire or burn us both to ashes. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I was already drawn into her orbit, unable to resist the pull of what lay ahead.