Chapter 5: "Under the Moonlight"
1586 Words
It was well past midnight, but Erika was still wide awake. With everything that had happened tonight and the whirlwind of emotions filling her heart, she just couldn’t fall asleep. The night’s events played on a loop in her mind, each memory more chaotic than the last. Her heart ached—for Alex. The burning anger in his eyes, the raw pain on his face—it haunted her. She wanted to comfort him, to take away his pain.
But that kiss.
That stupid, accidental kiss.
She had acted like it didn’t happen, like it hadn’t thrown her entire world off balance. But it had. Completely.
How could something so brief feel so powerful? She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the memory. It didn’t help. Every time she blinked, she saw Alex’s face—his lips, his trembling hands. Her heart thudded louder with every image. Groaning, she buried her face in her pillow.
"This is insane," she whispered.
It had been two hours since she got home, and still, the memory of that kiss clung to her like a second skin. It was just a peck—nothing planned. Nothing romantic. And yet, it sent electric currents down her spine. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alex’s lips on hers over and over again. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
She bit down on the pillow in frustration. “It’s like i****t,” she hissed. “Alex is like a brother to me!”
Forget it. Erase it. Delete that file in your brain.
But her mind refused to obey. She had always dreamed that her first kiss would be magical—under a blanket of stars, in a field of flowers, maybe even during a fireworks show. Not behind dusty curtains while spying on someone’s cheating father.
And definitely not with her best friend!
She let out a sigh. “It wasn’t a real kiss,” she mumbled. “It was an accident.”
Still, her chest fluttered. Why did it feel like that? She shouldn't feel like that towards Alex.
Her phone buzzed, jerking her from her thoughts. She grabbed it—and her heart sank when she saw the name. Lance.
She considered ignoring him. After all, he had ditched her tonight, left without saying a word. But when he called again—and again—her curiosity won over her anger.
She finally answered. "Lance?"
"Erika, I’m sorry," he said, his voice low and raw.
"It’s late."
"I know. I just... I can’t sleep knowing I hurt you. I am sorry I disappointed you in our first date. Please tell me you can still forgive me."
She paused. She really was disappointed. But Lance's voice sounded so sincere. Maybe he really did regret it.
"It’s okay," she said, softer than she intended. "You don’t have to worry about it."
"Can you come outside?"
Her eyebrows shot up. She walked to her window—and froze. Lance was leaning against his car outside.
"Lance, are you serious? My parents are going to kill me."
"Just five minutes," he pleaded. "Please."
She hesitated.
"I’ll ask your dad myself if I have to," he added.
She groaned. "Okay! Five minutes."
Throwing on a hoodie over her pajamas, Erika slipped quietly out the back door. As soon as she stepped outside, Lance pulled her into a hug.
The smell of alcohol made her wrinkle her nose.
"You’re drunk," she said, trying to pull back.
"I’m not drunk—I just smell like it," he mumbled, holding her tightly. "Someone spilled on me at the party." She pulled away from his hug, but he didn’t let go of her hands. She almost melted under the way he was looking at her, like she was someone he had never seen before. "I messed up tonight, Erika. I was nervous about our date, but I was determined to make it special. But I ruined everything just to impress people who might help me in my career. I forgot about the one person I really wanted to be with... you."
His words struck her. She looked up at him—his eyes filled with regret.
"It’s okay," she said softly. She didn’t realize how important tonight had been for Lance. Only earlier, she had almost forgotten everything she felt for him. But seeing him like this softened her heart. How could she resist his handsome face that looked so sad? It made her want to hug him tight.
"I had all these plans," he continued. "I didn’t even dance with you all night. I didn’t even get the chance to take you home. I just ruined everything."
"It’s not ruined," she whispered and gave him a small smile. "It’s not like it’s our last date."
He blinked. "Do you really mean that? You’re not mad?"
"Disappointed? Sure. But not mad."
A flicker of relief crossed his face. "I was scared you’d never want to talk to me again. I swear, I’ll never make you feel that way again."
She looked at him—really looked—and felt something shift in her chest. Then he said words she didn't expect to hear.
"I love you, Erika."
Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened. She turned to look at him, and he gazed back at her, his eyes soft and tender. Did she hear that right? Did he just say he loved her? But how could that be? They had never shared anything special together. They had only exchanged a few smiles and words during summer visits and special occasions. Love? Really?
"I’ve loved you since you were ten," he continued. "When we flew kites that summer and you laughed so hard your nose scrunched up. That laugh stuck with me. And I promised myself that I will do everything to make you laugh everyday as I saw you laughed that day."
She stood frozen, his words sinking in.
"I always thought you liked Alex," he said. "When I found out you were just friends, I finally had hope. I know we’re young, but I needed you to know."
"Lance..." It was all she could say. Her heart was pounding so hard against her chest.
"You don’t have to say it back. Not yet. I just wanted you to know how I feel."
She looked up at him. He looked so earnest. Vulnerable.
"Have I told you how beautiful you looked tonight?" he asked.
She nodded.
"You’re even more beautiful now. In pajamas. Blushing. And barefoot."
"You’re really not drunk?" she asked again, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I swear. Smell my breath."
He leaned in close—too close. Her breath caught as his lips hovered just inches away.
"You can taste it from my mouth, too," he whispered as she pulled her closer, gently brushing his lips on hers. His lips were firm and warm and his breath felt hot in her face. She could not taste alcohol from his mouth but why does she feel intoxicated? He started nibbling her lips and she felt lost. The last thing she saw was the moonlight before she closed her eyes and surrendered to the sweetness of his kiss. It's her first real kiss. His kisses turned her legs into jellies. She grabbed onto his shoulders to steady herself.
When they pulled apart, she clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"I love you, Erika," Lance's whispered as they ended that sweet kiss.
Erika's heart was racing. "I think I feel the same way," she whispered.
His smile lit up the night. "So... does that mean you are my girlfriend now?"
She laughed nervously. "I’m not allowed yet." At the back of her mind, she had already planned how to ask her parents' permisison. She will make a very good bargain. She will make it to the top of her class. She will let them see that Lance is good for her.
"I’ll wait. However long it takes—I’ll wait."
He kissed her forehead. "You have no idea how happy you’ve made me tonight."
They stayed in each other’s arms for a little longer, lost in the stillness of the night. For a moment, everything felt right. Simple. Perfect.
When Lance finally left, Erika walked back inside her room like she was floating. Her heart was racing. She had just had her first real kiss.
She curled up on her bed, a giddy smile playing on her lips. Lance had told her he loved her—and meant it. And she had kissed him back. Willingly. Eagerly.
But as she lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, another image slipped into her mind. She remembered the smell of dust and the heavy curtain.
Alex.
That accidental kiss. His trembling hands. The look in his eyes.
She groaned, grabbing her pillow and covering her face. Why was she still thinking of him?
She laid back, trying to clear her thoughts. She is happy. She knew she was. So why did her heart still feel... complicated?
She turned off the lamp, whispering into the quiet:
"I love you, too... Lance."
She closed her eyes and smiled as Lance’s handsome face appeared in her mind.
That memory replayed in her mind as she tried to fall asleep. But she couldn’t. She was too happy!
She grabbed her phone and immediately texted her best friend.
"Alex, you won’t believe it! Lance just told me he loved me and kissed me!"
- Writer
