Night Sky Read Free Page A

sound normal? This
night feels anything but normal.
    “Be honest…all the time…no matter what.”
There’s a sudden softness to her that I want to see more of.
    I want to say yes, but I
know better. How many years have I been in
love with Sarah and never said anything?
    “Oh man.” She lets out a sigh. “You can’t do
it. That really sucks because I like you, Jameson.” She starts to
swim away.
    “I like you, too.” It just comes out. She’s
so relaxed. She’s going to tease me no matter what. I might as well
tell the truth.
    “Nice. Maybe we can be friends.” She turns
in the water to face me. I wish I could read her better. She still
has that teasing look in her eyes, but her face seems totally
relaxed.
    “Friends.” It comes out
flat. Did I just say that?
    “What’s wrong with friends?” She laughs.
    “I…”
    “Truth,” she demands, pointing.
    “I’ve been in love with my best friend since
tenth grade and like a moron I helped her to get the guy she wanted
and…”
    Her face falls. “And it worked.”
    “It worked.” And it punches into me again,
just saying it out loud.
    “Sucks.”
    “Yep.”
    She swims to the side of the pool and climbs
out. I stand here kind of wishing she’d left on the white tank
instead of the black one. Why is it different that she’s in panties
instead of a bathing suit? One doesn’t cover more than the
other.
    “Thanks for the swim.” She sits on the edge
of a long lawn chair, still in her panties, with her elbows on her
knees. “It’s freezing out here.” She pulls a towel over her
shoulders.
    It’s March and still cold for swimming, but
Mom and I use the pool year round. I slide easily out of the pool
and sit on the chair across from her.
    “So, this girl.” Her hands are on her
shoulders, holding the towel tightly.
    “Sarah.” Someone I don’t want to talk about
right now.
    “This, Sarah. You’ve known
her a while?” We’re facing one another. Our faces are a little too close for normal conversation and
for two people who just met. Her warm
breath hits my face. I love it.
    “We’ve been close for a few years.”
    “But now she’s with someone else.”
    “Yep.” The stupid picture of her and Eric
dancing hits me again. I wince at the memory.
    “When did that happen?”
    “What time is it?” I ask.
    “Shit… sorry.” She leans
forward in the lawn chair. Still in her
panties and tiny top. And I really should
stop thinking about that. “This is going
to be a pity kiss, but I promise that if we kiss again, it won’t
be.”
    Is she kidding? I’m not sure what to say, but I don’t have to say
anything. Her lips are soft and warmer than mine. She opens her
mouth. She tastes like cherry Pepsi and I put my hand behind her
head to keep her close. Her kiss hits every part of my body,
sending unexpected shocks waves through me.
    “Okay.” She pulls away. “You are way too
good at this to be…how old are you?”
    “Eighteen, next week.”
    She laughs.
    Am I allowed to ask her age? Probably
not…but she’s older than me. I know this much. Now I just need to
play it cool. “So, the next kiss won’t be a pity kiss?”
    “Nope.” She stands up. “And it’s not going
to happen tonight, either. Turn around, I’m going to put my dry top
on.”
    “You’re just going to
strip? Right here?” Okay, I cannot let
that thought hit too hard. And next kiss? I really want to feel her mouth on mine again.
    “As soon as you turn around.” She twirls her
finger between us signaling me to move.
    I do as asked. I hear the slap of her wet
shirt as it hits the side of the pool and it takes every ounce of
my self-control not to turn around. Instead I imagine it. I imagine
her bare browned back, and small black panties.
    “Okay.”
    I turn around. Her skirt is back on and her
wet tanks are in her hand.
    “I’m dry, but I’m still freezing.” She
chuckles as she rubs her arms.
    “Just a sec.” I jog into the house and grab
a hoodie for each