At lunch the next day, Diego announces that he and Janet are a couple. Tossing her head, Trina accidentally gets her hair in Raul’s mouth.
Raul laughed louder, leaning over to nibble on her neck. He mumbled something that Janet didn’t hear. Trina elbowed his ribs, blushing.
“Ready for class?” she asked Janet.
“Yeah.” Janet hopped up.
Diego joined them. “I’ll head that way.”
“Okay, we’ll let you,” Trina said with a sly grin.
She left them behind, heading into the auditorium. Diego caught the door, slipping in after her, dragging Janet with him. He pulled the door shut behind them, surprising her with a kiss.
“I’ve been dying to do that all day. I can’t stay long, or I’m gonna be late.” He took one more quick kiss before pulling her back into the hallway.
Laughing, Janet jogged to her class. Diego took off at a dead run for his. She had the feeling he was going to be very late, but she knew he didn’t care. They met up in chorus and she asked him.
“I was, but no big deal. It’s not like I’m gonna flunk if I’m late. We’ll just have to leave lunch a little earlier Monday so I can get my fix.”
“You make it sound like a drug.”
“Better than a drug, and I’m totally addicted.”
He wouldn’t kiss her in front of all these people, but Janet knew that he wanted too. They could wait, they’d have to.
After school, Bunny and Ramona told Diego they intended to ride with Betty, to Bunny’s house.
“You sure? Cause I can drop you.”
“No, Janet needs to go by the store. We’ll head to Bunny’s. She’s going to show me her new terrarium.”
Diego frowned, pursing his lips. “Okay…. What’s that?”
“It’s for plants,” Bunny replied.
“If you’re sure.”
“See you later, big brother.” Ramona waved to Janet.
“They set us up,” Janet said, laughing. “That was sweet.”
“I don’t know if I should be grateful or very, very afraid,” Diego said as they walked to his car with their arms around one another. “Did you need to go to the store?”
“No. It can wait until Sunday.”
“Cool….” He drove rapidly to her house and pulled up in the driveway.
“Want a cold drink?”
He nodded. “No. But I do want to come in.”
“Okay.”
The second the door was closed behind them, he kissed her. Cupping her face in his hands, he teased her lips apart, probing her mouth gently but adamantly. Somewhat taken aback by the strength of his desire, she took a step away from him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I know you’re not experienced. I know you’re not ready…. But I really—am being an asshole. I’m sorry.” He stepped away from her.
“I’m not experienced. And I’m not ready yet…. But I will be. And when I am, I want it to be you.” She took his face in her hands, pulling him to her.
He laughingly complied. “God, I love you, Janet. I’ve loved you since we were kids. Only I never thought….”
“I know,” she whispered. “Me too.”
They kissed until they heard a car pull up. It was Mrs. Thompson dropping off Sookie. Instead of just letting her out, she came up to the house with her. Janet dashed to the door, opening it wide.
“Hi, is there a problem?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just I’m not sure that Lonnie’s going to be in school on Monday. He’s not feeling too well. I picked him up at noon.”
“Thanks so much for getting Sookie anyway. That was really nice of you.”
©2020 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 