“That’s what it sounds like you’re saying.”
“Look, I don’t want to argue, okay? I want to know how it was,” I grinned.
Jane’s face perked back up. “It was awesome. His lips were all warm, and he had just put on Chapstick so they were nice and soft. And his tongue…”
“He used tongue?” I asked. “Have you ever done that before?”
“Not until him, but he didn’t need to know that. Confidence is key, Theresa. Project confidence and he will think you know what you’re doing,” she said.
“You’re so lucky, Jane. I haven’t kissed anyone yet.”
“And if you stop daydreaming about your brother’s best friend, maybe you’ll see that Ike has the hots for you.”
“Ew. Ike?” I asked.
“Yeah. Don’t you see him staring at you every day in science class? Even I can see it, Theresa.”
“But Ike is—Ike,” I said.
“Sure, he doesn’t wear a leather jacket, but he’s smart like you. And if you look past his baggy shirts, he’s got some muscles going on under there.”
“No, he doesn’t. Ike wears glasses and reads books.”
“Like you,” she said.
“But I don’t want someone like me. I want—”
“Grant?” she asked.
“Yeah. I want Grant. Even though I know, I can’t have him.”
“You do know that’s weird,” Jane said.
“Yeah, I know it’s weird. But it doesn’t stop me from thinking about it.”
“Trust me, I know,” she said. “You talk about it every time I come over.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I just want you to get your first kiss so we can talk and compare and do all of that fun stuff. But maybe you should be looking at someone who already likes you instead of someone who you can’t have.”
“Like Ike,” I said grimacing.
“Exactly,” she said with a smile. “He’s really not a bad guy. And he’s head over heels for you. I can see it. He’s always making googly eyes at you and watching you walk down the hallway. He’s got it bad. You could easily have your first kiss with him.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I said. “But—”
“But what, Theresa?”
“Do you think there’s a chance Grant might like me back?”
“Would it matter?” she asked.
“I think it would. I mean, it doesn’t make sense for me to have a crush on someone that doesn't like me back. But if he likes me, maybe it could be a one-time thing. Like with you and Chance.”
“Chance and I are not a one-time thing.”
“What?” I asked. “Did he ask you out?”