looking for. Haley took the album from me, looking closely at the picture, then up at me.
'That’s me. In my graduation gown.' I nodded, sitting back and supporting myself on my hands. I watched Haley’s face as she took it all in; the crowd, the stadium, all her fellow classmates. She smiled, bringing a hand up to swipe at her eye.
'You were there,' she whispered. I nodded.
'For a short time, yes.' She looked at me, and I could see the tears in her eyes, and the look on her face, part pain, part surprise, part wonder. She closed the photo album, and ran her fingers over her eyes, then opened her mouth in a yawn. I glanced at the Grandfather clock.
'Wow. It’s already almost eleven.'
'I know. I really have to get going.' I stood, stretching my arms over my head, my own yawn following.
'This was so much fun, Andi. We have got to do it again.' She smiled at me, genuine pleasure on her face.
'Thank you. I liked it, too, and I agree.'
'Well, let me help you get this cleaned up.' She bent down, about to grab our dishes. I stopped her.
'No, Haley, I can get this.' She stood, looking at me.
'Andi, no. I helped make the mess,'
'And I’ll clean it up. Come on. You still have to drive home, and it’s late.' I pushed her toward the door. 'I know that look on your face; you’re exhausted.'
'Okay, okay. Let me pee first.' She headed toward the bathroom, then stopped. 'You have a piano?' I nodded, smiling sheepishly. 'But you don’t still play, right?'
'No. I just figured that when I finally do get lessons, I’ll be set.' She smiled, running her hands along the shiny wood top, her hands stopping at a CD that was laying there. She looked at me, eyes opened wide in surprise.
'This is Linda Eder,' she breathed, picking it up, and looking at the back of it.
'Yes it is.' I stuck my hands in my pockets, suddenly feeling very shy.
'You listen to her?' I nodded. 'I am so impressed.' She looked at me out of the corner of her eye. 'You’re just full of surprises tonight, aren’t you?' I smiled, looking down sheepishly. 'You know, when I was driving here, my little U-Haul hooked up behind my car, I made sure I got here just in time for her concert.'
I stared at her, mouth open. 'The one in Indianapolis?' She nodded, looking at me.
'Woodrow Hall?'
'Yeah.' A smile began its journey.
'You were there, Andi?' I nodded.
'It’s the fifth time I’ve seen her in concert.'
'Oh my god! I was there, too. God, how crazy.' I had a full-out grin on my face, now. 'I wish I had known. That would have been fun with you. Certainly better than being by myself.'
'You were there alone?' She nodded, running her fingers up and down the edges of the jewel case.
'My mom couldn’t really get away then. Dad wasn’t doing too hot.'
'Oh. Well, next time Linda comes home to Minnesota, we’re there.' She smiled, nodding.
'You’re on. Okay, about to pee my pants.' She hurried back to the bathroom. I shook my head, began to clean up the mess.
Blue eyes fell to my mouth, then looked into my eyes again. There was something there that I couldn’t quite read, but if I had seen that look in my dreams, I would have taken it for desire.
'Okay.' She said quietly, still looking at me. Was she worried about the same thing I was? Did she worry I’d be cruel? Before I could ponder that question any further, I saw her leaning in a bit closer, her arm reaching across me to balance her self on her hand, placed near my shoulder. My body was vibrating, for so many reasons. I was nervous, could not believe what was about to happen, and oh yeah, I really wanted this.
Soon there was barely any space between us at all, the tip of her nose teasing mine, then teasing my cheek as she got even closer. I could feel her breath, so hot on my face, her body heat immense. I felt just the barest touch of her breast against mine as she adjusted her body, not fully laying on mine, but resting against it, her arm still taking the biggest brunt of her weight, her other hand playing with the hair that laid around my head on the carpet. My arms stayed glued to my body, my hands clasped on my stomach.
Soft, almost tickling me, her lips teased, almost shy in their advance. I tried holding my breath so I wouldn’t all out pant. I didn’t dare want her to guess my excitement level, or my nervousness.
'You can breathe, Andi,' she whispered against my mouth. It sent shivers through my body, and I exhaled in a small, quick puff of air. The lips came again, softer than I ever imagined they’d be, almost stroking mine, her bottom lip pushing against mine. My fingers began to dig into themselves, craving the feel of her skin, her hair, anything.
Both lips were on mine now, pushing, yet gentle, tentatively seeking the best place to rest. I didn’t know what to do, should I move my lips to kiss back? Should I just lie still? The lips pulled away a bit, and my mind screamed out in protest, my lips trying to hold on to what they craved, but the softness quickly returned, bringing with it a little more pressure.
One of my hands found its way out from between our bodies, and rested on Haley’s shoulder, warm and soft next to the scratchy material of the cheerleading outfit. My fingertips barely touched the skin, rubbing, just brushing. I felt a shiver run through Haley’s body, and I smiled inside with satisfaction. This gave me a bit of confidence, and I pushed back with my mouth, opening my lips just a bit, just enough to capture her bottom lip between mine.
Haley lowered her body a bit, lowering her weight to rest on her elbow now. I could feel her breasts against mine completely. My god, they were so soft. I had no idea. She moved her head a bit to the side allowing more room for exploration, her lips following mine, opening to capture more inside, and to allow the softest, warmest, most sensual feeling of her tongue, barely touching my top lip, tasting. At the sensation, my fingers dug into her shoulder a bit, messaging the skin, and moving up, along the cheerleading shell, and then the warmth of her neck, so soft and smooth.
No wonder men loved women so much.
Finally my fingers found themselves in her hair, brushing it from its dark halo around us, pushing it behind her shoulder, running my fingers down its long length.
This seemed to get Haley going as I felt that tentative tongue from before finding its way into my mouth, searching, soft, gentle caresses. To my surprise, and arousal, Haley moaned, long and unbelievably sexy. God, I wanted to moan, too, but didn’t dare. My tongue met hers, and they slid against each other, Haley’s breathing coming faster with each caress.
I bolted awake, arousal coursing through my body, my breath coming in short bursts. Looking around, I tried to orient myself, glancing at the clock. It was 3:14 a.m. I ran a hand through my hair, then stopped, eyes popping open.
'Oh my god.' Realization dawned on me. That was no dream.
It was a memory.
It all came flooding back to me. Spring break, the final weekend. Minnesota had been hit by a massive storm, everything closed down, and Haley had stayed at my house.
I scooted until my back hit the headboard of my bed. Bunsen whimpered from the end of the bed, stood on tired legs, dragging himself up to plop down next to me, falling asleep again with a snort.
Running my hands over his soft fur, I thought back. Haley bringing up her graduation tonight, and seeing that picture, and all the intense emotions that had been attached to it at the time.
God, how had I forgotten all of this? How could I not? It had all been ripped from a young, insecure girl’s hands and heart so quickly, the sting was just too much. When I’d left Winston initially, I had made the decision right there and then that everything prior to college was void, and my life was about to begin again in college, where things mattered.
What a fool I’d been. Look how that turned out.
I looked down at my dog. Why couldn’t life be as easy as his?
