“And so is this,” I tease.
“I was beginning to wonder,” she responds playfully.
“Oh.” I cock an eyebrow, leaning closer. “And why is that, Splenda?”
“Well…” She begins, pursing her lips together. “You haven’t kissed me yet.”
“Then allow me to remedy that.” It’s been so long since I’ve kissed someone. I move too fast and forward into her, having no regard that we are indeed on a boat.
A boat that wastes no time ruining this moment and toppling into the nearest cluster of trees. I move quickly, shielding my body around hers as we roll into the water like a pair of fish caught in a net.
The cold is a splash of reality, shocking but refreshing. I hold tight to her waist as we surface, right under the tipped canoe.
Tension hangs heavy in the air as her laughter echoes around the tiny, enclosed space.
When it comes to failed kiss attempts, this has got to be between the worst and best. Marina’s green eyes crinkle as streaks of pink dye slide down her face like pastel raindrops.
Our laughter echoes and doesn’t stop, not even when her lips find mine. Each time our lips part and meet, I can feel her smile. She’s so warm in my arms, her perfect mouth pulls a groan from my lips.
If I were drowning, she would be my oxygen tank.
We sink low into the water, and the charm of my glamour floats away from my body. In a sharp burst, the faint buzzing of magic has left me along with my disguise. If she’d just open her eyes, she’d see who is kissing her—really kissing her.
The edge of her fingertips traces my fins. Maybe our differences don’t matter after all. Our lips are locked, tradingbreath and heat, and as the kiss deepens, there’s no question that this is something bigger and deeper than I could have imagined.
I hold her hands tightly in mine as we kick to stay afloat. Still, kissing, our hands roam and I—
Pshhhh
Light shifts as our makeshift hiding spot lifts away from the water. Quickly, I pull my enchantment back in place. Blinking in the sunlight, we find a group of humans eager to help us out of our predicament—if only they knew the moment they’d cut short.
Marina blinks at me, cocking her head. Did the truth rise to the surface when we did? More likely, I’m too drunk on that kiss to think straight. The boat is put right-side up, and after a quick thanks to the “helpful” humans, I help her get seated before leaping back in across from her.
“You alright?” I ask her, smoothing out my wet clothes. Her belongings are a damp pile between us of soggy fabric, paper, and a phone I’d be surprised still works.
“I’m … perfect,” she says, and I cup her chin with a grin.
“I’m inclined to agree with you on that,” I say, and just like that, her lips meet mine again.
Chapter 10
Journal
From the diary of Marina Brooks – Age 8
Fantasy.
A fantasy.
That’s what everyone says: this a story I’m writing in my head, and in my diary…
A boy who doesn’t exist, and a girl who is just pretending.
Well, the boy is waiting for the girl when she returns with a big grin and outstretched arms. He tells her he has a surprise. She’s never liked surprises, so she—
I
she suggests a game instead.
