Page 2 of The Death of Kisses

“Awe baby don’t be like that, I miss you,” he whined.

“It's hard to miss someone you cheated on.” I snapped.

“How many times do I have to tell you it was one kiss, I still love you.”

“One kiss too many, Good bye Jake.” I clicked the phone off and fell back on my bed.

Taking my pillow to my mouth I screamed until I had nothing left. Once I was done taking my frustration out and more tired than I was before I threw clothes and rushed out the door.

“Anna!” Savannah shouted and I internally groaned before joining the cheerleader.

“Hey Sav,” my voice enthusiastic as I linked arms around with my bestie.

“Did you hear that the new girl was starting today?” She whispered loudly and giggled.

“I bet she’s some kind of closet freak,” Kimmy, one of the other cheerleaders chimed in, linking arms on my other side.

“I don’t care as long as she can set me up with that brother of hers,” Savannah replied before turning to me, “Jesus Anna did you sleep or were you up all night fucking?”

“Lower your voice,” I hissed, pulling her to the side of the school doors. “I wasn’t seeing Jake, he and I are on a break.”

“Oh no what happened?” Kimmy asked like some kind of vulture ready to sink her claws into my leftovers.

“Caught him kissing another girl.” I shrugged. We weren’t that close anyways, just the standard football cheerleader couple. Truth be told I hated the way he made me feel, like my skin was crawling with bugs every time he was around. I totally didn’t fuck him. I mean Jesus, I was still a virgin. Not that any of these skanky bitches is going to know that.

The girls gave me a mock sympathy and I shook it off.

“Anyways are you going to Jessica’s party this weekend?” Someone asked and I nodded along not really paying attention as I watched a black motorcycle turn the corner into the school’s parking lot. Snapping out of it I turned toward them.

“Wait no, Dad has that dinner thing with his patient.” I rolled my eyes.

“Bummer.”

The rev of the motorcycle engine pulled everyone’s attention and I took that moment to slip by the crowd and head to my locker before the panic set in. I already needed to change into my uniform for the pep rally. Yay me. I’d rather give head in a bathroom stall at the strip club than spend another waking moment in PineRidge Ravens Cheer outfit. Like who even comes up with those short fucking skirts.

I pulled the doors to the school open and a chill spread against my arms. Something was off, I could feel the stare, I just hadn’t realized who was staring.

2

FALLING INTO THE ENDZONE

11 months ago - November 7th - Town of Coldwater - Population 1250 - 17 yrs old

It started the way that all things started. I should have known not to engage. It would have been easier to just walk away. I mean girl code told me that I shouldn’t have been glancing at him but there I was stealing a glance.

Lee was a running back, his job was to get the ball across the field as fast as he fucking could. Or that’s what Charlotte said as we sat screaming on the bleachers with the rest of the school.

November, one of the last home games before the season ended. Charlotte and I were huddled together in our matching shirts that said “If a Callahan says ‘trust me’ start running.” Lee had been known as a trouble maker lately and we weren’t even sure if he was going to be on the field but we showed up anyway. Small towns always went all out for their football teams. Lee’s blue jersey sprinted across the field. A flash in the wind really, Charlotte gripped my hand pulling us to stand as the crowd went wild. Lee zoned in, and nothing was going to stop him, he was home clear free at the 35 yard line, then the 20 yard line and then finally the 10. I yelled at the top of my lungs.

“GO LEE GO!”

He zoomed into the end zone without a second thought, ripping off his helmet and throwing on the frosty ground in celebration. That’s when our eyes caught.

The small acknowledgement before his teammates swallowed him whole. At first I thought it was nothing, that he was proud to see his little sister and me standing and cheering him on.

The look wasn’t anything life changing. That I knew.

“Come on Lilly, let’s go.” Charlotte pulled my hand and we wove through the crowd down to the field where the football team hoisted Lee on their shoulders just proud to have actually scored the winning points. Charlotte and I stood on the edge of the fence watching. Both of us were smiling, riding the high of a victory we’d never expected in the last quarter.