The first time Lisa kisses a girl, it's at Sherri and Terri's thirteenth birthday party.
Lisa is in a matching set of red long-sleeved, button-up pajamas, opting for a conservative look. Allison's look is similar except her colors aren't muted, her design is aesthetically pleasing, and the material is made of silk and not thinly stitched together after constant wear and tear. (Always better, always one step ahead).
Sherri and Terri don short shorts and tank tops, not hesitating to flaunt their bare arms and legs. Becky wears a turquoise graphic tee and orange gym shorts, simple and plain as she is and as she prefers. Alex is decked out in a black onesie with neon purple zebra stripes, because apparently onesies are making a comeback this year. Janey sports baby blue fleece bottoms and white spaghetti straps, with the left strap hanging loosely and exposing her bare shoulder.
Lisa has been careful, not staring for too long, but just long enough to let her gaze linger at Janey's smooth skin before forcing herself to pry her eyes away once more. She wonders if anyone has noticed by now, not the loose strap, but her constant flitting back and forth from Janey's shoulder to a random corner of the room. Lisa clutches her hands into tiny fists and drops her gaze to the floor. She sucks in a sharp breath and holds it close to her chest before letting the air trickle out through her tightened lips. Has Janey always looked this good?
The walls of Sherri and Terri's bedroom are tinted pastel pink and lined with lavender curtains, threaded in swirls and detailed with tiny patterns. All the girls lie sprawled on a circular, cheetah print rug, legs splayed to the side and fingers brushing against the soft edges of the fabric. Sherri places a glass bottle in the middle, empty except for a few drops of red wine. She examines the faces of every girl in the room and sits back, smiling.
"The game is truth or dare," she says. "Whoever the bottle lands on is the victim. Afterwards, they get to spin. Any questions?"
Becky raises her hand. "Uh… does the spinner or the victim get to pick if it's a truth or dare?"
Sherri rolls her eyes. "This isn't elementary school anymore," she says. "Obviously the spinner gets to pick."
Terri chimes in, "Makes it more fun not knowing what you're gonna get, doesn't it?"
"I guess," Becky says, swallowing a heavy gulp. Her nervous eyes flicker around the room, which is coated in thick silence and expressionless faces. Sherri breaks the tension with an abrupt, fake cough and a haughty toss of her hair.
"Since me and Terri are the birthday girls, I've decided that Terri gets the first spin."
Terri grins over at her sister, and Sherri nudges her with her elbow. Terri eagerly grasps the bottle and gives it a whirl, and it spins vigorously before decelerating. It slows to a halt, the neck of the bottle pointing at its target.
Janey.
Everyone gasps in anticipation but inwardly sighs in relief. Janey simply tilts her head and flashes an amused look at Terri, awaiting the challenge that's in store. Terri ponders while drumming her fingertips on the carpet. A sly grin creeps up on Terri's face, and she claps her hands together, face glowing.
"I dare youuu…" Terri begins, letting the last vowel drag out to keep everyone in suspense, "to kiss someone in this room. On the lips." Terri squeals in delight and Sherri joins her in a fit of giggles. Janey glances around the circle of girls, jaw dropped. All of the other girls in the room stare back at Janey in frozen terror. Janey bites her lips and frowns.
"C'mon Janey," Sherri prods. "Don't be such a party pooper."
"Yeah Janey," Terri scoffs. "Just do the dare. It's just a little kiss. What's the harm?"
Janey crosses her arms and shoots the twins a nasty glare. "I'm not a party pooper!" she snaps. She huffs and begins to survey the room. Allison looks off to the side while Becky has her eyes pointed down, and Alex takes a moment to whip out the camera on her cellphone. Lisa is the only one who doesn't avoid Janey's gaze. Their eyes meet. Lisa's hands begin to sweat and her heart flutters, right before plummeting into the depths her stomach. This is, after all, a cruel, twisted joke.
"Fine," Janey says in begrudging defeat. "I pick Lisa."
The way the words drip out of her mouth in such disgust causes Lisa to flush red with shame. Janey stands up, takes a few steps, and plops in front of Lisa with a labored sigh. Lisa swallows as Janey leans forward, eyes squeezed shut. Lisa supposes she should close her eyes too, and so she does, chest thumping in anticipation. Janey's lips brush against hers in a gentle, swift motion, and then the kiss is over.
All of the girls in the room gasp and shriek and laugh.
"Eww!" says Becky, who covers her mouth with her face.
"You did it!" screams Sherri.
Terri snorts, "You actually kissed Lisa!"
"Wow," is all that leaves the back of Allison's throat.
"O-M-G, I am sooo posting this photo on my blog," Alex brags, mouth parted wide in amusement.
Janey wipes her mouth and gags. "Yuck," she says. "Don't ever make me do that again."
Janey's lips—even though Lisa had gotten only a taste—had been soft and warm and sweet, unlike Janey herself. The kiss itself had given Lisa butterflies she hadn't felt in a long time, or perhaps ever. Lisa would never be with Janey; one-sided, physical attraction coupled with Janey being, well, Janey is not an appealing recipe for a romance. But Lisa cannot deny what she had felt in that moment, in spite of the circumstances.
For that brief second, Lisa had felt her whole body light up like fire. That brief second changed everything.
Janey takes the bottle and gives it another spin.