Hey, Jessie

The First Kiss

Ryan carefully weaved around the drunken teenagers, hoping to snag a piece of pizza before it was all gone. Trey had made it clear that he was to stay of out sight, but he was starving. Lunch was long gone and his mother's nightly brawl with the boyfriend of the week started earlier than usual. Ryan had opted to tagalong with Trey, rather than brave the kitchen and hope they were too busy fighting with each other to notice him.

With a sigh of relief, Ryan reached the picnic table and snapped up the last piece from the cardboard box. As he went to take a bite Trey's girlfriend Robin grabbed his arm and slurred that he hadn't paid for it yet.

Ryan looked at her in confusion. She laughed and told him it would cost him a kiss. Before he could respond, she had her hand on the back of his head, her mouth on his, and was forcing her tongue past his teeth. The stale taste of cigarettes and beer, mixed with pepperoni pizza nearly made him gag.

"Shit, quit hitting on my girlfriend," yelled Trey.

Ryan was jerked back and shoved to the ground. Trey stood over him, his fists tightly curled.

One of the other kids yelled across the yard, "Hey, Robin, Trey must not be much of a man if you're hitting on his little brother."

This brought a burst of laughter from the group of teens.

Ryan watched Trey's eyes narrow and scrambled to his feet, backing away from the angry young man. He bumped into somebody and flinched, expecting to be knocked down again. Instead he looked up and saw Jessie, Robin's 14 year old sister, looking back at him, her eyes troubled behind the wire rimmed frames of her glasses. She stepped in front of him and frowned at Trey and Robin.

"C'mon, there's more pizza in the house." she said, taking him by the shoulder and leading him into the kitchen. After handing him a paper plate loaded with pizza she reached into the fridge.

"Coke or Sprite?" she asked, holding up a bottle of each.

"Coke" he replied, accepting the cold pop with a smile of thanks.

"I'm watching a Simpson's marathon," she said. "You can to join me if you want."

Ryan was surprised at the offer. Trey had been dating Robin for several months and Ryan generally hung around when they were at her house. Jessie hadn't said more than a handful of words to him and it was obvious that she disliked Trey and the rest of the delinquents her sister brought home in the evenings after their mom left for work. Usually she locked herself in her room as soon as they came through the door.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," Ryan stammered as he walked over to the couch in front of the television.

While Jessie chuckled at the antics of Homer and Bart, Ryan shot sideways glances at her. He couldn't help but wonder why Trey called her an ugly duckling. Her blue eyes sparkled and danced in the reflection of the TV and the light from the table lamp next to the couch brought out streaks of blonde in her light brown hair. The only thing about her he would call ugly was the shapeless, gray sweatshirt she wore with her jeans. She definitely did not have her sister's sense of style. Ryan had never seen Jessie wear anything but her private school uniform or baggy shirts and jeans.

"Why don't you ever wear nice clothes like Robin?" he blurted out suddenly.

Jessie looked at him in surprise and he immediately tried to backtrack.

"I mean, you're really pretty, but, um. Aw, shit, I'm sorry." Ryan stared at his hands as his face grew red.

"It's safer. This keeps your brother and his creepy friends from confusing me with her." Jessie's voice was hard and bitter. She brought her knees up to her chest, hugging them as she stared intently at the Domino's commercial on the TV.

Ryan, remembering Robin's unwanted attention, as well as a few others, immediately understood what she meant. He scooted closer to Jessie and tentatively put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Jessie sighed and turned toward him, reaching out to gently stroke his cheek. "I know, it's not you," she replied.

The two kids stared at each other for a long moment. Then Jessie gave a small laugh and turned back to the TV.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Ryan asked her.

"No, remember, I go to an all girls school." she answered.

"What about the boys around here?" he asked.

"I'm not interested in druggies or drop-outs. I want a guy who is willing to work and get out of this hell hole. I don't see anyone here who fits that description." Jessie explained.

"I'm not sticking around here. I'm going to get a good job and be somebody, " Ryan said.

Jessie laughed and gave him a motherly pat on the head. "Good for you," she replied.

Ryan glared at her. "I'm only 2 years younger than you. You don't need to treat me like a little kid."

Jessie just smiled at him. "Okay."

Ryan dropped his eyes and licked his lips. Then he looked back at her and asked, "Hey, Jessie, can I kiss you?"

Jessie laughed, thinking he was joking. When she realized Ryan was serious, she looked at him uncertainly, suddenly shy. Then she smiled and nodded her head.

Ryan leaned in and touched his lips to hers. Jessie's tongue lightly licked his bottom lip and swept across his teeth. She tasted like Sprite and cherry lip gloss which instantly became his two favorite things. He was surprised at the swift surge of electricity that swept through his body and settled in his groin.

Too soon the kiss was over. Jessie straightened up and pushed the stunned boy back into a sitting position. "We're watching the Simpsons," she said firmly, although she did put her arm around Ryan's shoulders and allowed him to snuggle close.

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"Hey, Ryan. C'mon, little bro, wake up. We gotta jet before Robin's mom gets home," Trey shook Ryan's shoulder roughly and pulled him to his feet. Ryan looked around the living room in a sleepy daze, wondering if it had all been a dream.