The four teens looked at each other, the yawning closet in the front of each of their minds, as it had been since entering the Tancredi's finished basement.
And then thirteen year old Sara looked around nervously and asked the question on all of their minds.
"So, do you guys wanna play a game?
Lincoln nodded, "Yep, " his famous one word response falling from his lips.
Michael gulped. And Veronica blushed a deep shade of crimson, her big green eyes growing even bigger in her excitement. But in the end the vote was unanimous. They would play a combination of two games, spin the bottle and 7 minutes in heaven, Lincoln's creation of course.
Since it was her house the bottle was first passed to Sara, her nervous fingers slippery on the glass of the old champaign bottle she had found in the wine cellar. She took a deep breath and gave the bottle a spin with a quick twist of her slim wrist.
Please let it be Michael...Oh, please let it be Michael she chanted silently behind closed eyelids.
She told herself if she didn't look it would have to land on her crush. She heard Veronica giggle and dared a look, her eyes peeking out a slit through her long lashes. She felt her eyes widen as her mind registered the bottle pointing directly at a blushing Michael. She felt her own cheeks flare crimson, but when Lincoln slapped his brother on the leg, Michael jumped up, so she did too.
They made their way to the dark closet her pounding heart filling her head. The only other sound in the room was that of Veronica giggling softly behind them.
Sara entered the closet and Michael followed. And then the darkness enveloped them. She was so aware of him standing close by, the scent of his soap mixing with the smell of moth balls. And then he moved closer.
"Sara?" His voice in the quiet closet made her jump.
"Mmm, hmm?" She asked fidgeting in the dark.
"Um, we, um, we don't have to do anything...I mean if you don't want to, that is," he added quickly.
Sara felt a moment of relief rush through her. But wait, hadn't she been dreaming about this for weeks, no months? Did this mean Michael didn't want to kiss her? Did he maybe wish he were in here with Veronica spending 7 minutes in heaven? Sara felt disappointment replace relief as the seconds ticked away.
She figured maybe 2 minutes had passed since they had entered this dark hell of awkwardness. So if two minutes had gone by that meant she only had 5 left to get her kiss. That is if indeed she wanted him to kiss her. And she did want him to kiss her, definitely, but only if her wanted to kiss her.
"Um, do you like me, Michael?" Oh, God where had that come from? She reached and pushed some wisps of hair from her blazing cheeks.
"Um, yeah...I mean I like you Sara."
"More than you like Veronica?" Sara knew the darkness was allowing her to be so candid. If she were looking into his eyes; his incredible blue eyes, her tongue would surely tie itself in a knot at the mere thought of such questions. But here in the dark she saw nothing, it was almost as if they were on the phone with each other. Almost.
"Veronica?" His voice sounded surprised. "You think I like Vee?"
Sara nodded and then realizing he couldn't see her, "Maybe?"
Michael laughed nervously. "I don't like Veronica, Sara. I... I like you."
She felt him move closer and then his arm brushed hers sending shivers to go along with her racing heart.
He liked her! And now was this it? Was she going to be kissed in moth ball laced heaven?
She felt his breath on her face, and then his lips grazed her cheek, before moving along to her mouth. His lips were so soft, she felt as if her heart might explode.
And then his tongue was hot against her lips. She opened her mouth more out of shock than anything, but when his tongue eased inside she felt herself grow warm. The taste of him was so amazing.
She felt his fingers in her hair, and her arms moved to embrace him as if she had done this before. His lips were trailing soft kisses along her jaw and she wondered where he had learned this stuff. Had 'he' done this before?
She didn't have long to wonder, because just then a loud knock sounded on the door startling them both out of each others arms and not a moment too soon. The door came open blinding them, and when their eyes adjusted they saw Lincoln framed there, a huge smile on his face. "Times up Little brother."
