A/N: I was surprised at how many people wanted me to continue this. I kind of wrote it on a lark and this wasn't even the version I wanted to go with, I've got at least one other story line based on the play that I like better. But I was encouraged to continue this one so that's what I've done. I hope you all like it.
Disclaimer: They still don't belong to me. Even though I'd take really good care of them and feed them everyday and walk them and keep them clean and…well, you get the picture.
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What did happen out there? Well, I kissed her like the play said to and I felt things that I probably shouldn't have. Now I've scared Suzie and I don't know what to do about it. Unless… "Let's just pretend that never happened."
She whirls on me and speaks in a barely controlled voice "What?! No! I can't pretend that didn't happen. I won't. I don't want to." She started strong but ended softly saying the last; so softly, in fact, that I could barely hear it. "I don't want to pretend that kiss didn't happen. Because it did and it was…it was wonderful." Her eyes closed as she apparently went into a memory of the kiss and a smile spread across her face.
"Suzie…" I don't know what to say. She liked it? She really liked it? She liked kissing me? Being kissed by me? How…what…why? Her eyes open again at hearing me say her name and they lock onto my own confused orbs.
"I've never felt anything like that before. We both know that I've had boyfriends aplenty and none of their kisses even compare to just one of yours. Jennifer…the things you made me feel...that you make me feel…I've never felt so much. I've never felt so good. I don't want to pretend it didn't happen because I want it to happen again. And again and again and again. Up on that stage I saw the way you were looking at me and it made me feel like I was the most precious thing…the most precious person on the entire planet. You made me feel wanted, and safe, and special, and beautiful. Nobody else has ever done that. When you kissed me I felt like my heart was exploding and I never wanted it to stop. I don't want to pretend that never happened. I can't."
She's come closer to me. During that speech her eyes started to glitter and I knew she was only moments away from tears. Her voice squeaked and cracked as if her throat was growing tighter. Her hands were shaking.
I found myself once more falling into that gaze and before I knew it I'd taken her hands in my own and stared into her eyes silently. My breath came quicker and I lost awareness of anything outside of her presence. I drew her closer to me; moving my hands from hers and placing them about her waist I pulled her body against mine.
I bent my head down to hers and I was kissing her again. I felt her arms wrap around my neck and hold tight. Taking her cue I held her tighter as I continued the kiss.
I was feeling all the same things I had on stage, only stronger now because I knew she was feeling them too. All the confusion was gone. I knew that I wanted her; that I probably loved her, and I knew that she was feeling the same things. Warmth spread through me and any anxiety I had before had deserted me as our lips danced.
Parting I looked at her again and saw that tears were falling down her face. I wonder when she'd started crying and why? Was she happy? I hope so. I only ever want her to be happy.
I reach up and wipe away the tears as her eyes open and she smiles softly again. I pull her into a hug and feel her relax into my arms. Unconsciously I bury my nose in her hair and one of my hands follows suit. Her own face is hiding against my shoulder. We stay in that embrace not saying anything for long moments and I find my eyes closing in reverie and bliss.
Our moment is broken by many voices calling our names. Foremost among the voices is Ned and he doesn't sound pleased, at least not to me. I've known Ned for years and I know his angry voice when I hear it, but I don't really care. He was a jerk; he doesn't deserve her. The people out there with him probably don't know that's his angry voice, it sounds a lot like his regular voice except that it has an edge to it.
I wondered for a moment why they'd be looking for us before I remember that we'd sort of run out on all of them. We were the leads in the play and were expected at the after party. Now that I knew why they were looking for us I straightened out a bit. Looking at her I saw a little worry in her eyes.
"Don't worry. We don't have to tell them why we ran off. They're only looking for us so we can be at the after-party." I see her sigh in relief and feel a pang of disappointment. She doesn't want to tell them about us…wait. Is there an us? Do two kisses make her and me an 'us'? I don't know. I just know that I was full of joy a moment ago and now it's shadowed with pain because she's afraid to tell them we kissed again. But maybe I'm interpreting that sigh all wrong. I won't know unless I ask and I'm too afraid to.
"We should go. They're still looking for us. We've a party to attend Juliet, and being late would just be rude."
She laughs a little at the faux accent I'd spoken in and links her arm with mine. Maybe she's not afraid to let them know after all. I brighten at that thought and allow her once more to lead me away.
Exiting the formerly locked room into the hallway we see searchers looking in windows and knocking on doors calling for us. Ned spots us first and charges us as though he's on the warpath. Pulling up short he scans us both and takes particular notice of our linked arms. I see fury flash across his face before he schools his features into a semblance of calm.
"So, what've you two been up to?" The question seems innocent enough but it's really him trying to pry information out of us. He's so transparent sometimes. I wonder why Suzie liked him romantically. He's not that cute, but maybe that's just my best friend side speaking.
"Oh, nothing much. We were just having a little girl talk." Her response was flawless. He couldn't very well be upset with his girlfriend and best friend getting along and having some girl talk. He knows I've been trying to get a female friend because I was sick of having just two male friends. He still looks suspicious though.
"Really Ned, it was just girl talk. Clothes, hair, boys…nothing really." My words seem to throw him off the track. I know he's still thinking about the stage kiss and how we both must have looked afterwards, I believe stupefied would best describe it, but he allows our excuse to stand.
"Well then, we've all got a party to be at. I want to show my girlfriend off." He tries to separate her from me but she doesn't let him. I wonder why for a moment before I hear her speak.
"Actually Ned, I need to talk to you about that. In private." She removes her arm from mine and pulls him into the same room we'd been in moments ago. I know that she's going to break up with him and I feel a momentary pang of guilt before I recall how he'd behaved tonight.
She exited alone and returned to my side. Before I could question her she tells me what happened. "He and I are over. I can't be with someone who gets jealous if I even talk to another boy. It's ridiculous. I'm not his property and he has no right to treat me like I am. That's exactly what I told him; and then I said we were over." She shrugs as if it was no big deal but I can see the look in her eyes. He must have said something to scare her.
I let it pass figuring we'll talk later. "Okay. Well, we've still got that after-party if you're up for it?" I hope that she will be and I'm not disappointed as she turns a bright smile to me and we head of in the direction of the party arms linked once more.
I wish she'd stay with me forever. Having her beside me feels right; like we were made to fit together like this…like we'd make the best partners in everything. I suppose that's just what we'd be too.
Partners. Equal in everything. Ned didn't get that about her, she's not a subordinate, she's a partner. I won't make that mistake. I'm pretty sure that she's going to be the best thing to ever happen to me and that's okay with me.
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A/N: That's that chapter down. I hope to put more up during next week but we'll see. Let me know what you think.
