Many thanks to galindapopular, who bothered to review *virtual hug*

Luis' POV

It was 11:15 the next morning, and I'd managed to detach myself from all of the others, and wander down to Crosby Lee Central, a place I knew like the back of my hand due to all the shopping trips with Mindy and gang, as well as more adventurous outings with the Ducks. I was waiting in the food court, tapping my fingers on a table top, watching a middle-aged Hispanic lady wipe down some tables. She could have been my Mom. She was a cleaner too.

11:30 came and went. Where was she? Okay, I knew the answer to that. At home, or out with her friends, obviously not interested in me. But, ever the wishful loser, I sat there til noon, until I finally decided to find a pay phone and ring her up. However little she thought of me, she could have at least told me straight up instead of leading me on.

The phone rang seven times before anyone bothered to pick it up. "Hello, Jessica Miller speaking", a frazzled female voice answered.

"Hello. Luis Mendoza speaking" I answered flatly.

"Luis! I am so sorry. My Dad tripped over a crate and broke his leg, so Mom took him to the hospital, and she's still not back yet. And the fruit truck turned up, so I was busy moving boxes. I'm so sorry, I would have rung you, but I don't have your number, and I didn't have time to ring Eden Hall and contact you the long way because I really needed to unpack everything. I still didn't finish it all, but Ryan turned up and said he could take over." she said hurriedly. "I'd just driven home and opened the door when the phone started to ring".

Well, it was quite some explanation. My impatience had dissipated, and I felt guilty for believing that she'd actually be so rude. "Oh. Well, I'm glad you didn't do it on purpose." I told her, stumbling over my words. "Would you still like to come?"

"Oh God! Tell me you're still not in the food court!" she exclaimed.

"Well, not technically. But I can see it from here. I'm on a payphone."

"I honestly didn't believe that you'd stick around past 11! Hold on, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

We said goodbye, and I returned to my old table. I considered ordering for us, but then realised that I didn't know what Jessica liked to eat. Actually, I barely knew anything about her at all. Then why was it that she drew me to her like a magnet? She was well mannered, well spoken, reasonably well off financially. Conclusion: she was very...well.

At around 12:30pm I glanced up to see Jessica walking past a fountain. It was the first time I'd seen her out of her uniform. Her hair had been released from her customary loose ponytail and she was wearing faded jeans and a tight black Nivarna shirt. Very tight...very nice. No! Just focus!

She caught my gaze and headed my way, sinking into the chair opposite me. "Sorry, again" she apologized.

I shook my head. "It's okay, I didn't have anything better to do anyway"

"Have you eaten?"

"Nah. What would you like?" I asked her.

"Oh, it's alright. I can pay for myself." Her cheeks warmed slightly.

"Ugh! Don't tell me you're one of those radical feminists" I groaned, admiring how cute she looked. Attractive: Tick.

Jessica blushed more. "Oh, no. It's not that. I quite like the whole 'open doors, pay for meals, gentlemen thing' but I know that...well, I know you're on scholarship" her cheeks flushed.

Hmm, so that was her reasoning. "Well, if that's your only objection, I'm still buying you lunch" I grinned. "What will it be? Chicken salad or fries?"

"Does it have to be either?" she questioned me.

"Well, when I'm buying a girl lunch at the food court, it's only ever one of those two. Don't you like them?" I teased.

"Sure. But I'd prefer Subway today."

I stared. Ate properly: Tick. There were only four girls that I actually knew, who ate something other than chicken salad or fries for lunch when not at school. Julie, Connie, Linda and Sophie. None of whom I'd ever bought lunch for. Why this discovery was of significance to me was still unclear, however, I still bought the two subs and sat back down again.

"So, since I've bought you lunch, you reckon you can tell me some more about you? You know more about me than I do you. It's only fair."

"True. What do you want to know?" she asked.

"I dunno. Who's Ryan?" I probed.

"My brother. 22 years old, still lives at home. Currently studying Engineering at College and works at the shop when he can. He's pretty funny, and although he has got to be one of the more annoying creatures on this earth, I love him a lot. Do you have siblings?"

"Hey, I'm asking the questions! But yes, I've got twin sisters, Emily and Maddie. They're 11, and yes, they weren't planned. Hence the age difference." I added, noting the questioning look apparent on Jessica's face. "Anyway, why were you at the festival?"

"I speak French, and went there for four weeks in sophomore year. To France, I mean. Two as a student, two touring. It was just our French Class. Well, we had a stall about France at the festival." Smart: Tick.

"How many boyfriends have you had?" I teased her.

"Um...Before High School I went to other private Elementary and Middle schools. Co-ed ones. But besides just joking around as kids, no, I've never had one."

I choked on my lunch. "Are you serious?" She nodded. "But you're hot! And everything else that I'd like to have in a girl" I blurted.

She looked stunned. "Your vision is impaired Luis. Have it checked out." She told me, her voice clearly indicating that she thought she was communicating with an idiot. Self Confidence: Not quite ticked.

"Yeah, sure. Maybe yours is though."

She took another mouthful, and in the silence I came up with an exciting possibility. "You've never been kissed before, have you?"

"Sorry to take that away from you, but I have actually. I was at a party and some random guy pushed me against a wall. He tasted of beer and drooled all over me and needless to say, I smacked his sorry ass down" she grinned.

"Oh well, you haven't been kissed properly," I reconciled myself "we can change that".

"Do I have any choice in the matter?"

"You still don't trust me, do you?" I asked exasperatedly. "I'm not trying to take advantage of you. If so, I would have done it last night in the park"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Yeah, a park bench would have been right down your alley"

A playful argument then broke out, concerning my past behaviour, and amongst the jokes, she learnt about my record: Which girls, what ways, when, why...it was kind of like telling myself about it for the first time too.

And, to my great astonishment, not once did she give me a disgusted look or tell me what an idiot I had been. She must have liked me a little bit, to put up with me. The thought cheered me up considerably.

We talked in the food court, in the shops, and on the little benched outside. We talked while strolling up and down the street. And when we finally seemed to have bled each other dry of information, it was time for me to go back to school. The sun was setting, and both of us were expected back; she by her family, who were going out for dinner that night, and me by Guy, and anyone else who'd noticed my absence.

Jessica drove me back to Eden Hall in a comfortable silence, and parked her brother's blue sedan. "I hope I didn't drive you mad with talk of my boring existence" she apologized. "I did have fun though."

"Me too" I replied. Instinctively, I leant over and kissed her cheek. My forehead touched her soft hair. She smelt slightly of cinnamon and lavender. Her breathing became shallow, and she looked up at me from underneath her eyelashes.

I cupped her face with one hand and slid my lips against her jaw line, and rested them upon her own. I then proceeded to give Jessica her first, real kiss. Although unsure to begin with, she gradually got into the rhythm of it. Although by no means the most passionate kiss I'd ever had, this was the only time I'd actually felt as though it really meant something to me. Watching her drive off down the street, I knew things would be different. This time, I would not mess things up.