It felt like the kiss lasted hours.
His lips on hers froze them together and they could not pull away until the heat of their desires melted them.
Zach did pull away, eventually, and they were both surprised when they realized the kiss only lasted a few seconds.
Maybe their locked lips had stopped time. No, the kiss didn't stop time. When Zach pulled away, he looked Ophelia deep in the eyes. Their shared gaze is what stopped time.
Ophelia felt light headed, and couldn't process whether she was breathing or not. Zach broke the gaze, eyes falling back to her lips. He leaned in again, and she met him in the middle. Her hands had been at her side, but now they rose and fell on his shoulders. Zach's hands moved to her hair, entangling his fingers in it purposefully.
He kissed her with an open mouth. His hot breath she felt on her cold skin. It sent shivers down her body, goosebumps rising.
"Zachary?"
They pulled apart. Ophelia gasped, head snapping to the door. Honor stood there. She had opened Ophelia's door and was gazing in.
Honor was staring at Zach. She was smiling. "Zachary, are you her boyfriend now?"
"Oh my god..." Ophelia whispered, realizing what she had done.
Ophelia just kissed Zach. She had just cheated on Montgomery. She was a cheater. And her big-mouthed sister knew it.
"No!" Ophelia said quickly.
Zach stepped up quickly. He kneeled down to speak to Honor. He spoke calmly, like her sudden presence didn't effect him. "Sorry, Honor, were we being loud?"
Honor looked at her sister then back to Zach. "I heard shouting."
"We were practicing," Zach told her. Ophelia bit her lip, wondering if she should let him continue. She did. "See, we're doing a play for our class. Shakespeare. We have to practice our lines today. And...we have to kiss in the play."
Ophelia felt relief at Zach's quick thinking.
"You kiss in the play?" Honor asked. "Teachers can't make you kiss."
Zach shrugged and said, "Extra credit."
Honor nodded her head, understanding, "Ooooooh."
"Yeah," Zach continued, "So don't tell anyone about it yet. We don't want anyone else stealing our idea."
Honor sent him a thumbs up. "You got it!" She then stuck a tongue out at her sister before hurrying back to her room.
Zach stood back up, happy with himself. He turned towards Ophelia, only to be met with another slap.
"Fuck, Ophelia!" he hissed, putting a hand against his throbbing jaw, low enough so Honor wouldn't hear. "You're boyfriend just fucking punched me there and you're still slapping me."
Ophelia slammed her door back shut, locking it. "My boyfriend. My fucking boyfriend. I have a boyfriend, Zach."
Zach hesitated. "Look, I'm sorry-"
"You're not sorry!" she told him.
"I am!" he said, looking down at her. "I didn't want our first kiss to be like that, okay?"
"Our first kiss?" Ophelia scoffed. "Our last kiss. I'm not doing this, Zach. I am not cheating on my boyfriend with you."
Zach looked bewildered. "Then break up with him. I can protect you from him, Ophelia."
"No, you can't!"
She gulped. She hadn't meant to say that. Zach frowned, watching as she folded her arms in front of her chest. It was a serious moment, so he tried not to notice as it raised her boobs higher.
"I mean-not that I need to be protected."
He scoffed. "No, of course not."
"You need to leave," she told him, "right now."
He nodded. "I will."
He headed towards her window.
"Wait," Ophelia said.
His hope rose.
She finished with, "You can leave out the door. Honor knows you're here."
He sighed. "Right."
She asked him, "Can you please not tell anyone?"
Zach nodded sweetly and said, "I would never do that to you."
"Fuck!" Montgomery yelled at the television. Baseball was playing, and Ophelia and Montgomery were watching it in Montgomery's living room. His arm was around her as they sat on the couch in front of the tv.
They had been dating past a year, and Ophelia was slowly able to acquaint herself with his family. Things were good when his mother was home. But when she left, Montgomery didn't allow her over, because his father drank.
Ophelia did not push him because of how angry his father got the first time she met him. Since then, she had come on his good days, and he was much more polite to her. His parents liked her, and they would often say so. However, his father told him he liked her more than Montgomery himself. She hated that.
Currently, his parents were in their room. Ophelia quieted her boyfriend. "Your parents might be sleeping."
He grabbed her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. Squeezing her hand was his way of saying "you're right" without actually saying it.
"This guys just a fucking idiot," Montgomery told her, softer now.
"Which one?" she asked. "The pitcher or the batter?"
"The fucking batter," he complained. "Number 17, Enrique Halbes."
"Enrique," she repeated. "I like that name."
Montgomery joked, "So you want to be with him now?"
Ophelia laughed. "I don't like him. I like his name. Enrique. Sounds nice."
Montgomery nodded. "Yeah, its nice. We should save it."
She looked at him. "Save it?"
"Yeah," he said, casually, "for when we have a son."
Ophelia did not think Montgomery understood how powerful his words were. How that one sentence alone solified their relationship, and told Ophelia how important she was to him. He wanted to have kids with her. He wanted her to have his son.
Ophelia was smiley widely. "Enrique De La Cruz. Has a nice ring to it."
Ophelia asked Montgomery if they could eat lunch alone again, and he agreed. They took a seat outside, closer to the edge of campus. She made him take out his homework and work on it with her. She needed to stay preoccupied. Anything to keep her from thinking about the night before...
"You didn't even do your Spanish homework?" she asked him, unhappily. "Monty, you speak Spanish."
Montgomery shrugged. "I also speak English. Doesn't mean I like doing my English homework either."
Ophelia chuckled. "Okay, fair point."
Montgomery leaned over and grabbed the side of Ophelia's face, bringing her head over and kissing her on the cheek. She was startled as his lips on her skin sent an image of Zachary in her mind. She shook her head, getting rid of the thought.
She smiled at her boyfriend and asked. "What was that for?"
"Thank you for helping me," he told her, honestly. "I really couldn't do this without you. I probably wouldn't be able to do any fucking homework without you."
Her cheeks reddened as she began blushing under his affection.
He continued, "I didn't mention this before because...um...you were...away..."
Ophelia bit her lip, upset at herself for her long absence after hearing her tape. No one else disappeared like she had.
Montgomery cleared his throat. "I was offered a scholarship to Brenden University."
Ophelia's mouth dropped open. "W-What? Really? W-When?"
"The second day you were gone. I was going to text you but..."
Ophelia knew why he didn't. Because she sent him the breakup text the second day she was gone. She cringed, imaging how excited he had been, and how quickly it had gone away when she ended things.
"Montgomery, that's amazing," she told him. He smiled, happy by her reaction. "Seriously, that's really good. That's a really hard school to get into."
His smiled faded a bit. "Too hard for you to get into?"
"Maybe," she said, amazed. "But that's a good thing! You should be so proud of yourself."
He asked, "Are you proud of me?"
She breathed, "So proud, Monty."
Montgomery leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, uncaring if anyone saw, or if any teachers were passing by. Ophelia pulled away, suddenly and abruptly without meaning to.
"Shit, I'm sorry," Montgomery apologized.
"No, it's fine," Ophelia told him, "It's not your fault."
It was Ophelia's fault. Their lips meeting reminded her of her and Zach's lips meeting. It reminded her of how much she enjoyed it, and how even now she craved more. Most importantly, it reminded her that she cheated. While Montgomery was beaming about her achievement, she was reliving her mistake.
"Are you okay?" he asked. She realized a few moments had passed without her saying anything. She just sat there, frowning.
"Yeah, fine." She was unconvincing.
Fuck. She should tell him. It would be better coming from her than from someone else. But who else would it come from? Zach wouldn't tell a soul. Right? He said he wouldn't and she believed him.
She needed to tell him. If she ever wanted to things back to normal between the two of them she could not keep this a secret.
"Hey, Monty..."
He was still looking at her. She looked into his eyes, and saw how content he was at the moment. She changed her mind. She couldn't tell him. It would just ruin things. She would wait. Maybe once they graduate, and Zach's out of the picture she can tell him. She hated that she got sad when thinking of Zach out of her life.
Montgomery stayed waiting. She asked instead, "You never told me how you got the scholarship."
"Oh shit," he said, smiling again. "It's for baseball. They fucking loved me. They want me to go tour the college this summer and talk to the baseball coach."
"Woah," Ophelia said, "Montgomery, that's really is amazing."
"Complete full ride," he went on, "and they want to send a scout down to watch me play football too. Their football coach liked my arm, and he's thinking about making a pitch to me too."
Ophelia imagined Montgomery playing college football, she could even imagine him playing professional football too. It was such an aggressive game, and a great way to get his anger out.
Ophelia reaches out and ran a hand through her boyfriend's hair. "I'll have to go look up the requirements for Brenden."
Montgomery grabbed her hand. He said, "You should come with with me this summer. You can ask everything then."
Ophelia was happy. She squeezed Montgomery's hand. "I will."
She imagined going to college with him, watching him play. She would be so proud watching him make it to such an amazing school. She wondered if they would get an apartment together, or at least close to each other. Or if they would both live in the dorms. Honor could even come visit.
Her heart dropped suddenly. Honor. She forgot Honor had seen Zach kissing her.
Ophelia started breathing heavily all of a sudden. What if Honor mentioned it to Montgomery? Honor knew and she would never forget. Even if they are in college, if they go to visit Honor will still know. Honor could still tell him.
Montgomery noticed her sudden change in breathing. He squeezed her hand. "Hey, it's okay. I'm sure you'll make it in."
Her hands began shaking. What if Honor told Montgomery while Ophelia had him over? What if she went to the bathroom and came back to Montgomery knowing? What if Honor mentions it to her mom? What if her mom tells Montgomery in front of her?
Fuck! Why did she kiss him?
He kissed you, she tried to remind herself.
But Ophelia didn't pull away. She liked it, and she kept kissing him, and that is why Honor saw them.
"Damn, Monty. The hell did you do to her?"
Ophelia's eyes snapped up and watched as Bryce, Marcus, and a boy Ophelia recognized but did not know the name of, sat down across from them.
Ophelia quickly composed herself.
Montgomery smiled when seeing his friends. He brought his hands up from beneath the table and held them in the air for a second. Laughing he said, "Nothing you guys can prove."
The boys laughed. Ophelia did not get the joke until Bryce said, "I hope to one day meet a girl who is actually horny enough to want me to finger her outside at a lunch table."
Ophelia frowned. "What the hell? We were just talking." She hated Montgomery making those jokes, especially in front of rapists.
"Relax," her boyfriend told her, "Everyone's gotten horny at school. Why do you think I go to the bathroom so much in Mrs. Jangles's class?"
The boys laughed again, while Ophelia stuck her tongue out as a way to say 'yuck'.
"So what have you guys actually been doing?" Marcus asked, seeing how Ophelia was uncomfortable. Funny how he wasn't able to pick up Hannah's discomfort in the same situation.
"He was telling me about Brenden," Ophelia said.
Montgomery looked embarrassed.
"Brenden?" Bryce asked. "What's going on there?"
He explained, "I'm getting a scholarship."
"Damn," Marcus said, seeming astonished. "That's a hard school to get into. I mean, it wouldn't be hard for me to get into, but Bryce has absolutely no shot."
Ophelia bit her lips to keep from laughing.
Bryce scoffed. "Gee, thanks man."
The other boy with them asked, "You gonna move all the way out there? It's like a few hours away right?"
"Fuck yeah I am," Montgomery said, "It'll be way better than the shithole I live in now."
Bryce stared at Ophelia until she noticed and looked back at him. "You going with him, O?"
She just said, "Of course. If I can get in."
Montgomery wrapped his arm around her. "Of course you will."
Bryce chuckled. Montgomery frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, man. Nothing."
He was trying to start an argument. Stir up trouble. Why?
Ophelia's heart picked up speed, as if Bryce knew something she didn't. Or if he knew something he wasn't supposed to.
"Hey, there's Dempsey," the boy with them pointed out. Ophelia refused to look over. "Yo, Dempsey!"
Montgomery's arm tensed around her.
Marcus snapped, "Jeremey. The fuck? You know Monty hates his ass."
"I don't hate him," her boyfriend said, unconvincing.
Ophelia kept her eyes forward, not looking back at Zach.
"Who gives a fuck?" Bryce said, "He'll get over it. He beat the hell out Alex but they were playing video games together the other day. I'm sure they'll be cool by tonight."
Marcus looked at Ophelia. She knew he was nervous about the party. She was too. Seven people from Hannah's tapes all in the same room.
"Hey, guys," she heard Zach's voice. His beautiful voice.
"Zachy, take a seat," Bryce offered.
The three boys sitting across from them left no room on their end. The only spot was next to Ophelia. Montgomery looked upset. It was obvious. But he didn't dare say anything, not after Bryce made it clear he wanted no trouble between them.
"I should get to class," he said.
Bryce commented. "We still have like twenty minutes. Sit down."
Zach glanced at Ophelia, then Montgomery. Montgomery looked down at the sandwich he had in front of him, he grabbed it and took a bite. He did not want to let his anger get the better of him. His other arm was still around Ophelia and he pulled her closer to him.
Zach sat next to her. He spread his legs, and his knee brushed against her. Hidden goosebumps formed on both of their skins. It was more intimate than Montgomery's arm around her shoulder.
The boy, Jeremy, fist bumped Zach.
"Yo, how come you weren't in first today?" Jeremy asked Zach.
Zach told him, "I had a lot of stuff to do this morning."
The real reason was that he could not get out of bed that morning. He only got a few hours of sleep. He spent so much time laying there, thinking about Ophelia. Thinking about touching Ophelia. Kissing Ophelia. In all honestly he thought about having sex with Ophelia, viewing her beautiful naked body and touching it as he pleased.
Zach wanted to touch himself while thinking of her. He had a few times before. He recalled when the image of Courtney and Hannah kissing first came out. The girl was clearly Hannah, and her supposed Asian girlfriend. He pictured the other girl as Ophelia, imagining them joining together lustfully during one of their sleepovers. He would never admit that to anyone. He felt guilty every time he thought of her while pleasuring himself, but he could not help it. She always made him finish quickly.
But Zach did not let himself please himself the night before. He had gotten hard a few times but he let it ware off. He wanted their kiss to stay innocent. Sweet, beautiful, and innocent.
"Teacher was freaking out, man," Jeremy told him.
Zach just shrugged. He didn't care.
Bryce smiled at everyone. "You all ready for poker tonight?"
"I sure as hell am!"
Jessica had appeared at the table. Ophelia wondered how choosing a far away table for lunch could attract so many people.
"You're going?" Zach asked her, surprised.
"Why wouldn't I?" Jessica laughed.
Her entire persona was different. She didn't look sad or worried anymore like prior few days. She looked happy and upbeat, completely carefree. She wondered what happened with Justin.
"Can I sit?" Jessica asked.
"Tables full," Montgomery said. He didn't say it to be rude, he just said it because he genuinely didn't care that she was there.
Jessica shrugged. "I can find a spot."
Jessica sat down in Zach's lap.
Ophelia's eyes widened, as did the rest of the table's. Montgomery's grip on Ophelia loosened, now more interested in whatever the hell Jessica was doing.
"W-What the fuck?" Zach asked. He held his hands away from her, as if to prove to everyone he wasn't touching her or trying anything.
Jessica wiggled onto him more, and then threw an arm around him to steady herself.
"What the hell, Jess?" Ophelia asked. Her voice came out possessive and angry. She didn't even realize she had said it until she felt Montgomery's hand leave her shoulder.
Jessica laughed at her. "It's okay, Ophelia. There's room for you too. Hop on my lap and we can make it a three way."
"Shut the fuck up," Montgomery snapped at her. Images of Zach and Ophelia in bed together sent him into a deeper state of anger. Ophelia reached over and grabbed his hand again.
Bryce laughed and said. "Damn, right now? I'm down."
"What the fuck are you doing, Jessica?" Marcus demanded you know. She was being too reckless for his liking.
"Are you high?" Bryce accused. When she just smiled at him he laughed. "I sold to you yesterday. How much have you taken?"
"As much as I need to get through this dreadful day."
Jessica wiggled on Zach's lap again. She bit her lip and giggled. "Damn Zach, I'm feeling a lot down there. Look at you! Proving Asian stereotypes wrong."
Ophelia gasped at her words. Zach looked at Ophelia, shocked and embarrassed. Now, Zach grabbed Jessica by the waist and pushed her off.
"You need to fucking go," Zach told her, upset.
"Come on," she whined, "I was just having some fun."
"He said to get the fuck out of here," Montgomery snapped. He hated to agree with Zach, but he hated Jessica being there more.
"Yeah, go Jess," Marcus agreed.
Ophelia didn't say anything. Jessica had plenty of reason to act out, and she was not going to judge her for said reasons. But she didn't think Jessica should use other people body's to do so.
"Where's Justin?" Ophelia decide to ask.
Jessica stuck out her tongue. "Don't know, don't care."
"He coming to the party tonight?" Bryce asked. He didn't seem to care about what just happened, or that anyone else was angry.
"Once again! Don't know! Don't care!"
Ophelia wondered what happened to make Jessica react so weirdly and extremely today. She wondered if her and Justin broke up.
"Why don't you go fucking find him?" Montgomery told her. "Go get stoned with your fucking junkie boyfriend instead of bothering us."
"Fuck. You. Monty." she snapped.
"Excuse me, bitch?" Montgomery rose to his feet, but Ophelia grabbed him quick, pulling him back down next to her.
"Monty..." Ophelia hissed, warning him not to go further.
"No, it's okay," Jessica told Ophelia. "I said "fuck you". What are you going to about it, Monty? Are you going to hit me? Are you going to break my nose?"
"Jessica!" Zach screamed at her.
Ophelia shouted, "What the hell is your problem?"
Montgomery body stiffened and he was at a loss for words. He looked back and forth between Ophelia and Jessica, continuously.
Ophelia cursed Jessica's name. What the fuck was she thinking? Why the fuck would she say that? Why now? Especially in front of everyone?
Montgomery really was trying to control his anger as much as possible. For Ophelia. So instead of reacting to her the way he wanted to, he stood up, breaking free of Ophelia's hold as she tried to pull him back down. He threw on his back pack. He shoved the rest of his sandwich into a brown paper bag he had. He had an unopened orange in there he never took out. That weighed the bag down. The orange felt too much like a baseball to the athlete. He palmed it, and threw the bag directly at Jessica.
It hit Jessica in the chest. Hard. She caught it as it began falling. She let out a shocked laugh. It was a laugh of disbelief. And some pain.
"Jesus!" Bryce said, startled by the sudden action.
Montgomery left without another word, just a deadly cold stare at the girl.
"Monty!-" Ophelia called after him. She stood as well. Zach's hand flew out and grabbed his wrist.
"Hey, let him go," he tried.
The sun was out, but the only heat Ophelia could feel was the heat of Zach's touch. They made direct eye contact for the first time. Ophelia prayed no one else was able to notice how intense it was.
Zach mouthed, Stay
She wanted to. She wanted to sit back down, and feel his knee press against hers again. She wanted the others to leave. She wanted to kiss him again.
But she couldn't. She refused to make the same mistake again.
Ophelia pulled her arm from his grip and left after Montgomery.
It was silent for a moment as Zach watched her leave.
Jessica bit her lip, regretful if her words.
"Hey Zachy," Bryce said, "Didn't you just try that shit yesterday? She's not gonna stay, dude."
A/N: I'm sorry this is so short ? it's supposed to be longer but I decided to split it into two parts since I found it hard to finish the second one and y'all have been waiting too long. But I will have it up shortly!
Lots going down at the party I promise!
Hopefully I won't let you down, I think next chapter is something you guys have been waiting for ?