Rumble.
Lauren turned at the familiar sound. It was Leonard, on his skateboard, grinning. "Hey."
"Hey," she replied, smiling. He pushed off with his foot, rolled slowly along beside her until they reached her house.
"Got your key today ?" he asked.
She pulled the chain out, dangled the key. "Yeah," she grinned.
"Cool," he said, "Look, put your stuff inside and take a walk with me ? I have an idea." He looked nervous. "Uh, kind of like a surprise," he added, looking sidelong at her.
She stifled a giggle. "Ok." He stowed the skateboard in the bushes. The walked up the street. Thankfully, Shari was nowhere in sight. They walked to the main street, then up the road toward the shopping plaza. Leonard bypassed Pizza Hut; led Lauren to the hardware store. Bemused, she followed him to a counter in the back.
He grinned, pleased with himself. "We're going to get a spare key made. That way I can let you in if you forget yours."
"Aw, that is so sweet of you."
He blushed. "Uh, well, it is starting to get colder out." As they walked back toward the rows of townhouses, Lauren playfully brushed the longish hair at the nape of his neck with her fingertips. "Hey, quit it," he complained, batting her hand away.
"But it's so cute, little curls," she giggled, reaching for his hair again.
"Ugh, I need a hair cut." Leonard dodged away, captured her hand in his. He did not let go. They walked hand in hand. Lauren's fingers tingled where they met his.
"Seriously, you should grow it long," she suggested. Like a pirate.
"Oh, yeah, like my mom would let me," he scoffed. "Anyway, it's curly. I hate it."
"I think you're cute. Um, handsome," she amended. They had come to a halt on the sidewalk, facing one another. He was blushing.
"Uh, yeah. I think you're really... uh, cute, too. I really like you, you know," his voice trailed off.
I think he wants to kiss me, Lauren thought. The height difference was a problem, she thought, not for the first time. The top of Leonard's head was barely above her chin. I want him to kiss me. She sighed. The moment had already passed. They walked on, down a little hill, past the derelict playground. A rusty slide, broken swings, a bench with half of the boards broken off the back. A thin line of trees shielded the playground from the street of townhouses. Inspiration struck.
"Come on," she ordered. Lauren pulled Leonard to the bench. They sat down. She turned to face him, pleased with herself. She only had to slouch a little bit and their eyes were on the same level. Innocent brown stared into sparkling, worldly blue. To her surprise, Lauren didn't feel nervous. After all, it isn't like it's my first kiss. She had kissed a pirate captain. She smiled at Leonard encouragingly. Well ? Come on, I can't make it any easier for you. He blushed again, looked away, embarrassed. The tension in the air made the hair on the back of her neck prickle.
He's really shy, Lauren thought, taking pity on him. That's so sweet. She looked away, lowered her eyelids, looked back at him from under her eyelashes. It was a calculated glance. Whenever Captain Jack Sparrow had looked at her that way, her heart had seemed to skip a beat. The ploy worked; Leonard abruptly leaned closer. His lips met hers.
The kiss was clumsy, their lips tight, pushed against their teeth. Leonard started to pull away, humiliated. Lauren drew him back, returned the kiss. It was much better the second time. His lips were so soft. Leonard gasped softly as her hands came up and stroked the back of his neck. His own hands rubbed her back, hesitantly. Then they sat quietly for a while, just holding one another, her head against his shoulder.
Her lower back started to cramp from slouching in the awkward position. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him. He smiled and reached for her, pulling her back for another kiss. It was Lauren's turn to gasp as his tongue entered her mouth. When they broke apart at last, his brown eyes sparkled at her. She was no longer the worldly one with all the experience; Leonard had caught up to her quickly. She blushed, then grinned at him. He grinned back. Leonard walked Lauren home, deliriously happy, arm around her waist possessively.
