Um. Hi. It's me...that person who writes those stories. Yeah. I'm terrible for being gone for pretty much forever. So...sorry? Forgive me :)? Hopefully updates will be more frequent! Sowwy fwiends.

I touched my lips and gazed out at nothingness. My vision blurred, red ringing around my line of sight and targeting in on Darrel. Jake began taking a step forward but I stepped in front of him, clenching my fist I let on swing into Darrel's face. A stinging sensation traveled up my arm and I let out a small squeak of surprise. Darrel stumbled back a little but obviously wasn't affected as much as I had hoped...I was hoping he'd be choking on his own blood but all that showed was a small red spot on his face.

"God freaking dammit!" I growled shaking my hurt fist. "Son of a bean dip...mother Frito of lays...AH!" I continued to growl and pace before making a beeline for the car. I pushed through the amused crowd and ignored the catcalls. My fist throbbed as my stomach was performing a three-ring circus inside of me. I wasn't sure whether I should be embarrassed or furious...so I went with a little of both.

The parking lot was starting to empty out as I marched straight for Jake's truck. Ol' reliable sat waiting and I felt a little comfort upon seeing it...it would be my refuge...where I could curl up and die in a pool of my own vomit. All I wanted was to go home and drown in a tub of bleach.

My first kiss...with Darrel. This had to be a really really REALLY awful nightmare. I slammed my head against the dashboard trying to wake myself...but I only gave myself a headache. My knuckles still throbbed and I cursed myself for not keeping my 'hand-squeezed' lemonade; I could have used the ice.

Darrel kissed me. Which was equivalent to me kissing about probably eighty-three percent of Darton High's female student body. Barf. I looked out the truck window and saw Jake storming towards us. He resembled the Tazmanian Devil and I could picture fire blowing from his ears. Guess who he won't be inviting to the track anymore? Yeah...me. Not that I'd really want to go after tonight.

"I'm going to freaking murder him!" Jake yelled opening the door and slamming it after him. I blinked in amazement, he was so...angry. Like...angrier than me. "Bastard."

I giggled and actually barfed a little in my mouth. It tasted like funnel cake. Damn you Darrel! Ruining my first kiss AND funnel cakes! I despise your groody face.

Jake spun on me. "You're laughing?!" It took him a couple of tries to get the key into the ignition. "This is not funny Brat!"

"Hey you weren't the one who had to kiss him!" I shuddered.

"I could kill him," Jake muttered again and I really believed him. Finally he turned the truck on and it roared to life; the radio coming to life with the station I had forced Jake to listen to.

My first kiss went a little like this!

I stared at the radio in amazement as 3OH!3 blared through the speakers. Oh the irony. Horrible irony. I all but punched the stereo as I fumbled to change the station.

She want that lovey dovey

Lovey dovey

That kiss, kiss

In her mind she fantasize-

I made an aggravated and embarrassing squeak as I scrambled again, Jake stared at me mouth slightly hanging open.

Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me
Hold me, hold me like you want me
Like you'll never let me go
She said show me-

"SON OF A-," I fumbled. This was getting ridiculous.

No place for hidin' baby

No place to go

You pull the trigger of my

Love gun-

"Seriously!" I yelled recognizing the old rock song by the band Kiss. I just shut off the radio, my cheeks blazing, and slammed against the seat.

Jake started cracking up, doubled over and it was my turn to stare. Soon, I joined in though. As disturbing as the situation was the whole radio situation was just too horribly perfect.

Jake made a little 'whooo' sound people make when they laugh really hard and try to catch their breath. I wiped away a tear and we both finally quieted down. After a moment of silence I stared at my hands sheepishly.

"Do you have a piece of gum?" I asked completely serious.

Shaking his head; his face red from laughter, he threw a pack of gum in my direction.

I took three pieces.

x-x-x-x

When we pulled up to River Bend Jake asked me if I was okay. I nodded mechanically. I had gone into shock, the kiss replaying over and over. He walked me to the house and I shambled up to my room like a zombie.

"Sam?" Gram called after my retreating figure. "Jake what's going on?"

Apparently he was still following me.

"She got embarrassed."

No kidding.

"Oh dear," Gram mumbled. "What happened?"

"She tripped and fell down the bleachers." He didn't even have to hesitate to come up with something that believable. Jerk.

To my surprise I heard Gram giggle but she tried to hide it with a cough. "Oh my. Are you alright sweetie?"

"Peashy," I gargled through my wad of gum.

"Let me know if you need anything," Gram said still trying to hide her giggling. What a meanie.

I shuffled into my bedroom and face-planted into my bed. It groaned and squeaked, protesting to the sudden weight. Jake sat beside me, the bed squeaking some more and my body slid towards him.

"I'm sorry."

I rolled over to face him. Why on earth was he sorry? He wasn't the jerk-face that kissed me...in front of a bunch of people I didn't know...at least I hoped.

"Huh?" I pushed myself upright and sat cross-legged my body facing his. He didn't look at me; he just stared out my door.

"For everything...then Darrel on top of it. You don't deserve any of this."

My eyebrows shot up, disappearing under my bangs. I could honestly say I did not expect this. Sighing, I shoved him. "It's not your fault dummy," I looked down at my mismatched socks. "Nobody would deserve this." Except maybe Rachel...but I wasn't thinking about her tonight.

"I know. I just hate that I can't...help you." He picked at a stray thread on my comforter. His eyebrows were scrunched together and his dark eyes looked troubled.

I understood then why it was bothering him so much. All throughout our friendship he needed to feel like he was protecting me-especially after the accident-and overall...he had been able to. He had been in control for years and now that something was out of his control...he couldn't stand it. Protecting me...it was just part of who he was. I swallowed a rock, finally understanding.

So I gave him a reassuring punch in the shoulder.

He turned to stare at me confused and I flung my arms around his neck forcing him into a hug. After a moment of hesitation he wrapped his arms around me too, his grip tight and comforting. In this moment I felt like he was holding my world together...it always has been him who has. We sat, quietly just holding on to each other when it hit me like a giant case of ignited TNT. My cheeks got hot and I cleared my throat pushing myself away.

"Geez, since when did we become a set of emotional old ladies...," I mumbled avoiding Jake's gaze. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him smile and shake his head.

"Since when did your life turn into a soap opera?" He countered. Hey, he was pretty darn close too. All we needed was the cameras.

"I should seriously call MTV. Get that Jersey shit off the boobtube." I gave a half-hearted laugh. "I could be Snammy." When Jake just stared at me I coughed. "You know...like Snookie...but with Sam...yeah never mind."

He laughed and pushed me over as he stood up. "You're a moron."

I scrambled off the bed after him. "I'm not the one who picked Darrel as a friend." I regretted it as soon as I said it, feeling myself turn a little green again. With a groan I face planted right back into the bed. "He stowe my firsh kish." I grumbled my face smooshed into the comforter. The sound of Jake's footsteps let me know he was walking back over to the bed; I flipped over to face him. He towered over me a grimace on his face.

"And how was it?"

I threw a pillow him but he blocked it. Sighing, I rested my arm over my eyes. "It was HORRIBLE. It tasted like gasoline and chili-dogs."

Jake chuckled and I threw my stuffed unicorn at him. Yes...I have a stuff unicorn...

"Sounds magical."

"Shut u-" I was cut off...my heart stopping as I felt a pair of lips brush against mine. It was quick, soft and tender lasting only long enough for me to blink. A peck on the lips if you will.

I removed my arm from my eyes to gape at Jake. He was smirking...actually smirking!

"There. Now you won't be afraid of your next kiss. I can just imagine you knocking someone out if I left you in this state...," he shook his head.

I just stared at him...my brain not able to function. "Gee...how thoughtful." I answered in monotone.

"Just being a good friend." He ruffled my already disheveled hair and put his hat on. "Later Brat."

I didn't move or say bye, I continued to lay paralyzed. My mind screaming.

WHAT THE FREAKING HELL! It takes me 17 years to get my first kiss...which happens to be awful...then in the same night get another one. FROM JAKE.

What in all things Jedi has happened to my normally normal life?

PWEASW REWIEWWWW! :D I hope you guys still like this story .