Stanley Yelnats
"Geez…" Star let out a huff when she saw the black car pull up. "Here we go, you two."
"Is she here? The attorney lady?" Hector promptly asked, prompting Star to glance down at him where she sat on the edge of the hole.
"Yep. And she looks pretty angry."
"...W-We tried to call you!" Dr. Pendanski's voice came in a few moments later as he hurried after the woman in high heels. "But the phone lines go down out here sometimes!"
"Well, you could have tried harder!" the attorney barked back, her possy of badge-wearing, cowboy-hatted men behind her. "You can always reach me!"
"We tried!" Dr. Pendanski only continued, though. "We called multiple times!"
But before the attorney could snap back, Mr. Sir ran up to them and put his hands up. "Don't go any further! Danger!"
"Ugh!" Yet, again, the attorney wasn't having it. "Where's Stanley and- Wait, is that Star over there?!"
"Oh, I'll tell you!" the Warden hurriedly shouted, blocking the angered woman from her view of Star. "They both broke into my cabin about an hour ago! I woke up and saw them runnin' out with my trunk! Then they ran here! I don't know what the hell they were thinkin'!"
Star, Stanley, and Hector each shared an exasperated glare at the Warden's words, before sharing yet another one when Pendanski and Mr. Sir agreed with her claims. The three almost said something, but the attorney was already over the hole and gasping before the kids even knew it. "Oh my god!"
"Don't move!" one of the badged-men said, while all the attorney could do was glare at the Warden.
"Have you even tried gettin' them out?!"
"Well, just what do you suggest, counselor?" the Warden questioned in a mocking tone.
"Well, this wouldn't have happened if you just released them to me yesterday!" the attorney said back just as mockingly.
"Excuse me?" the Warden responded, though, with her familiar catchphrase. "This wouldn't have happened if they weren't thieves!"
"That's a lie!" Stanley and Star both shouted before anyone could stop them, even themselves. They both had had just about enough of the lying, the backstabbing, the continuous deceit that was going on at that camp. So, feeling his anger fuel his confidence, Stanley promptly climbed out the hole with the lizards kindly jumping off his body. Hector did the same as well, while Stanley and Star then stood side-by-side. "We didn't steal anything!"
Oh, little did those two know how prominent them saying that final sentence was. However, it wasn't as prominent as Hector carrying the treasure chest up the hole and shouting his next words. "Stanley didn't steal anythin'!"
But before Hector could get very far out of the hole, the Warden ran over to place her hands… right on the chest. "Thank god! Thank god you're okay!"
"What are you doin'?!" Hector wasn't having any of the Warden's tricks as he pulled the chest from her grip. "This is Stanley's!"
"What are you doin'?! Let go!" The Warden's true colors started coming out when the chest wasn't given to her. "You've been caught red-handed, little boy! I could send Stanley and Star right back to prison if I pressed charges! However, in view of all the circumstances, I think I'll just take-!"
"It has his name on it!" However, when Hector shouted this in the Warden's face, everyone's eyes went wide except for Star. Her lips formed a proud, confident smile as she stared at Hector's loyal stance while he continued to fight against the Warden. "You see? It says, 'Stan…ley, Yel…nats'!"
"He…!" Dr. Pendanski tried to butt in. "But he can't read!"
"That's impossible…" Was all the Warden could say, but even she saw the name carved into the wood. "No… No, no, no…"
Stanley could only laugh in response at the amazing turn of events. So when the attorney told Stanley and Star that she was taking them home, he could only laugh more at the sheer luck he was experiencing. Stanley had never felt so happy in his life - for him and for his family. Hence why, in the next moment, he turned Star around and pulled her into a hug. "I-I'm free, Star! I'm free from the curse!"
"Yeah…" And Star could only hug him back. "Yeah, you are, Stanley."
But then, there was the honest truth Star still hadn't told Stanley. And there was also the fact… that she couldn't go home just yet.
"Get. Your. Hands. Back." The attorney lady argued, shooing away the Warden's hand from the chest. It was now resting within the trunk of her black car, while the rest of the group were finally back within the confines of Camp Green Lake. "This isn't yours to touch!"
"Let.. Let me just see inside!" The Warden only continued to plead, however. "Please! I need to see it at least once! P-Plus, it was on my property, so I have a right to see it!"
"No, no, no! Just let it go, lady!" the attorney demanded before looking over at Stanley and Star with a pleading expression of her own. "Okay, we gotta go, Stanley and Star! Get your things in the truck! Your parents are waiting for you!"
"But…" Stanley immediately motioned to Hector beside him. "I can't leave without Hector…"
Which, in return, Hector quickly showed Stanley a strong look. "I'll be okay."
"Stanley," while the attorney showed Stanley a sympathetic look, "there is nothing I can do for your-"
"Let Hector go in my place." But when Star interrupted with this statement, standing behind the two boys, all eyes instantly went to her. "I can't… I can't leave just yet."
"S-Star… Star, what?" Stanley turned around to face her. "I-I'm not leaving without you, too! You gotta come with me!"
"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure that's not how it works, kid," the attorney said with a shake of her head. "You both were proven innocent, so I have a court order to bring you back home… I need you both."
"I know. And I respect you and thank you for helping us, but… But still, I can't…" Star showed the older woman a knowing stare. "You know as well as I do, if you are my attorney, that my "parents" aren't waiting for me at home… You know the woman waiting there would rather have me here, don't you?"
"That…" she sighed, while Stanley and Hector showed Star confused looks. "That still doesn't matter, though, Star. I need to get you-"
"Which is also why I'm asking you to help me get out of that house," Star interjected again, causing Stanley to finally chime in.
"Okay, okay, wait a second, Star! What are you goin' on about right now?! 'Cause I have no idea whatsoever!"
"Me neither…" Hector mumbled sadly. "Star, what's goin' on?"
"What's goin' on is that her ancestors stole your treasure, Stanley Yelnats." But once these words left the Warden's mouth, Star could only look away in shame, while Stanley watched the woman walk toward him with her arms crossed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't you know, Stanley? That girl right there is Kissin' Kate Barlow's great-granddaughter." However, when this was spoken, it was Star's turn for her eyes to widen. "She's the ancestor who stole everythin' from you."
"N-No… No, I… I'm not her granddaughter!" Star quickly protested. "I'm one of her teammates' great-granddaughter! Not…" Star shook her head as she watched the Warden smirk. "What… do you know?"
"But… But you're still an ancestor of someone who stole that chest, though, right?" Stanley then asked, which made Star immediately go back to the worst problem at hand. She stared her guilty eyes into Stanley's shocked ones, nodding after he stood right in front of her. "Star, why didn't you tell me?"
"B-Because… Because I was ashamed," Star ultimately confessed, glancing away from the boy's brown eyes. "I-I mean, how do I even bring up something like that? 'Oh, by the way, I not only stole your freedom away from you, but my family also stole your family's money way back when! Isn't that cool?!'" Star imitated in a self-deprecating tone. "I've… I've messed up your life more times than I can count, Stanley. And I know it was selfish of me to keep it from you, but I just care about you so much that… that I didn't want you to hate me." Stanley's eyes turned sadder. "You're such an important person to me, and you've inspired me every moment I've spent with you. Y-You're so precious to me, Stanley, and I never want us to be apart ever- Woah!"
In the next second, though, Stanley pulled Star into his arms once more. He wrapped his arms around her neck, tightly keeping her petite body against his. And when he felt Star relax against this touch, he finally spoke his own truth. "You… You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Star. And even if you have some cursed ancestors," Star's eyes widened, "it doesn't change who you are now as a person, or… or your destiny in this life."
"S…Stanley…" Star started tearing up. "You're too kind to me…"
"Well, I guess I should just add this, then," Stanley whispered as he tightened the hug. "If you actually are gonna leave your home, then just know that… you will always be welcomed into mine. You have a home with my family, Star, because you are my family."
"Oh… Oh geez, Stanley…" Star finally returned his hug, sniffing into his shoulder. "You are… Y-You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, too." She then smiled. "Your horrible luck actually led me to some of the most important people to me now, and there is no way I could ever fully repay you for it."
"Me neither, Star." Stanley pulled away to show her a smile. "Me neither."
Nevertheless, Star took a step away from Stanley and made her way away from him. Not only because she needed to talk to a certain woman, but also because of the group of boys she saw exiting the Mess Hall. A certain group of boys that she couldn't face now, even if she wanted to. So, while she heard cheering voices from behind her, Star walked up to the still smirking Warden with a dead-serious expression. "Please. Tell me."
"…They're alive!" Not even Alan's utterly joyful words could distract Star. "Guys, they're all alive!"
"Oh? Tell you what?" Was all the Warden could ask, arms crossed over her chest. "Don't tell me you didn't know the truth about who your great-grandmother is."
"M-My mom said my great-grandfather met her after Kate died," Star stammered out, while hearing cheers and laughs behind her from D-Tent's touching reunion. "My great-grandmother can't be Kate… It wouldn't make any-"
"For your parents to lie?" the Warden inquired and then let out a snicker when Star looked away worryingly. "Oh, you're still such a naive little girl, aren't you? What would I expect from a murderer's great-grandaugher, though, whose parents thought it'd be better to keep the horrible truth from her? How does it feel to be passed down the horrible trait of a lyin', home-stealin', life-stealin' monster?" The Warden smiled even more at the fear in Star's eyes. "Just like how your family stole everythin' from the Yelnats'. I mean, he might be able to move on, but will you? Kate never did."
That entire speech felt like someone had punched Star in the face multiple times; it made her eyes watery with angry tears, and made her fingernails start pressing into the skin of her palms. Nonetheless, the only thing Star couldn't do was say anything back, since the Warden…
Lou was right. She was so right. And the worst part was, was that she was probably telling the truth about Kate. Why would she lie about such a thing? There was absolutely nothing the Warden could gain anymore by telling Star this. The only thing she could gain was Star being unable to say anything back and stare at the Warden with such fear in her eyes. At least Lou still had a little control over someone - at least she had finally outdone the descendent of the woman who stole everything from her family.
If only Lou had more time left.
"Hey, wait… Where's Star?" But then Star heard that voice say her name. Her name spoken from his mouth made her heart beat faster, made her palms become sweaty, and her previous fears almost get all washed away. So when the girl slowly turned her head over to Alan looking around for her, the only thing Star could do was gulp in response. "Sh-She came back too, right?"
"Yeah, man." Stanley pointed a thumb over at Star. "She's right over- Okay then!"
"W-Woah…!" Star let out a noise of surprise as well, however, when all of D-Tent unexpectedly rushed over to her. Ricky got to her first, hugging her and twirling her around in a circle; José was next when he pulled her into a tight hug; Theodore cheerfully ruffled her hair, a huge smile on his face; and finally, Brian innocently wrapped his own arms around Star's back, making the girl almost cry at the sheer happiness on all of their faces. "O-Oh, wow, I'm… I'm happy to see you all, too."
"Got back in one piece, huh, Princess?" Rex teased, lifting a hand to soothe over some messy pieces of Star's hair. "I had faith in you, though. Yer a fighter."
"Th-Thank you… All of you…" Star beamed warmly as she felt Ricky also hug her from behind. "Seriously, I'm so happy to see you all, even if it's only been a few hours."
"It felt like ages, though, chica!" José pouted. "It felt weird not havin' you in the tent!"
"Or spending breakfast with you," Theodore added kindly. "We missed your annual mornin' story."
Brian looked up at her cutely. "I missed your smile."
"I missed talkin' about what that smart brain of yours has up there," Ricky mused while he poked Star's head with his. "It was borin' without ya."
"Awe. You guys are so sweet. And the best… people… I know…" However, once Star's eyes locked with another pair of brown ones standing beyond the boys, she slowly trailed off and frowned. Not a sad frown, but more of a sympathetic one. The boys in D-Tent even backed away when these twos' eyes connected, giving them their deserved space. So when Alan was finally able to walk up to Star, he had a perfect path to her.
"…You're alive," was all Alan could mutter.
"S-Surprising, right?" Star joked sheepishly, turning her full body toward his unreadable expression. "Are you, uh, angry with me?"
"Not really angry, I'm just… I'm just confused."
"About… what?"
"About why I'm angry."
"So you are angry?"
"Not at you. I'm angry at myself for not gettin' it."
"G-Getting what?"
"For not gettin' what that kiss meant before," Alan whispered so only Star could hear while, at the same time, taking her necklace in his hand. He used it to softly pull Star's face closer to his, which ultimately led their foreheads to collide. "What did it mean, Star? And why… why did you let me kiss you before?"
Star blushed and looked away. "S-Squid, should you really be asking me-"
"Call me Alan." But after this sentence left his mouth, all Star could do was gulp. "C'mon, Star. Tell me what we are."
"W-We're…" Star stuttered, causing everyone watching to only listen more intently. "W-Well, what do you want us to be?"
"We can be anythin'," Alan leaned his face closer, "you wanna be, Star."
The tension in the air was thick, and Star could barely keep it together any longer. She still didn't understand her feelings whatsoever, yet her body seemed to understand so well - her heartbeat quickened, her palms became sweatier, she felt butterflies in her stomach. A part of Star wanted to reject Alan, but not because she didn't love him. No, not even close. It was the side of herself scared of being cared for, feeling selfish for letting someone be with her. Nevertheless, there was still that other side of her. Star's other half. And that other half, regardless of what Alan felt back, wanted that boy so, so badly. She just wanted to be near him, be with him, or simply talk to him.
So, even if he rejected her, Star would be completely fine with that. She'd be fine if he merely accepted her with friendship, if it meant she'd be able to still be with him.
"True love, Star," Star heard her dad's voice in her head, "is when the person isn't only your one true love, but also your bestest friend in the world. The person you'd trust with your entire life."
It was time to be honest, Star demanded to herself. It was time to be honest with your feelings.
"I…" Star finally looked back into Alan's eyes, a passionate look in them. "I wanna be with you, Alan."
"WO!" The boys all cheered. "Let's go!"
"They finally did it, guys!"
"We did it…!"
"Hell yeah! High-five, man!"
"Haha…" While Alan, on the other hand, could only bite his bottom lip with a smile. "Really…?"
"Y-Yeah…" Star blushed even deeper. "A-And it's totally fine if you don't feel the same way! I'd understand if-!"
"Are you crazy…?!" Alan shouted, but with a huge smile on his face while he pulled Star into his arms. "There is no way I could ever reject you, Star… I adore you too damn much…"
"Oh… Oh geez, Alan!" Star started crying as she wrapped her arms around him back. "I-I… I can't believe that you… Th-Thank you."
"Right back at ya, sweetheart," Alan purred into her ear, making Star's stomach instantly do somersaults at the nickname. "I'm never gonna let you go."
It seemed impossible.
It felt impossible.
But it was real. And Star could barely believe it.
How she had managed to get Alan to reciprocate her feelings, Star had no damn idea. But with the information she had just learned from the Warden, Star needed that closure from that enormous mystery. She needed closure, joy, relief, the touch of her friends to pull her from that newest, darkest mystery.
But while this entire scene was happening, the attorney lady had asked for Hector's files from the Warden, which surprisingly made the Warden order Dr. Pendanski to go fetch them. And regardless of his confusion, the "doctor" retreated into a cabin where Mr. Sir had been suspiciously hiding this entire time. However, once Pendanski came back out of the cabin, he had a suspicious smile of his own on his face. "I'm sorry, but we seem to have no file of 'Hector Zeroni'."
"W-Wait, huh?" Star whispered, immediately leaning out of Alan's hug with a stunned look on her face. And Alan, whose hands were still resting on her sides, looked down at her quizzically. "Did he just say Zeroni?"
"Yeah?" Alan raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"O-Oh, uh…" Star showed him a lopsided grin. "That might have to be a story for another time."
"What kind of a camp you runnin' here?" On the other hand, one of the men with a badge asked this question, making the Warden show him an annoyed glare.
"A nice one. If the state would give us some money, then maybe we'd have some decisions fillin'."
This only made the man with the badge angrier, though. "Well damn, then, because I am orderin' an investigation of this facility!"
"…Hey, lady!" But then, Theodore cut in from behind the other boys. "You got a pen and paper I could borrow?"
"No, I don't," the attorney replied and then nodded to Mr. Sir, who was even more oddly trying to hide his face behind a clipboard. "But it looks like he does."
"Y… Yeah…" Mr. Sir stammered out quietly, inching his body over to hand the pen to the attorney. "Here."
"You got," the attorney raised an eyebrow, "paper?"
"U-Um…" Mr. Sir gulped again, yet handed his clipboard to the lady nevertheless. "Here ya go."
Weird, Star thought with quizzical eyes. What was Mr. Sir so afraid of? Star's eyes then got distracted, though, once Theodore got the clipboard and pen from the attorney.
"Hey, call my mom," Theodore said while writing down her number. He then gave it to Stanley, earning many pats on the back from his friends. "Tell her I said I'm sorry. That Theodore said he was sorry."
"Y'know what? My mom, too," Alan abruptly chimed in, taking the clipboard and pen next. "She's one crazy lady, but… Tell her I'm sorry for everythin' I put her through - from Alan."
"And, uh… Stanley, could you also call my mother-in-law, please?" When Star asked this, however, the smiles on everyone's faces turned into sad frowns. "My sisters-in-law as well. Tell them that I'm sorry that I've put them through so much, and… that I'm also coming to pick up my stuff in a few weeks to leave."
"Wait, chica? You're not leavin' with Caveman?" José asked, making Star shake her head.
"No, I'm not. Not until I know you guys can leave, too." This made the boys smile warmly at her, before Star turned her head around to show a smile to the attorney. "Is that okay with you?"
"I mean, I can't force you to do something you don't want to," she stated with a huff. "Just tell me when you wanna get picked up in about a week, 'kay? I'm always available."
Star nodded. "Thank you, miss…?"
"Morengo."
"Morengo," Star said to the woman's words, a polite smile on her face. "It's wonderful to meet you."
"…Marion Sevillo." Another man with a badge abruptly caught Star's ears, causing her to look over to see him take off his glasses and smirk at Mr. Sir. "It's been a long time since El Paso, Marion." But then, the badge-man suddenly pushed Mr. Sir up against a wall, taking out handcuffs from his belt. "You're in violation of your patrol carryin' this weapon."
"I…" The Warden quickly put her hands up. "I had no knowledge of that!"
"Oh, yeah?" Mr. Sir (or was it "Marion"?) grumbled at her statement. "Just like you didn't know Pendanski wasn't no doctor, neither?"
"Pffft!"
"Haha!"
Each of the boys laughed at the comment, while the only girl could only sigh at the fast-pacing events happening. Since, even though most of what was being said was kinda obvious, it didn't mean that the entire situation didn't rattle her brain. Like, the entire camp was pretty much being torn down layer by layer with each and every second!
"Sit down, Marion," the same man who had cuffed Mr. Sir then said. "Yer under arrest again."
"'Marion'?" While Ricky could only add in a taunt. "Tell ya, I didn't know that was a man's name!"
"It," Mr. Sir looked down, "ain't."
"Ooh!"
"Haha!"
The camp only erupted in laughter once more, signaling the girl to let out yet another sigh. But what happened next, only further proved her astonishment.
"Now," the sheriff-looking man ended his call, "this camp is now under our jurisdiction."
The Warden immediately whipped her head over at him. "What?!"
"Boys, put these three bozos right over there!" the sheriff then ordered, making all the boys start cheering loudly as the adults cursed. "Let them see the other side of the justice system!"
"Woohoo!"
"YEAH!"
This time, though, Star just had to smile as well. As all the boys started to cheer and shout, Star let out a relieved giggle to herself. Wiping some sweat off of her face, she felt pure freedom in what had felt like years. Star was just so happy that this desert, and the twisted camp it had created, could finally Rest In Peace. Sam, Kate, her great-grandfather, and all of the people who had died here, could finally rest without the dread of the living surrounding them.
The desert… had finally forgiven.
"Hey…" Star abruptly felt a hand softly clasp her hand and a soothing voice right in front of her. "What're you smilin' about?"
"I'm just happy that it's over, y'know?" Star said back to Alan with a shrug. "That it's finally over."
"Yeah, well," Alan shrugged back, "it's kinda thanks to you, Star."
"Oh, no, it not," Star instantly argued back, but with a lighthearted smile on her face. "Trust me, it was Stanley's luck that got us to this point… He's amazing…"
"Then… Well, then, I better thank him for bringing you to me," Alan suddenly cooed in a suggestive tone, causing Star's cheeks to redden once more. And when he leaned down to right in front of her face, Star could only breathe against his lips in anticipation. "Star, I… I want you. I've always wanted you."
Star gulped. "O-Oh, I, um…"
"I've been wantin' to kiss you ever since I laid my eyes on you," Alan then purred, lifting a soft hand to her neck. "God, you mean everythin' to me… I want your everythin', and I… I just wanna be with you forever… I just want you, and 'cause I can't really explain my feeling's in words, can I… Can I kiss you?"
"A-Alan…" Star breathed out this name, which made the boy almost lose all control right then and there. Regardless, he stopped himself to wait for Star's reply. And yeah, it was exactly what his heart wanted to hear. "If you really want to, then… Then yes, I wanna kiss you, too."
"Good." Alan started leaning in. "I want-"
BOOM, CRACK! But then it happened. For the first time in so, so, so many years, the sky boomed and cracked out a beautiful song. Of thunder and lighting, of dark clouds and breezy wind, the weather changed into a miracle on Earth. Rain started pouring down onto the desert, making the sandy ground turn into mud; and even though the sky continued to crack, the boys of the camp couldn't seem to stop themselves from running out into that rain.
Those boys looked happier and more alive than Star had ever seen them at that moment. And it made her the happiest girl in the world. Ricky twirled Stanley around in a hug, while Alan did the same with Hector on his back; Rex and Theodore started throwing pieces of mud at one another, while José and Brian jumped around as happily as they could be. Though, when the group saw Star laughing by herself, they each pulled her into the rain with them, causing her to get soaked as well. Yet, even then, Star joined their fun and smiled up at the pouring sky.
"Thank you…" she mumbled with a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sam. May you Rest In Peace."
"…Hector, Stanley!" The attorney's voice, whose true name was Morengo, shouted from her car and through the rain. "C'mon, we gotta go!"
"Now, you be careful out there in the real world, a'ight?!" Rex also yelled to Stanley as they shared a handshake. "Everybody's not as friendly as us!"
"Pfft! Alright, boss!" Stanley said with a bright smile, holding Rex's hand tighter. "And look after Star for me while I'm away, okay?! Protect her!"
"Don't havta tell us twice, man!" Ricky acknowledged while patting said girl's soaked hair. "We got her!"
"…You stay with Stanley, too, alright?" Star also spoke up to Hector, kneeling down to lean her forehead against his. "And find your mom; I know she misses you as much as you do, Hector."
"Yeah, I know…" Hector then wrapped his arms around Star. "Thank you for bein' so nice to me. You're the best."
"And you're the smartest person I know," Star complimented and then leaned away. Similarly, Star's eyes found Stanley's next, which prompted the two to naturally share a hug as well. "I'll miss you so much, Stanley…"
"Me too," Stanley said with a long breath. "But I'm gonna see you again, no matter what. Give me your number when you get out, okay?"
"Yeah, okay… I promise," Star beamed after she gave Stanley a hard pat on the shoulder. "Now go. Go home to your family."
"You are my family," Stanley unexpectedly remarked without hesitation, making Star merely freeze in shock while Stanley ran after Hector. "C'ya later, everyone!"
The two then got into the black car and started driving off. The camp rallied around the vehicle, cheering one the two boys leaving for good. It made Stars's heavy heart lighten, and the smile on her face to return. That treasure chest was finally where it rightfully belonged, the rain had finally returned to the desert, and Stanley's curse had finally been broken. Star could only feel immeasurable happiness because of the dream-like day, which made her almost start crying at the overwhelming relief she felt. This… This was the happy ending she had always wanted. Ever since she was a little kid, this moment had always been her biggest, most important goal.
Kate's story… was finally over.
"Star…!" And Star's story with Alan, who was now running towards her, was just beginning. "Isn't this amazing?! I can't believe it!"
"I know, right?! It seems the rain has finally returned!" Star mused, smiling up at the drenched boy. Alan had been wearing a white t-shirt, so his shirt was now completely see-through; plus, his toned muscles and wet hair, made Star's heart start to race. "I-I'm just happy that everything's going so well!"
"Yeah, well, I still need one more thing for this day to go my way…" Alan said while he slowly started walking closer to her. "And if luck's on my side, then I think I'll get the chance."
"Ch-Chance to do," Star gulped when Alan placed a hand on her cheek, "what, exactly?"
"Star…" Alan huskily whispered her name, nuzzling his nose against hers. "Can I kiss you?"
"I-I mean, yes, but…" Star showed him an insecure look. "I've never actually… kissed anyone… before…"
There was a short pause, only the cheering of the other boys and the rain falling being heard, before Alan's stunned look turned into pure joy. "Fuck, you're perfect."
"W-What do you- Mm!" It then finally happened: Alan locked his lips to Star's, his hand cascading through her hair, and they shared their first kiss. At first, Star was naturally stiff against the unfamiliar touch. However, once Alan leaned away before going back in for another, much softer kiss, Star's empathetic self relaxed as well. She pressed her lips against his, deliberately placing her hands against his chest. "Mn…"
So there you go.
That was the story of Stanley Yelnats' story at Camp Green Lake.