Chapter 16

A Pom Pom Catch Me Kind of Kiss…

THEN

(Beth)

I knew something was wrong.

He took my hand and pulled me away from the spot where we had spent hours stacking rocks to damn it up and make a pool. There were ten of us but Leith was the only person worth being there for.

We all brought something to drink.

The poor kids (like us) brought cheap booze that tasted like gasoline but still did the job. A couple kids whose parents had nicer liquor cabinets were able to bring some fancier stuff. It was smoother but still had the same effect.

Leith was tall, built with thick muscle for his age, and anyone who looked at him was quick to look away. I loved when he was shirtless. I loved when he draped his shirt over his shoulder and just stood there looking like a grungy model.

But today was crazy different.

I was tipsy and had no problem jumping into the creek with my clothes on. I didn't even care that my shirt was white and everything was suddenly see through, then when the air hit my shirt, it did things to my chest, which got a lot of attention.

At first I thought that's what had Leith pissed off.

But that wasn't it.

With his hand tight to mine, we walked along the edge of the creek, the voices of our group becoming more and more distant.

Once we turned a small bend, Leith stopped.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him.

Leith turned and looked right at me. He touched my face. His thumbs stroked my cheeks. It sent all kinds of chills through my body. My knees actually started to shake. The look in his eye…

"Leith?"

"Things are changing," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"If I was gone away, would you still think about me? Would you go out and get a boyfriend then?"

"What?"

"Just answer my questions."

"I don't understand…"

"Beth," he said. "You don't have a boyfriend right now."

"I know that."

"So, if I was gone, what would you do? Would you have a boyfriend or no?"

I didn't know how to answer it.

I never thought about having a boyfriend.

That wasn't my thing.

I couldn't imagine not being able to kiss Leith when I wanted to. Or make out like crazy. Or do some other stuff. But not that one thing… the big thing…

"Leith," I said. "You're starting to scare me here."

"No need to be scared," he said. "I'm just… I have to move."

"Move?"

I peeled his hands away.

My heart started to race.

I felt my clothes clinging tight to my body. Today was supposed to be a fun day. I was wet. I wanted Leith to look at me. I wanted him to touch me. That was what today was supposed to be about. Drinking in the warm summer air and fooling around.

"I found out last night," he said. "I'm moving."

"Where are you moving to?"

"Away. I'll be at a different school next year."

"Same state at least?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. "But I won't be at school. Your school. Or in town. Or near you. It'll be a pain in the ass to see you."

"So what?"

"It's not so what," he said. "What happens? Are you going to get a boyfriend?"

"Are you going to get a girlfriend?" I asked. "Go pop some cherries and be the tough guy?"

"That's not what I want," he said.

"This isn't what I want," I said. "We're supposed to have fun today, Leith. Why would you tell me this right now?"

"I needed to tell you," he said. "I didn't want to wait. I didn't want to pretend. I wanted to figure out what to do."

"There's nothing to do," I said. I felt all kinds of annoying anger rise up inside me. "People come. People go. Who cares? I'm going to get another drink, then see where things end up."

"What does that mean?" he asked me. "You're pissed at me? So you're going to go kiss another guy or something?"

"Maybe," I shouted. "Someone who is here with me."

"I'm here with you," he growled.

"I'm soaking wet and showing through my shirt. Stop being a pussy about moving and come get me."

"This is serious, Beth. I'm going to fucking miss you."

I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and started to lift it.

I didn't want a serious conversation with Leith. I didn't want to lose Leith. I didn't want to think about losing him either. I wanted to stay tipsy. I wanted to sweat in the sun. I wanted to splash in the water. I wanted…

Leith rushed forward and moved my hands away from my shirt.

"What? You don't want to see me?" I asked, curling my lip.

"I'm going to fucking miss you with all of my heart," Leith said to me.

I wiggled away from him. "I hate you right now."

"It's not my fault," Leith said. "My grandmother lost her job. We have to move. We have to."

I showed him my middle finger. "Thanks for fucking up the day, Leith."

I turned and started to run.

I didn't want him to see me get upset.

Leith didn't leave.

But of course he let Catherine linger around him. That cheerleading bitch with the big pom poms in her shirt. She probably stuffed her bra with lotion tissues. That's why she didn't want to go into the creek.

And good for Leith then.

He could cry his tears into her stupid chest.

Everything he said, she laughed at.

She touched his bare arm.

She gently squeezed his muscles and made comments.

I wanted to throw a rock at her head.

"Here, have another one."

I grabbed the bottle out of Manny's hand. He had been sort of all over me. Bumping into me. Making comments about my shirt and my chest. Too afraid to do anything about it though.

I'd still kiss him. Maybe more if he was smart enough and knew what to do.

Only I couldn't stop looking at Leith.

And he couldn't stop looking at me.

Yet neither of us talked.

We wanted to make each other jealous.

He was good at it.

I refused to admit that out loud though.

Catherine stepped forward onto a rock and put her arms out. She bent her left leg and started to do one of her cheerleading routines. Cheering and waving her arms. Her chest bouncing, catching everyone's attention.

She turned on her toes, showing off her ballerina skills.

Leith clapped his hands, then stuck two fingers into his mouth and whistled.

Catherine put her arms up and threw her head back.

I watched her balance suddenly go.

"Oh, shit," Manny said next to me.

He jumped up and I grabbed for him. "Let her fall. Kiss me. Right now."

"What?" Manny asked, his cheeks turning red.

By the time he sat down and moved toward me, Leith had already gotten under Catherine and caught her. He saved her from smashing her head or whatever on the rocks or falling into the water.

"Holy crap!" she squealed and snorted.

Manny's lips touched my cheek.

I turned and threw my elbow, hitting him in the nose.

Poor guy.

He flew back and let out a cry.

I stood up and pointed. "He kissed me."

"You told me to!" Manny yelled, his hand cupped over his nose.

I looked at Leith.

He slowly put Catherine on her feet.

Her hands were all over his broad shoulders, running their way down his strong arms.

I crouched and grabbed a rock.

If I threw it at her for real, I'd get into trouble. I knew that. I also knew my father was a cop. He had pull. He could get me out of things.

I rolled the rock in my hand and waited for Leith to do something.

He did nothing.

"You want to kiss something?" I asked, looking at Manny. "Kiss this."

I dropped the rock on his head.

He yelled again even though it was a small rock.

I made it to the edge of the woods and looked back.

Everyone just stared at me.

"I'm going to have a real party," I announced.

Then I dropped the back of my shorts down just enough to let them all see what else they could kiss. Especially Leith.

Catherine? Honestly?

If that's what he wanted, have at it.

There's a first time to remember.

She'd probably talk the whole time and then cheer him on.

Ra-ra-ree-you-can-stick-it-here!

I gritted my teeth and walked out to the road.

It was a far hike back home, but I guess I had time.

I'd sober up by then too.

"You're fucking crazy."

I swallowed hard and looked up. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," Leith said. "I tried to talk to you and you wanted to party. So we party and now you're acting jealous and running away."

"Go back to your cheerleader," I said.

"Maybe I will. She's more fun than you."

I spun on my heels and charged after Leith. I swung my hand and slapped him across the face.

I tried to do it again and he grabbed my waist and kissed me.

I shook my head and growled but he kissed me again.

My hands slapped at both of his cheeks and I pulled at him, wanting more.

Our bodies were suddenly pressed together.

"Oh, jeez, they're kissing again," a voice said.

"Sorry, Catherine, you can't get to him," another said.

I dug my hands into Leith's hair and wanted more.

His hands slid to the front of my body and up. Right there on the side of the road.

I pushed away from him and swung my hand again, slapping him for the one slap that I missed.

"Go back to her," I said. "You can go pop her cherry."

"I'm pretty sure she's had hers popped already. She dated Teddy for like two years."

"Oh, you two must be getting close. Talking about previous relationships."

"Yeah. Maybe so. And I'm just feeling lost because of the one I'm about to lose."

"You don't have to lose anything, Leith," I said. "You're moving. Not dying. You can find a way to get to me."

"Beth…"

I touched his red cheek. "And don't worry, I'll miss you too."

He reached for my hips and I backed away.

I turned and started to walk home.

Nobody understood how crazy Leith and I really were.

I didn't even get it.

Too much went through me at once.

And not seeing him every day was going to really suck.

I'd have to just swallow down more pain and pretend that everything was going to be okay.

But it wasn't.

It never was okay, ever.