It Was Just a Kiss (Chapter 5)

It had been a few days but Madeline was still depressed about her breakup with Homer. She tried calling him and everything but he wouldn't respond to her. He didn't want to. He wanted to be as far away from Madeline as possible. But Madeline wanted to be as close to Homer as possible. Yet she knew that she wasn't going to get ever.
Madeline sulked during classes. She tried to stay focused and did her best but nothing could get her to stop pouting about her lost love. During lunch, Madeline didn't eat. She just rested her head on Andrea's shoulder and Andrea let her stay there. The girls were so upset that they could hardly eat.
"Madeline, do you want my sandwich?" offered Lizzie. "It has whole-wheat bread. Turkey instead of ham."
"No thanks," whimpered Madeline.
"Come on, Maddie," said Skye. "You still can't be sad about Homer."
"Well, I don't know how to not be sad about him, Skye. He was the first guy I ever loved. And he dumped me because he wasn't the first guy I dated. Why am I such a whore?"
"You're not a whore," said Madeline.
"Yes, I am. I almost went to third base once."
"You did?" asked Skye.
"Yeah. But when I saw it, I got frightened then I ran away."
"Well, at least we know you're healthy."
"You got to eat something, Maddie," said Debra. "Or else you're gonna starve."
"So?" asked Madeline. "Let me starve. All I want to eat is despair so it can rot away my soul and I'll be put out of my misery."
"Is turkey close enough to despair?" questioned Lizzie, holding up her sandwich slice.
Skye put her hand on top of Lizzie's hand and forced her to put the sandwich down.
"I think I know how to get rid of your misery, Madeline," said DeMarcus.
"How?" Madeline asked with a raspy voice.
"Well, whenever Lizzie is down and out, sometimes I'll blow my mouth into her belly button which makes her ticklish, eventually making her happy again. Maybe one of you guys should do that."
"Uh, we're not gonna put our mouths on her belly button, DeMarcus," asserted Skye.
"Why? I shower," admitted Madeline.
"Are you serious?" asked Andrea.
"No."
"Listen, Madeline," started Skye, "I know you love Homer. That means you thought he was the one. Well, if a guy is the one, he should be very understanding about your past and focus on your future together. Therefore, Homer was never the one to begin with because he focused on your past more than he did with the future. If you want my opinion, Madeline, I think you're better off without Oz. He was a little bit overrated."
"Don't call him Oz. Whether he was the one or not, I still loved him. And love is not a thing to change."
"Yeah, Michelle," Andrea said to Skye sarcastically.
Almost impulsively, Madeline snickered. "She is nothing like Michelle."
The girls looked at each other and laughed a little bit.
"Yeah, you're right," agreed Debra. "She's more like Heather."
"Oh, how can you say I'm Heather?" inquired Skye. "She was in glee club."
"She was in the choir. Different thing."
"Well, I know she ain't Nadia," said DeMarcus.
"Right?" Andrea laughed.
"Hey, I think I can relate to Nadia," said Skye. "I once walked around the house with my shirt off all day."
"Did you?" asked Debra.
"I did. I didn't give a crap. I was free fallin'."
Madeline laughed, making everyone else laugh.
"What are we talking about?" asked Lizzie.
"American Pie," answered Madeline.
"American Pie? Isn't that just apple pie?"
"Well, they used an apple pie in the film so I guess that makes sense," said Skye.
"Madeline, you're laughing," noticed Debra.
"No, I'm not," Madeline tried to wear a straight face but lost it. "Okay, I am."
"We knew you were in there somewhere," Andrea said.
"Well, you guys bring it out."
"That's why we're B.F.F.s," smiled Lizzie.
"Something I'll never say," admitted Skye.
Madeline giggled. When she did, it looked like life was coming back in her face. Her cheeks were rosy and her smile was blinding. Madeline was back... only for a moment.
"So turkey?" offered Lizzie again, holding up her sandwich slice.
"Or jell-O?" DeMarcus offered from his tray.
"I thought that was meatloaf."
"No, it's jell-O. I tasted it."

It Was Just a Kiss (Chapter 4)

The day after, Madeline could not wait to tell Homer what happened at the fair. She didn't know what the right time to tell him was but she knew she couldn't wait forever. So after school, Madeline looked for Homer, who always had lacrosse practice, by heading to the gymnasium before he did. She waited until she saw him coming towards her.
He stopped and said, "Hey, baby."
"Hi," Madeline smiled bashfully.
Homer kissed Madeline on the cheek. "What's up?"
"Homer, I need to talk to you."
"Sure. What's wrong, babe?"
"I don't know how to say this."
"Then spit it out."
"I... passed my AP physics test."
"You always pass your tests."
"Yeah, but you know people always say that physics is hard so it's like a 'No, it's not' to the haters. You know what I'm sayin'?"
"I guess. Well, congrats, babe."
"Homer?"
"Yes?"
"That's not what I wanted to talk about."
"Then why did you talk about it?"
"Because I don't know how to say what I have to say to you."
"Then spit it out."
"You know what? I shouldn't be nervous. You're my boyfriend. You're sweet and understanding. Nervous is unlike me. Homer, while we were at the fair, a boy kissed me."
Homer scrunched his eyebrows. "Was that boy me?"
"No! An old friend kissed me. His name is Jerry."
"Jerry? That guy from Cabo that you used to hook up with?"
"No, that's Terry and I hooked up with him once. I mean Jerry from the Masquerade Ball."
"I didn't hear anything about a Masquerade Ball."
"That's why I'm explaining to you who Jerry is."
"Okay, so you met Jerry at the Masquerade Ball?"
"Yeah, two years ago."
"Was he your boyfriend?"
"No, we kissed and then he left me. Two years later, he sees me then kisses me. But I didn't kiss him back."
"Oh, my goodness, Madeline."
"What?"
"You've been with Terry then Gary and Jerry. Why do you have a thing for guys whose names end in '-ary'?"
"First of all, I never had a thing with Gary. Second of all, that's just a coincidence. I don't have a preference. If I did, I wouldn't be with you. Jerry had a chance and he blew it. I went over his house and straightened everything. I said, 'Look, man, I don't want to date you because I got a man'."
"Wait a second. You went over his house?"
"N-No. If you mean did I go inside his house, no, I never went inside his house. I was outside of his house. It's not cheating unless you're on the inside."
"But you know where he lives."
"It was the only way for me to talk to him again. I needed to tell him about you because I care about you. It was killing me inside that I didn't tell you at all. I had to tell you because I realized that you're the one. Homer, you're my first serious boyfriend and there's a reason why. You care about me more than any boy has ever cared about me. I've been thinking about this for a while and I couldn't think of a right time to tell what I was thinking. But I don't care anymore because I love you. That's right, Homer; I love you."
Homer didn't respond. All he did was stare. It was as if he was trying to soak up all the information he heard.
"This is when you're supposed to say that you love me back."
"Madeline, I don't know."
"You do know. You love me back. Bis, bam, boom, we're done. We love each other."
"Madeline, I don't even know if I love you."
"Yes, you do."
"No, Madeline. Don't tell me what to do."
"What's your problem?"
"My problem is you. There was Terry, then Chad, then Jackson, and now, Jerry? I didn't even know who Jerry was and I'm hearing about him now. I know we've been going out for almost three months but it feels like forever. How many boyfriends have you had? And I don't care if they were never 'your boyfriend'; there was some kind of relationship going on. Also, you don't feel comfortable telling me about a kiss that meant nothing yet you have no problem flaunting your ex-boyfriends in my face? Do you know how that makes me feel? Do you know how things like that make me change the way I think about you? I didn't even know you. I never knew you. And honestly, I can't love a girl I don't know."
Madeline was frozen. She was drained. She was numb. She couldn't believe what Homer even said. He didn't feel like he knew her but she obviously knew him. Her eyes began to water but she was not ready to cry. "How can you say that? I tell you that I love you and you say that?"
"Look, I'm sorry, Madeline. But you're not the girl I thought I fell in love with. I don't want a relationship with all these other men involved. You have baggage and I want nothing to do with it. I think we need some time apart."
Madeline's eyebrows ascended. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. I can't handle this right now. You may love me but I have a hard time looking at you right now. I don't see you. But I guess my idea of you weren't you after all."
Homer turned around and entered the gymnasium without saying bye or looking back. He honestly was so furious at Madeline. Maybe even more than what she thought. Madeline stared at Homer's back until he disappeared. Then all she was staring at was nothing. Nothing was all she could feel at that moment. As she stood there with a tear rolling down her cheek, she realized that that was the last time she was ever going to see Homer.

It Was Just a Kiss (Chapter 3)

Madeline was really nervous to see Jerry again after their little kiss. She didn't have his number or his email so she checked social media. Apparently, he had a Facebook page which she never looked at. So she messaged Jerry to meet her again, only at his house. He accepted and gave her his address. He told her to come around any time the next day. So when the next day came, after school, she drove over Jerry's house. He was standing right in front of the door of his fresh, lovely bungalow. She was smiling brighter than the sun, consumed with hopeful thoughts involving Madeline. Madeline slipped out of the car and approached the happy lad.
"Hey, Madeline," Jerry greeted, stretching out his arms for a hug.
But Madeline leaned away from him, shaking her head. "Nuh-uh-uh-uh."
Jerry put his arms down. His smile was fading a bit.
"Jerry, we need to talk."
"I know. I really need to talk to you, too."
"You first 'cause I think I know what you're about to say."
"Madeline, I am so sorry for kissing and dissing you so many years ago."
"It was two years ago."
"But now, since I'm here, we can get to know each other a bit more. I am so excited to spend my time with you."
"Yeah, about that. Jerry, I can't be with you."
"May I ask why not?"
"Because I'm taken."
"Okay, I wish I never asked."
"I'm sorry. But you had your chance. You left me."
"I know. We should've started a long-distance relationship."
"Yeah, you should've."
"I had Skype."
"Maybe you should use it more."
"Oh, Madeline. I feel like such a fool."
"No, no. You're not a fool. You just really liked me and when you moved back here, you realized that you still liked me. That's totally understandable because I'm ridiculously hot. You didn't know any better."
"May I ask who's the lucky guy?"
"Homer Anderson."
Jerry snickered. "His name is Homer?"
"Shut the frick up!"
"Okay, sorry. How long have you been with him?"
"Three months. We were celebrating our anniversary at the fair."
"And I kissed you. Oh, my God, I'm such a jerk."
"You're not that much of a jerk."
"Three months is a long time."
"I know. It's enough time for me to realize that I love him. And I think he loves me, too."
"Wow. And here I am ruining it all. I wished I never kissed you."
"I wish that, too."
"Can we still be friends?"
"Not if you still like me."
"I'll get over it. I promise."
"Okay." Madeline hugged Jerry, only for two seconds. "That's long enough."
"So when are you going to tell Homer that you love him?"
"After I tell him that you kissed me."
"You haven't him told him yet? Madeline, you are living--"
"I know I'm living the low life!"

It Was Just a Kiss (Chapter 2)

"Is this pudding?" asked Lizzie, poking the brown gel-like substance on her lunch tray with a plastic spork.
"What else would it be?" asked Skye.
"I don't know." Lizzie stuck her fingers in the substance and peeled off a brown sheet from the top of it. "But it has skin on it."
"Oh, then it's probably not pudding."
"Maybe it's supposed to be a pudding ball," said DeMarcus, Lizzie's beautiful black boyfriend.
Lizzie gasped while smiling. "Maybe that's what it is. You're such a genius."
"You give me brain fuel, baby."
Skye looked at Madeline for a reaction. But Madeline was staring into thin air with a shocked look on her face.
"What's up with you?" Skye asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost... having intercourse with another ghost."
Lizzie gasped without a smile. "Did you?"
"No," answered Madeline. "But I am a bit traumatized."
"What happened?" asked Debra.
"Do you guys remember Jerry?"
"Terry?" said Andrea.
"No, Jerry."
"I don't know a Jerry."
"Was he that dork who kissed you at that masquerade dance sophomore year?" guessed Skye.
"Yes!" said Madeline. "And he did it again."
"He kissed you at another dance?" questioned Lizzie.
"No, he kissed me at the fair."
"Wait," started Debra. "Weren't you at the fair with Homer?"
"That's correct."
Andrea gasped. "Madeline, no vivas que baja la vida."
"I'm not living that low life, Andrea. He kissed me and it wasn't long."
"Did Homer see it?" asked Debra.
"No, thank God."
"Thank God?" repeated Andrea. "Does he know?"
"Well, no."
Andrea groaned. "Madeline, no vivas--"
"I'm not trying to live the low life!"
"You got to tell him, man," said Skye.
"I know. I'm afraid."
"How can you be afraid?" Lizzie questioned. "If he really likes you, he should understand."
"I know."
"Just be straight with him," said DeMarcus. "You can do it, girl."
"Besides, if Jerry kissed you first," started Skye, "then there's nothing you should be ashamed of. Other than the fact that you're hiding this from Homer."
"Not helping, Skye," said Madeline.
"You got enough help."
"You can take back your lunch, DeMarcus," said Lizzie, sliding the tray over to his side. "Looking at it is making me lose my appetite."
"Come on, babe. You got to eat something. I don't want you to starve."
"Alright. Give me those orange slices."
DeMarcus looked down at his tray. "That's carrot soup but okay."

It Was Just a Kiss (Chapter 1)

"I'm so glad we're celebrating our three month anniversary at the place that we first met," Madeline confessed to her boyfriend, Homer.
"Well, how else are we going to celebrate the time of our relationship?" asked Homer.
"I don't know. A candlelit dinner at a five-star restaurant, maybe a yacht or--"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry I haven't thought of that. But I'm not rich and experienced like you."
"Oh, honey, it's okay. Although you're poor and inexperienced, I still like you."
Homer chuckled. "You're such a smart aleck."
"Oh, smart I am."
"So you want me to buy some cotton candy before we start this thing off?"
"Gladly. Make sure it's pink."
"Anything for you, sweetie."
Madeline grinned at Homer before he went off to find the cotton candy stand. Madeline looked dreamily into the air while waiting for her generous boyfriend. She got out of dream state when she heard a guy call her name. She shot a look of confusion, thinking it was Homer. She turned around and saw a teenage guy approaching her. The closer he got, the more familiar he looked. But she could not put her finger on who he was.
"Oh, my goodness," he said, smiling. "It is you."
"Oh, my God," Madeline said, goggling at him. She finally remembered who he was. His black, fuzzy hair. His piercing blue eyes. His lankiness. The way his cheeks reddened like apples when he smiled. That guy was Jerry, the boy she met at the Masquerade Ball about two years ago. The boy who kissed her then got away. "Jerry, is that you?" she asked.
"Yeah! I'm so glad you remember me. All I do is think of you."
"What?"
"And my family moved back here so we can finally be together like you wanted."
"What?"
Jerry was so excited that he grabbed Madeline by the face and plant one right on her lips. Madeline did not kiss him back for obvious reasons. Her eyes were wider than ever. When Jerry let go of her, her wide eyes were staring straight at him out of shock.
"What?" all Madeline could utter.