Just One Kiss (21 page)

I roll my eyes. “Okay, first of all, your hair is seriously
incredible just the way it is. Second, Carlos loves you for who you are, not
who his mom thinks you should be. Don’t change yourself for a guy, unless it’s,
you know, better.”

“But what if she doesn’t like me?” she asks worriedly.

“Then she’s just gonna have to get used to you, isn’t she?
Come on, Ro, Carlos is nineteen. He’s old enough to decide if he likes you
without his mother’s permission,” I say, giving her a smile. “Besides, what if
Carlos has been raving about your amazing purple hair and she’s excited to see
it, then you show up with your hair all boring and brown and she’s
disappointed?”

She grins. “That would be a tragedy,” she admits, obviously
feeling better.

We both laugh before saying our good-byes as we head off to
different classes. The rest of the day passes quickly until I’m in my car driving
to work and I get a call from Ro.

“Hey, Chica!” I answer.

“Yeah, hi. Okay, so you’re not doing anything after work,”
comes Ro’s voice.

“Was that a question or a demand?”

“Just a fact. Well, actually, you are doing something after
work, you just don’t know about it yet.”

I raise an eyebrow she can’t see. “And why couldn’t this
wait until we see each other?”

“Because I’m buying the stuff right now.”

“What stuff?”

“Guess!” Ro says happily.

“Stop being vague, Aurora.”

“We’re dying my hair tonight!”

“What?” I exclaim. “I thought we decided you weren’t going
to change yourself for his mom.”

“We’re not, really . . . You’ll see!”

***

“Are you sure this is what you want?” I ask Ro, yawning once
more. It’s been a long day and now I’m preparing to dye my best friend’s hair
for the next hour or so.

“I’m positive. In fact, I’ve never been more sure of
anything in my whole life. I think it gives me this mysterious look, like ‘Is
she really hardcore? Or is she just a sweetheart?’” Ro says in a deep voice.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, I’m sure people are totally going to
be wondering if you’re sweet and innocent.”

“Just shut up and do it!” she exclaims, throwing the box of
hair dye at me.

“Yes-a mas-a!” I say sarcastically before getting to work.
Basically, what she wants is for most of her hair to be black with a few
peek-a-boos of purple popping up randomly. It’s a little difficult to wash the
dye out without getting it on the purple, but I finally manage it. I quickly
blow-dry it so we’ll know how the finished product looks, and, I must say, it’s
pretty amazing.

“Check you out!” I exclaim, turning her toward the mirror.

“Aww yeah!” she yells, spinning back toward me for a high
five. We’re dorks, but we love it.

“So can I go now?” I ask, yawning again.

She frowns. “I guess . . .”

“What now?” I ask, sighing.

“Well, I thought we could do your hair too!” she says
happily.

“Ro, I have to be up by five tomorrow,” I complain.

She gives me a weird look. “Anna, tomorrow’s Thursday.”

“Yeah, I know. And your point is?”

“Thursday as in the start of our holiday vacation,” she says
slowly, waiting for me to understand. Like a light bulb going off in my head, I
suddenly make an “ahh” sound.

“And suddenly I’m awake!” I say, laughing.

Instead of laughing, Ro pushes me toward a chair and wraps a
towel around my shoulders. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“Shut up,” she demands.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m washing the dye out of my hair.
Ro only did the bottom fifth of my hair, making it so that my layers will cover
the dye when my hair’s down. Since we only left it in for about ten minutes,
it’s dark brown instead of black.

“Nice job, Ro,” I tell her happily.

“Yes, I know,” she says proudly, looking at her handiwork.

“I’m really happy we’re friends again,” I say, feeling
suddenly very glad that I have somebody like her in my life to do these things
with.

“Me too, Annie,” she says softly, smiling at me through the
mirror.

“All right, now let’s order some pizza,” I say, skipping
over to the phone.

The New Year

Christmas passes quickly, with me and Brayden spending
Christmas Eve with my family and then Christmas day with his. My relatives came
over to celebrate on the day of and I just didn’t feel like being there.
Besides, it’s always fun for me to learn the way the Carters do their holidays.

Unlike my family, who always had to wait until around eight
in the morning to come downstairs for presents, the Carters have an entirely
different tradition. The night before, Brayden forced me to spend the night
after Eve celebrations at my house, saying he wanted me to get the full “Carter
Christmas.” I thought it was weird, but didn’t argue. I mean, why would I? I
got to spend one more night in the same bed as my boyfriend. It’s an
opportunity any sane girl would jump at. The next morning, I wasn’t so sure I
was sane anymore.

Apparently, part of a Carter Christmas is waking up before
the sun even considers rising and running to Adrienne and Paul’s room to wake
them up. From there, we all had to cover our eyes on the way to the kitchen so
we could make the adults some coffee. After about ten minutes, with both Carter
boys begging to open presents and see what Santa brought, Ade and Paul finally
relented and let us go into the living room.

I swear on my life that I have never seen two grown men so
excited about Santa Claus. Landon took Zander onto his lap while I held Nora.
Evie was still exhausted, so she was in Landon’s old bedroom sleeping. Adrienne
was holding a video camera for Evie to watch later. All three boys immediately
tore into their stockings while I went slower and helped Nora pull each trinket
out, oohing and ahing at each thing. Once the stocking was empty, she seemed
delighted to put it over her head, erupting in giggles every time I pulled it
off to play peek-a-boo.

“Anna, why don’t you look in your stocking?” Brayden asked
me, smirking.

I frowned, completely confused, “Santa stopped coming to me
when I turned eighteen,” I laughed.

He just smiled and shook his head, pointing over to
Adrienne, who was holding a stocking out for me. My eyes widened and I reached
for it, completely shocked that they would be so sweet to me. “I think Santa
made an exception this year,” Brayden says as I stare at the stocking,
wondering what to do. I’ve always been awful about opening up gifts. It’s not
that I don’t appreciate what I’m given, because I really do, it’s just awkward
to have people watching me.

I slowly pull out a bag of my favorite chocolate candies. A
huge smile appears on my face when I remember the time Brayden and I were in
Target and I ranted about them for easily five minutes. I made him buy me some
so he could try one. And yes, one is all he got because I’m a mean, selfish
girlfriend whom he loves anyway.

Santa also got me an iTunes gift card, some majorly fluffy
socks, two bottles of nail polish, and a skein of yarn with a crochet hook. I
love crocheting, so he really couldn’t have done a better job.

Next, we open up family gifts. I was so relieved when each
of them liked the presents I got for them. Even though I’ve spent a bunch of
time with them, we’ve really only known each other for a couple of months, so
it was difficult finding gifts. I got Adrienne a scarf of pink, orange, cream,
and red yarn. I got Evie a scarf too, but it was an infinity one of dark greens
and blues and grays. I got Landon a gift card to Bakers Square so he can have
pumpkin pie any time he wants. For the kids, I got Zander a bucket full of toy
cars and airplanes that he could play with, and for Nora I got markers and
paints specifically made for toddlers. Paul was really difficult to buy for, but
Brayden told me he loved old western movies, so I found a collection that I
hoped he’d like.

Buying gifts for Brayden was an entirely different story. I
got him a few new beanies, since he only owns one and wears it all the time. I
also got him a new stereo for his truck. It took me about two hours in Best Buy
to find the right one for him, since I had to tell the sales associate what
kind of truck he had based on how it looks, which made him really frustrated
with me. I’m hoping it fits well. If not, I have the receipt.

When I saw what Brayden got me, and heard the story behind
it, I was in awe. It was a necklace with a long chain and large pendant at the
bottom. The antiqued gold was one of many things I love about it. There are two
flying birds on the pendant with a sun rising and beams crossing behind their
bodies. It’s textured, like somebody carved the design into it.

“My Gramma Ann left it here when she came for Thanksgiving.
She said that it symbolized love and that by Christmas time, you’d be ready to
wear it,” he explained, making me blush and nod as I slipped it over my head.
It fell to just under my breasts and felt perfect, like it was meant to be
there forever.

“Thank you so much,” I said, leaning in to kiss him. He met
me for an unfortunately gentle kiss, since there was an audience.

***

That was six days ago and today, New Year’s Eve, has been
just me and Brayden. No families, no friends, just us. I’m in Brayden’s
bathroom, getting ready for a party we’re about to go to. He keeps peeking in,
trying to see what I look like. The lock is broken, and I keep having to kick
the door closed to make him leave, which results in a lot of laughter on both
our parts.

I’m wearing high-waisted black skinny jeans with a dark
grayish-blue tank top tucked into it. The top has multicolored jewels lining
the low-cut neckline. I matched it with a pair of black ankle booties and a
cropped leather jacket that I’m leaving unzipped. My eye makeup is darker and
heavier than usual, with a black smoky eye. My hair is in wide curls down my
back, looking pretty awesome with the blondes and browns weaving through it
thanks to Ro.

“Are you ready yet?” Brayden whines through the door. I roll
my eyes as I put the finishing touches on my makeup and open the door. He looks
incredible in a gray button-up shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows,
dark blue jeans, and some biker boots. He’s already got one of his new beanies
on and it makes me smile. I’m really glad he likes that one; it was my favorite
when I bought it.

“You look great,” I tell him, walking closer to wrap my arms
around his neck. Even with the added height of my heels, he’s still taller.

“Thank you, you are so beautiful.” He leans closer and
whispers in my ear, “I think we should just skip the party . . .”
Then he trails soft kisses around my ear, making my whole body shiver.

I shake my head. “Nice try, but I promised Ro. Besides,
don’t you want to see Carlos?” I ask, looking up at him.

He sighs and rests his forehead against mine. “I guess,” he
pouts, making me laugh.

“All right then, we should go,” I say, pulling us toward his
door.

“Fine, but don’t think you’re getting away later tonight,” he
says indignantly, grabbing the keys on his way past.

I turn so he can see my face as I wink. “I wouldn’t dream of
it.” His groan makes me laugh as the door closes behind us.

***

“So, tell me about your Christmas,” I say, leaning in toward
Ro. We’re sitting at the bar, both drinking sodas, while the guys scout for a
table.

“I was totally nervous for nothing! Lorena is the sweetest
woman in the world. It kind of makes me wonder how Carlos turned out to be so . . . wicked.”
She pauses to waggle her eyebrows. “I don’t think he got it from her,” she
says. I laugh, knowing what she means. I always wonder how on earth Brayden
ended up being such a sexy little rascal with parents like Ade and Paul.

“See! I told you! Are you still glad you dyed your hair
after meeting her, though?” I ask, pointing at her head. She also curled her
hair, but it looks way cooler than mine since bits and pieces of purple are
coming out at random places. She nods with a huge smile on her face. “I love my
hair.”

“Good, because I do too. It’s still weird to see it black,
though,” I tell her, eyeing it speculatively. Even before we met, she was dying
her hair an assortment of colors. One time I even saw her with a neon rainbow
effect.

“Dude, I know! Sometimes I look in the mirror and freak out
like ‘Who’s that?’” I laugh, knowing that’s totally something she would do.

Before I can say anything, I feel Brayden’s arms wrap around
me from behind. “We’ve got a table now,” he says, loud enough for Ro to hear
too. We jump up and follow him to a dark booth in the corner.

We all sit down, Brayden and I on one side with Ro and
Carlos on the other. Looking across the table at Carlos, I place my face in my
hands and smile widely. “So, how did you feel about Ro and your mom meeting?”

He pouts dramatically, crossing his arms as he says, “Mama
likes her more than me.” The rest of us burst out laughing; knowing Carlos,
it’s probably true.

The music changes and Ro jumps out of the booth. “This is my
favorite song, like ever!” she screams, pulling Carlos after her toward the
dance floor. The poor guy is stumbling the entire way there, trying to make his
overeager girlfriend happy.

“You’ve kinda gotta love her,” Brayden says, smiling widely.

“You definitely do . . . just not as
much as me,” I tease.

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me toward him
until I’m cuddled up to his side. “Of course not, love.”

“You know, if you said that with a British accent, we’d be
on our way to city hall right now,” I say, giggling. He chuckles and repeats it
with a very convincing accent. I have no choice but to pull his lips down to
mine.

After a few minutes, I pull away feeling completely
disoriented. I don’t know if all guys are as good at kissing as Brayden, since
he’s the only person I’ve ever kissed, but if every girl in the world could
have a moment like I just did, everybody would be much happier. “What brought
that on?” he asks, clearly pleased with what just happened. I rarely initiate a
kiss, let alone one in public, or one like
that
.