- First Love -

Our lips were locked for what seemed like an eternity before I pulled away. When I did, the smirk on Kei's face had disappeared alright. My lips curled upward, happy with the reaction I got. But a few seconds later, Kei's smile almost split his face in two. The only thought I could hear in my head was 'What have I done?'

"Well this only proves my theory of you being a pervert." The heat on my face was getting unbearable. "You know, this still doesn't answer my question, how much do you like me?"

He made me feel like a cheap girl ready to take off her clothes at the first occasion. But then again, I was the one who kissed him out of the blue. I swallowed hard before letting my eyes travel back to him. Since I had no choice, really. I thought I'd just let the cat out of the bag.

"Yes, I like you. I like you a lot." My confession found a serious face. Kei's amusement faded away instantly. "I even think I love you and I have for years. When you had that accident, I thought I was going crazy." My eyes looked down unconsciously."Not being able to see you, not knowing how badly you were hurt, not being there for you. It almost killed me, Kei. You can't imagine how hard I worked to be here." I swallowed again. I felt my tears letting themselves free. "I... I know you already have a girlfriend, so... I promise I will stay out of your way-"

Kei's forehead tugged on my shoulder surprising me. He stayed there for a long time as the ferris wheel made it to the top. The view of the ocean from the top was breathtaking.

"I love you too, Sam." Every word Kei said rang in my heart. He looked up finally his eyes dancing with glee. "Since the velvet dress in fifth grade, maybe even before." My heart was ready to burst. I held his gaze and he got closer. We kissed again. This time his arm went around my waist pulling me closer to him. His lips were soft and warm. His kisses sent shivers through my body.

Suddenly, I felt something wet on my lips. 'His tongue.' He gently licked my lips making them part and then he dived into my mouth guiding me to a sensation I had never had before. Hell, he was my first kiss last Saturday and now he brought this to the next level.

His hand was on my jaw and I started feeling a little dizzy from the whole situation. As if he could feel it, Kei pulled a few inches away. I inhaled some much needed air.

"You taste like cotton candy." Kei whispered with a hoarse voice. I had never heard him sound like that before. I smiled shyly. "Do you want to go out with me?" I started nodding but then the image from the day before crashed into my brain like a bullet train.

"What about your girlfriend?" I asked.

"She's not my girlfriend. We just... mess around." I couldn't determine whether his revelation made me feel better or worse. "Not anymore though, if you accept to be my girlfriend."

I stared at him for a moment trying to figure out whether he was honest or playing. His eyes were serious and sincere.

"I would love to be your girlfriend." He gave me the biggest smile.

"Come on, let's finish this first date of ours." My eyes widen and my face lit up.

'So sneaky.' I narrowed my eyes as the wheel approached the deck, Kei pulled me up but my legs felt like jelly. Kei chuckled putting his arm around my waist.

"Oh dear, my kiss did all this to you?" He breathed in my ear before we got out of the cabin.

We had ramen noodles for lunch and we tried every single ride at the park. It was the best day of my life.

We went back home just before dinner. Amanda had everything ready. I took a quick shower and joined the family to eat. I couldn't help but smile the whole time. Kei and I exchanged a few looks while we ate and Jiro noticed.

"I see that something happened between you too." Jiro whispered in my ear. My crimson face answered him before he even asked what it was.

Over the next few weeks, I was in heaven. Kei was so sweet to me. The perfect boyfriend. We were inseparable in school as well as at home.

But then, obstacles were part of the deal in relationships, right?

One day, I remember it was a Wednesday, we had PE and we were playing basketball. Minako was really hostile that day. She had hit me with the ball a couple of times. I didn't pay much attention to the darts she was shooting me with her eyes. I was a little busy watching the boys' team, aka Kei, play their game of volleyball.

Looking at him from where I was standing, I could swear he didn't have any problems with his leg. He was moving like any other player.

My eyes were glued on Kei's flexed biceps. I swallowed hard. Suddenly a sharp pain came from my nose and I screamed. Minako had elbowed me. With my body crouched, I touched my nose and found it bleeding. I was enraged. I looked up and everyone from our class and even other classes was around. I stood up and straightened my back. I glared at Minako. I didn't know what she saw in my eyes but she took a step back. I didn't care for all the spectators, I took long fast steps to Minako.

"What the hell is your problem." I yelled in English and pushed her as hard as I could. She flew to the floor with her shocked mouth open. I looked down at her. She looked so tiny from where I was. Actually, I was the tallest girl in school and at that moment, I wasn't afraid to use that height. I was ready to rip her head off when I felt a hand on my back. It was Kei.

"Let's go to the nurse's office." He put his hand around my shoulder and guided me through the excited crowd. As soon as we got to the hallway, Kei stopped and turned to me. He checked my nose. "Are you alright?"

"I hope it's not broken. It hurts so much." I took his hand in my mine and squeezed it.

"Come on, let's go."

The nurse checked my nose and cleaned the blood.

"Well, it is not broken but it is going to hurt for a few days, maybe even bruise. You can stay here for a little bit." She handed me a painkiller and walked out of her office.

"Oh, thank God it's not broken." I said to Kei who came and sat next to me on the bed.

"I think I need to have a talk with Minako." His eyes were filled with guilt.

"I can handle her, Kei. Don't worry about it." He stared at me for a while and caressed my hair.

"You should lie down for a little bit. I got to go back to the gym. I'll come back as soon as PE is over."

"Ok." I smiled. He was so caring my heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully, my nose didn't bruise. It would have been an ugly sight. It did hurt for a few days though. But what concerned me wasn't my nose anymore. Minako had decided to make my life hell. I didn't know it was her for sure, but it was obvious she was the only one who had a problem with me at school.

The bullying started the week after the basketball incident. It started with trash in my shoe locker. Then she moved to my books, shredding every single one of them. After that it was my missing bag. She even took my shoes, dumped them in water, and put them back in my locker. I wore my soaking wet shoes home that day.

I was starting to lose my patience with her. I didn't tell anyone about the bullying. I thought that with time she would get over what happened, but it looked like that wasn't happening. I had to have a talk with her.

It was after school, she had accepted to meet me in the back of the school yard.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

"I want you to stop with your childish jokes."

"Jokes." She laughed. "They're no jokes. Besides, if you want me to stop, you have to stay away from Kei." I gazed at her for a moment, then smiled.

"That's not going to work. You see, we are dating." I rubbed it in a little.

"You're right, this is not going to work." She almost bolted away anger in her eyes.

That evening at home, we were having dinner in silent when Jiro said nervously. "Next week is my competition."

I looked over to him. "What day?" I wanted to be there for him.

"All week next week. The finale is on Saturday."

"So you will be competing every day next week? That's intense."

"I will be dancing every other day. But you're right, it's really intense." Jiro gave me a weak smile. I could tell he was very nervous.

"I will travel with him on Monday, but you guys can come with Kenji on Saturday." Amanda suggested as she looked from Kei to me and then back to Kei.

Kei looked at me a little unpleased. "Yeah sure." He mumbled.

I knew it was hard for him to be near anything called Kabuki. But his effort made me so proud of him. I wanted to give him a hug. I waited until we were alone in my room to do that.

"What was that for?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

"Oh so now I need a reason to hug my boyfriend?" I teased him. He gave me an amused grin and kissed me on the cheek.

"Good night... sweetheart." He let the last word trail for a moment. Then he disappeared.

I crashed on my bed with a huge smile on my face. I felt so blessed. And I was excited to travel with Kei. Sure, the family was going to be there, but it was our first trip as a couple. I buried my face in the mattress and giggled.

The next few days in school were uneventful. Minako has finally decided to leave me alone. On the weekend, Kei and I mostly stayed at home except when we went to a coffee shop in Harajuku.

On Monday afternoon, Amanda and Jiro left for Hiroshima. The house felt so empty. Mr Ichihara bought us dinner. "I'm too tired to cook tonight. But tomorrow, I will make you my famous curry." He said as he shoved a tuna sashimi in his mouth.

After Mr Kenji went to bed, Kei and I sat on the couch and watched a movie together. I was enveloped in his arms. Suddenly, I felt Kei's kiss on my neck. The feeling of his lips sent goosebumps through my body. I closed my eyes to enjoy the sensation.

Kei moved from my neck to my ear, then he gently bit along my jaw. A strange feeling has started to stir inside me. Kei's lips reached mine and captured them in a passionate kiss.

He softly brushed our lips together, then, his tongue slipped in dancing with mine in the most harmonious of ways.

In a daze, I could feel his hand on the back of my neck as he lowered me to the couch. I felt his full weight when he laid on top of me.

Our lips parted for a moment as I struggled for some air. He did too. I felt drunk and a need grew inside me. He cupped my face and kissed me again. This time it was a little rough and I loved it.

His left hand moved to my neck as he sucked on my lower lip. Then it slid further down to caress my breast. I gasped at his touch and I felt his smile on my lips.

I felt heat spreading all over my body especially my intimate part. I rubbed my legs together trying in vain to satisfy a growing need.

Kei's hand moved down my stomach, then my hips, to finally reach my thigh. I let out a soft moan. I didn't recognize my own voice. I shot my eyes open and found Kei's green pools welcoming my gaze. All I could see in his eyes was lust.

Suddenly, Kei shifted his position and I felt something hard pressing against my leg. My eyes widen and I got so scared. I pushed Kei a little and he pulled away shooting me a confused look.

"Kei, we should stop." My voice was husky and strange.

"Why? It's obvious we are both enjoying this."

I wanted nothing more than being in his arms. But all the new feelings in my body scared the crap out of me. I felt like my body wasn't under my control anymore.

"Well, for starters your dad is upstairs-"

"Sleeping." He interrupted.

I was silent for a moment. Kei got off me and, immediately, cold replaced the warmth of his body. I sat up next to him. He was irritated.

He pushed to his feet abruptly and started walking away.

"Kei?"

"Goodnight Samantha."

'Shit, I just ruined this. I mean it would happen eventually, why not tonight Sam?' I hit myself in the forehead.

I went to my room. I tossed and turned all night. Maybe it was because I was beating myself over ruining the perfect opportunity to take our relationship to the next level. Or maybe it was from all the excitement from earlier. Kei's face haunted me with those luring eyes.

I was tempted to walk to his room and finish what we had started down stairs. I didn't even care if Mr Kenji found us. All I could think of was being with Kei.

I bit my lower lip contemplating the idea but finally dismissed it. I had to wait until morning to talk to Kei.

It was only around four that my mind started to get tired from all the thinking. My eyes were getting heavy and the last thing I had in mind was Kei's face before I let the slumber transport me to dream land. Wet dream land, actually. Because all night that night Kei was making sweet love to me in my dream. It was amazing.

I woke up the next morning with a grin on my face remembering every detail of my dream. I was satisfied as hell even though I only had three hours of sleep. I stretched for a while and walked to the bathroom to wash up.

When I went downstairs, Kei was sitting alone at the dining room table. He looked a little upset. 'I should apologize about last night'

"Good morning Kei."

"Morning." He greeted without looking at me. I sank into my chair and started eating breakfast.

"Where is your dad?" I asked after a few minutes. "Already gone to work?"

"Actually, he traveled to Osaka early this morning." He stopped to assess my reaction. I didn't think much of it. "He left a note saying that he would stay there for a couple of days."

I took another bite of my omelette as Kei's words sank in. That meant we were going to be alone in the house for two days. My face turned red and I felt the heat spread all the way to my ears. My heart pounded a few times really loud. But when I saw Kei's amused look, I couldn't hear the pounding anymore. His mischievous grin sent a cold chill down my back.