after party

I sucked at bowling. I didn't care. I liked the way you smiled when my ball went straight in the gutter. The way you gave me a high five anyways.

By the time we finished our two games, the sky was dark and rain flooded the lot. We ran back to the car, our shirts soaked. We laughed ugly in the front seats watching the last episode of Stranger Things. I leaned over the center console to rest on your shoulder, when you suggested moving to the back.

The phone rested against one of the plushies you stole from a claw machine. I laid sideways while you sat upright with my head on your chest. Your arms were warm. We talked throughout most of it and when it finished we watched Kenobi but if I was being honest, I have no memory of that episode.

You tickled my face with pecks until I turned and pecked you on the lips right back. We had kissed maybe twice before but not like this. Not this many. Not this slow. Our nervous hands remained at each other's necks. Smiles in between hot breaths. You were gentle. Like I might break if you kissed me too hard.