I was afraid to turn and look at him. but I didn't know what to do because we were sitting so close that our legs were touching and his arm was so big and firm that I couldn't budge.
"If you want. I'll come get you tomorrow and take you to school. My dad's letting me have the truck tomorrow," he continued. "He wants me to start deliveries as soon as school ends. Want me to come get you?"
I shook my head.
"I can. It's not a big deal. I pass this place on the way." I didn't respond. I didn't even shake my head.
"What are you whispering about?" Alanis asked and stopped dancing.
"I just told her I could come by in the morning and take her to school," Stuart replied and finished what remained in his bottle of alcopop.
"Well, that's nice, isn't it. Jordan? Tell you what," she said. "I'll go along, unless you don't want me." She turned to Nikki and Raspberry. "Unless you want to be alone,"
"I don't care. You can come," Stuart said quickly.
"Good. We'll be out front by the gate. Be sure you get here ahead of the bus or we'll hafts get on the bus."
"I'll be here."
"C'mon, you two," Nikki said, reaching for my hand. "Start dancing."
Raspberry pulled on Stuart.
"Hey," he complained but looked at me and then got up.
"I'll show you some new steps," Alanis told me. She made me stand across from Stuart. He was trying to let the right rhythm, but he looked awkward. I followed Alanis's lead and she nodded. "You got it, girl. Go!" she said, pushing me closer to Stuart. He tried to imitate my dancing, but I didn't think he looked good. The three of them danced around us. Nikki turned up the music. They all drank their alcopops as they danced. Every once in a while, either Nikki or Raspberry pulled on Stuart and made him dance with her.
Nikki gave him another alcopop. Everyone was so loud now that I was sure we'd wake Great-aunt Frances. I guess I looked worried. Alanis paused, put her hands on her hips and turned to me.
"Stop worrying," she told me. 'Just have a good time. girl. Ian ain't here," she added and laughed.
We danced and danced, Finally. Nikki and Raspberry were tired enough to stop. Alanis danced some mare. but I sat and Stuart sat beside me. He finished his bottle with two large gulps. A wide smile settled on his face.
"You get cuter and cuter as the party goes on," Nikki told him and nudged him.
"Leave him be," Raspberry said. "He's spoken for. girl."
They laughed. Nikki leaned into him and I heard her say, "You should give her a kiss at least."
His eyes widened. He glanced at me.
"She thinks you don't like her enough," Nikki added.
"I like her."
He turned and put his right hand behind my head, pulling my face toward his to spread his lips over mine. I didn't think it was a kiss. I didn't hear the sound of a kiss. It was more like someone wiping his mouth over someone else's. The only kisses I had ever had were kisses on the cheeks. I'd seen kissing in movies and on television, but I had no idea what to expect. I just knew what he had done wasn't anything like it was supposed to be. Stuart pulled back quickly. The girls cheered and he smiled.
"What do you think. Jordan?" Raspberry asked. "Was that a good kiss?"
I shrugged. I didn't want to hurt his feelings.
"You put your tongue in her mouth?" Nikki asked him.
Tongue in my mouth? My jaw fell, pulling my lips apart.
I looked at Alanis, who was drinking another alcopop and moving to the music as if she'd been dancing with someone. She looked like she was in another world.
"You don't do that on your first kiss," Stuart told her.