Chapter Text
“You… Waters. George, right?”
“Roger.”
“Roger.”
Diana had no choice but to be kind to the lanky, awkward new kid who had just been transferred from an all boys school to her school. He didn’t know anyone, and the teacher thought it was a good idea to pair them for a literary project. He seemed alright, albeit a bit shy. Her friend thought this was outrageous, they had established pairs and this kid had arrived out of nowhere and ruined the fun for everyone. The girl didn’t think much of it, since she had the opportunity to visit her friends over the weekend. The boy in question seemed as lost as she was. She asked the teacher to change his mind but he said it would be a great way to interact with someone new. And so she went.
He was so tall. Long legs, long fingers. He knew how to use words like no one. His metaphors were real and raw, words from someone who had lived worst at such a young age. Diana was impressed by what he could do but Roger himself didn’t think it was a big deal. He was sensitive, being raised by a single mother, and he had a whole new perspective of the world, different from her and her friends. Her friends mocked him relentlessly, talking about his long, horse like face and his teeth and his general awkwardness. Diana hated to see him being the target of such cruel jokes, and always opposed to make fun of her classmate. They took it as a sign both Roger and Diana were dating. She thought the idea was ridiculous… at first.
She wasn’t allowed to meet Roger alone or at night, because as well intentioned as he was, he was still a boy and her parents were afraid their partnership could become something more intimate. But one day, Roger went to her window at night and asked if they could have a milkshake together. Diana never snuck out, not even with her longtime friends but that sweet awkward boy somehow convinced her to do it. They ordered milkshakes and hamburgers and a huge, unhealthy amount of French fries and sat on a bench at the park, talking about their lives and anything that wasn’t school and boring assignments. They cursed and laughed out loud, stuff they couldn’t do while her parents watched her like hawks.
And then Diana noticed that it didn’t matter that her friends thought he was weird, unpleasant looking. He was in fact adorable and had the most gorgeous smile. He was never self conscious about it and she was grateful. There was no one to make fun of him now, no people judging their proximity. It was just the two of them laughing and stuffing their faces with junk food. It didn’t matter what time it was, what day it was. No bedtime, no rules. They walked around looking at drunken people singing and laughing, and having fun like they weren’t allowed too. She felt safe by his side like she wouldn’t with any other person. He brought her home, safe and sound and a bit tired from walking around.
She was so pretty. They hugged and stared at each other for a bit, none willing to move. The air smelled like grass and rain… and him. The lanky boy that came out of nowhere during the school year and who was made fun of by everyone somehow was Diana’s favorite person. There was something so genuine about his eyes and the way he looked at her, such tenderness, such adoration. He gently touched her cheek with his fingertips and she didn’t recoil or rejected his touch. His fingers were warm and and she melted as his large hands cupped both sides of her face, his thumbs gently massaging her cheeks. She knew what was coming, and she wanted it too.
His face approached hers and the air turned warmer as he breathed over her. Their lips connected, she didn’t know how to kiss having never kissed before, but his lips were the perfect match for hers. Her hands rested over his chest, slowly crawling up to his neck. Standing on her front porch, Diana felt light, like she was floating. She wanted it to never end. Roger broke the kiss gently and Diana realized how out of breath she was. Both chuckled.
“Di?” He whispered.
“Rog.” She whispered back.
“I…” He had to express that feeling in words. Somehow the kiss was not enough. “I like you. I like you a lot.”
“Me too.” She answered, looking at his lips.
They were so soft and her lips quivered, asking for another kiss. They locked lips once more, and she softly moaned as his tongue touched hers, slowly but steadily guiding her on how it was to be done. She grabbed him by his coat to close the minimal gap between them, expressing that there was no reason to deny how much she wanted him. She didn’t care about the teasing by her friends or by anyone, she just wanted to be with him so badly. Their lips parted ways and she hugged him, nose pressed against his neck as a way to absorb his scent, to absorb him. He hugged her waist and she felt protected for a second. She wanted to freeze time just for one moment, but that was impossible.
Diana’s father somehow woke up in the middle of the night and yelled her name around the house. She looked at Roger and both panicked, widening their eyes and going their separate ways, Diana running inside and Roger running away. He ran home and entered his own bedroom through the window. His mother was still asleep, and so his brother. He regretted taking Diana out in the middle of the night because she’d probably be scolded or beaten up, but he’d never regret that kiss. He laid in bed sleepless, the taste of her lips still lingering on his mouth. That kiss meant something… something bigger than the universe itself.