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Juliana curiously looked at herself in Carmine’s mirror, adjusted the hem of her jinbei and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She turned herself back and forth, inspecting herself at every angle she could manage. “Are you sure this fits me, Carmine?”
It has been about two days since Juliana and a few other students from Naranja Academy arrived in Kitakami. Tonight was the first official night of the Festival of Masks, and siblings Carmine and Kieran were more than eager to bring Juliana along and share this part of their culture with her. Rather, it was mostly Kieran who was excited. Coming off initially as cold and unfriendly, Carmine was mostly indifferent until she spent more time with Juliana.
Carmine looked up from the foreign fashion magazine she was reading while slumped on her bed. She threw it to the side and exclaimed, “Juliana!!! You look soooooo cute!!!” She ran up to the mirror and took a strand of Juliana’s hair in her fingers and curled it. “I’m so upset your friend Arven isn’t going to be there tonight! From what you’ve told me, he really likes you. He would totally die if he saw you in this outfit. Gimme your phone, let me take a picture for you!”
Juliana handed her phone to Carmine, who took about thirty pictures at various angles. “I took a lot,” Carmine giggled. “So, you can scroll and see which ones you like.” She handed the phone back to Juliana. “I’ll go see if Kiki is ready, and then we can go.” She shot Juliana a wide smile. For someone who seemed to despise her at first, Carmine really opened to Juliana quickly despite their age difference. Juliana thought at first Carmine was just trying to act like the “cool older girl”, but her desire for more female friends overwhelmed her and she eventually broke down.
Kieran could hear all the commotion from his bedroom, which was right next door to Carmine’s. He was laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Posters of various Pokémon adorned his walls, with little thought as to how they were placed. His day clothes lay hastily thrown into his hamper with half of his shirt draped over the side. His schoolbooks were piled up on his desk, bookmarks and sticky notes poking out through the edges of a few of the larger books marking important sections. He had not even thought to start the homework he was assigned over break—that would be a problem for another day.
“Who’s this Arven?” he thought to himself, rolling his head to the side, staring at a worn Sentret plush he had since childhood. Kieran felt his chest tighten a bit. He could not understand this feeling. He pondered for a moment and thought that he could be sick. “Maybe I shouldn’t go tonight.” However, he could not think of any excuses for very long because he suddenly heard his door swing wide open.
“Kiki!!!” his sister’s voice shouted. “Are you ready to go?!”
Kieran jumped out of bed and stared at Carmine. “Yes, and can you please knock next time?! It doesn’t take me 3 hours to get ready and still look ugly like you. ” He gave her a scowl.
At first Carmine shot him a dirty look and stuck out her tongue. “Says you. I’m sorry I want to look nice!” she spat sarcastically. “Anyways, it was really Juliana who was taking most of the time. She’s never worn a jinbei before, so I had to help her.” Carmine pointed her thumb down the hallway and then paused for a second. “And I’m sorry about not knocking, I guess old habits die hard. I forget you’re going to be 16 soon.” She shrugged. “You need your privacy. ” With that last word, she looked at her brother with a suggestive look and laughed.
Kieran rose from his bed, adjusted his jinbei, and grabbed his bag. “You’re so annoying, Carmine!” he yelled as he pushed past her in the doorway of his room. Carmine could not help but giggle. When he heard her laughing even more, Kieran stopped in his tracks and shouted something to his sister in a language Juliana did not understand. He then continued and stormed down the hallway until he made it to the front door, where Juliana stood, patiently waiting. Juliana thought to herself if this is what it was like to have a sibling—always bickering over stupid little things and calling each other ugly (even when you look exactly alike), but then acting like nothing ever happened moments later. She had always wanted a baby brother or sister, but no, it was always just her. Although she liked having all her mother’s attention, there were days where she felt lonely and wished she had that “built in best friend”, as she had heard some of her classmates say when talking about their siblings. Both Nemona and Arven were both single children as well, so they shared Juliana’s pain. But to Juliana, Nemona and Arven were close enough to be her sister and brother, respectively. Penny, however, did have a sister, although she never mentioned her much. Juliana also considered Penny her sister. Juliana wondered if Penny’s relationship with her actual sister was different than Carmine’s and Kieran’s.
“Are brother-sister relationships different than sister-sister relationships, or brother-brother relationships?” Juliana thought to herself. These thoughts saddened her, so she tried to distract herself by going through her bag, making sure she had everything she would need for the night. She went through her mental checklist: bug spray, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, extra hair ties, her phone…
Upon seeing her, Kieran stopped dead in his tracks. He looked her up and down, feeling his face turn red hot. The girl standing in front of him looked so different than the girl he spent the whole morning traversing Kitakami with. Juliana was wearing a green jinbei, an old one of Carmine’s, that their grandmother quickly adjusted for her. (How were old people so good at sewing?) Her curly brown hair was pulled into a side ponytail and, was she wearing a hint of makeup? (That was probably Carmine’s idea.) Juliana was fiddling through her bag until she noticed Kieran’s presence. She looked right at him, smiling from ear to ear.
“Hi Kieran!” she exclaimed. “What do you think?” She awkwardly spun around on her toes and tripped slightly. “Sorry, these sandals are new. I’m not used to them.”
Kieran was at a loss for words. “Y-you, uh… look really pretty.” He quickly averted his gaze, feeling his face burning up. To him, it felt like the room was over 100 degrees, even though it was a cool summer evening. “What’s the matter with me?” he thought. “It’s just Juliana. It’s just Juliana. She’s your friend. She’s a girl. She’s a girl friend. Not a girlfriend. A friend who is a girl. And who looks really pretty. Fuck.”
Juliana laughed. “Thank you! I feel really pretty too, all thanks to Carmine. You look very handsome in your jinbei as well!”
Kieran managed to look up at her and don a sheepish smile. “Thanks…” he squeaked out. “Damn puberty!” he yelled to himself in his head.
“We’re going to get going now!” Carmine shouted to her grandparents. “See you later!” She started to lead the three of them out the door. Her grandparents called back in the same language Kieran had yelled at Carmine before and Juliana sensed that Carmine grew annoyed. “Yes, grandma I know, I know. Not too late.” She looked over at Kieran and Juliana and shook her head with a sarcastic look on her face, as if she was just saying that to appease her grandparents. “Love you, bye!”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“We should take a picture of ourselves to remember tonight,” Carmine stated. “Juliana, can we use your phone?”
“Of course!” she replied. Juliana pulled out her Rotom phone and took a selfie with Kieran and Carmine. She stood in between the siblings and smiled wide, holding up a peace sign. Carmine pursed her lips and copied Juliana’s pose. Kieran sheepishly smiled while holding up a defeated looking peace sign. He was not great at posing for pictures like his sister was. Juliana swiped to see the pictures she took and to delete the ones that were blurry.
“Oh my goodness, Juliana,” Carmine started. “You look absolutely killer in these. Please send them to Arven and let me know what he says!”
Juliana giggled. “Sure, I’ll send it in our group chat with our other friends.” She paused for a second. “I really miss them. I wish they got to come too. Carmine, I think you would love my friend Nemona. Maybe we’ll call them in the morning to talk, because well, I’m not sure what time it is in Paldea right now.”
Kieran felt that tightness in his chest again, and suddenly any happiness he felt left his body. He concluded that it was jealousy . But for what?
“Okay! I’m gonna go on ahead and meet up with my friends. I’ll catch you two later!” Carmine called as she ran up to the festival.
“See you later!” Juliana called back. She looked at Kieran, who was looking off into the distance. “Are… you okay, Kieran?” she asked cocking her head, concerned.
Kieran snapped his gaze back at Juliana. “Oh, yeah I’m fine,” he replied dryly, tugging on the strap of his bag. (He was not.)
Juliana furrowed her brows. “It doesn’t seem like you’re fine. I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but has anyone ever told you that you wear your emotions on your sleeve?”
There was silence. “I’m just a little hungry,” Kieran lied, ignoring the last part of Juliana’s sentence. “Let’s go get something to eat.” He began walking quickly towards the festival, hoping that his quick pace would help cool him off.
“Huh? Wait for me!” Juliana called out as she jogged to catch up with him. “Remember I’m not used to these sandals, and I don’t want to tri—” She quickly lost her balance and almost made contact with the concrete, but Kieran caught her just in time. She landed face first into his chest, his arms supporting all of her weight.
“Juliana!” he called out as he pulled her up. “Are you okay?”
She opened her eyes and slowly looked up. It was only then she realized how close she was to Kieran. Her whole face had touched his chest, and their bare forearms were touching. Juliana practically jumped out of her skin at this realization. At only 15 years old herself (soon to be 16), she had never been so physically close with someone. Well, maybe Nemona, but she was her best friend. Things were different with her. (Also, Nemona has no concept of personal space.)
Juliana straightened herself out. “I’m great!” she stammered, her voice cracking, feeling her cheeks turning red. “Sorry about my clumsiness…”
“Why am I so awkward all of a sudden?" Juliana thought to herself. “Like, I know we just met a few days ago, but it’s just Kieran. It’s just Kieran. He’s your friend. A friend who is a boy, who just saved me from falling like… in a romance movie... Shit.”
Kieran laughed nervously. “That’s okay, I’m clumsy, too,” he replied. It took him a moment to realize he was still holding onto her arms. He pulled them away quickly and looked in the opposite direction. “I’m sorry for running off ahead.”
Juliana looked at him wide eyed, cheeks blushing. “That’s okay,” she replied. “Uh, you said you were hungry?”
“Right!!” Kieran yelped. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
The two of them walked—slowly this time—looking at every stall. There were dozens of stalls—for food, clothing, masks, games, toys, you name it, it was there. Even though Kieran had seen this a dozen times, he wanted to make sure Juliana got to see and do everything she wanted. Who knows if she would ever have the chance to do this again? Thinking about that made Kieran’s heart hurt. Something he often took for granted was possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He looked over at her, seeing her enamored expression as they passed by every stall.
“What’s this?!” Juliana exclaimed, pointing to a stand that had a plethora of apples on display. She ran over to the stand and excitedly looked everything over.
Kieran jogged over to her. “Oh, these are candy apples,” he replied. “It’s an apple coated in a sweet candy.”
Juliana whipped her head to look at Kieran. “I’ve never had one before! I want to try it!” She looked at the shopkeeper. “How much is it?!”
“It’s 500 yen,” the shopkeeper replied with a smile.
Juliana took off her bag and rummaged through it, looking for her wallet, before the smile on her face suddenly faded and she smacked her face with the palm of her hand. Kieran looked at her with concern.
“What’s the matter?”
“I forgot to exchange my currency at the community center this morning. I only have euros with me.” She dejectedly put her wallet back into her bag. “Sorry about that…” she mumbled to the shopkeeper. “I’m so stupid, I went through my bag a hundred times making sure I had everything. I managed to remember to bring extra hair ties but forgot to get my money exchanged.” She hung her head.
She began to walk away when Kieran spoke. “I-I’ll buy it for you!” Juliana quickly turned around.
“Kieran, it’s okay you don’t have t—”
“I want to! Uh, w-which one do you want?” He already had his wallet in his hand. “There’s plain ones, but there’s also ones covered in nuts and candy.”
Juliana learned from being friends with Nemona that sometimes, it is not worth arguing with someone if they really want to do something for you. No matter how much you try, they will try harder and eventually will win. It is not worth wasting energy. “I’ll take a regular one, please,” she said through a smile.
“Of course, sweetie,” the shopkeeper said, grabbing a candy apple with her gloved hand. She passed it over the counter to Juliana. Kieran handed the old woman the money in return.
“Thank you!” Juliana exclaimed. She jumped up and down a little from the excitement. Kieran thought that that was innocent and cute. He smiled softly looking at her.
“Have fun on your date, you two,” the shopkeeper said, putting the money in her bag.
“W-we’re not—”
“This isn’t—”
Juliana and Kieran looked at each other, and then quickly turned their heads the other way, both extremely embarrassed. The shopkeeper only laughed.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“How do you eat this thing?” Juliana asked while inspecting the candy apple, rotating it in her hands.
“Just bite into it,” Kieran replied. “But be careful, it can be kinda hard. You can totally crack a tooth on it. B-but don’t let that scare you… It’s rare for that to happen.” He looked around. “Maybe we should sit down. It can get messy. Hold on, let me grab some napkins.” Kieran darted off to a nearby booth to get napkins while Juliana sat down on a bench.
A few seconds later, he returned. He took a seat next to Juliana and held the napkins in his hand. Juliana took a big bite into the apple and immediately her eyes widened for two reasons: First, it was delicious. She had never had a treat like this in Paldea, or in Galar or Kalos when on vacation. Second, apple juices were dripping from her mouth, and she was afraid to stain her jinbei. She spread her legs and leaned her upper body forward, so if anything dripped from her mouth, it would fall to the ground.
Kieran immediately grabbed one of the napkins and held it under her chin. “This is why I suggested we sit down,” he laughed.
“That was a good idea,” Juliana replied, her mouth full, taking the napkin from Kieran. She sat up, swallowed, then furrowed her brows. “So, what did you say to Carmine before we left? And what did your grandparents say?”
Kieran cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“You all spoke in a language I don’t understand. I’m just curious what you said.” Juliana stopped, realizing this could be rude. “S-sorry if that’s intrusive! I don’t have any siblings, so I find it cute watching you two interact.” She took another bite.
Kieran laughed to himself. “Oh, yeah, I basically said that she’s the worst and most annoying sister ever and that she should stop embarrassing me before I embarrass her. And my grandmother said, ‘Don’t forget the money on the table and don’t stay out too late.’ Typical grandma stuff.”
“I think it’s cute how siblings are literally so mean to each other but love each other regardless,” Juliana spoke with her mouth full of apple.
“Having a sister is alright, I guess.”
“The grass is always greener on the other side. I wish I had a brother or a sister. It gets lonely being the only child sometimes.” Juliana took another bite, then said while holding up her half-eaten candy apple, “Wait so your grandparents paid for this?”
Kieran nodded sheepishly. “They always give us money for the festival. They actually gave me a little more money than usual so I could get you anything you wanted.”
Juliana let her mouth agape. Red hot crept across her cheeks as her eyes widened. “W-what?” she stammered.
Kieran jolted up, sensing Juliana’s awkwardness. “Th-those were their words! They said, ‘We’re giving you a bit more money so you can buy anything Juliana wants!’ ” Kieran left out the part where they said, “Juliana is a nice girl, Kieran. And very pretty. I think you two would be very cute together,” as grandparents would say.
Juliana furrowed her brow. “Well, when I see them next, I will thank them. This was very generous.”
“They’re just being themselves,” Kieran replied with a wide smile.
Juliana was spinning the apple in her hand when she suddenly said, “Hey, I thought you said you were hungry. Why didn’t you get one?”
Kieran jumped. She caught him in his lie.
“I, uh, want to get something else…?”
Juliana took another bite, holding the napkin to catch any juice. Obliviously, she replied, “Well, I feel bad for holding you up. Why don’t you take a bite? You – I mean, your grandparents, did pay for it.” She tilted her candy apple towards Kieran and smiled.
Kieran finally had a chance to really look at Juliana. Underneath the festival lights, she looked even prettier than she did back at his house. Her brown eyes looked so rich and deep; he thought he could lose himself in there forever. Her hair had started to get a little messy from running around and almost falling, but it still looked soft and beautiful. Her lips were stained pink from the candy apple and her cheeks were rosy. To Kieran, she looked like a model that could be in one of Carmine’s magazines.
Noticing his silence, Juliana interjected. “Uh, Kieran?”
He jolted up. “Oh! Uh, I-I guess I’ll take a bite. Sure. Thanks.” He took the candy apple from her, his fingers lightly brushing up against hers. He felt electricity go through his entire body. (A weird feeling that has never happened before.) He turned the apple, inspecting it trying to find a good place to take a bite when he realized that Juliana did not leave him a lot of “untouched” room. If he bit into the apple, it was going to be a place where her mouth was.
“Oh crap,” he thought.
Juliana realized this when she saw Kieran twiddling the apple. “Oh! Shoot! I’m so sorry!” Her hands flew to her mouth. “I was so greedy, I kinda just bit everywhere." She hung her head. “I’ve always been like this. I kinda just love food so much that I forget to share. I’m a terrible friend.”
Kieran widened his eyes, and then laughed. “No! Not at all!” he reassured her. “I’ve shared food with my sister all the time. I don’t mind. R-really.” (That was a lie. He did mind.) It was not because he was a germaphobe. It was because it would be an indirect kiss. He found a place on the apple where it was the most untouched and took a small bite. “It’s amazing as always,” he sighed. He handed the apple back to her. “You finish it. I’ll get something else.”
Juliana took the apple back. “Thank you again,” she smiled. “You totally didn’t have to get this for me.”
Kieran blushed. “No, of course I did. You’re our guest. Remember, my grandparents said anything you want…” His face flushed. “Thanks, grandma and grandpa,” he thought to himself.
Mid-bite, Juliana almost froze. She felt her cheeks burn, even though it was fairly cool outside. The words that the shopkeeper said earlier rang in her head. “Is this really a date?!” she thought to herself. “Why can’t I breathe?! I wish Nemona was here to help me!”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“So, uh, who’s Arven?”
Juliana looked at Kieran as they walked through the festival, finishing up another snack he had purchased for them. “He’s a friend of mine from Paldea. We both go to Naranja together. But he’s a bit older than me. Honestly, he’s probably your sister’s age.”
“An older guy. Great.” Kieran thought.
“Why do you ask?”
Kieran fell silent. “Shit, shit, shit. Think of something, Kieran, quick! And don’t say jealousy!” He brought his thumb to his mouth and started biting his nail. His nervous tick. He would be aloof if he thought Juliana did not notice. “I, uh… overheard you and Carmine talking before. I was just curious.” His voice faded into the sounds of the festival.
“Oh, yeah,” Juliana replied, taking a piece of her hair and twisting it. “I told her about my friends back home. Nemona, Penny, and Arven. I really wish they could have been chosen to come here.” Her voice sounded sad at the end. “They’re super cool. You would really get along with them. Except Nemona might scare you a bit. I know she scared me at first!”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, well…” Juliana paused. How could she explain Nemona? “You know how girls our age are boy-crazy? Nemona is that but for battles. She’s battle crazy. Seriously. We once battled seven times in a row.”
Kieran’s eyes widened. “Really?!”
“Yep!” Juliana laughed. “Honestly, since you and Carmine love to battle, I think she would be a good friend for you both. She’s a good sport through it all, too, even when she loses. For her, it’s not about winning all the time. It’s about having fun and building strong bonds with your Pokémon.” She smiled softly. “As for Penny, I think you two would get along especially. She’s very shy like you, and she’s a great listener. She also has an older sister who she claims can be super annoying. And she’s super good at technology and can help you with anything you ask.”
Kieran swallowed hard. “W-what about Arven?” He was so nervous to ask that. Why was he nervous?
Juliana tilted her head. “Oh, Arven is a great cook! He can make something out of anything, and my Koraidon goes crazy for his s-a-n-d-w-i-c-h-e-s.” She leaned into Kieran’s ear. “I can’t say that word out loud otherwise he will spring from his ball. We’ve learned this the hard way.”
He let out a laugh. For a moment, he forgot why he was so nervous. But then it all came back, crashing over him like a wave. “So, he’s j… just your friend?”
There was an awkward silence. “I mean, yeah,” Juliana replied, still twiddling with her hair, which by now she had to re-tie. “Sure, he’s cute I guess, but I don’t like him like that. Although, I think he does like me. Or that’s what Penny told me at least.”
Kieran felt a tinge of relief. “Thank goodness,” he thought to himself.
“Why do you ask?”
Kieran should have figured she would ask why. His soul almost left his body at the end of her question. He stopped dead in his tracks. “I’m, uh… just trying to make conversation…?” (Was that a question at the end?)
“Really it’s because I think I finally realized I have a super big crush on you and I would be devastated if you already had a boyfriend back home,” Kieran thought to himself, biting his lip down hard.
“Oh, well, yeah no we’re just friends,” Juliana chuckled sheepishly, only slightly oblivious. “I know your sister is rooting for us but to be honest I really just see him as a big brother.” She nervously scratched the back of her head.
“Well, I think my sister is just projecting on you,” Kieran spoke bluntly, shrugging his shoulders.
Juliana shot Kieran a confused look. “What do you mean by that?”
Kieran could only sigh. “Don’t tell her I told you this, but she’s been having this on-again-off-again relationship with this kid Drayton at our school.” He shook his head. “They’re in the same class. He’s one of the best students in his year and probably the best trainer on campus. Well, by best I mean the most talented. He’s smart, but so lazy. He’s been held back a few times. Anyway, one moment it’s ‘Oooh Drayton is sooooo dreamy, smart, and hot!’ and then the next it’s ‘Ugh, Drayton is so dumb and stupid and ugly! I can’t believe I ever liked him!!!’ …and then a few days later we’re back to ‘Oh, Drayton is so gorgeous and hot and sexy…’ I seriously don’t get girls at all.”
Juliana burst out laughing at Kieran’s impression of his sister. “That is so freaking funny! Your impression of your sister is hysterical.” She wiped away a small tear from her eye. “Oh man, I really want to meet this Drayton guy.”
“He’s a good guy at heart,” Kieran stated. “I agree with my sister’s sentiment that he’s smart, not so much that he’s hot. I think you’d two would get along.”
Juliana laughed. “Are you sure you don’t agree he’s hot? Are you jealous of his supposed good looks? ” she teased, gently pushing his arm.
Despite the teasing, Kieran was captivated by Juliana in this moment. Her laugh was the purest sound he had ever heard in his entire life. He wished he could hear it forever, have it be the soundtrack to his life.
“I’m sure,” he replied with a soft smile. He had no reason to be jealous, not when he had the privilege to know Juliana and Drayton did not.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“Are you okay?” Kieran asked Juliana, who had suddenly slowed her pace, trailing him at quite a distance.
Focused on the way she was walking, Juliana darted her gaze upwards. “Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, I’m okay. Why?”
Kieran furrowed his brows and crossed his arms. “’ I know we only met but has anyone told you that you wear your emotions on your sleeve?’” he said to her with a smirk, repeating what she had told him earlier.
Juliana pinched her face. “Ha ha ha, you’re soo funny.” She stood up straight. “Fine. No, I’m not okay. I mean, I’m okay emotionally, I’m just in pain.”
Confused, he looked Juliana up and down. “Where are you in pain?”
Juliana held up one of her feet, resting her leg on the opposite thigh. “My feet are killing me. I’m really not used to wearing these sandals.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?!” Kieran exclaimed, rushing to her side.
She pursed her lips and whispered, “I didn’t want to like, offend you or your culture or anything… I’ve worn uncomfortable shoes before – I’m a girl, we do it all the time – and I figured I’d just power through it. I figured wrong.”
Kieran guided Juliana to the nearest bench. “You’re not offending me or my culture, Juliana,” he said to her, laughing gently. “I know these aren’t the most comfortable shoes. It takes a while to get used to them. You could have worn your regular shoes if it would have made you comfortable.”
Juliana sat down. “I wanted to do my best to impress you, Kieran,” she admitted, turning her head to try and hide her cheeks blushing red.
Why did she say that? (She meant it, but why did it slip out? )
The bench where they sat was a bit secluded from the rest of the festival. Not many people were up here, and the sounds and smells were faint. They had walked so far without thinking and ended up on the outskirts of the festival before really noticing. Once they sat down, however, Kieran noticed immediately that they were alone. Juliana soon followed in this realization.
They were sitting close. Very close.
Juliana and Kieran looked at each other intensely. Neither of them said a word to each other for what seemed like an eternity. Juliana took the time to study Kieran’s face, or what she could see of it. A large portion of his bangs covered his face, making it difficult to make out the finer details.
“Why do you cover your face with your hair?” Juliana whispered, feeling her heart in her throat. She was losing control of the stability of her voice as only half of her sentence sounded. She was not even sure she spoke out loud.
“I don’t… I don’t know,” he replied. “My grandparents and teachers always tell me I need a haircut,” he laughed. The real reason is that he was insecure about his looks, as any 15-year-old boy would be. He had lied to Juliana before. He did compare himself to Drayton. It was only natural. Drayton was older, taller, stronger, and good looking. Girls all over Blueberry Academy fawned over him. Kieran could not help but feel inferior. (He had not yet realized that there was no way he could truly compare himself to someone three years older.) At the beginning of the school year, Kieran asked Carmine for advice on how he could improve his looks. Carmine became elated at this request. (She thought there was finally a girl that Kieran was interested in.) She helped him establish a skincare routine, buying him a nice cleanser and moisturizer to use in the morning at night. She advised him to drink plenty of water, as that would also help. After a few weeks, his skin cleared up significantly. She had him try a new shampoo and conditioner for thick hair and tried to get him to style it. (There was no way he would ever cut his hair, though.) Eventually, he settled on wearing a headband, like she did. One of the things Carmine was most excited about doing was cleaning up Kieran’s eyebrows. She taught him how to shape them in a way that helped them retain a masculine look while also looking clean. (Although she became saddened when he started to do it on his own.) Kieran also wanted to learn how to shave, but his sister had to hand that task to their grandfather. Additionally, Carmine gave Kieran a deodorant and cologne that was “mature” , as she described it. (Kieran suspected it had initially been a gift to Drayton, but since they were on a “break”, she never gave it to him.) Carmine also advised her brother to begin eating more and working out at the gym, which he also started, and started to gain weight slowly but surely. The changes were small, but Carmine noticed, and she was proud of her younger brother. But for Kieran, it still was not enough. (Again, not comprehending that some changes just come with age.)
Juliana took her hand and gently took off Kieran’s headband. She then brushed her fingers through his bangs, pushing them back. Taking his headband, she stretched it over his head and pulled it back, securing his bangs underneath. She studied his face, noticing his beauty marks, his thick eyebrows (she was jealous), and his long eyelashes (even more so jealous). His eyes were a deep golden, and even in the dimly lit night, she could feel herself falling into the two goldenrod pools. To be frank, she did not care if she drowned in them.
“So much better,” Juliana sighed. “Now I can see your face in all its glory.” She smiled softly. “You look really good with your hair pulled back. I think you should do it more often. It’s a look.”
Kieran felt his hands clamming up. He quickly wiped them on his shorts and replied, “Th-thank you, Juliana.” He averted his gaze and found it difficult to look her in the eyes.
“Your beauty marks are so cute,” Juliana remarked, brushing her finger over Kieran’s cheek. “Especially this one.” She pointed to his neck. “This one is adorable.”
“Beauty marks?” Kieran asked, tilting his head.
“Yeah, the dark freckles you have. They are so cute. I only have a few, but none on my face.” Juliana held up her left arm and pointed to one. “I’m certainly jealous of you and Carmine.”
“I’ve never called them that. I always just called them moles. I’ve hated them ever since I was a kid.”
Juliana pouted. “Calling them ‘moles’ makes them sound ugly, even though moles – the animal – are super cute. Like a Drilbur, they are so freaking adorable!”
“Why do you call them beauty marks?”
“That’s what my mother always called them. She said that they make you look elegant. Many women would kill to have them, especially on the face. They just… I don’t know. Make you beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful, Juliana.”
Oh no.
The words just slipped out, evading any and all mental filters Kieran had attempted to put up, like trying to hold a wriggling animal in your hands. Every system he had in place failed . There the words were, now out in the space between them, filling the air like an expanding gas, suffocating them both.
Juliana did not say a word. Her eyes widened like a doe in headlights, overcome by what she had just heard. She… did hear him correctly…
Right?
She tried to swallow but felt as if something was blocking her throat. She took shallow breaths, unaware of what to do next. She grabbed fistfuls of fabric from her shorts as if her life depended on it.
“What do I do now??!!” she screamed in her inner monologue. “I definitely heard him correctly, he totally said I’m beautiful. Holy shit, what is even happening?! What do I do? What do I do??!!”
Without even realizing it, her eyes glanced downwards at Kieran’s lips.
“I read somewhere that when someone looks at your lips it means they want to kiss you,” Juliana remembered. “Is it true? Is he looking at mine?! Or am I just crazy?! I’m probably just crazy!”
Kieran wanted to die right on the spot, crawl into a deep hole and never emerge. This was it. He either propelled their relationship into a beautiful new chapter or he fucked it up completely. And he was about to find out.
He could not think straight, his thoughts winding into each other like an old ball of yarn that got wet, which would become impossible to detangle. He was sweating profusely, nervously wiping his palms on his shorts, so much so, he thought he would start a fire. His eyes darted up and down, back and forth between Juliana’s eyes and then lips. He knew what he wanted – what he had wanted since the moment he met her – but he was not sure if she wanted it too. Where was she looking?
Like a magnet, the two of them leaned into each other slowly. Neither of them said anything. When their faces got close, they instinctively closed their eyes and tilted their heads. As if they were in slow motion, their lips soon touched each other, just for a brief second.
Warm, and soft.
Immediately, the two of them pulled away and almost flew off the bench. They were both as red as an apple and felt hotter than the sun itself. Juliana threw her hands up to her mouth and Kieran followed.
“I –”
“I’m –”
They sat in silence.
“That was my first kiss…” Juliana whispered, barely making her voice speak.
“Me too…” Kieran replied sheepishly.
Another silent pause.
“I’m sorry,” Kieran managed to squeak out, putting his hands down, soon returning a finger to touch his bottom lip. It still felt warm and tingly.
“W-why are you sorry?!” Juliana exclaimed, dropping her hands.
Kieran looked at her wide-eyed. “Because I probably just ruined our friendship by—”
“No!” she interjected. “No, you… didn’t ruin our friendship, Kieran.” Juliana smiled wide and nodded. “I wanted that.”
Kieran was left speechless. Someone… wanted him? And it was the girl he liked?
Juliana was still beaming, laughing nervously. “I seriously can’t believe I just had my first kiss!” She brought a few fingers to lips, touching them. “My lips feel weird. Do yours? I think I’m a changed person for real.”
Kieran smiled and laughed to himself. “Yeah, they do.”
They stared at each other for a while, sitting in the now comfortable silence.
“Can we kiss again?” Juliana broke the silence. “Maybe for a bit longer this time?” she chuckled.
Kieran’s face lit up. “O-of course!”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“Kiki? Juliana?” Carmine called out into the night. “Where are youuuuu ?”
Kieran and Juliana jumped at the sound of Carmine’s voice. What time was it? Kieran checked his watch – 10:30 pm. He looked at Juliana in shock. They had been sitting on that bench for almost two hours. Kissing. (In the most innocent “this is my first kiss and suddenly I am addicted to it” type of way.)
“No way it’s 10:30…” Juliana gasped. “I guess… time flies?” She laughed nervously.
Kieran scratched the back of his head. “Y-yeah…” he responded, just as nervous. “We should go meet my sister.”
Juliana nodded and stood up, turning to walk towards the sound of Carmine’s voice.
“Wait—”
Kieran grabbed her wrist to stop her. Juliana looked at him in confusion.
“One more kiss?” he asked sheepishly. Where did he suddenly get the confidence? Juliana was right: your first kiss does change you.
Juliana smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Of course!”
After they kissed (they got a little better with some practice), they walked down together to meet Carmine, hand in hand.
Carmine stood twiddling her hair until she noticed her brother and Juliana approaching. “There you guys are!” she exclaimed. “I got worried, I thought you guys ran away or something.”
Kieran chuckled. “No, we were just talking and wandering around.”
Carmine inspected her brother and Juliana. Why were their faces so red? And why did it look like Kieran was wearing lipstick?
She laughed to herself. “Oh Kiki…” she thought. “You think you’re soooo slick.” She smiled softly. “Can’t say I didn’t do the same when I was your age.”
“Did you guys have fun?” Carmine smirked.
Kieran and Juliana both jolted.
“Yes!
“So much fun!”
There was an awkward pause.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” Carmine replied, breaking the silence.
The three of them chatted all the way back to the community center where they dropped Juliana off for the night. Carmine did not want to embarrass her brother in front of Juliana, but oh, was she going to do it when they were alone.
“Goodnight, Juliana!” Carmine said, trying to hold back a laugh. “Kiki, I’m gonna start heading back, I’m just so tired.” (She was lying.)
“O-okay, Carmine,” Kieran replied – completely oblivious to Carmine’s intentions – and turned his head to Juliana. “Goodnight Juliana.”
“Goodnight Kieran.” They both stared at each other, eyes darting to see when Carmine would be out of sight. Once they were sure she was, they leaned in and gave each other one more kiss.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Thank you for tonight,” Juliana said lovingly, her beautiful smile spread across her face.
Kieran smiled – the biggest smile he has ever had – back. “No, thank you. Sleep tight!”
Juliana waved to Kieran as he ran to catch up with his sister.
“By the way Kieran…” Carmine started. “You have a little something on your face.” She licked her thumb and rubbed it over his mouth. “Call me crazy… but it kinda looks like… lipstick . Or lip gloss? But what do I know? It’s weird, though…”
Kieran’s eyes widened as his face turned as hot as a giant star and as red as one too. He looked slowly up at his sister who could only begin to burst into laughter.