Chapter 62: The after
Eiden felt as if his entire body had gone numb.
Lyra was kissing him. On the lips. He couldn’t process how or why it happened. One moment, they were watching the fireworks, and the next her lips were on his.
Before he could fully react, Lyra opened her eyes wide in realization and immediately pulled away. She sat up straight and hid her face behind the life-sized panda doll, hugging it tightly like a shield. Eiden couldn’t even see a hint of her expression.
"What... what just happened?" Eiden blinked, utterly puzzled. "Whaaaaat?" his thoughts screamed. Why did she suddenly kiss him? Sure, he knew she had feelings for him. That much had become clearer over time. But judging from her usual shy, reserved demeanor, she wasn’t supposed to be this bold. Not this sudden. Not this daring.
He touched his lips slowly, still a bit dazed. They were still warm. He looked at Lyra, whose face was still buried behind the oversized panda. The fireworks continued to light the sky above them as the Ferris wheel rotated slowly. But between the two of them, there was nothing but silence.
Soft. That was the only clear thought in his mind. Her lips were soft. Meanwhile, Lyra was having a full-blown meltdown.
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!?!
"I kissed his lips! I actually kissed his lips!"
"I was supposed to kiss his cheek! That’s what I planned. That’s what my friends told me! They said it wasn’t crossing the line and that any boy would find it cute. But I... I kissed his lips instead!"
"I’m doomed! This wasn’t in the plan! This wasn’t in anyone’s plan!" Panic. Panic. PANIC. "Do I apologize? Should I say something? But kissing someone without their permission is bad enough... Ugh, I messed up... but but his lips were so soft..."