As the dismissal bell rang, ending the school day at Moon Lake High, Julie Stovall and Eric Anderson quickly sought each other out.
Other than lunch, the two Freshmen had nothing together this semester. Even their last classes for the day and their respective lockers were in different hallways, but that didn't stop them from getting together as soon as they could.
Mindful of the fact that they were still on school property, it was just a quick kiss to celebrate being reunited again before Eric offered to walk his girlfriend home once more, a gesture that Julie quickly accepted.
Together they left the building, and only started holding hands once they were off campus, for neither wanted to run the risk of finding out just how strict the school's "no public displays of affection" policy actually was.
As they started walking, at first they discussed how the rest of their respective days went after lunch and what homework they had to tackle that evening. Then it was on to future plans.
"We can hang out, or even go on a date Saturday, if you like. But Friday night I have to attend my dad's induction to the Skulk ceremony," revealed Eric.
"Sometime Saturday it is then," agreed Julie, and as often as possible, she silently added. "Want to chat online tonight?"
"Can't until late. After supper, my folks are supposed to start giving me dance lessons," replied Eric, to which Julie stopped in mid-step and started giggling.
"What's so funny?" Eric asked, uncertain what the 'joke' was.
"My parents are doing the same thing. I can't dance either," admitted Julie, looking at her beau. "I try, but it seems like I've got two left flippers," quipped the were-mermaid.
"I've seen some of those old musicals on TV from time to time, but there's only one dance I've ever managed to master. Or at least, I think I've mastered it," revealed Eric.
"Which one?" inquired Julie, to which Eric simply grabbed her hands in his and pulled her close. Then he placed his arms around her, which was kind of awkward to accomplish considering they were both wearing their backpacks, and began a leisurely slow dance with her right there on the sidewalk.
"I like this," said Julie, laying her head against him, as they moved together in a slow circle along that one spot of concrete. "But I love you," she said moments later, bending her head upward to kiss Eric.
Eric eagerly returned the kiss, but this one was different than any before, for he soon felt something odd within his mouth.
"Is that your tongue?" he asked, breaking the bond between their respective lips.
"Yes. It's called French kissing. I read about it online. Was I doing it right?" asked Julie, a bit concerned.
"I have absolutely no idea. I've never French kissed before," admitted Eric.
Julie seemed kind of sad about his reaction, until Eric said, "but I'd love to learn how if it pleases you."
"From what I read," began Julie, "you just start out with a normal kiss, and then slowly insert your tongue into your lover's mouth. The website said when your doing it right, your respective tongues should dance romantically back and forth between each other's mouths without either one having too much spittle or any kind of a gag reflex as you breathe normally through your nostrils."
"Can we practice some more?" Eric asked eagerly.
"I'd love to," replied Julie with a smile, as she moved her head to kiss him again.
Soon the two fledgling lovers were getting the hang of French kissing together, when Julie felt something odd. She broke the kiss and asked, "Eric, are you trying to massage my butt cheeks for some reason?"
Her boyfriend just stared intently at her for a moment, before realizing what she asked. "I AM? Sorry," he replied, his face turning red in embarrassment.
"It's not that I don't mind the gesture on basic principle, but this isn't really the right time or place," she said, finally remembering they were still on a public sidewalk.
"I'm sorry," he repeated, holding her hand as they resumed walking. "It's just that sometimes, I get so lost in the moment and the thought of being with you..."
"I know," she agreed, while leaning her head against his shoulder. "But even if it was the right time to progress our relationship further, there's only so far we can go without you entering were-mer society."
"I know," said Eric, with more than a hint of frustration in his voice. "Your presence in my heart and thoughts grows stronger every day, and yet..."
Then he turned and kissed her again. Not just a kiss of young romance, or even a beginner's French kiss; but one of unfulfilled longing, eager passion, and burning desire as well.
When they stopped this time, Julie noticed that Eric Anderson's eyes were momentarily a deep sea blue before turning brown again, and it wasn't just wishful thinking on her part!
Eric REALLY has it bad for me! I yearn deeply for him too, and something tells me we won't last until our sixteenth birthdays to...
"What?" asked Eric, noticing that Julie was staring at him.
"I LOVE YOU!" declared Julie, before kissing her boyfriend with just as much passion and desire as he expressed earlier.
How long they stood on the sidewalk, embraced within each other's arms as their tongues danced back and forth, neither could say nor cared; only that it was not long enough before reason overtook them once more and Eric Anderson resumed walking Julie Stovall home.
Whatever happens, I better keep my promise to mom and keep up with my were-mer birth control pills! realized Julie, holding his hand tightly in hers as they finished the walk to her house.