I got the call yesterday.
I hold up the envelope containing my script.
My best friend, Will, grins at me.
And I smell his cinnamon cologne.
Callie
Do you want to help me rehearse?
Will
Duh! Of course I do.
We take out the script and sit side by side on my bed…
Reading through the lines, but not acting them out.
I’m playing Talia, a fleeting love interest of the main character, Grayson Black.
Callie
It’s the only way to keep you safe.
Will squints at the script.
I look over at what he’s reading.
The next line is a description:
“Grayson looks at Talia with desire in his eyes…”
For the past few years, I’ve been so focused on acting…
That I haven’t ever had the chance to kiss anyone.
Will
You’re doing really well.
How am I supposed to kiss a TV star…
When I've never kissed anyone!?
Will
Do you want to keep reading?
Will
I can leave you alone to study.
Callie
No, that’s not it!
Callie
I don’t know if I can play this part.
Callie
Because the truth is…
Callie
I’ve never kissed anyone.
Callie
I’m going to look awful on camera.
But he just sticks his hands in his pockets.
Will
I can see how you would be nervous about that.
I notice that Will himself looks pretty nervous.
And rocking back and forth on his heels.
This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed how cute he is.
He has dark hair, a sharp jaw, and a toned body from swimming.
But I’ve never done anything that would risk our friendship.
But he’s standing in front of me looking extremely shy…
Will
You know, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Callie
I just feel like I’m behind in that area.
Will
Yeah, I can see what you’re saying.
I look at his shoes instead of his face…
Will
It wouldn’t hurt to practice a bit, would it?
Will
I mean, only if you want to.
Wait — is Will offering to kiss me!?
Does Will WANT to kiss me!?
Will
Just as friends, I mean.
Will
I would be a strictly educational kiss.
He winks, and my stomach swoops.
Callie
That could be cool.
Callie
Yeah. I mean if you don’t mind.
Will shoots me his signature half-smirk.
Will
You know that we have to get close to kiss, right?
I take a tentative step back towards him.
Electricity thrums through the air.
Will closes the space between us…
And tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
And close my eyes as he leans in.
Will’s lips brush against mine, and a shiver runs through me.
And press his lips more firmly against mine.
I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me closer.
Are first kisses always this good?
He finally pulls away from me…
I open my eyes and see Will looking at me, scared.
Does he know about the feelings it stirred in my chest?
Callie
Very helpful. Thanks.
I wrap my arms around myself.
Callie
Um, I think I should keep studying the lines on my own now.
I practically push him out the door.
Callie
I’ll call you later.
He gathers his things and leaves.
I heave a sigh, and settle onto my bed.
How could I have let that happen?
Will and I are best friends.
He doesn’t like me that way.
He just felt bad for a girl who has never been kissed.
I keep reading the script.
My character dies in the final few moments.
There’s no more kissing, though.
I’m about to start on my second read when someone pounds on the door.
I open the door, and Will stands there, looking frazzled.
Callie
Did you forget something?
He nudges his way into the room.
Will
Callie, I wasn’t honest with you before.
Will
When I offered to kiss you, I wasn’t just thinking about helping you.
Will
I was thinking about how much I’ve wanted to kiss you…
Will
For a long time now.
Will
But I know you don’t feel the same way.
Will
We always said friendship first.
Will
And I can’t stand the thought of losing you.
Will
But I thought you should know.
Will and I have been friends for years.
I never had any idea he felt this way about me!
Callie
Will, you’ve got it all wrong.
Callie
I like you. So much.
Callie
And that kiss was basically the best moment of my entire life.
Will’s face breaks into a wide smile.
I close the space between us…
Callie
I think I could use some more of that kissing practice.
Will grins and presses his lips to mine.
And it’s even better than the first time.
