Chapter 9

Amanda Pov.
That's what happens when you're not paying attention to what you're doing. A few minutes ago, I got a text from Josh apologizing for always being mean to me. Well, to see an apology message from him...It's not something you see every day. I mean, Josh never apologized to anyone even though he was aware that he was wrong. I don't know how he ended up writing me that message.
With that in mind, I grabbed the handle of the pan to move it from the stove to the kitchen counter and managed to burn myself. I immediately ran my hand under the cold water from the sink, but…Jesus, it hurts like hell. It wasn't long before Ron was next to me scared as if someone had threatened me with a knife and I try to explain what happened but all I can do is stammer.
Yeah… I ended up stuttering quite often in front of Ron.
However, what surprised me was that he was so upset that I got burned that he almost yelled at me. Totally uncharacteristic of him.
And in the end, it's just a burn. He didn't have to react like that. And yet, I couldn't be mad at him because being a good friend, he gave me that ointment that made the pain go away.
In a few moments after that, I felt the need to hug him with all the love I feel for him, for the fact that he is always by my side. No one has ever treated me the way Ron does. When it comes to getting a boyfriend, I know exactly what to look for in one. I want a person just like Ron.
I may not find such a man soon, or I may never find him, but at least I know what to expect from a man. I'm done with relationships in the eyes of the world just so to won't be seen as a weirdo who's in college and doesn't have a boyfriend. I deserve more than a relationship where I'm the only one to lose.
-Amanda?
I hear Max say my name and shift my attention to him coming out of the contemplation state I was in.
-Excuse me, did you ask me something?
-Yes. The question of the ticket in the bowl is "What kind of men do you prefer?"? Max repeats, putting the note aside, and I feel myself blush knowing the answer I'm going to give.
-I prefer men like Ron. I give the answer and everyone starts cheering as if they were at a football match.
My gaze immediately finds Ron who is to my right and I can tell he is pleased with the answer I have given.
If I'm being even more honest than I usually am, I'd say he's actually proud of what I said.
-But instead of looking for men like Stallion, why not go out with him? Max continued to ask me drawing my attention to him, only for me to immediately shift my gaze back to Ron to see if he was bothered by Max's question.
I can't tell what Ron is thinking right now, but he certainly isn't bothered at all by Max's question. I think he is rather curious about what I will answer.
-Well…If Ron and I weren't best friends, I'd probably go out with him.
-But isn't it nice to have a relationship with your best friend who already knows everything about you? Karla chimes in curiously, and I already feel too bombarded with questions about me and Ron.
The two of us...I don't think a love relationship is possible between us.
-Too many questions. It's Ron's time to draw a ticket.
Everyone starts laughing at the fact that I changed the subject, and the bowl of tickets goes to Ron. He reaches into the bowl and pulls out the first note he touches, and I can't wait to see what the note says. He unwraps it quickly and when he's done reading he turns his head to me with an uncertain look. I take the note from his hand and read it aloud.
"Kiss the female next to you for fifteen seconds.”
Damn it….
Everyone else starts cheering again, only Ron and I look at each other in fear. Then I look at the people around me and a Karla winks at me. I don't know what scares me more. The fact that they'll be watching or the fact that I have to kiss Ron? What if this will change everything in our friendship? What if we can't be friends anymore?
-You don't have to accept this if you don't want to. Ron says drawing my attention back to him.
Around us, the others start booing in jest, and I take a deep breath.
-Oh, come on. Don't be the party crasher. Max says and the rest laugh.
Whatever...It's just a kiss after all. That won't change the dynamic in our relationship.
I give a short nod to Ron and see him surprised that I accepted. Maybe he didn't even want to accept the challenge on the ticket, and now he doesn't know how to back down.
But before I can change my mind, his lips are on mine and my eyes close instantly. His lips are softer than I expected and I find myself enjoying the kiss. When his tongue asks for his entrance to uncover even more secrets, I accept, and the kiss deepens until I completely forget where I am or that we're watched. Our tongues meet for the first time and we begin a slow dance of love making me feel everything liquefy inside of me. Neither of us seem to be aware of anything around us until we hear someone fake coughing.
-I think it was just about kissing, not making love. Joe says smoking a cigarette.
We break the kiss and I feel my cheeks on fire. My breathing is labored and I notice that Ron is going through the same thing as me. We're both hotties and all I can think about is the kiss, which was magnificent.
How can we be friends after what just happened?