A Girl’s First Kiss<br/>
Emma Adlakha<br/> 
     I can feel my heart beating in my throat; my hands and legs are shaking. We have been sitting <br/>
in an awkward silence for what seems like forever. I swear I could draw the pattern on this couch<br/> 
cushion that I have been holding with my eyes closed. I grow more nervous with every second that <br/>
passes without words. Sometimes I lift my head, as if I am about to say something, but nothing good <br/>
enough comes to mind. Millions of thoughts are running through my head. Am I wearing the right outfit? <br/>
Have I said the right things? I hope my father didn’t scare him away. What if he doesn’t like me? I <br/>
keep asking myself theses questions over and over until I am interrupted by, “would you like some more <br/>
popcorn?” My mind goes blank. I don’t know how to answer. I shout out, “YES!”, and realizing what I <br/>
had done, I put my head down and try not to let him see my face glowing like a bright red tomato. I <br/>
hold the cushion tight to my chest, pretending that didn’t just happen. Did I blow my chance?<br/>
     He sits back down on the couch with the popcorn. He is now closer to me than he was before and<br/> 
here comes the shaking again. I try to take my mind off the current situation and think about something <br/>
else. As I look around the room, I can’t seem to find anything of interest that will distract me. The <br/>
walls have been made into one enormous collage of wrestling. Why are most guys completely mesmerized by <br/>
two men fighting one another like animals? As I am wondering this, I glance at him and instantly forget <br/>
what I was thinking. How is it possible that one person can make me feel so insane inside? We are now in <br/>
the awkward silence again, staring straight ahead at the television. I have forgotten what we are watching <br/>
as I have been too occupied by him to pay attention to anything else. In my head, I am playing different <br/>
scenarios of how the night might end up. I manage to ruin the evening in most of the situations I come up <br/>
with; it is a habit of mine to always expect the worse. I begin to feel more agitated than I was before. <br/>
     I flashback to my first junior high school dance; a boy puts his hands on my hips for the very first <br/>
time, causing me to immediately tense up. I feel now the same rush of feelings all over again. Knowing that <br/>
what is about to happen, just like my first dance, will forever be imprinted in my mind makes me anxious. <br/>
     I know I am overreacting; I do this for everything. By now I have failed countless times at trying to <br/>
think about something else; doing this makes me think even harder. I look over at him to see if he is as <br/>
uneasy as I am, but he looks calm. He isn’t phased one bit by the tension that I think is as thick as peanut <br/>
butter. Oh god, he caught me staring at him. What am I doing; I shy my head away. I can tell he’s looking at <br/>
me and wondering why I am so awkward. I feel a hand gently pulling my face up towards his; our eyes meet and <br/>
I melt. Then it happens; my very first kiss. The whole world slips into a standstill, letting this moment feel <br/>
like an eternity. My nerves go away and I find myself in the most peaceful state of mind. <br/>
     I will admit that I am relieved that it is over and the pressure of pretending I know what I am doing <br/>
has ended. His hand is still on my face and I am still looking into his eyes. I am amazed at how many emotions <br/>
one person can make you feel. I spent most of the night in anguish because I was unsure of what he thought of <br/>
me and now I am in complete bliss. Although I wish this comforting feeling would last forever, it quickly fades <br/>
away. My mind starts spiralling out of control once again. I am left wondering what he is thinking, not only of <br/>
me but of the kiss as well. I don’t know if I can handle this. <br/>