Par. 11 & 12

Lava checked out and headed back to her car. She pushed the button on her keychain that unlocked the doors, got in her car, and headed toward home. Lava began thinking back over the years since she had moved to Hebron. She remembered clearing the two acres of land in the country with her family, the mobile home burning to the ground when she was 15 years old, the whole town pitching in to help out the family. She thought about her family moving to a place across town, and then the carport out back that her father had built. The carport….Her first real kiss was under that carport. Lava was 16 years old, still living at home. Danny Johansen was a friend of a friend of her sister, who happened to be visiting one day. He worked at a nursing home in the next town, as a nurses-aid. This was not the first time he ahd been to Lava's house. The family and visitors were all in the living room, sitting and talking after dinner. Lava hadn’t paid much attention to Danny all night, he didn’t interest her much. Mr. Locust asked Lava to go out back and feed the dogs. Lava started to stand, when Danny volunteered to help. Lava, surprised at the offer, smiled, and said “Thanks, but I can handle it.” Danny insisted, Lava shrugged, and he followed her out the back door. Danny was 18 years old, had sandy blonde hair and blue-eyes. Totally oposite of Lava. Lava was dark skinned, had black hair, and dark brown eyes. Lava had not given Danny a second thought as she finished feeding and watering the dogs, she stood, straightened, then turned to walk back toward the house. Danny cleared his throat, then said “I guess you can handle it”, Lava laughed nervously as she usually did, turned toward him and said “I told you I could”. Danny stepped toward her, Lava tensed. Danny reached out and touched her face. Lava looked at him, his eyes were so cold, but so blue. She didn’t know whether to sigh and melt away or run and scream for her life, she suddenly felt calm. Danny asked “What would you do if I kissed you?” Lava looked down, embarrassed. Danny raised her face so that she was staring into his eyes once again. He repeated the question. Lava, to her own surprise, whispered, “I guess I’d kiss you back”. Danny moved closer and pressed his lips to hers. She stepped back at first, Danny looked confused, Lava apologized. “I’m a little scared” she said. Danny asked “of what?”, Lava replied, “You”. He kissed her again.

Lava continued to drive down the road, remembering that kiss, remembering every part of it, the way he smelled, the taste of his lips, the warmth of his hand on her face, his raspy voice. It was amazing. She had been hooked. She suddenly put her thoughts into words “How did I let that happen?” she said out loud.