Right now Holsterâs talking to March and April from the volleyball team, and Rans isnât looking, because heâs making out with one of last yearâs bio classmates where Holster can definitely see. Itâs a good kiss. Rans tries really hard to leave parties with a good kiss, because it keeps both the ruse and his reputation in a tidy spot. He likes that people know heâs a good kisser. Every party needs a showstopper, and Holster â Holster doesnât need the reminder, he doesnât, but sometimes it feels likeâ
Ransâs former classmateâs smiling into his lips. Her name is Grace, he thinks; they spent enough time together for him to know sheâs into him but not long enough to remember her name. Heâd feel worse about it if he thought sheâd care. A summer kiss is a summer kiss.
Hands in his hair, nails a slight and deliberate pressure, a subtle brush of tongue. Usually this is when heâd kiss his way along her jaw to her ear and whisper an invite back to his place. Tonight, though, Rans tugs her bottom lip with his teeth and steps away.Â
âI gotta go,â he says.
Grace touches her mouth. Gives him the eyes. âMaybe we can do it again sometime?â
âYeah, for sure,â he tells her, even though he knows they wonât. Sheâll meet someone else and heâll be another hookup and he still wonât hold Holsterâs hand as they walk home.
Over her shoulder, Holsterâs still laughing with the girls, the sweat on his neck shimmering, and Rans can almost taste it.