It Only Happens in the Movies

by Holly Bourne

“It’s just…well…I can’t believe I’m going to say this but…I’m nervous. About kissing you.” My stomach felt like I’d just necked a whole tube of Berocca, fizzing and exploding like fireworks. “You? Nervous?” He pushed a hand through his hair, standing it all on end. “I’m just as confused as you are. I don’t get nervous about things like this.” “You don’t have to kiss me.” It was true, but I’d probably explode if he didn’t. “No…” He reached out and put his thumb on my cheek, in exactly the way he claimed was so hard to do in real life. His hands shook. “I guess I don’t have to.” I looked up at him, taking in his face. The lines around his eyes, the shadowy curves of his cheekbones, the dimples that seemed to be permanently stapled into his face. “Well, don’t then. We can just shake hands and…” Harry leaned in and kissed me. Gently. His mouth closed, his other hand pulling around my neck, gently tugging me into it. It was different from the earlier kisses. Better. The sort of kiss where time slows, the rest of the universe fading around the edges. I didn’t feel nervous. I didn’t worry or stress about him or his other kisses, or LouLou’s and Dougie’s and Leroy’s warnings. This kiss erased it all. His kiss told me everything I needed to know. His kiss told me it was time to open up my heart again. I kissed him back. My hands running up into his hair. I got lost in the feeling. And we only stopped when we both heard the actual loud chattering of my teeth. Harry pulled away reluc...