Page 45 of Somewhere Only We Know
LUCKY
The fact that Jack knew the kiss was my first freaking kiss wasthe worst thing in the world. The embarrassment about killed me, and I needed to assert myself. Smoldering K-pop video queen stares? Check. Jack’s reaction was exactly what I had hoped for.
The truth is, the Lucky who oozed sexuality and confidence onstage was a total charade. Not every part of me used to be that way—I was goofier, more girlish than vixen. But now, so much of me was Lucky-the-fantasy that I wondered where she ended and I began. The line had become so blurred, and it was only today that helped put it in focus again—the contrast between Lucky and me had never been sharper.
Spending time with Jack, running around somewhat anonymous in a foreign city—there was something about that, you know? That put all ofLUCKY!in relief against Fern.
And…what was that kiss?
Whatever I was expecting, it was not that.
I must have been looking at his mouth then, because Jack sucked in his lips self-consciously. I pressed my palms onto the metal railing, willing myself to cool off, looking at the view in front of me instead.
He seemed to believe my “I was curious” explanation. I’m sure lots of girls werecuriousabout what kissing him would feel like.
It was a clear day—the smog inching in had dissipated somewhat, and the lush green hills, razor-sharp buildings, and pristine waters of Victoria Harbour were practically sparkling. Beckoning.
“Want to try something fun?” I asked, feeling that streak of impulsiveness again.
Jack tapped the railing with his hands, keeping his eyes on the view, too. “Do I want to know?”
I pulled him away from the railing and walked us toward the center of the terrace, on a concrete platform. “You’re going to spin me around while I close my eyes and point. We’re going to go wherever I land.”
“What if you land in the middle of the water?” he asked, completely nonplussed and his mouth already quirked into a smile. He was so game. For anything. He didn’t care that any of this was totally wacky. He had zero expectations of me.
It was such a good feeling.
I covered my eyes with my left hand and pointed straight ahead with my right. “Then we go to the water.”
A second of silence passed before he reached for my shoulder and waist. “Okay.” His voice was low and very close to my ear. Something fluttered in my stomach and I sucked in a breath. Bastard.
And then I was turning counterclockwise, my feet shuffling, mybody hitting Jack’s at certain points. Laughter bubbled out of me. “I’ll tell you when to stop!”
He didn’t answer, but kept spinning me, and finally when I felt a wave of nausea I cried out, “Stop!”
Jack’s hands stilled me instantly, firmly holding me into place. When I opened my eyes, I followed my pointed finger to a random spot on the mass of land across the water.
“Kowloon,” he said with a furrowed brow. “I know where to take you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “It has to be where I pointed.”
“Close enough.”
We were on a ferry.
It glided through the water, quiet and slow. I took in a deep breath of salty air and let it out in a loud, gustypfffft, leaning so far over the railing that my feet lifted off the hardwood floor.
I felt good, but one glance at Jack told me that I was the only one. He was sitting down in one of the seats, an old wood bench lacquered over in black paint, and his face was pale.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He nodded his head with a grim smile that was all, “Carry on.”
I sat down next to him. “Are you seasick?”
The word “seasick” made him gag slightly. “Oh, sorry!” I patted his arm. “This thing is barely moving, you must be super sensitive.”
He gave a small nod, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.
