First Kiss (Sweet N' Sour Kisses: Episode 1)

By Cindy M. Hogan

VL. Virgin Lips. You may not have heard of it, but where I live, it’s a thing with a card, even if it is a figurative card. I was Brooklyn Hill, certified virgin lips, and I planned on clinging to that figurative card with all I had—while dating as many of the hottest guys at school as I could.
Maybe that’s a bit strange. I mean, what teenage girl isn’t interested in kissing? Locking lips definitely interested me, but the drama that came with it didn’t. No kissing, no drama. Simple.
But on my sixteenth birthday, on my first real date even, the drama found me. His name was Luke Graham—cute, funny, and bad news for the whole female race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cindy M. Hogan
• Release date: Jul 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311307095

Cindy M. Hogan

Cindy M Hogan graduated from BYU with a B.A. in education. She is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. She loves the outdoors and spending time with her husband and two daughters. Most of all, she loves to laugh.

Book preview

First Kiss

VL. Virgin Lips. I know what you’re thinking. It’s 2013—that’s not a thing anymore. But But I come from a strict Christian family in a historically religious community. Trust me, it’s a thing. There’s a card, even if it is figurative. And right up until my 16th birthday I had my VL card. I was certified virgin lips, and I was clinging to that figurative card with all I figuratively had.

See, I know teenagers have this reputation for being rebellious. The words are practically glued together. In the dictionary: teenager, see: rebellious. But believe it or not, there are actually some of us who like the rules. Call me mature beyond my years, but to me rules have always made sense. In fact, I love the rules. They give me a sense of security and purpose. And for me, and most of my friends, the rules were simple: No attending boy-girl parties, No boys at the house, and (absolutely!) No dating.

Until you’re sixteen, that is.

After sixteen, everything changes. Boys come into the picture. At parties? Yup! At the house? Why not! And on dates? You better believe it. And yes, in Utah, we actually go on dates. No lie. Well, at least some of us do.

But the rules are still there in their comforting way, just a little updated. Fewer No’s, more Only’s. Dating’s allowed, but only in groups. A guy can take you out, but only if he meets your parents first.

There was still one more No, at least for me—No kissing.

This wasn’t my parents’ rule, or my church’s rule. It was mine, and I knew it was a good one. I’d seen the girls sobbing their eyes out in the bathroom at school, and I was not going to be one of those girls. If you don’t kiss, you don’t get serious, and if you don’t get serious, you don’t get your heart broken.

Because seriously dating in high school? Come on, you gotta know that’s going to end badly. So, dating in high school is just practice. You figure out what you like and what you don’t like, and when you get to college you can make an informed decision. And then—and this is the best part—when you’re ready, and you find that perfect guy, and you are both really and truly and perfectly in love, you kiss and it’s the most perfect, magical, life-changing experience. And you ride off into the sunset, happily ever after.

See? It was a good rule.

And completely safe behind that rule, I was ready for this magical birthday that would change everything. I knew, I absolutely knew with my whole heart that it was going to be perfect.

Now, this is the part when you cue the little did she know. It’s dramatic irony—I learned about it in English class. Because what you know, and what I know now thanks to Luke Graham, is that sunsets are an illusion. Perfect doesn’t happen. Magic isn’t real. And kissing? Kissing is disgusting.

Here’s my story.

Chapter 1

I couldn’t believe I was locked out. I rang the doorbell one more time just to make sure. No one came. I turned to my Ali, my best friend, and shrugged.

I guess we can check the back door. Maybe someone left it open. I set my bags of new clothes and jewelry on the porch and kicked through a pile of leaves as I headed for the stairs.

I think it’s about time you reevaluated your policy of not carrying your house key with you whenever you leave, Ali said.

I’d just lose it and besides, someone is always here.

Not today, she said. You are so lucky, Brooklyn. I can’t believe you already have a date. And it’s on your birthday. I still haven’t been on an official date yet, and I’m seventeen already. The closest I’ve been was holding hands with Matt at the movies that one time.

I frowned sympathetically, but it didn’t hold for long. Thinking of my upcoming date forced the frown into a grin. I can’t believe it either. I couldn’t believe it when Luke asked me out. I stopped before taking the first step.

Yeah, right, Ali said. Every guy at school is drooling to go out with you.

Exaggerate much?

Okay, maybe not everyone, but I’ve heard about ten guys say they couldn’t wait to take you out.

Luke’s the only one that’s asked, though. I couldn’t help but think back to when he asked me out. There was no way I’d forget it.

It was September, the first week of swim practice. After practice that day, I had been walking across the street to the high school when he’d caught up to me.

After giving me a mind-tingling smile, he said, You wanna go see a movie on Friday?

My insides slammed into each other. Luke was asking me out. This guy was attractive. He was not only hot, he was mega-hot and an amazing swimmer. I had no idea why he was giving me so much attention. He had to be the most popular boy on the team. To top it off, he was funny. He made me laugh every day. But I knew what I had to do. I laughed softly before saying, I can’t date until I’m sixteen. I could see the disappointment on his face.

He rallied. And when would that be?

October fifth. I looked at my shoes wondering if he was the type to wait. I hoped he was. But, if not, then he wasn’t worth it, right?

He whistled. That’s only a month away.

I nodded, wondering if it were possible for a heart to break free from its cage and flop out onto the ground.

Sweet sixteen, huh? His eyes glittered with excitement.

You got it. I hoped he felt the same way I did and thought it was cool that I’d waited.

He bumped his shoulder into mine. Well, I call dibs on your first date. And it has to be on your birthday. He cocked his head to the side and grinned.

I smiled back.

"Is that a yes,