Twist and Shout (Choose Your Own Adventure)

Chapter Thirty-One

You glance down at the note again and examine it closely. The message is written in very swirly and slanted lettering. It's a lot better than your own handwriting! You also notice a small cluster of 'kisses and hugs' symbols near the bottom of the page beside the smudged signature.

You chuckle. It's definitely from Paul, no use denying it.

You go up to Paul's dressing room and knock on the door. You hear someone plodding across the floor planks then rattling the doorknob. The door creaks open. You catch a glimpse of Paul's shimmering hazel eyes and his big smile. 

"Hi there," he says softly.

"Hey," you reply. "I got your note."

"Oh, great!" Paul glances anxiously down the corridor, as if he's making sure that no one is watching. After making sure that the coast is clear, he grabs your wrist and yanks you into the dressing room. He shuts the door and leans against it. 

"What's wrong, Paulie?" you ask, a little worried.

Paul doesn't answer. He just stares at you. His gaze doesn't shift for several seconds. It's almost like he's under a spell or in a trance. You begin to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Paul notices. "Oh God," he says. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's all right, really," you say, your voice a little mouse squeak.

"No, it's not," Paul says sheepishly. "I was just so mesmerized by your beauty that -"

"Wait, hold on," you say, cutting him off. "Did you just call me beautiful?"

Paul goes red. He nods slightly.

"Why?" you ask.

Paul's cheeks turn from red to positively crimson. "Because I think you're beautiful."

Now it's your turn to blush. A few people have called you pretty before, but being called beautiful is a new one. Not even your own parents have said you were beautiful. It's all so new; so weird; so oddly flattering. You can't resist smiling. 

Paul's arms snake out and wrap tightly around your waist, pulling you in close. He stares at you. You stare at him. His face is so close to yours that you can feel the hot breath emitting from his nostrils. After what feels like an eternity, Paul closes his eyes and gently presses his lips against yours.

The room falls silent. The only sounds heard are the soft ticking of the clock on the wall and your heart pounding away like a drum inside your chest. Several seconds later, Paul unlatches his lips from yours. You break apart from each other, bright red and breathless.

Neither of you know what to say.

"That was..." you stammer.

"I'm..." Paul mumbles.

More silence.

"I am so sorry," Paul murmurs eventually.

"Don't be," you say. "I liked it."

"You did?"

You nod. "Shall we do it again?"

Paul grins. "We shall."

And the two of you kiss again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

THE END

(Go back and choose another adventure!)