It’s Jan 2, and we all know what that means, right? We’ve recovered from our hangovers! No, wait, that wasn’t it. It was much better than that…
It’s time for Frankie Diane Mallis’ 3rd Annual No Kiss Blogfest. What is it? This is when you get to write a scene or post one from your favorite books, movies, or tv shows that show the almost kiss– the rising, crushing, excruciating, longing, tension that comes when two characters get oh-so-close to kissing that you can just feel it, want it, NEED it….and then…they don’t!
Check out the link above for more details and for a list of all participants. Last year was my first year to participate and it’s so amazing to see the variety of ‘no kiss’ situations people put their characters in, or find other characters in.
I had originally picked something from a current WIP, ‘Serious Game’. Scott and Rae are totally just friends. Completely. 100%. That’s what they keep telling everyone…
Except inspiration struck yesterday and a short piece I was writing took a turn I hadn’t expected. So I’d like to share that with everyone, instead. It’s new and raw and last minute but…I like it.
The sharp sting of cold brushed her flushed cheeks when she stepped onto the balcony. In a few minutes the chill on her bare arms would be too much, but for now it was a welcome change from the heat of the crowd inside.
She slid the glass door shut, and the din of voices faded. Snowflakes swirled in the night, dancing in patches of light and mingling with the flow of her black skirt. Her heels clicked against concrete as she crossed to the edge. She rested her forearms on the waist-high cement, looking down twenty stories at the city below.
The flurries muted the city lights and sounds. Millions of tiny glows blinked back at her, and a sad smile played on her lips. She stepped out of her shoes, letting the cold ground soothe her tired feet. There was a time when she would have thought a party like this was the ultimate sign she’d made it. Now the crowd and the chatter and the insincerity were too much.
Laughter rose and fell again as someone else joined her outside. She didn’t look up. The small talk had drained her and maybe whoever it was would get the hint and leave.
“Aren’t you cold?” He brushed a loose strand of red from her face.
She inhaled slowly, focusing on his familiar scent and the heat of his fingers on her skin. Then she pushed it all away. No. Not here. Not tonight. In her peripheral vision, she saw him copy her posture, arms resting next to hers. She stared down at the streets, watching the moving lights zip past stationary ones. “I’m fine. Won’t you be missed inside?”
“I doubt it.” His shirt sleeves were rolled up twice, the blue plaid not moving in the soft breeze. Flakes of white dotted his hands and melted away. “I’m just bluffing in there. Maybe if I had some of your liquid courage.”
She looked at still-full martini glass in her hand. The delicate stem against her pale skin and too-red nails. She set the glass aside. “I hear it only works if you actually drink it.”
He straightened up, cool hand resting on her bare back. “I’m sorry you’re not enjoying yourself.”
Snowflakes caught in her lashes, blurring her view of the world for a moment. She turned to face him, not able to ignore the lingering contact and her desire for more. She didn’t close the distance between them. “I guess I’m just not the socialite you are. Or maybe it was stupid to think I could ignore seeing you with her.”
Something unreadable flashed in his blue eyes. Regret, maybe? Disappointment? In her or him? Who even knew anymore.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.” She ducked her head and tried to pull away. “I should get going.”
He caught her hand in his, thumb resting on her knuckles, tracing the skin. “It’s not midnight yet.”
It felt like it should be. What time was it anyway? She could have sworn she’d been at the stupid party for an eternity. “Get back to your date.”
He laughed. Not his usual laugh, but one tinged with a bitter edge. The cold flushed his face, pink mingling with a day of stubble. “She’s passed out in a guest room.”
The information didn’t fill her with the relief she though it should. Instead it summoned a heavy wash of ambivalence. Maybe she should have finished her drink.
He glanced at his watch, sad smile matching her thoughts. “It’s time,” he said.
She didn’t get a chance to ask what he meant, as the voices rang in unison from both inside and across the city.
“Ten.”
He pulled her closer, resting his hand against her cheek.
“Nine.”
She was glad she’d stepped out of the heels. She loved being able to look him directly in the eye.
“Eight.”
He tilted his head to the side, searching her face.
“Seven.”
She shivered as a stiff breeze enveloped them and then rushed on its way.
“Six.”
He ran his other hand down her bare arm, the need for his touch warming her more than the friction of it.
“Five.”
He pulled her close, chest pressing against her.
“Four.”
She bit her bottom lip.
“Three.”
Doubt won out and she took a step back, her feelings pairing with the hurt question on his face.
“Two.”
She shook her head, unable to clear her thoughts of the image of his passed-out date. He wasn’t there with her.
“One.”
She took another step back, but not before his thumb brushed over her lips. The tender contact made her legs wobble and she tried to be subtle about leaning against the balcony.
“Happy new year,” he whispered, brow furrowed.
She turned away, letting the snowflakes on her cheeks mingle with the sparse tears.
Oh. I loved this. There is so much history in the emotions. So much that I want to know more about. This was great! Thanks for sharing.
This is really beautiful– especially that last touch of his thumb brushing over her lips. I can totally feel her struggle. But heesh,what a jerk move to hit on her this way when he was there with another woman!
Cute! I like the countdown!
Oh I LOVE the tension in the countdown! Love! And I really liked how much atmosphere and emotion this scene had. Beautiful!
I loved the tension in this one, and how you sense there’s a history between them even in this little snippet.
Nice to meet you. Love the count down and the tension it builds. Love it even more that she walked away from him.
Beautiful site. I’ll be back.
I love the tension in the countdown. The chemistry between them was awesome. I just wish i could read on! Great job.
Wow. This is fantastic. 🙂 Great job!
Hey nice to meet you. Love this piece. Love the tension of the countdown. Love the fact that SHE walked away.
Love your site. I’ll be back.
Very nice! Great tension and the countdown is genius!
The countdown was EXCELLENT! But something about that last line is awesome too. So many emotions! So good!
Nice use of the “We are just friends” trope + New Years. I’ve being in balconies like that, back when I lived in Michigan. I know exactly how it feels to have the cold air wash over you and clear your mind of the stuffiness on the other side of the room. But like the protagonist, it doesn’t always wash the stuffiness within one self.
Great stuff!
I’m a big fan of the countdown. It was a very effective way to build the tension. I liked it a lot.
ooh, loved the couting down! Definitely built the tension to a nice level
Oh, boy, the countdown ups the anticipation in an already tense scene. I also like how he sort of kissed her with the brush of his thumb. Well done.
Wow. The tenderness of that final moment was just lovely.
That countdown was incredible. It slowed the scene down while adding urgency. I don’t know what happened between them, but I want to.
Awwwww that was precious and tender. And the countdown was paced so well.
*Hi! Found my way here from your A to Z post.
This is an intensely, emotional scene. Love it!
Thank you everyone for stopping by, and for all of the fantastic comments ^_^
Very interesting! With the first couple paragraphs, I immediately was thinking Romeo & Juliet. The tension between them during the count-down felt really authentic, and I think the most intriguing line (for me) was that she stepped out of her high-heels so she could look him in the eye. It’s so common to have the guy taller than the girl, so I really liked that detail 🙂