“Would it be okay if I kissed you? On the cheek. Just once. And if you say no, I’ll still walk you home every day.”
“He’s okay,” Finn grinned. “But for the record? There’s no one else. I just like talking to you. Even when we’re not holding hands. Even when we’re just walking.” A month later, they were sitting on a bench in the park. Finn was strumming his guitar quietly. Lena was drawing in her sketchbook. She wasn’t drawing a crow this time. She was drawing Finn’s hands on the fretboard.
She looked around the room. “Infatuation feels like a firework: loud, bright, and exciting. But real, healthy affection is more like a steady lamp. It respects boundaries. It asks for consent. And most importantly,” she paused, “it doesn’t demand you to be someone you’re not.” Sexuele Voorlichting Puberty Sexual Education For Boys And
“Look,” he said, kicking a pebble. “I’m not good at this. My family moved three times in two years. I don’t really have… practice. With friends. Or… this.” He gestured vaguely between them.
She waited until Ms. Klaassen turned to write on the board. She unfolded it. “Would it be okay if I kissed you
“Hey. You have really nice eyes. Do you want to walk home together today? – Finn”
He leaned in, slow and careful, and pressed a kiss to her cheek—right next to the corner of her mouth. It lasted one second. Two. Then he pulled back, his ears red again. And if you say no, I’ll still walk you home every day
Finn laughed, a real laugh. “Same! But like, a good panic?”
Later, she found Finn in the kitchen getting a soda.
“Thanks for asking,” she whispered.