It was two weeks later that I realized that I was slowly gravitating towards Jeff. We were picking teams for kickball. Jeff and Darek were captains. I waited eagerly to be picked, not realizing that I was hoping Jeff would pick me.

"Kensie!" Darek called. My spirits sank. As I walked over to Darek's side, in my mind, I thought, That's disappointing. Then I caught myself, Wait, why is that disappointing? I shrugged it off and ran with the rest of my team to the field.

As we played, I shied away from the ball and stood in the back of the line so I didn't have to kick. That was my jam; kickball wasn't my type of game. Jeff eventually noticed.

"Kenosha! Why aren't you playing harder?" I just shook my head,

"This is not my game." Jeff waved me off,

"This can't not be your game. Just do your best!" I sighed.

"Okay, okay!" Then it was time for my team to go into the field, and his team to kick.

I walked out and stood next to Johnny, who was rolling the ball. Jeff was up first. He kicked the ball- right at me. I put my hands up to catch it, but it flew between them and smacked me in the face with a thunk.

"Kensie? Oh my gosh, Kensie!" I heard Jeff say as I fell to the ground, my vision filled with black spots. My sight flew back in as Johnny, our leader, and Jeff crouched in front of me. Johnny helped me sit up.

"Kenosha, are you okay?" I nodded, but then spat blood into the grass and shook my head. Jeff helped me stand up, putting my arm around his shoulders.

"I'll bring her into the youth house and get some ice. You guys continue." Johnny looked skeptical, but Jeff already had me up and moving.

Once he had some ice on my swollen lip, he said,

"I feel so bad, Kensie." I waved my hand,

"You're good," slightly slurred because of the ice. He smiled tentatively,

"I guess Grog went better than this, didn't it?" I shrugged, grinning as much as I could. He laughed a little, the ice shaking on my mouth.

We sat there for a while, listening to the whoops and shouts from outside. Finally, Jeff pulled the ice away with a smile.

"You feeling a little better?" I nodded, then winced,

"Eh…" Jeff grinned,

"Want me to kiss it better?" he said with a little kid voice. Yes! my brain said. I shook my head vigorously to get rid of the voice, and Jeff took it the wrong way.

"Geez, I didn't know kissing me was such a disgusting thing." I blushed,

"No, no, that's not what I was saying! You can kiss me. I mean, if you want. Ummmm, sorry, I'm a little fluste-" He leaned forward and pecked my swollen lower lip lightly. I stared at him as he pulled back.

"Better?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. I snapped to,

"Yeah, yeah."

"Good," Jeff smiled, pulling me to my feet. "Looks like they're winding down. We better go out and catch up." I laughed a little and followed him out. People said hi and asked if I was okay, but all I could think about was the kiss still burning into my lip.

"Kenosha. Kenosha?" R.J. said. I stopped my daydreams of Jeff and realized everyone was going inside.

"Sorry, R.J. I guess I'm not fully here." R.J. laughed.

"Well, Kenosha, I hope you feel better soon."

"Thanks," I smiled. In my head, I added, But I won't be until I figure out what's happening with Jeff and I.