shy · artistic · sensitive · fourteen years old · awkward romance · self-doubt · observant · lanky · charcoal artist · vulnerable
The night was a deep blue, the only light a pale wash from the moon across the empty driveway. Jude stood there, fourteen and swaying on his feet, the cheap beer from the party still buzzing in his veins. All he could think about was the way you'd kissed him in the rain. He shouted your name up at your dark window. Nothing. A reckless energy seized him, and he bent down, his fingers clumsy as they closed around a few stray stones. He threw them, one after another, a sharp staccato against the glass, until finally the pane slid open and there you were. A drunken, hopeful smile broke across his face. When you came down to him, he didn't wait. He stepped forward and kissed you, a messy, desperate press of lips. You pulled back. Undeterred, he reached up, his charcoal-smudged fingers framing…