My vision faded and I found myself standing on the long winding staircase. “Jax,” Maeve’s voice whispered to me from the darkness, “I want you to go back further.... deeper…deeper into your past…,”

     Her voice grew fainter as I followed the stairway into the endless void. Continuing the downward spiral through a chasm of emotions I paused at a place of bliss. I closed my eyes delighting in the feeling and when I opened them Damien was standing in front of me. Searching his face, I drank him in slowly. His eyes were bright, unmarked by liner and his lips free from piercings. Suddenly, I was aware of my surroundings. We were at our friend Chloe’s fifteenth birthday party. She had a gathering at her house and everyone was outside near the bon-fire in her back yard. It was late June, the end of our eighth grade year, and the summer before high-school

     Damien slipped his hand in mine and adrenaline surged through me, leaving me euphoric.

     “Do you want to go for a walk?” He asked with a crooked grin.

      His eyes locked on mine and I nodded, yes.

       Squeezing our hands tightly together we headed away from the group toward the trees. The buzz of voices disappeared as we strolled deeper into the woods. Moonlight illuminated our way as we trudged through the thicket. Stopping by the creek that ran behind the property we sat down on an old log. Blackness washed the sky but a million gleaming stars bejeweled the night.

     Damien slid closer to me placing his hand around my waist. My stomach churned with anxious torment and I trembled with tense anticipation.

     “Are you cold?” He asked, slithering out of his hoodie.

     “Maybe a little…”I said, pulling it over my head.

     Gliding his hand behind my neck he loosened my hair from inside his shirt. His face was only inches from mine causing the knot in my belly tighten. I began twisting my hair restlessly and he pushed it away tangling his fingers in mine. Lifting my eyes to meet his gaze, my heart raced faster chasing after each beat. Damien bit his lower lip nervously and I anxiously awaited his kiss. Parting his mouth slightly he leaned in touching his lips against mine.

     Pulling me closer, his hands slid underneath my shirt, and he rested them at the small of my back. The touch of his warm hands against my skin made me quiver. Pushing him away I drew in a deep breath and sighed breathlessly.

     “I’ve wanted to do that since seventh grade.” He said, smiling wickedly. Then he looked away from me casting his eyes downward. I reached out touching his face and he turned his eyes toward mine.

     “I’ve been waiting for you to do that since seventh grade,” I said just above a whisper.

     Damien brushed the hair from my eyes and then gently pressed his lips against mine. He kissed me slow and steady at first like he wanted it to last forever. But gradually he grew more passionate, eagerly sweeping his tongue against mine. Our bodies crushed together in rhythmic waves as our kissing fell into peaks and valleys. Panic set in and I reluctantly pushed him away.

     “What’s wrong?” he asked.

    “I have to be home by nine-thirty…”

    Damien glanced down at his watch. “You’re about a half hour too late.”

    “Crap!” I said jumping off the log. “I’m so gonna be grounded”

     “Well if you’re already in trouble why rush?” He said pulling me back toward him.

     I had waited for him to kiss me for what seemed like an eternity. Now, here I was wrapped in his arms, all I wanted to do was stay… “I can’t I have to go.” Damien gave me a disappointed grin and then offered to walk me home. Our hands were tightly entwined as we left the woods. Chloe gave me thumbs-up and Lizzie smiled at Damien as  we quietly left the party. After walking me home he kissed me one last time before saying goodnight. I watched him as he walked away knowing I'd never love anyone more then him in my entire life…