My First Kiss was horrible

I was just a lowly middle schooler at the time, and very excited to be there with high school kids. Somehow, people decided that it would be a good idea to play truth or dare, but I was not wanting to be the party pooper, decided to be swept up into the game.

We were truth and daring each other to do stupid things like run downstairs and eat a spoonful of mayo, or tell truths about the last time we wet the bed or who we had crushes on. Then, it was my turn. I was so excited, and, wanting to seem adventurous, I decided to go with 'dare.'

I received my fate; kiss the tall, ginger kid in the corner of the room. I was horrified. I did not want to kiss this scary high school boy. He scuttled over to me, I backed away. The entire party was chanting at me, "kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss!" I closed my eyes, and leaned in, so desperately wanting to fit in.

And then his lips fell upon my face. Literally, my entire face. He was like a human, wet vacuum cleaner. It took about fifteen tiny seconds for the whole ordeal to be over, but it felt like seventy years, what with the slobber, the chanting, and the general sense of despair I felt knowing that this was my first kiss.

When it ended, I took my shirt and wiped my face and looked around the room. I sighed and bucked up the courage to pick the next person who would fall victim to this terrible game, but I could never look that ginger kid in the eyes for the rest of the night.

It was winter in Minnesota. Christmas was in the air, that late December, and Molly Barnhart was throwing the middle school event of the season; a boy-girl Christmas Party. Everyone was invited, although save for a few bold outcasts, the "in-crowd" were the only ones likely to attend. It was the epitome of the Middle School experience.

Boys, girls, awkward and forced socializing, nervousness, braces, and the pressures of fitting in. The party began quietly enough, a gentle murmur of kids talking and laughing, the quiet stereo playing some incredibly bass-heavy techno, and the crinkle of chip bags and popping of soda cans.

Matt, Calob and I huddled together, refusing to socialize, avoiding any potential for embarrassment. The first hour or so the party remained fairly dull, as kids sat around waiting for something to happen. After what felt like an eternity of forced mingling, Jenna, the Some-Day-Prom-Queen-To-Be, finally arrived at the party.

"The fun has arrived!" Jenna declared, as a crowd of shrieking girls amassed around her. "Ugh. What took you so long?" Molly said, embracing her friend. "Now we can have some real fun." Matt, Calob and I looked on and watched as the events unfolded, and the girls decided that "Truth or Dare" was tonight's main attraction.

I dreaded the thought of the game, and clung to the wall. It was only when every other middle schooler had gathered into a circle that we knew we had to join, for the embarrassment of refusing to play was far greater than anything we could be dared, or truthed, into doing.

(Photo from Rin-Tin-Tin)

And that's when I heard it. "Alright Josh! You're up!" came Molly's sing-song voice. My heart dropped. It was my turn. I nodded, and agreed. "Dare." I muttered, not wanting to seem cowardly. "Kiss..." She trilled, "Jenna."

The crowd held their breath. "Done." I said. I walked coolly to Jenna, in the center of the crowd. I closed my eyes, puckered, and moved in for the kiss. My lips made contact, and I heard roaring laughter. I opened my eyes, and immediately realized I'd missed, and kissed Jenna Wilkerson's nose.

My first kiss . . . ! Missed . . . Public ;) and with the most popular girl in my grade.

I laughed, mostly to avoid crying, and took my seat back with the guys. To this day they won't let me forget my very first kiss.