And then of course, Hilary and Bill experience their first kiss.

True Dark still hadn't descended, but if I'd had a book,

there would no longer have been enough light to read.

Through my genes, I could feel the cold of the sculpture,

contrasting with the pleasant warmth of Bill next to me, his bulk and closeness.

Certainly, there was nowhere else I wanted to be in the moment.

There was no one whose company I'd have preferred.

My heart spasmed a little, because of how significant the moment felt.

It felt like a threshold between my youth and adulthood,

or the exact instant of love coming into existence.

It seemed he felt it too, because he removed his arm from my shoulder and took my hand,

my left with his right.

In addition to being enormous, his hands were beautiful.

His fingers long at slender, I could sense him turn his head towards me,

and I knew that if I turn my head towards him, we'd kiss.

And I wanted this to happen, and also was overwhelmed and immobilized.

A few more seconds passed, seconds that were silent,

and massive, and terrifying, and thrilling.

And then his lips were against my neck, softly, but firmly, he kissed my neck over and over.

It felt very good, and I was very happy.

The actual life.

It felt very good and I was very happy.

...