“Three!” we highschoolers all yell.

“Two!”

Tanya looks at me.

“One!”

She smiles.

“Happy New Year!”

Unexpectedly, I feel her soft lips on mine.

My first kiss. Hers? Possibly not.

Fireworks explode outside.

Fireworks inside, too.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet,” teen spirit implores.

In a room, tongues meet.

Her lips suck my neck.

Hands open blouse buttons. Then her bra clasp. Then zippers.

Hands find parts for the first time.

Mouths find parts too.

Desperately, thrillingly, ecstatically, one warm part squirms its way into another.

First time for both.

Unprecedented pleasure.

Climax.

Fulfillment.

“Who’s that?” from across the room.