How to kiss
POV Ominis
It turned out the girls got on really well. Anne even demanded we get out of the room so she could speak to Valerian alone. And when we asked Valerian what she had said, she replied it was a secret between them girls. I guess there are some secrets we didn’t wish to share. Especially me. I didn’t want her to find out how much my body craved for her, and the only way to stay in control was by relieving myself thinking about her and the things I’d love to do to her. I didn’t want her to find out I was thinking about her in an unproper way.
At that thought, I was wondering what part of her body I would discover next. Her arms perhaps ? I couldn’t help wonder when would I have seen enough ? At some point I will have seen … as far as I would be allowed to see. But there was so much more I desired to discover about her.
And the first thing I wanted to discover was the taste of her lips. Though I was anxious, I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to know what it felt like. Then again if my sole purpose was for the experience, I could have kissed any girl, because despite them not wanting a relationship, I knew they thought I was handsome and would have been happy to just kiss. But I didn’t desire to just kiss any girl, I wanted to kiss HER. Because she was special to me. Does that mean that I was in love with her ? Or is it my body just craving for attention ? I knew what love was when it came to friendship. But how was this different ? I guess I could ask Sebastian.
And that reminded me that he promised he would teach me how to kiss.
It had been a month since we started the polynectar potion, and today we were to drink it and transform into our partner. I was slightly less exited than the others as I couldn’t actually see the changes. This was the topic of conversation at breakfast this morning. As soon as we entered the classroom, I sat down next to Sebastian. He was definitely enthusiastic.
« I can’t wait to experience the transformation » he told me.
« I guess. By the way, you promised you would teach me how to kiss » I reminded him.
« Oh, I see. Are you planning on kissing her then? » he asked.
I was surprised at his seriousness. Usually he would have teased me with this sort of question. But it didn’t stop my face from turning bright red.
« I… it’s always good …to learn new things … and … you know … just in case … one day » I replied timidly.
He didn’t reply. Nor laugh like he usually did whenever I was shy.
« Come and find me in the study room after lunch » he ordered.
« Ok. Thanks » I replied.
« Oh by the way, you got a letter this morning but you had already left so I took it for you » he told.
He gave the letter into my hands. I touched the seal on the back of the envelope feeling the seal with the shape of a snake. It was from my family.
« Would you like me to read it to you? » asked Sebastian knowing how much I hated getting letters from them. I only had a letter when they needed something. They couldn’t care less about how I was getting on. If I were to die one day they would probably be the last to know.
« No. They probably just want me to come over for an event to show off how powerful the Gaunt family is. I’ve got better things to do » I replied annoyed.
So I used incendio on the letter and it had burnt in only a few seconds.
Sebastian had no reaction. I guess it didn’t come as a surprise to him.
« You’re better of without them » he then added.
I didn’t reply, though he was probably right.
The professor entered the classroom and asked us to cut a hair off our partners. Sebastian cut his own hair to give to me. Then we put it into our glass, added the potion on top. We now had to drink it. It had a horrible smell to it, like a troll’s snot. And Sebastian told me I was lucky not to be able to see it.
I remembered the conversation we had with Sebastain about the potion, if I would be able to see though his eyes, and if Sebastian would be blind. Suddenly, I was more eager to drink it. I could hear someone running out of the classroom.
« I’m gonna be sick » I heard. Well that was encouraging. Sebastian and I counted to 3 before drinking it together. And it was as awful as it smelt.
Suddenly I could feel my skin stretching, my hair growing, as if someone was pulling every inch of my body. It had only lasted a few seconds and then it stopped.
« Wow, I feel like I’m looking in a mirror » said Sebastian to me.
« So you can see ? Through my eyes ? » I asked disappointed.
« Yes, sorry Ominis. Though I am kind of surprised I can » he replied.
So it worked. I now looked like Sebastian. But unfortunately, I was still blind. Sebastian was right, my blindness belongs to me, is part of me. Nothing can change that.
I felt my hair, or should I say his hair. It was longer than mine. Then I ran my hands through my face. My nose was slightly longer. And my jaws were now in a diamond shape. I pulled my hands down onto my chest, discovering this new body.
« Don’t you go down any further » notified Sebastian.
I laughed.
« For someone who pretends to be deviously handsome, I don’t see what the fuss is all about. You are no more handsome or stronger than I am. » I said taunting my friend.
« I see. We’ll maybe Valerian will like how I look now ! » he teased.
« Don’t you dare ! » I yelled.
He laughed.
« Haven’t you noticed anything strange ? » I asked.
« What do you mean? » he interrogated.
« We may look different but our voices remained the same » I noticed.
« Yes this is the problem with this potion. So you need to practise beforehand imitating the other person’s voice » he explained.
« I knew you had drank that potion before » I said smiling.
« What can I say. You know, that would also explain why you're still blind. I guess what truely belongs to us, the things that make us who we are, different as to say, can’t change » said Sebastian.
« Well observed M.Sallow » said the professor. « Only what you can see with your eyes changes, but it won’t change who you are deep inside. Now you will write 200 words about what you have experienced drinking the Polynectar »
I could hear Cassandra talking behind us.
« So how do I look ? » she asked.
« I prefer how you usually look, no offense Valerian » replied Edmund with a smirk.
« None taken. But don’t you try and kiss me because I look like Cassandra » she said
laughing.
He’d better not indeed. I wanted to be the first one to kiss her. And I would be the only man she would kiss. EVER. Since when had I become so possessive ?
« Look I have dark skin now. Awesome ! » exclaimed Edmund.
« Well, I must admit that my workout has paid off » said Samuel probably admiring himself through Edmund.
« Man you’ve got to eat up and become stronger » he added.
« He is perfect the way he is » commented Cassandra.
Edmund and Samuel both smiled.
POV Sebastian
The effects of the potion finally ended after an hour. It was good to be myself again. I’m sure everyone felt relieved.
Later I had lunch, then headed to the study room to find Ominis.
I could’t believe I was about to teach him how to kiss. All so he could kiss her, Valerian. But I promised myself I would help Ominis. And I will.
« There you are » said Ominis.
We both sat down. The room was quiet, only a few students were studying.
« Ok. We’ll, let’s get started I guess » I started.
There was a silence. This was an awkward moment. I always helped Ominis reading, doing his homework, being his eyes, but I never thought I would be the one to tell him about kissing. Though he couldn’t count on his family to help him, in any way, so I guess it was always going to be u to me in the end.
« So, what exactly is it that you are afraid of Ominis? » I asked.
I thought this would be a good starting point.
« Well … when I’m with her … I want … to … kiss her, but I’m not quite sure … what I’m supposed to do » he said timidly.
It was strange hearing Ominis saying he wanted to kiss someone. He was so shy that I thought he would always remain single. But he has tried many new things this year, I guess kissing will be one of them.
« We’ll, it’s all about the right moment. But you mustn’t wait too long either or you will never kiss her »
« When is the right moment then ? » he demanded.
« It’s all about the feeling. When it’s just the two of you, and you are having an intimate moment, that’s when you could try » I explained.
« What kind of intimate moment? » he asked.
« It could be many things really. Think about a moment where it was just the two of you, maybe the other day at the hospital, when you were alone with her. What did you do? » Though I truely wanted to help him, I also had ulterior motives for asking him, I wanted to know what had happened. And deep down, I was hoping nothing had happened. But I tried to suppress that feeling quickly reminding to myself the promise I made.
« Oh, well … we talked. She pet Nathara. And then … » he went silent, but his cheeks were red. Here we are. Something did happen.
« You can tell me » I urged.
« Well, Valerian and I have … an agreement so to speak. You know how I see people, I mean really see them, with my hands, like any blind person would. And I wanted to see her. So she lets me see a new part of her every time we are alone together. And she gets to see a new part of me too » he explained.
The thought of him touching her made me kind of jealous. He had the perfect excuse to do so. We mortal had to plead to women for that.
« So what did you see so far? » I asked wondering how much he saw / touched.
« Her hands and her hair. So at the hospital I got to touch her hair » he told.
And as he said that, he smiled and had a dreamy gaze.
« And she touched yours ? » I demanded.
« Yes. And I … told her that her sent was … addicting… » he said very shy.
His face turned red again.
I burst out laughing.
« Did you really tell her that ? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend ? » I teased.
« It isn’t funny. Did I make a fool of myself ? » he implored.
« Well what did she say? » I demanded.
« … only my name … but in a … seductive way » he remarked.
« Ah, I see, so that might have been a good moment to kiss her » I declared.
« Maybe, but I felt … unsure because I didn’t know what to do. I want her to like it, to take pleasure in our kiss. And … I was afraid … of … missing … her lips and ending up kissing her elsewhere » he clarified.
« Let’s go over what you could have done. As you are blind, maybe you should have held her neck, or her face to know where you were going. Then you should have have slightly bent your head to one side, and … gently … rested your lips onto …. hers » I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
As I was telling Ominis how to kiss her, I was imagining doing it my self, me bending sideways my head, me resting my lips on hers. I shaked my head to try and banish this thought out of my head. I couldn’t think that way. Ominis liked her, and I think she liked him too.
« But how do I know which side to bend on ? » he asked.
« You’re the man Ominis, you’re in control. You get to decide. Don’t worry she’ll follow your lead » I explained.
« So that’s how you kiss? We just collide our lips ? » he asked.
« Well it depends what kind of kiss you want to share, and it also depends on the moment, and what your intentions are I guess » I continued.
« There are different types of kisses? How so ? » he demanded.
« For instance if you just want to say hello or goodbye or just a quick kiss, then that’s when you kiss with your lips. But if it’s a passionate kiss, then that is different. We usually go for the passionate kiss when we share an intimate moment. »
« Ok. How do you … kiss … passionately ? » he inquired.
« Euh … well » I could now feel myself blushing. It was awkward. I was hoping no one could hear us.
« You kiss with tongue » I added.
« With tongue ? What does that mean? »
« It means, you use your tongue in her mouth » I exclaimed.
« What do you do with … your tongue? » he demanded.
« Well you insert your tongue inside her mouth and you twirl it around her … » I had just realised Edmund was passing by at the same moment, and he had a shocked look on his face, mouth wide open, jaw dropped with his eyes widening.
Ominis had also realised that Edmund was there and his face went from red to white within seconds looking mortified. I also looked embarrassed.
« Giving sexual guidance are we Sebastian ? » he taunted as he laughed.
Ominis was now hiding his face into his hands.
« I’m just helping my friend as he can’t see nor read about it » I said justifying myself.
« I see. So things are getting serious with Valerian are they? » he teased.
« I … euh … just … kiss … for now » said Ominis confused unable to talk properly.
And I realised that I might have to be the one to explain to him how to lay with a woman one day. But then I imagined Ominis on top of Valerian in his bed as he would kiss her, undress her. And I was starting to fume. Why was I feeling jealous? I couldn’t let my feelings get in the way of our friendship. So I just shoved the thought deep down my mind.
« I see, so you want to kiss her? » asked Edmund.
I looked at Ominis, letting him find his words.
« … I think I do… » he said.
« You think? You’re not sure? » asked Edmund as he sat down with us.
« It’s just that … I’m still trying to understand how I feel » revealed Ominis.
« And how do you feel when you’re around her? » demanded Edmund.
He didn’t respond right away. Either because he was shy, or because he was thinking.
«Whenever I'm with her, it’s like time has stopped. Nothing else exists, or even matters. She is all I can think about, all the time. Whenever she is close to me, my heart starts pounding mercilessly. And when I’m not with her, I’m constantly wondering where she is because I feel the urge to be with her. I feel like I’m losing my mind over her. » he declared.
I was amazed by his speech. Ominis always knew how to find the right way of saying things. And his words were so meaningful that I realised what love was really about. He didn’t just like her, he was in love with her. And I envied him, because he had someone that made him feel that way. I had never experienced that.
« Is that love? » he asked us.
I didn’t reply, mostly because I had never fallen in love before despite courting many girls.
« It definitely is. That’s what distinguishes friendship from love » Edmund answered.
« Is that how you felt with Cassandra ? » demanded Ominis.
« Yes. I even felt sick when she wasn’t around, and I when she was, I always felt overwhelmed » he added.
Ominis nodded as to agree with him, understanding perfectly what he was saying.
Ominis was here to learn, for guidance, but I felt I was the one that learned something today.
« If I may give you a piece of advice, don’t overthink things, follow your instincts. And mostly, talk to Valerian about it. Tell her how you feel, share your anxieties with her. It’s most likely she’s feeling the same way » declared Edmund.
« That’s … good advice. Thanks » confessed Ominis.
It was good advice. I felt ashamed for not giving it myself.
« Well then, good luck. If you need some more advice, you can always ask me » he stated.
Ominis nodded with a smile. Then Edmund got up and went back to his occupations.
« Thank you Sebastian, for taking the time to explain it to me» said Ominis grateful.
« What wouldn’t I do in the name of our friendship » I said joking.