Once outside the school compound…Edwin and Kim plodded in silence, their footsteps crunching the dirt track. Half a mile later, they turned off the main road into a sidetrack.
Then he felt her hand skim against his. Though hurt and mortified, he recognized the thrill of her touch but dared not look at her. Their fingers tangled, sticky with sweat. He trembled and dared not swing his arms. He walked awkwardly with one arm holding her hand in a stiff clasp and the other, some books.
Gosh, he marveled at her soft hand, convinced that she was the most wondrous creature on earth. He focused on every brush of his hand on her hip as her soft muscles tensed and relaxed with her steps.
He stammered something unintelligible. Her response was equally tremulous and unintelligible. That made him braver. They glanced sideways at each other. She smiled and gripped his hand tighter.
The fork of the gutted track approached where she would take a right, and he would go straight. He shortened his steps, searching for an excuse to delay their parting.
He stopped. A butterfly among the shrubs caught his interest. He acquired a new hobby. He leaned and studied the insect. His movement pulled her forward and her hip pressed against his. It felt soft and shivered in tiny spasms. Their heads closed together. He felt the warm air of her hot cheeks on his and smelled her sweet breath. He mumbled something about the butterfly and she mewed in agreement.
Drat! The insect lost interest and fluttered away.
No more butterflies, he sighed as his eyes swept the brushes frantically.
No dragonflies, not even a miserable fly! He could have studied flies all afternoon.
(An Extract from my novel – Beck And Call, A Business Thriller Set In Singapore)
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Was that the invention of the “birds and bees” phrase ?
“Butterflies and dragon flies” or perhaps “the elusive flies” 🙂
Moral of the story… always have an insect in your back pocket! Haven’t we all been there? 🙂
Back pocket, huh? There goes another….squelch!
Oh man, your work is so captivating! I could read your writing all afternoon and night, even 🙂 Keep up the good work Eric!
That is very sweet of you. Many thanks. I hope not to disappoint 🙂
Thanks for giving us an excerpt from your novel, I’m sure it is a wonderful read my friend!
Thank you Christy – that is the summation of all who read Beck & Call. Peace 🙂
Oh that took me back a long way to growing up years. In our maturity we smile at our innocence and wonder at our clumsy attempts to adjust from childhood to our years of awakening.
I like that Ian – ‘from childhood to our years of awakening’
And what a wakening 🙂
Such an enchanting scene depicting the courting rituals of that young couple, aided by that wondrous yet evasive butterfuly. Now I am doubly intrigued about how this young man goes on to play a role in your book, that “business thriller”. You have SUCH a playful way of teasing us on with these little snippets, Eric!
Ah, Granbee, look out for more excerpts over the next few weeks 🙂
This Saturday 31 March, I shall post something dedicated to you. Hope you’ll enjoy the re read (a hint)
That was very good, Eric.
Thank you…I see you’ve posted 11 GP episodes. Well done 🙂
You did a great job. Teenagers, even in this day and age, still get scared and tongue tied.
That is great to know and here I was thinking all that shyness was left behind in my village of the 1960s…
I got to read the whole book.Interesting stuff!
That’s great! If you haven’t already, do pick up either a print or eBook here > http://wp.me/P1YE83-33 Thank you.
Ok.I’ll do it.
Young love…..first love. I have felt inspired to discuss this feeling in great detail. Thanks for even MORE inspiring words.
That is fantastic and I hope not to disappoint.
(P/s I posted a comment in your blog about Cloud 9)
ps….I noticed. 😉
This scene has a gravity to it. I am curious to see how it works into business conflicts in the East.
I shall post more excerpts – one a week – over the next few weeks…you’ll be able to pick up more hints, I’m sure 🙂
I think you have captured this perfectly. You’re a very gifted writer. How lucky am I to have found your blog and I look forward to reading your book. Thank you.
Ah Jacqueline, it is great to hear you and other women say that about this scene. This means much especially as you know how ‘thumbs’ we men are, when writing lovey-dovey stuff…Hope when you grab a copy of the book, it does not disappoint. Luv and peace, Eric
Brilliant.. haha, the way he looks for anything just to linger.
…and she was playing right along 🙂
Oops I posted a comment and it went into your spam…
beautiful Eric..you are so gifted..taking readers to which ever road you want them to travel…
You are the beautiful one Soma – with your unfettered compliments. But don’t stop 🙂
I am but the sign post, the readers chose the path to use…
Luv and peace, Eric
loved it…. im a book worm…… waiting to read the novel
Thank you Sagarika – you can pick up a copy over the internet. Click on the book cover – see left margin. Hope you enjoy the read 🙂
Sounds about right, Eric. 🙂
Thank you Angela. My reviewers thought this scene okay though one person had some very strong reservations. Good to know that perhaps he was in the minority. Cheers, Eric 🙂
I am gonna have to get that one. Beautiful descriptive work. What could be better than wondrous creatures, soft hands and bugs? Love it!
I’m no expert in young teen love but will go along with what you say 🙂
Awe 🙂 I remember a similar feeling. I enjoyed this
Ah, young tremulous feelings – what joy, what memories 🙂
Very impressive!
Thank you – this is lovely 🙂
oh fickle love…;)
The characters in this scene are both 15 and it was a challenge for me. At 16, I was busy struggling to make a living – ‘survive’ was the word. No time for girls and wondered how a young couple (in the 1960s) sharing a first private moment would behave…
you did it well Eric, for not knowing. 🙂