Have you kissed me before?

Ian was lying in his bed after dinner, he was too tired from shopping today. Yanli is shopaholic he thought, who can go nonstop shopping for hours without rest, food or even bathroom breaks, but then which girl Isn't? he thought to himself. He was also thinking about what Zoey said, if Leo broke up with her why hasn't he said so earlier. Leo has never kept secrets from Ian, but in past one-month Ian felt as he doesn't know his best friend anymore. Leo is always busy practicing, avoiding Ian. He never tells him anything anymore, especially about Zoey. Ian remembers when he asked Leo about when they met at ice cream parlor coincidently, Leo had ignored him and showed disinterest in sharing anything. All this thought made him restless, he kept tossing and turning looking at his mobile. He wanted to speak to Leo, but how? what will he ask he thought, he was trying to think of some excuse. Ian regret asking Zoey about Leo today he unintentionally hurt her feelings. He hastily decided to call her and apologize.

He looked for her number through his mobile phone and dialed.

After few rings someone answered. "Hello Ian, good you called I was thinking of calling you just now" Zoey said.

"Really? anything important" Ian asked.

"Well, do you mind if I ask you for your sisters' number, I need to check with her on the shopping she did earlier. She has great taste you know" Zoey said.

"Off course Zoey why not, but before that let me apologize to you for being rude today, If I knew about you and Leo I wouldn't have hurt you with my question. I know how much you care for him" Ian said quickly sounding apologetic.

"Don't be sorry Ian, it was long coming, relationship without feelings have no future. We were together but I always felt empty. Our kiss lacked passion, emotions. You wont believe how many times I asked him to evaluate his feelings about whom he loves. Being together doesn't necessary mean two people are in love, 'Loving someone' and 'being in love' are two different things. I even had to fight him to wear the valentine's couple heart necklace I bought for us. He just treated me like any other friend, nothing special" she said sounding hurt.

Ian was listening to her patiently, trying to sympathize with her. His mind quickly started processing what she said.

"Zoey, Does Leo have same heart shaped necklace like you" he questioned waiting for her reply as if he was about to uncover something that is waiting for long to be discovered.

"Off course! I gifted him on valentines, I even forced him to wear it that night at party and that's when he got upset. Anyways I'm over him its being weeks now" She said assuring.

Ian was looking at his watch, "I got to go I will share Yanli's number with you" he promised Zoey before hanging up.

Ian quickly started to recollect his thoughts on party that night. Ian was drunk like a fish there was no way he could walk home on his own. Leo left early, Paul wasn't around for long either, Darren was out of question, the only way he could have reached home safely was either one of the girls walked him home or the secret kisser was with him. He quickly decided to talk to Yanli, he ran downstairs to the kitchen.

Yanli is sleeping already his mom said. Ian couldn't wait till morning to ask her as his curiosity was killing him.

"Mom, do you remember who dropped me home when I returned late from party that night" Ian asked hoping for an answer.

Ian's mother who was busying doing dishes looked at him. "Who else Leo" she replied. He even walked you to your bedroom so your dad won't find out you were wasted" she said angrily.

Ian's heart was in conflict with his mind now, he wanted his messed-up mind to come to a conclusion but decided rather not, until he hears it from the horse's mouth.

He told his mom he is going for a walk and quickly ran out of his house. He started running towards the corner alley to find Leo who must be on his way home from practice. It was dark and cold, Ian couldn't care less as he came running in his nightshirt just to put an end to this mystery which haunted him for long. He sat on the bench near sidewalk waiting for Leo, he kept looking at his mobile screen from time to time, thought of calling Leo crossed his mind but he hesitates. Few minutes later he saw a silhouette of someone carrying duffle bag walking with heavy feet towards him, he needed no second opinion to guess who it was, it was indeed Wang Leo.

Leo noticed Ian sitting on bench all alone as he approached making himself comfortable sitting beside him.

"What are you doing here, isn't it your time to hit the sack" he said laughing at Ian.

Ian turned to look at Leo who despite being tired from entire day practice managed to give him his sweetest smile. Suddenly Ian felt short of words, he could feel his heart was pumping hard against his chest was it from running or perhaps he was too apprehensive to ask his question which could ruin 13yrs of there beautiful friendship.

"Have you kissed me before?" Ian asked without hesitation.

Leo who was smiling suddenly froze as his innocent little friend was demanding an answer for a question which he never saw coming.

"It was you who dropped me home that night, didn't you?" Ian said looking at Leo. Was it fun watching me go crazy over my first kiss, trying to find who it was, thinking of all the possibilities to search that one person who was responsible for giving me my perfect kiss"

"Why are you quiet? say something, answer me?" Ian said raising his voice.

"Did I satisfy your ego Leo, I kept gabbing about how special it made me feel, the touch, the sweet smell of your body, your heart shaped pendant". "We were listening to songs on your ear pods right? I remember now, I remember everything" Ian said looking confidently at his blameworthy friend who was still sitting with his lips sealed.