A silence settles between us – one I would have found comfortable if only I knew what Eli was thinking. I'm painfully aware of him on the park bench next to me, only a hand's width away.

We use to come to the park together all the time, just the two of us, but not since we were kids – before I grew self-conscious about spending time alone with a boy and worried about what the other kids at school would say. So I had been surprised when Eli messaged me out of the blue asking if I wanted to meet in the park, just the two of us, and I hadn't been sure what he had really been asking.

Had he wanted to recapture our childhood when things had been simpler, and we used to build forts in the woods and pool our money together to see how many sweets we could afford between us? Or was there something else he wants? Though likely I'm over thinking things as usual and he just wanted some company. It's the end of the summer and we will both be going away to study.

I turn to look at him, but he's staring straight ahead his steely eyes fixed on something far off in the distance, watching a woman throw sticks for her dog. The sun filters through the shedding leaves of the tree, picking out all the different autumnal shades of brown and red and gold in his shaggy hair. His lips are pressed together as if deep in thought.

He's changed a lot from the boy I used to know. Of course I've noticed the obvious ones – he's taller and broader and I used to tease him about his breaking, pitchy voice before it deepened. There's other changes too, less obvious ones that have occurred gradually over time. His face is more defined, and his hands, resting on the bench either side of him, look strong and powerful – like he could wrap his fingers round both of my wrists.

But, if only I knew what he's thinking...

“Eli?” He turns to look at me, an intensity in his slate coloured eyes that I've never seen before. It sends butterflies fluttering inside my stomach. “Why did you ask me here?”

He shrugs. “I dunno... I just thought it was a nice day and maybe we could hang out.”

“Is this a date?” One thing I've learnt about Eli is that you've got to be direct with him, otherwise he'll just keep his thoughts to himself and brood over them.

He looks me up and down, sizing me up. For a moment I think he isn't going to answer, or try change the subject, but then he says, “Do you want this to be a date?”

He grins as if he were teasing me, but I can feel the nervous energy emitting off from him, and I know whatever I say next has the potential to deeply impact our friendship. So I don't say anything.

Leaning across the small space between us, I kiss him on the lips. Gently, briefly, our lips barely brushing against one another, but I feel it conveys how I'm feeling better than any words ever could. I like him – I want to see where this could go, but I'm scared of ruining our friendship.

It takes Eli a moment to register, what just happened, his eyes slowly blinking as I pull away. His cheeks are burning bright red – I can see the stubble from where he shaved this morning already beginning to grow back. But then he smiles. A genuine smile that lights up his whole face. “That's a yes then?”

I nod, hardly believing what I had just done, or the excitement bubbling up inside. The butterflies in my stomach erupting into fireworks.

He kisses me. This time he cups my face in his hands, his fingers tangling in my hair, as he leans into me. His lips are soft and firm as they press against mine, applying just the right amount of pressure. Who would've have thought Eli would turn out to be such a phenomenal kisser?

I part my lips for him as his tongue finds mine. It feels as if I'm melting into him as we blend into one. Wrapping my arms round the back of his neck, I pull him closer and realise that I never want to let him go. Why had we waited so long for something that feels so natural and right?

His hands slide down my body, resting on my waist. I can feel the heat of them radiating through my shirt, and I wonder how they would feel against my bare skin, freely exploring my body – the hairs on my body standing up on end at the thought. A small whimper of arousal escapes my lips, muffled by Eli's mouth on mine.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks drawing away. His grey blue eyes search my face full with concern.

“Never felt better,” I assure him, going in to kiss him again. I'm hungry for him now, desperate to feel his lips back on mine – but to my dismay he pulls away, glancing around over his shoulder.

As I look around, I realise for the first time since I kissed him where we are. We've picked a secluded corner of the park under the oak tree, but we're by no means alone. The woman Eli had been watching with her dog glances our way, giving us a disapproving look before turning her back to us, and a group of teenagers pushing an empty shopping cart are slowly making their way up the path towards where we're sat. I blush remembering myself.

“I've got the place to myself,” Eli says resting his hand on my thigh. “Do you want to come back, and we can...” His voice trails off, all the things we could do alone together left unsaid and hanging in the air between us.

I nod, my body trembling with excitement and anticipation.