Caleb recognized her voice and responded without opening his eyes. “I know Ellie… but I haven’t, you know. Kissed a girl, that is,” he mumbled, blushing furiously.
            “So what, Caleb O’Malley, so what?” Ella said with more oomph than she’d originally intended. Several people briefly turn around to look at them. She lowered her voice to add, “We’re only fifteen. One day I promise you, you will. But really, since when do you care about what Brittany says?” She briefly glanced at Brittany and her friends, who (having moved on from Caleb) were now gossiping about someone else.
            “I don’t,” he said somewhat indignantly, “just… just, well, there’s this girl I really like. I know this sounds clichéd, but I just can’t get her out of my head. And she’s here tonight. She heard what Brittany said.”
            “Well, she’s very lucky, and I’m sure she wouldn’t think any less of you because of that,” Ella soothed patiently. “You know, I haven’t had my first kiss yet either,” she added in a tiny whisper. She just hoped he’d heard.
             “Okay Ellie,” Caleb concluded contentedly, and then fell back asleep.