When it came to a special moment in her life, Sam thinks back to one particular occasion.

It was back in High School, during one of the rallies for the football team. Sam, along with her friends, weren't really into football, but it was a mandatory 'team spirit' exercise. She could usually get away with having a smoke and a drink surreptitiously on the bleachers and even if she made fun of them, the team was pretty good and it was fun watching the half time show.

Well, her main reason was that she got to watch the cheerleaders. There was that one girl, a Canadian exchange student, that was pretty much getting the whole school talking. She was bright, friendly, vivacious, a little goofy and silly. But she was above the cliques, she hung out with anyone and everyone, and while she could joke it was always in a good spirited way.

It helped that she was cute as heck.

Sam and Calixa, or Cali, got on like a house on fire. She really was the reason that the raccoon was sticking out with school rather than ditching class to slack off somewhere else. Sam really couldn't figure out the whole weird knot of feelings in her chest and her gut, whenever she looked at the Nimba, or spent time talking to her.

Until this particular night. The rally had everyone fired up, and they had a friendly match against one of the nearby schools. Absolutely creamed them of course. Cali was with the other cheerleaders, whooping it up, shaking her pompoms and skirt. Then she looked up at the bleachers, and caught Sam's eyes. It felt like being hit by a train, like running a marathon, like being in a desert and dying of thirst. Sam guessed thats what those lamers meant by some gal being like 'a tall glass of water' since thats exactly how the raccoon felt.

Then, as it ended and the fireworks started to go off, Cali broke up from the cheer squad and ran up the stairs to where Sam was. Sam didn't remember exactly the who put what where, but when Cali kissed her it all made sense, above the shrieks and bangs of the fireworks, all the shouting and clapping that was suddenly directed her way.

It was her first real kiss. Her first time kissing Cali.

It was love.

Artwork ©  Avencri (Who did an absolutely fabulous job bringing this moment to life. Really came out perfect!)

Calixa & Sam ©  Akeashar

Artist's Post: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30735373/