| PART 15 The next day at school, Alex and I arrive early. I quickly grab the books I’ll need for first period and rush over to meet Michael by his locker. I tap my foot anxiously waiting for him. We’re supposed to meet here so we can get his new curriculum together. I smile at that thought. Together. Maybe he’s the ‘one’ Maria is always talking about. I can honestly say I feel comfortable with him, maybe I can even open up to him. Maria rushes over to me and says, “Here you are. I’ve been waiting for you by our lockers. Why are you here?” I look past her shoulder not paying attention to her anymore, because I can see Michael approaching us. He opens his locker and drops off some things. With a half smile he says, “Sorry I’m late.” Maria pushes past me and presses herself against the locker next to him. She gives him a sexy smile and places a hand on his arm. I wince at the contact. I don’t like the fact that some other female is touching him, even if it is my best friend. “You must have been pretty busy last night because I kept calling you, but Isabel would say you were busy,” Maria says softly while still touching him. This feeling of insecurity starts to wash over me. I drop my eyes to the floor and shift my weight from one foot to the other. I don’t want to see this. Maria is never going to give up. “I had company and I didn’t want to be disturbed,” he says. I try to hide my embarrassment. We had started out studying, but then we ended up in a heavy make out session. I have to smile at the memory. “I have to go,” he says taking my hand and leading me to Mr. Pierce’s office. I can see the look of shock on Maria’s face, before we leave. The day goes by fast because I’m ecstatic that Michael has ended up being in most of my classes. Just thinking about the possibilities excites me. I can just see it, study sessions that last all hours of the night that end up with us groping each other. Just thinking about it is making me dizzy with desire. I have to stop this or the next time I see Michael I might have to jump his bones. I see an impatient looking Maria waiting by my locker. Well there goes my mood. I already know what’s about to happen. I straighten my shoulders and prepare myself for the volcano that’s about to erupt before I walk over to her. “Hey,” I say sounding causal. “What the hell is going on with you and Michael?!” Leave it to Maria, always going for the direct approach. “What’s the problem?” I ask innocently. I know I shouldn’t be pushing Maria like this, but I just can’t help it. She shoves me so I’m facing her and says, “You know damn well what I’m talking about. You were all over him all day. What’s that about?” The shove itself pisses me off. I glare at her and sternly say, “What the hell do you think you're doing? Don’t ever push me like that, understand?” “You think you’re the shit now because you stole my man. Let me tell you that you’re not, you’re just a slut.” She crosses her arms and gives me a fierce look. I laugh at her and say, “I’m the slut, I’m not the one caught under the bleachers making out with some guy. I’m not…..” Maria interrupts me to say, “Don’t even go there. I thought you were my friend. You knew I liked him.” “Maria, I’m sorry, but I like him. Why can’t you be a friend and be happy for me? I care about him and he makes me happy,” I say trying my best to keep from fighting. I don’t want to lose our friendship. “So, you and him are going out now?” she says while laughing. “I’ll admit I was pissed at first, but when I think about it I’m not worried. It’s not going to last. You’ll find some way to screw it up. You always do. Like you said yourself, you don’t believe in love.” She gives me a callous stare. She continues by saying, “When he finally learns who you are, you’ll lose him. But don’t worry, I’ll be there to mend his broken heart.” With that, she stomps off. I huff and turn towards my locker to grab the books I need. I try not to think about what Maria said. I don’t want to be like that, but I have the tendency to push people away, especially when I know my heart will be involved. He doesn’t deserve that. He’s worrying about him not deserving me, when actuality I may not deserve him. I'm deep in thought when I feel someone’s arms wrap around my waist. ************************************************************************ I silently come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. I love the feel of her in my arms. I hear her sigh and she leans into me. “Do you do that to everyone who hugs you?” I ask teasingly. She slowly turns around and reaches up to give me a soft kiss. She smiles at me and says, “We may have just started going out, but I know your arms anywhere.” I stare deep into her eyes and smile. “How do you do that?” She looks confused and asks, “Do what?” I lower my lips to hers and lightly brush hers. I smile and say, “Make me feel special.” She shakes her head and says, “You’ve got it all wrong. You’re the one that makes me feel special.” Her looks sad. “What’s wrong?" I ask her softly as I place a strand of her hair behind her ear. She smiles and says, “Do you want to walk me home? I don’t live too far from here.” I take her backpack and she smiles at me. “We can walk anywhere you want,” I say taking her hand and leading her out of school. We walk for a couple of minutes before Liz stops. “Are you sure this is what you want?” she asks while she points her finger between us. I chuckle. I can’t believe she thinks I don’t want this, want us. The seriousness on her face stops me from laughing. “What brought this up?” I ask. I’m curious to know what would give her that idea. She shrugs her shoulders and continues walking. This time I stop her and say, “Liz, talk to me.” She exhales slowly and says, “I just wanted to make sure, that’s all.” We walk in silence until we finally arrive at her house. When we step into the kitchen, we see Alex eating a sandwich. “Where have you been? I waited for you by your locker and you never showed up.” Alex asks Liz. “I wanted to walk home. I guess I should have told you, sorry,” she says in response. “Are you okay?” Alex asks with concern etched on his face. I watch for an expression from Liz. I know something’s wrong too, but she isn’t talking. “Nothing. Are you ready to study, Michael?” She says. I nod. She leads me up to her room. Once we enter it, she flops down on the bed. I stay standing in the doorway. She rolls on her side with her head propped on her hand and says, “Are you going to stand there all night?” I look around for a place to sit. I go for the chair by her desk. I’m tempted to sit with her on the bed, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself around her. I want to take things slow with her, but the way she comes on to me, I’m not sure how much longer I can last. “I won’t bite,” she says smiling while she pats at the space next to her on her bed. Trying to avoid close contact with her I ask, “Liz, tell me what’s wrong.” I know something is bothering her because her face doesn’t light up when she smiles. She’s holding something back. I can feel it. She sighs and rolls on her stomach. “I thought I was persistent. It’s nothing really. Maria and me had an argument.” She softly chuckles and continues with, “She thinks I stole you away from her.” She turns around so she’s facing me and says, “Besides my brother she’s the only friend I ever truly had. It upsets me because she’s supposed to be my best friend and she’s willing to throw it away. She also said some things to remind me who I really am.” I take a seat on her bed. She rests her head in my lap and I start stroking her hair soothingly. “Is that why you asked if I was sure about us?” I hear her exhale slowly and she says, “I’m terrified that she might be right. Honestly, I’ve never been in a relationship before. Not a real one, anyway. I’ve never met anyone who I’m willing to open myself up to.” She sits up so she can look intently in my eyes and continues to say, “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not an outgoing person. I prefer to be alone, I don’t handle others well. I don’t like talking about my feelings or myself. It never really mattered because nobody ever cared before.” I cup her face in my hands and say, “I care and we can be two loners together. Don’t worry about it. Let’s take Isabel’s advice and see where this takes us. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but why don’t we just let our hearts lead the way.” She tilts her face up to award me with a tender kiss. “My grandmother always use to tell me that. I never listened to her before. I was afraid to, I still am. I guess I’m willing to trust my heart this time. Why not? It feels like I can trust you.” Her face turns stern and she lightly pokes my chest. “But if you hurt me, you’re a dead man. You got it?” “I got it,” I say feigning fear. She giggles and lies back down on my lap. Her voice becomes serious again and says, “I promise to try my best not to hurt you.” “I know you will, I’m not worried about that,” I say with confidence I didn’t know I had, especially with my heart. I’ve never entrusted my heart to anyone, but I’m willing to with her. “Now that’s done. What do you want to do now?” She gives me a seductive smile as she sits up to move closer to me. “We can always study.” I pretend to act naïve. Liz giggles. She scoots up to her headboard and says, “Or we can make out. I prefer the latter. What about you?” She pats the bed giving me a sultry look. I feel like I’m going to melt at any moment. A knock at the door and Alex’s voice helps bring the temperature down between us. Alex opens the door and says, “Don’t forget, Lizzie, Mom and Dad will be home tomorrow.” Liz rolls her eyes and says, “Great. I can’t wait.” Alex closes the door and Liz gets up and grabs her backpack. “Come on, let’s get started on our homework.” I wonder why that changed her mood. One minute she’s trying to seduce me, the next she looks disgusted. I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t get along with their parents. |