*bell rings to end last period*
I lift my head off the table and blink a few times. Was that really the bell or am I going insane? The question remained unanswered as I groaned and placed my math book in my bag.
A shiver traveled down my spine as I pulled my hoodie over my head and carried my surprisingly heavy bag out the doorway. As per usual the hallway was packed. I purposely put my book in my bag slower than usual to avoid this. Without a doubt my plan failed miserably.
I walked out the gate and across the road. As I walked I thought I heard my name being called.
"Sam" "Sam" "Sam" My mind fort against me repeating the familiar sound begging me to stop and find out where it was coming from.
I gave in and turned around hoping it was my imagination and not some hobo. Someone was calling me but thank god it wasn't a hobo. It was Michael.
"Sam" He began before pulling me in for a hug.
"Michael" I replied as I awkwardly hugged him back.
He released and smiled. He smelt like sweat and smoke but his smile fixed all his flaws.
The school defined Michael as 'that stoner kid that sat in the back of the room in every subject and never obeyed the teacher' which was incredibly accurate.
He wasn't stupid in fact he was probably the most intelligent guy in the school but didn't use his brain to the capability it was made for.
I've never really spoken to him before so I was incredibly surprised when he appeared from the 'stoner corner' aka the large bush area out the front of the school and pulled me in for a hug.
"Sam, are you busy tonight?" He smirked.
I knew exactly what he wanted but something told me it was a false alarm.
"No actually, whys that?"
"It's a surprise actually"
He mimicked my 'actually' which made me smile.
I wasn't one for declining anything so I went along with whatever he was planning to fulfil tonight. He reached for my arm and tugged at my sleeve. He walked me over to his group of friends and insisted that I sat with them. Like I said I wasn't gonna deny plus I was a little frightened by their bloodshot eyes staring deep into my soul.
-
"Tell me about yourself" He asked as we walked up his driveway.
"I'm pretty boring, you won't care"
He gently grabbed my hands and looked me in the eyes. "I care I promise"
Butterflies fort in my stomach. What is he doing to me?
"I like reading, video games and sleeping oh and science and poetry"
He nodded and kicked a rock with his shoe, watching it travel down the path.
"You're in for a treat Samantha"
No one, I repeat no one ever called me by my full name. Not even my parents but it felt so right. After spending years begging and instructing my parents and teachers to never use my first name, hearing it for the first time felt so different.
-
"See that really annoying string? Well pull it down please" Michael insisted as he took off his shoes.
I tugged at the string and a wooden ladder came down leading to his room.
He got up and walked up the stairs, I followed trying not to stare at his butt as I climbed.
His room was everything I thought a guys room would look like; dark, gaming systems everywhere, smelt like death but more importantly his.
He sat down on his bed and scanned my body, not the kind of scanning a horny male would do to see if you were fuckable but a different kind that I was completely unaware of. His eyes traced over me like I was a half finished sketch that needed coloured outlines.
"Michael" I interrupted his processing.
"I need to use the bathroom if I may"
He jolted out of whatever faze he was stuck in and proceeded to answer my question.
"I usually just open the window and aim but my mum has a bathroom down stairs, I'm sure you'll find it"
I nodded and climbed down the ladder.
I wandered down the hallway glancing at paintings and photographs that lined the walls before reaching a bright pink door. I cringed at the choice in colour but knocked anyway. No answer. Lucky me.
-
"Sit" Michael gently instructed.
I sat on the ground beside him before hearing a blood curdling scream. Michael jumped and ran down the stairs and down the hallway. My heart raced and my body filled with worry, I ran down and tried to find Michael.
"Get in the car" He demanded.
We ran towards Michael black SUV and climbed inside. Michael was in no hurry for safety and reversed and sped out of the driveway.
"What happened? Where are we going?" I couldn't think of what question was more important.
"Never mind" He smirked and rearranged the mirror to get a better look at himself.
"What do you mean? I heard a scream!"
"Forget about it okay!"
I did as I was told and stopped arguing with him. We stopped in the long line of rush hour traffic. 6pm was apparently a busy time for New Yorkers. Having just moved here I didn't know much about this city Michael called home.
-
"It's beautiful" I admitted as we climbed out of the car and walked towards a lake.
The lake was full of swans and the light from the setting sun reflected off the water perfectly. In the distance you could see the city and all the neon lights.
Michael reached for my hand and laced his fingers into mine. My heart picked up its pace and I could feel it beating in my chest.
We sat down on the grass and watched the sunset.
"No one has ever done this for me" I admitted as I played with Michael's fingers.
"I'm not finished just yet Samantha" Michael replied.
I didn't know what to expect so I just say there and waited, waited for him to do what he had promised.
It was amazing.
We laid there in our underwear under the stars just talking. I was expecting more but at the same time I didn't want it to happen. He told me why he's so smart and why he's never shy to do anything dangerous while I just answered what he wanted to know.
I rested my head on his chest as we stargazed. I listened to his breathing and his heartbeat which was more soothing then any love song ever written.
-
"The one with the ugly green mailbox" I instructed as I button upped my jeans. Michael turned off the headlights and quietly drove up the driveway trying not to wake anyone.
"I had a lovely time tonight Michael" I smiled as I opened the door and grabbed my school bag.
A smile lit up his face and I blushed.
"See you tomorrow Samantha"
I quietly walked towards my house and opened the door before stopping to watch his car drive away. I tiptoed up the stairs and into my room before throwing myself onto the bed.
I glanced at the clock, 4am it read, 5 hours till school starts which is only 3 hours of sleep.
I groaned into my pillow before removing my clothes and throwing one of my dad's old t-shirts over my head. It was one of the only memories I had left of him and I wasn't going to let my mother take it away from me.
My father was my last thought before I drifted off to sleep.
