Our Love (21 page)
"And how will you do that, Danielle?"
"For starters, you're not the only one who wants Charlie and Michael to break up."
"Let me guess. You used to be Michael's girlfriend?"
"Yes, before Charlie slithered her way to Belmont. I figured since you two used to date, you would know why Charlie decided to come to Belmont? It seemed that she was perfectly fine at Parker, right?"
"Listen, I don't know what your agenda is and I don't care. I know how to get Charlie back, so I don't need any help," I said as I pushed my way past Danielle to get into my car.
"What if I told you I know something about Michael that will make little Miss Perry run back to you in a second?"
I looked at Danielle suspiciously as I closed my car door.
"What might that be, if you don't mind me asking?"
Danielle smiled as she put her arm around me.
"I knew I would get your attention. Believe me, after I tell you about Michael and his wild past, Charlie would definitely leave him in an instant. So, are you with me now?"
I looked at Danielle and sighed.
"Fine, but if you're lying to me..."
"Why would I do that? I figure since we're both after the same thing, we should work together to see to it that it comes true," Danielle said as she stepped up to my face. As she leaned into me, her body pressed on my chest. She had a sexy look on her face that turned me on in a major way.
"Are you in Mr. Marberry?" she said as she extended her hand out to me.
I shook my head and sighed.
"What the hell am I getting myself into?" I asked quietly as I took my hand and put it firmly into Danielle's.
I didn't know what I was heading into, but what I did know was that I would do whatever it took to get Charlie away from Collier. And I mean anything.
"Are you even curious about what else I have in store for you?" I asked Michael as we pulled into the House of Blues parking lot. As we stepped out of the car, I realized that the concert was already beginning.
Michael took my hand into his and smiled.
"Not really. I'm just glad to be out with you."
I smiled as I gave Michael a kiss.
"You sure you feel up to going out? You've been through so much these past few days. First with your parents, and then today with Derrick and the game."
"I'm fine Char. This is what I need."
I nodded my head and smiled.
"Okay baby."
As we walked into the House of Blues, I looked over at Michael who was in awe over what he was seeing. Imagine Dragons was on stage belting out "Radioactive" to a packed audience. He turned to me and gave me a hug so tight, I was practically suffocating.
"I take that as a thank you."
"I can't believe you did this for me. I was trying to get tickets for weeks. How did you get tickets?"
"I have my ways," I said smiling.
"However you got them, I'm glad you did. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Happy early birthday, Michael."
Michael smiled as he took my hand and we went over to the crowd.
As the group shifted gears from "Radioactive," to "It's Time," Michael put his arms around me and I leaned my head back on his shoulder. I turned around to face Michael and took his hand as we slowly weaved our way through the crowd. As we found a private area, I faced Michael and kissed his hand.
"You want to know my other surprise?"
"If you want to tell me,"
"Remember how we were the other night? The closeness we felt between each other."
"Yeah,"
"I want to experience that again tonight. And hopefully everything we hope and wish for will come true."
"I want to experience that again too, but how are we going to do that?"
"You'll see," I said softly.
An hour and a half later, the concert came to a close. After fighting the concert crowd through the parking lot, we headed to our next destination. When we approached the Marriott Hotel, I started to become extremely nervous. At first when I made the reservations (with the help of my older cousin Carla), I felt confident that I wanted to go through with my plan, but now I felt like backing out. It was not that I didn't want to make love to Michael; it was just that after tonight, things between us would definitely change forever. I always pictured that I would give myself to the man I marry on our wedding night. Now, as I look at Michael sitting quietly in the passenger's seat, I asked myself if this one night with Michael was worth destroying my beliefs?
As I pulled into the nearest parking spot in the hotel's parking garage, Michael looked around the area and realized where we were.
"You really out did yourself, Char."
I started to smile weakly as I opened the car door. Not only was I'm nervous, but I felt like I wanted to throw up. As I looked at Michael, I quickly closed the car door and faced him.
"You sure you want to go through this?"
"Char, you're the one who made the hotel reservations. If you're having second thoughts about it, then we won't do this."
"I'm not, it's just that we are about to embark on a major step in our relationship and the thought of us being together intimately kind of scares me."
I could tell Michael was a little confused over my last comment. I took both his hands and lightly caressed them with mine."I didn't mean it like that. What I was trying to say is that the thought of us being so close together is kind of scary. Especially for me, because I don't have a clue of what I'm doing or how it will feel."
"Are you saying you're nervous about the actual contact? Char, you do know that the first time is not always what it seems."
"I know that. Believe me I heard it enough from my friends. But that's not the actual reason. I'm scared because you're the only one who has ever seen me in this light. You would be the only one who would know my body and what I like and don't like sexually."
"Is that a good thing? We are in love and you do want to experience your first time with me, right?"
"Yes, I do. But I never thought I would experience sex with any other man besides my husband."
Michael looked at me and sighed.
"I get what you're saying. Char, has it ever occurred to you that maybe you and me could become husband and wife one day."
I looked at Michael with a weird expression on my face. Why is he bringing up marriage?
"No, it hasn't."
"Listen, whatever decision you make is fine with me. We don't have to have sex. In fact, we can just cuddle and watch TV, order room service and just enjoy each other's company. Remember what I told you in my room? I said that there is so much more to you than physical attraction."
I smiled. "I know."
"Why don't we get out of this cold car and go inside."
I nodded my head in agreement as Michael got out of the passenger side and walked over to my side of the car. As I got out of the car, we took each other hands and moved toward the hotel entrance.
While walking to the hotel, I realized that whatever happened tonight, it would be a night that both Michael and I would remember together.
Finding a job is tough!
I thought to myself while walking through the halls of Belmont High. I just called one of my potential job prospects, thinking I had the job, but turned out the manager hired someone else.
Oh well. Back to the drawing board,
I thought as I went to my locker. As I dialed the combination, I started to think about everything that had happened to me lately. When I arrived to school, I had a long talk with Coach and found out I was on probation until further notice for fighting with Derrick. So when basketball season starts in a few weeks, I wouldn't be out on the court. I also needed to find my own place because I didn't think I could stay with Chris anymore. It seemed like every time I was at his house, his parents were wondering when I was going back home. But they were nice enough to throw me a birthday dinner yesterday.
I had a little money stashed in my savings, but knowing my parents, they probably cut me off from any access. Speaking of my parents, I hadn't talked to them since the incident with Charlie. There were times when I wanted to pick up the phone and call them, but something inside of me told me not to. I don't know if I can move back in and go through the same routine that I had been living. I love my parents, but I can't be what they want me to be. I need to be my own person. And the worst part of all is that my parents didn't have the decency to check up on me or even called to wish me a happy birthday.
But the one thing that is good in my life is Charlie. She has made me so happy since I first laid eyes on her and my life hasn't been the same since. After the experience we shared Friday, I know our love can overcome anything.
I slammed my locker door, and Chris was standing behind it with one of the cheesiest smiles I had ever seen. I looked at him with a weird look on my face.
"What are you all smiling about?"
"Oh come on Mike. It's a brand new day. You should be in all smiles."
"I know, but for some reason I can't."
"What happened with Coach this morning?"
"It what everyone expected. I'm on probation until further notice. I guess I'll be sitting in the stands watching season opener."
Chris sighed and put a hand on my shoulder.
"That sucks man, but don't fear because I have some news that will brighten your day."
"And what is that?"
"Well thank your friend in advance because I saved you yet again."
"What are you talking about?"
"Before I tell you, how much do you know about cars?"
I shrugged my shoulders and sighed.
"I know a little about them. I know how to change my own oil and stuff. Why?"
"I talked to my uncle who owns a car dealership on the north side of town. Right now he's short of a mechanic and I told him about your situation. He told me if you're interested, to come by the dealership after school."
I looked at Chris and slapped him on his back.
"Thanks for looking out Chris. This means a lot."
"No problem. Too bad I haven't found a place for you."
"Well since I might have a job, finding a place won't be a problem."
"Make sure you go to the dealership after school. I really had to pull strings for you. Especially since you don't have any experience."
"I will go. Thanks again."
"See you at home."
I smiled as I gave Chris the peace sign as I started to head off to home room. As I walked, I noticed Charlie was coming from the opposite direction. All of a sudden, everything went to slow motion as I looked at Charlie. She looked at me as she walked past me. Just seeing Charlie made my body ache. I wanted her and I didn't know if I could wait for later to see her. As I moved my head to the direction of the west end, Charlie nodded her head and smiled. A few minutes later, I was walking to the west end of the hallway. The west wing is a deserted area basically made for students to either cut class or make out. As I was walking near the janitor's closet, I felt an arm grab mine and pull me inside. I swung around to face Charlie as she threw me against the wall and started to kiss me.
"How long do we have until homeroom starts?" she asked as she started to take off my shirt.
"About ten minutes," I said in an out of breath tone.
"I missed you so much this weekend," Charlie said as she started to kiss on my neck.
Before we started into something we couldn't finish, I let go of Charlie and looked at her.
"I have some good news and some bad news."
"Bad news first,"
"I'm on probation from the basketball team until Coach can see if I'm a team player again."
"I'm sorry baby. What's the good news?"
"I may have a job. Chris talked to his uncle who owes a dealership and he's looking for a mechanic. I have to go over there after school to talk to him. So wish me luck."
"I don't have to wish you luck, you know you got it," Charlie said smiling.
"Now all I have to do is find a place."
"And you will. Everything will fall into place Mike. Just believe."
I looked at Charlie and kissed her on the lips.
"That is the reason why I love you. You know all the right things to say."
"All I said is what's in my heart. I love you and I want good things to happen to you."
I put a hand to Charlie's cheek. She closed her eyes as I slowly caressed her soft skin.
"There are other ways to encourage me too."
"Oh. And what that may be?"
"You'll know in time," I said as I started to kiss Charlie's neck.
As we started to kiss, our feelings from Friday suddenly resurfaced. I never had sex in school, but as I unbuttoned Charlie's shirt, I knew that was about to change. Not only did we miss homeroom, but we were almost caught by the janitor coming out of the closet. As Charlie and I walked hand-in-hand down the silent hallway, I had to admit that today was definitely starting to look a whole lot brighter.
Charlie
I can't believe I just did that!
I thought as I walked into my English class. I don't know what's going on with me lately, but it seemed like I was becoming a whole different person. After Friday with Michael, all I wanted to do was be with him. Just being with him was so wonderful and exciting. I knew sex would be an experience that would change my life, but I never thought I would have all these emotions come out of me. Too bad Michael was busy this afternoon, because I could really go for another round. But I knew he needed to focus on getting a job and finding a place of his own. I'm really proud of him and what he's doing. He's so determined to become independent and to me, that's an achievement. As I sat down in my usual seat by Brandy, the thought of Derrick started to creep into my mind.
Why am I thinking about him?
I thought as I took out my notebook and pen. After seeing him and Danielle talking Friday, I knew who I wanted to be with. I can't believe that he would go after Danielle after confessing his feelings to me.
Am I jealous that Derrick is talking to Danielle?
I thought as I looked at the door. As I did, I watched Danielle walked into class with a happy expression on her face. She glanced over at my direction and gave me a bright smile. I looked at her and gave her a smirk. I didn't know what her agenda was, but whatever it is, I don't want any part of it.