Our Love (9 page)

"Hey," she said in a breathless tone.

"Hey. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No. Just finished taking a shower."

As soon as she said the word shower, I started to imagine water dripping off of Charlie's beautiful body. I must have been imagining for a long time, because I could hear Charlie on the other end wondering if I was still there.

"Is something wrong, Michael?"

"No, nothing wrong. I was just calling to see how everything went with your parents."

"Don't ask. Of course they were furious. They were wondering who you were and what we were doing in the park after hours."

"Sorry Char. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

"It's okay. I'll live and they'll get over it. It not the first time I've done something my parents disapproved of."

Just hearing that made me wonders what other stuff Charlie had done to make her parents upset. I guess I'll find out eventually.

"What about your parents? Did they go ballistic like mine did?"

"No. In fact, they're not here. They won't be back until tomorrow morning."

"Oh. Well at least you didn't have to listen to them dictate you."

I sighed. I never heard my parents dictate me. They were never at home to punish me. I guess that's why some of my friends wished they had parents like mine, because they're never around. But for me, it's different, because I wished my parents were around to punish me or to get upset with me if I've done something wrong. At least I would know they cared about me.

"Just be thankful that your parents were upset. It shows that they care about you."

"You right, I guess. I just wish they would leave me alone sometimes. It seems like I'm this helpless little girl that needs her parents' decisions on everything in my life. I just wish they would let me grow up."

"I understand Charlie. But sometimes, it good to have parents that try to look out for you. Trust me, you will thank them in the future."

Charlie laughed through the phone.

"Yeah, I guess. I better go. I'm really not supposed to be on the phone, but I'm glad you called."

"No problem. Besides, I was concerned about you."

I could tell Charlie was smiling through the phone.

"I'm glad you were. I'll see you tomorrow, Michael."

"We still on for tomorrow night?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it," Charlie said.

"Good night, Miss Perry."

"Good night, Mr. Collier."

When I hung up the phone, I put my hands behind the back of my head and sighed. I didn't know where Charlie and me were heading, but I hoped it was toward something good. Something that could last forever.

~

It was the next day,
and it was homecoming. While I was heading out the door, my parents were came in looking tired and drunk. Leave it to my parents to make a grand entrance. I looked at my watch and noticed it was 9:30. The game started at 11a.m., so hopefully my parents would be sober by then.

"Must have been a good party last night," I said in a dull tone.

"Yes it was. How was your night last night?" My mom asked. She walked into the kitchen, almost tripping over the bar stool near the wet bar. My dad walked in also, about ready to pass out on the kitchen counter.

"It was good. Listen, I have to go. Are you two still coming to the game?"

"Of course sweetheart. We wouldn't miss it for the world," my mom said quietly.

I smiled while my mom kissed my forehead. From the sound of her voice, I already knew what that meant. I knew my parents weren't coming. They were going to be too busy sleeping off their drunkenness. I turned around and headed toward the door, out to my car.

As I arrived at Belmont, the parking lot was already packed with students, teachers, parents, and alumni, ready to cheer their Spartans on. As I got out of my car, I noticed Charlie was parking her car alongside mine. She got out looking more beautiful than ever, wearing her cheerleading outfit. Two other girls, whom I assumed were Eva and Ashley, got out of the car as well, and started to look around the campus. Charlie went over to me and wrapped her honey-colored arms around me.

"Good morning," I said softly.

"Hey," Charlie said.

We were about to kiss when someone interrupted us. We looked over and noticed Charlie's friends were looking at us with a look of impatience on their faces.

"Sorry. Eva, Ashley, I would like you to meet Michael Collier. Michael, these are my two best friends, Eva and Ashley."

"Hello," Ashley said as she extended her hand out to Michael. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," I said to Ashley.

Eva looked at the scene and rolled her eyes. From the looks of it, she didn't like me too much. I didn't know why, since we'd never met.

"Hi," Eva said softly.

"Hi," I replied.

"How are you this morning?" I asked Charlie.

"I'm fine. My parents are coming to the game, so you might see them. Hopefully we can all start over."

I smiled. "I hope so too. Well I would love to stay and talk to you some more, but I have to get ready. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye," Charlie said as she kissed my cheek.

I looked at her and pulled her toward me. I had to touch her lips. We stood there for a minute kissing, until I pulled away from her. I smiled and started to walk toward the back of the building. I could tell I took Charlie's breath away with that kiss. Hopefully that kiss would be one of many that we would share.

Charlie

After the embarrassing scene from last night, my parents insisted that they would come to the game. They wanted to meet the guy I was making out with at a park after hours. At first I was so upset with them for blasting me like that about what happened. It wasn't like I was having sex in the backseat of Michael's car. We were just making out. I knew my parents had done some things when they were my age, so what was the big deal? As I was leaving the house, my mom pulled me to the side and gave me an intense look.

"Mom, I really have to go," I said.

"I know, but I just wanted to say this. I know you are old enough now to make your own decisions, but I just want you to know that you will always be my little girl. I just don't want you to make a decision that could change your life forever."

"What are you talking about, Mom? Michael and I were just making out. We were not having sex."

"Really? I always thought when two people were at a park after hours, that's what they're doing."

"No, Mom. Didn't it ever occur to you that we could of been talking? What do you think I am, some slut?"

"I never said that Charlie."

"That's what you're implying."

"Well answer this for me then. Are you still a virgin?"

"I'm not answering that," I said as I opened the front door.

Just the question my mom asked really made me upset. How could she ask that? Did she think that I would give it up to Michael after knowing him for four days?

"Why can't you answer the question Char? You must not be." She said from the door while I was opening my car door.

I turned around and looked at my mom.

"I'm not answering it because it's none of your business. For someone who thinks I'm old enough to make decisions, you sure don't trust me to make them," I said as I slid into the driver's seat.

I knew my mom wanted to say something more, but I didn't let her. I pulled out of the driveway and sped down the street toward Eva's house.

As I approached Eva's, I noticed Ashley's Ford Focus was already parked in the driveway, so I parked my car on the street. I didn't have to get out because the two were already out the door. After telling the two I was going to Belmont's homecoming dance, the two were eager to go. I don't know why, but they were excited. As Eva got into the front seat and Ashley in the back, I drove towards Belmont.

"So how are my girls doing? Do you miss me at Parker?" I asked over the blazing sounds of Miguel's new song.

"Nah. It's like you were never there," Eva said laughing.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," I said laughing.

"So what I hear that you're dating Mr. All-American?" Ashley said as she looked at me smiling.

I looked at Eva with a mean look on my face. Leave Eva to open her big mouth. I wanted to tell Ashley myself about Michael, but I guess Eva couldn't keep her mouth shut.

"We're not dating. Technically tonight is our first date."

"So it is true. You officially walked over to the other side."

"What's with this 'other side' crap? Michael is a human being just like everybody else. The way you're talking, it sounds like he's an alien or something."

"Sorry Char. I didn't mean to say it like that. It's just that I never thought you would be talking to a white guy, but I'm not mad at you. As long as he makes you happy."

"Thanks Ash," I said smiling. I looked over at Eva who turned her head toward the window. I didn't know what Eva's problem was over Michael and me, but I didn't care. Not her, or anyone else, was going to rain on my parade.

We pulled up into Belmont's parking lot, and already crowds were everywhere getting ready for the big game. I looked over and noticed Michael parking his car so I pulled in next to him. Just watching him get out of the car made me sweaty. I didn't know what he was doing to me, but I didn't want it to change.

After introducing Ashley and Eva to Michael, I noticed that Eva didn't look at Michael. I would have to talk to Eva later and ask her what's going on. If Michael's going to be my man, she'll have to accept it.

Ashley looked at me and grabbed my hand.

"Damn girl, Michael is hot," she said smiling.

"I know." I smiled back.

Eva looked down on the ground and sighed. I could tell the conversation was becoming a little tense for her. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Eva knew Michael.

"Is something wrong Eva? You've been kind of quiet."

"Nothing's wrong," she said. She looked at me and gave me a weak smile.

I could tell my best friend was hiding something. Whatever it was, I was going to find out.

12. Michael

After getting dressed
into my football uniform, I walked out of the locker room to get some air. I always got nervous before a game. I guess because all the pressure of winning fell to me. I put the back of my head on the wall and took several deep breaths. I needed to calm down. I wouldn't be any good to the team if I went out on the field nervous. I started to walk back and forth down the narrow hallway trying to get myself together, when I felt a pair of soft hands go around my waist. Just the feel of those hands made me feel relaxed.

How did Charlie get back here?

I didn't know and I didn't care. I needed to feel her hands on me. I just needed to feel her near me.

"How you get back here?" I asked.

I turned around and nearly jumped. Danielle was standing behind me with a huge grin on her face.

"Ah, you thought it was little Miss Charlie? Think again Mike," she said as she walked around me.

I looked at her and rolled my eyes.

"How did you get back here, Danielle?"

"It not your concern, Michael. I just wanted to wish you good luck today, that's all."

I started to shake my head at Danielle.

"Please. There's got to be something else to your surprise visit. You know what; I don't care why you're back here. I have to go," I said while walking off. Danielle grabbed my arm as I walked past her. I looked at her and pulled my arm away from her.

"Listen Michael, I know we're not together anymore, but I thought we could be friends."

"That went out the door when our relationship went out. I don't want anything to do with you Danielle. So can you please leave me alone?"

Danielle looked at me with her blue eyes sparkling. I tried not to look into them because they were my weakness. Whatever she wanted, she gets it due to her beautiful eyes.

"I didn't think it would come to this, Michael. After all we have been through together. I can't believe you're going to throw three years out like that."

"You didn't think about that when you cheated on me, did you?"

"Oh, like you didn't do anything to break us up? You had your share of secrets too. Just wait until your little girlfriend Charlie finds out what you been up to before she met you. I bet she won't like it one bit."

"You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would. In a heartbeat. I would love to see her broken like she did to me."

"Leave her alone. She didn't do anything to you."

"Oh yes she did. Not only did she take you away from me, but she took my captain position away too. She deserves to pay."

"You did that all by yourself. Even if I wasn't with Charlie, we would have never gotten back together. So whatever you do, it not going to solve anything."

"I know, but it will be fun to see what will happen," Danielle said. She walked up, gave me a kiss on my cheek, and stalked off toward the field. I looked in the direction she was walking and put my head into my hands. I couldn't believe she would do that to me. I really didn't need the added stress. Not right now.

After a few minutes of calming down,
I went back into the locker room, where I found the team going over last minutes plays. I went over to Chris and kneeled beside him. He looked over at me and put his hand on my shoulder. We knew today was an important game. Not only was it homecoming, but we were one game short of being first in our division. We had to win this game so we could be first place in the playoffs. I would love to win a championship before I graduated; but right now, I had to focus on the game we're about to play.

"You ready, Collier?" Coach Phillips asked.

Everyone looked over at me with curious looks on their faces.

I looked at everyone. I knew they counted on me to give my all out there. Just like I counted on my teammates to do their best.

"Ready as I can be."

"Are you going to give one hundred percent out there?"

"Of course, Coach. I'm not going to let you or the team down today."

"That's what I want to hear," Coach Phillips said as he went over to the door. "Okay everybody. It's show time," he said as he opened the door.