My Gothic Obsession (8)

    Thursday was an interesting day. It started kind of like Wednesday, but soon progressed.
  In the morning, after getting dressed, I was surprised to find Ian and the rest of the gang waiting for me in Michael's car.
  "Awesome! You guys are going to give me a ride?" I smiled at my graveyard prince.
  He nodded then escorted me to the car, but not before giving me a long "good morning" kiss.
  When we reached the school, I received nothing but glares from Kadence as I decided to chill with the gang instead of go back over to them. I didn't want to go back to them. They were jerks and it was awkward standing around them while they cast judgmental glances at me, instead of just relaxing and chatting about the taco Chad ate last night for dinner.
  While I talked to Emily and Mehr, something caught my eye: Michael. I shifted my gaze to him. His washed out brown eyes stared back at me. He gave a half smile then looked back at Ian and continued whatever conversation they had going.
  Emily and Mehr had been talking about something, giggling and blushing.
  "What are you two talking about?" I smiled at them. "I kind of spaced out."
  Mehr giggled and laughed, "Leiah has a thing for Michael. Isn't that cute?"
  "How awkward would they look though?" Emily spoke. "She would totally crush him when they'd try to do it!"
  I was offended for her. "She isn't fat."
  They both stopped and looked at me. "Well," Mehr defended, "She isn't that fat, but she's tubby and he's as thin as a twig. She'd snap him in half."
  "Whatever." I grew tired of the topic.
  When the bell rang, Ian slipped his arm around me, ready to escort me to class.
  "What say we get there on time today?" he joked.
  I went through Chem, passing sexy glances back and forth between him and doodling in my notebook. I was less ADD today though, so I did my work and paid attention in my other classes.
  In fourth hour, my health class, I saw Devin sitting in the seat behind mine as I entered. His white hair was pulled back in a ponytail as he slouched back in his chair reading some book.
  I made my way over and took my seat, trying to go unnoticed by his eye, but he caught me.
  "Well, well." He sat up and leaned over. "Look who it is. I don't believe I caught your name, dear. Aphrodite was it?"
  "Where did you get that pick-up line? Some show on paper view?"
  He gave a deep seductive chuckle. "Don't have a TV, love. But it's flattering you think I'm some sort of pervert who watches porn in his free time. Are you always this charming?"
  I felt a little guilt. He seemed fairly decent...except for his penetrating, violating stare. His below freezing blue eyes glazed over me.
  "Is prudence such a bad thing?"
  He chuckled. "Indeed. It keeps you from experiencing life. What was your name, or should I make up some sort of pet name for you?"
  "My name is Ada."
  "What a lovely name. I've never heard that before."
  "It's short for Adela."
  "Does it originate from a French version?"
  "I don't know. I never bothered to research it."
  The teacher stood up and hushed us all and began his lesson.
  All through the class, I felt two cold eyes burning through me. I couldn't concentrate. Afterwards when I was cramming my binder and book back in my bag, he leaned against my desk, staring at me.
  "Are you free Friday?"
  I was shocked. "How dare you. You know I'm going out with Ian. And no, I'm not free Friday. I'm going out with my boyfriend."
  "No need to stress, love. I know, Organized Insanity is playing. But if you get bored, I'll be in the balcony, section A, right by the stage. You could get a better view of your precious Ian." He rolled his eyes at the mention of him, then left.
 
 At my locker, at the end of the day, I was at least not disturbed by Devin. Instead, my Gothic suture stood waiting for me.
  "Hey," I smiled and leaned into him, but when I tried to kiss him, he set his finger on my lips.
  "I wanted to talk to you about, erm...us."
  I felt my heart sink and my blood run cold. Was he breaking up with me?
  "I...think we should slow down...mainly me. I realize that I've been sort of...clingy. It's just been a while for me...with everything. Then, suddenly I had this beautiful girl in my arms, and I couldn't help myself. You know what I'm saying?"
  "You're not breaking up with me then?"
  "No! No, Ada. I'm not breaking up, I just want to get to know you, instead of your mouth," he said panicky.
  I calmed down and ingested his words. "You mean, when we were kissing, you were thinking further than just my lips and yours."
  I saw a pink blush rise in his cheeks. "Like I said...it's been a while."
  "I don't think you could be any cuter. You're adorable. I don't think I can help myself now." I reached up and kissed him. He indulged for a minute or so the pulled away.
  "I'm serious, Ada. So don't...don't tempt me."
  I smiled and ran my hands along his chest.
  "We need to get to the parking lot. Michael's waiting."
  "Just Michael?"
  "Yeah. Rob's picking Emily up and taking her out, Mehr has tennis practice, and Leiah is home sick."
  "Well, I'm sure he can wait for us..."
  "Sorry, babe. I have to work today. And Mehr told me to give you this." He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "It's your work schedule at Hot Topic. She said you forgot to pick it up Monday."
  "Thanks." I said melancholy, shoving the paper into my purse.
  "I'll catch ya later, hun," he said noticing my disappointment. He kissed my cheek then sent me off.
  As I came to the familiar black Camarrow, I saw Michael waiting, leaning on the hood, looking around for me. When he spotted me, he waving and started the car.
  "Hey." I threw my bag and purse in the back and got in the front.
  He nodded, a cigarette hanging loosely between his lips, then pulled out of the parking lot.
  Oddly, no music was playing.
  "Are you sad or something?" I asked.
  "No, why would you think that." He blew a puff of smoke out the window.
  "Well, usually you have music blaring."
  He glanced over at me, then turning his attention back on the road. "Yeah..." He paused. "I'm a little depressed."
  "You need someone to talk to or someone to just shut up and forget it all?"
  He gave a sad laugh. "I guess talking about it wouldn't hurt. My parents kicked me out last night because they don't like my smoking. Maybe if for one godamn second they would stop shouting and fighting, I could calm down and stop."
  "That's why you smoke?"
  "Yeah, man. When I was a kid they fought. I was a jumpy, paranoid little twerp. But, I don't know; smoking calms my nerves and an occasional puff of pot or something makes me temporarily forget everything. I just want to escape everything."
  "Well, I'm sure Rob or someone would let you stay with them. I would offer, but my parents are jerks and aren't too happy with me right now."
  "I stayed up in Ian's room at the superstore. But it's not just my parents. They've always been trouble, but it's also...I found out Leiah has a thing for me or something, but I don't feel the same. So now I have to tell her, and that'll throw off the whole balance of the group, and the girl I do like is seeing someone."
  "Well, maybe Leiah will understand...and you should go for the girl anyway. You're probably better than whoever she's with."
  "Not really. He's a pretty good guy. And she doesn't really even know I exist."
  "All girls notice guys. They have like a radar and can tell when someone is coming on to them, or just likes them."
  He came to a stop outside my house.
  "Apparently not," he said softly.
  I looked over at him confused. He threw out his cigarette and leaned over and kissed me.
  "Michael!" I exclaimed pulling away, placing my hand in between us. "I-I....I-"
  He leaned back in his seat, giving me air. "Sorry."
  I didn't know what to so. I grabbed my bag and purse and hurried out of the car to the house. When I reached the door, I turned around and watched him drive off.
  "Gah!" I kicked the door. "Stupid Ada. Now he's gonna be even more depressed." I ran inside, throwing my stuff on the floor of my room, then headed out to the garage, yelling to my mom that I'd be back later. I hopped on my bike and headed over to the superstore.
  Sure enough, Michael's Camarrow was parked around back, and I could see the soft glow of candles through the little window.
  I made my way inside and slowly up the stairs to the room. I cracked the door, trying to think of something to say. I squeaked as the door opened up quicker and Devin stood before me.
  He had to double take. "Ada? Well...we weren't expecting you."
  "We?"
  He widened the door and I saw Michael stretched out on a bean bag with a joint. He cocked his head, also not expecting me.
  "I came to talk to Michael." I said to Devin.
  "No problem, love. I was just leaving." He passed by me and exited.
  "Michael, I...I'm sorry," I said closing the door. "I shouldn't have just ran away."
  "It's fin, Ada; really. I would've run too."
  "No you wouldn't have. You would've been the gentleman you are and given me some explanation. Which is why I'm here."
  I took a seat on the other bean bag. I could see a twin size mattress stuffed in a corner with messy black sheets and a bag full of clothes sitting by it. A shirt or two lay on the floor as well.
  "I've just, never had to do this before. Usually I'm the one getting rejected."
  "Okay, usually lying doesn't help."
  "I'm serious. I've never had a boyfriend or anything."
  "So Ian's was your first?"
  "Yeah. He's my first boyfriend."
  "No, I mean..."
  "What? Oh! No! No, we haven't-no."
  "Are you kidding me? The way he hangs all over you and has to constantly touch you..."
  "We haven't, Michael. In fact, he talked to me earlier today about slowing down."
  "Whatever. You want some?" He pointed to his sandwich bag of marijuana.
  "No, I don't smoke."
  "It helps with the stress."
  "I don't have stress."
  "Yes you do. I can tell. You're upset about Ian. You thought everything was going okay, but now you're wandering if maybe his sweet way of asking to slow down is his gradual way of breaking up."
  "How the crap did you...?"
  He just shrugged and handed me a share of his joint. I held it and stared at it. I let out a deep sigh then took a puff, then another, and another. Then I remember Michael pulling out some beer. I drank a few...

  The next thing I remembered was waking up in the twin size bed. I stretched and felt a lump next to me. I pulled back the covers and saw Michael in a deep sleep with his head buried under his pillow. His bare pale flesh contrasted with the black sheets. I stared wide-eyed.
  I fell off the mattress and pulled on my clothes, freaking out. Not only had I...with Michael...but it was ten in the morning. I was late for school, had stayed here all night, and cheated on my sweet Ian. I started to panic and hyperventilate and cry. My blur of emotions knocked me to the floor, waking up Michael.
  He sat up and looked over at me, also surprised. "Ada?" he asked in a daze. Finally he collected his thoughts and, pulling on some pants, hurried over to me.
  "Ada, I am so fucking sorry. I..."
  I cried harder, covering my face and shivering at his touch, pushing his hand away. "I have to get to school," I managed to sob out.

  How could I write this in my journal?