Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Chapter Nine - Changing

Hiding In the Open

Chapter 9: Changing

-::Mickey's POV::-

"The limo?" I asked.

"The limo." he nodded. And so we ran off...


... I know what you're thinking. I can't tell him I love him but I can... you know. But we didn't. We

just made out. The next day I felt awful. How can someone like me not be in love with him, but

make out with him? I don't do that. That wasn't me. I grew up on morals that I have to love the

man before I lust him and I mean even kissing. I was changing. I could feel it and I didn't like it.

He was too. But he was going down a different path. It was over time, but I could see he was

getting... protective. Borderline overprotective. I just thought it was cute. But then one beautiful

summer day in June, right after school got out, it hit me. He was going to be a senior. He was

leaving in a year. So I attributed that to the fact of his... protectiveness. But there was that stupid

gut intuition feeling again... deep down, I knew something was up. I just didn't want to admit it.


Who would?

-::Bret's POV::-

I couldn't let her out of my sight. I don't know why. If we weren't together, I'd call and text her to

make sure of where she was and what she was doing. She was special to me and I didn't want her

to be with any other guys. If she was with Ash, I felt a bit better. I wouldn't call or text as often.

But I still did. One day she wouldn't text me back. I got so worried. So I called her house.

"Hello?" she answered the phone.

"Mickey, oh thank god." I said.

"Oh hey Bret! What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"What's wrong?" I asked shocked. "You haven't called me, you haven't answered any of my texts.

I've been worried sick."

"Oh, hun, I'm so sorry!" she said. "My phone was off 'cause I was out with my parents and I forgot

to turn it back on."

"Really?" I asked, wanting to believe it, but for some reason, not.

"I swear." she promised.

"Alright." I said, easing up. "So how was your day... with you parents?"

"It was good." she answered. "We went out to breakfast then we went shopping for a new

dishwasher. The one we had broke because someone stuck a fork in it and it got caught. Well

it actually broke because someone try to yank it out and said "Oh I can fix that." How about

NOT!" she said emphasizing each "someone" as if they were in the same room and putting on a

dumb voice for "Oh I can fix that". Then she added "Gosh my dad can be so clueless."

"Hey I heard that!" said a male voice in the background that definitely belonged to her father. She

giggled. That giggle just washed the rest of my tension away.

"Sound like fun." I said laughing softly along with her.

"Oh yeah. Tons." she answered sarcastically. "So what's up with you? Well, other than worrying

about me."

"Oh nothing." I replied. "Just went out to the field to practice throwing..."

"So basically you were just worrying about me." she said. I love how she knows I really throw to

think unless I'm at practice or if I have a big game. It was summer. No games and no practice until

August.

"Yeah, pretty much." I said.

"I'm sorry, really. Please don't be mad." she begged.

"I'm not mad, I'm not mad." I assured her. And I wasn't... totally.

"Well, how about I make it up to you?" she said.

"How?" I asked.

"Well, part of it would be a date night." she said.

"And the other part?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well that would be a surprise." she said.

"Oooo, I like surprises!" I said.

"Hmmm, I think you'll love this one." she said mysteriously, but as if she was dropping a hint.

"I can't wait. So when?" I asked.

"You doing anything tonight?" she asked.

"Nope." I said.

"Then tonight." she said. "I'll call and get reservations. Hopefully I can this late in the day."

"Great. What time?" I asked.

"6:30 reservation for 7:00." she suggested.

"Sounds perfect." I said. "Wait what should I wear?"

"Oh a nice shirt, tie, slacks and a blazer would be appropriate." she said.

"Cool. So I'll see you at 6:30 when I pick you up?" I asked to clerify.

"Yep." she confirmed.

"Great, see you then." I said.

"Yeah." she answered dreamily, obviously day dreaming about how our date will go. "I promise

it'll be a night neither of us will forget." Then she hung up.

Chapter Eight Part Two! - Dancing Queen

Hiding In the Open

Part One: the Beginning

Chapter Eight Part Two: Dancing Queen

-::Mickey's POV::-

I had a grand entrance. Me! It was truly amazing. Jeanie and Jake went first, followed by Will and

Asheigh. After them it was Bret and I. The place was amazing. It was a mansion. The decorations

were fantastic. The theme was "Enchanted Rose Gardens" There was a dance floor inside and one

outside too. Also outside were the rose gardens.

"Whoa, the school sure pulled out all the stops." I said.

"Yeah, thankfully the head of the comittee has a filthy rich dad who owns this place." he said.

"Who?" I asked.

"Sierra." Bret answered nonchalantly.

"Of course." I said. "So, now what?"

"We dance." Bret smiled. My eyes widened. "What?" he asked. "It's Prom. There's dancing." I shook my

head. "Come on, sweetheart. Don't worry. I'll lead."

He took my hand and I instinctly followed him to the dance floor. We started slowly, then I started

to get into it and rock out. Then Jeanie, Jake, Ash and Will joined us. After a while it was slow

dance time. I cuddled close to Bret, my hands in his. The smell of his colone, the beat of his heart,

the thump of the bass... I was in heaven. But deep in my gut, I felt something was wrong, really,

really wrong. But I pushed it away. I wanted to enjoy the dance and not have it ruined by any

stupid women's intuition. Unfortunately, it did almost did.

-::Bret's POV::-

The night was going... ok. She was a bit quiet. I took her outside to one of the rose gardens. I

turned my back for a second, to take a breath.

"Bret?" she asked.

"Yes?" I answered, stilled faced the other way.

"Don't tell me you're going to be cheesy and tell me you love me." I whipped around.

"How'd yo-"

"Don't say it." she said, or more like pleaded.

"OK, I won't." I said.

"Good." she said looking relieved.

"But I do." I whispered.

"No! I said, not to Bret!" she said frusterated.

"I didn't." I said defensively.

"It was implied." she said crossing her arms.

"What's so wrong about me loving you?" I asked.

"Because, we're kids!" she said. "We're not old enough to know what real love is."

"But... Ash told me you told her you are in love with me." I said.

"Yeah, well I told her that when I thought I was. I just realized like two and a half hours ago I'm

not." she said. My heart sank. "Look, don't take this the wrong way. I still like, like you. I'm just not

ready for love."

"I can deal with that." I said. "I respect that. You're not ready, so no pressure."

"Thank you." she said.

"You know," I smirked. "You're way, too mature for your age." She smiled.

"I get that a lot." she answered.

"Wann go back inside?" I asked.

"Not until after this." she came over too me and wrapped her arms around me and kissed me. It

was so passionate I almost fell over. I guess it was her way of thanking me. I pulled away.

"I wasn't done!" she said.

"Well then why don't we take this else where?" I asked.

"The limo?" she asked.

"The limo." I nodded. And so we ran off...

Chapter Eight Part One! - Dancing Queen

Hiding In the Open

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter 8 Part One: Dancing Queen

-::Mickey's POV::-

How did it happen? I have no idea. One day I'm a klutzy freshman the next I'm Prom Queen. Yes, I

said it. I won Junior Prom Queen as a freshman. Bret won King of course. I realized, if I'm still with

Bret next year, I will go to Prom every year of high school! But let me back up and tell you the

story of my first prom night.

--------------------------------

I woke up extra early and I was too excited to do anything. The anticipation of the night to come

was killing me. So I decided to write. No, not an article. A song. You see I'm actually very musical. I

sing, play piano and I've taught myself guitar. But the thing I do most is write lyrics. But this time I

combined all four in one song.

Great and Grand

V1: I've always been one for romance.

And this boy's got me in a trance.

Since I met him, I can't sleep at night.

He just makes, the world all right.


I see him walking down the hall.

Oh to me I know he's got it all.

And now I can, hold him close.

That's the one thing, I love the most.


Chorus: Oh isn't it great when your dreams come true?

Isn't it great to hear "I like you too?"

Isn't it grand when he kisses you in the moonlight?

Isn't it grand when he talks with you 'til midnight?

Isn't it nice how he whistles a happy tune?

Isn't it nice how he only does that when he's with you?

Isn't it sweet how holds your hand?

Isn't it sweet that life can be... so great and grand?


V2: I never had dreams about my life.

And now he's there every night.

I love how he texts me, "Good Morning."

It just gets me, up and going!


Chorus: Oh isn't it great when your dreams come true?

Isn't it great to hear "I like you too?"

Isn't it grand when he kisses you in the moonlight?

Isn't it grand when he talks with you 'til midnight?

Isn't it nice how he whistles a happy tune?

Isn't it nice how he only does that when he's with you?

Isn't it sweet how holds your hand?

Isn't it sweet that life can be... so great and grand?


Bridge: Every time I look in his eyes,

I can see his feelings match mine.

Every time I see his smile,

I know everyday is worth our while.

Every time he holds my hand,

The meaning is easy to understand.

Every time he kisses me,

I know we are so meant to be.


Chorus: Oh isn't it great when your dreams come true?

Isn't it great to hear "I love you too?"

Isn't it grand when he kisses you in the moonlight?

Isn't it grand when he talks with you until midnight?


Isn't it nice how he whistles a happy tune?

Isn't it nice how he only does that when he's with you?

Isn't it sweet how holds your hand?

Isn't it sweet that life can be... so great and grand?

(Great and grand, great and grand.)

So great and grand.

(Great and grand, great and grand.)

Isn't life great? Isn't life... grand?


I recorded it on my Mac with Garage Band. Then I finalized everything and sent it to iTunes. Then I

burned a CD and made a cover for it. It was going to be a little Prom present for Bret. By the time

I was done, it was time to get ready.

"Awww, sweetheart!" my mom cooed when I was done. "You look so beautiful!"

"Thanks Mom." I said.

"You do look beautiful." my dad agreed.

"Thank you Daddy!" I could tell he was choking back tears. His little baby girl is growing up, just

like Alysa did.

"Photo opp!" my mother sang. She ran to get the camera.

Thankfully my parents already met Bret. Apparently, he'd come to my house to ask

permission to take me to Prom and to date me. This all happened while I was at a study night with the

girls. My parents were so impressed with him being such a gentleman that they couldn't say "no". So

tonight there won't be any awkward talks. But I trusted Bret.

Then the doorbell rang.

"He's here!" I said. I ran up the stairs and hid in the hall for my entrance I'd prepared for him. My

father opened the door to let Bret in.

"Ah, Mr. Gibson." my father stuck out his hand.

"Good evening Mr. Reese." Bret said firmly shaking the outstreched hand.

"Bret. So nice to see you." My mother came back with the camera in hand.

"Mrs. Reese." Bret said taking her and and giving it a gentle kiss. "How are you this fine evening?"

"I am quite well thank you." she blushed.

While Bret was looking away I poised myself and appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Hello Bret." I said lightly.

-::Bret's POV::-

"Hello Bret." said an angelic voice from above. I looked up to see the angle I heard. I gasped. She

was stunning. She started to glide down the stairs. I quickly positioned myself to greet her. I took

her soft hand and looked into her eyes.

"You look... breathtaking." I said. She looked down embarassed.

"Well, you look handsome yourself." she said smiling. I couldn't help but smile back. This is

going to be a good night.


"I have a surprise for you." I said when we left the house.

"Oh?" she questioned, excitement glistening in her eyes.

"Look." I pointed to a white stretch limo Hummer.

"OMG!!! No way!" she enthused. I laughed. "Oh god, how bad is this for the environment?"

"It's just one night." I said. She smiled.

"This is our driver, Mr. Lewis." I said.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Lewis." she said, shaking his hand.

"The pleasure is all mine Ms. Reese." he answered. Then he opened the door for us.

"You get in." she said.

"Ladies first." I insisted.

"No, just get in." she continued. "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, OK." I said. Now I'm excited. I hopped in. But I saw her hand something to the driver. She

said something to him as well. Then she got in.

"Whoa!" she said when she saw the inside of the limo.

"I know." I said. "Cool, huh?"

"Uh, YEAH!" she answered. "But how?"

"My uncle owns a limo company." I said. "But I have another surprise for you." We stopped at a

park. That's where Will was with Ash and Jake was with Jeanie.

"OMG NO WAY!!!" she exclaimed. She threw open the door. "You guys didn't tell me you were

coming!"

"Well, YEAH!" Jeanie said. "It's Junior Prom and we're popular. It's in our given right to go."

"Sure." I said smiling while Mickey giggled. I almost died. I loved her giggle. They all piled in the limo,

also exclaming how cool it was.

"You guys are just in time!" she said. "I was just about to play a surprise I made for Bret. Hit it, Mr.

Lewis." A beautiful song came on.

"You wrote this?" I asked her. She nodded.

"I did the piano and the guitar too." she added. We listened to the song then turned on some

other songs. Then we arrived at the dance.




Part One: Chapter Seven - Turning Tables

Hiding In the Open

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter Seven: Turning Tables

-::Mickey's POV::-

Ever since that day at lunch, Ash, Jeanie and I all became... well... popular. People said hi to us in

the halls. Guys started flirting with us. Girls were asking us for advice. We were invited to parties!

It was great. I even became not only a reporter for the paper but the advice co-columist as well. I

got a leading role in the school musical too! I was doing so well socially that I started doing better

in class. I became sort of a teacher's pet. Things couldn't have gotten better. But they did.

Who: Bret

Where: Cafeteria

When: Lunch two and a half months til summer and two weeks til Junior Prom

What: Asked me to Junior Prom meaning he's also asking me to be his gf

How: Standing on stage and singing a song he wrote for me

Why: Only he and God know

"Um, so, I'm not much of a singer or a guitar player but... here goes." he said into the mic. "This

song is called "Hey Mickey."" Then he started stomping and clapping a familiar beat. Stomp, clap,

stomp, stomp, clap. Stomp, clap, stomp, stomp, clap. "Hey Mickey you're so fine You're so fine you

blow my mind. Hey Mickey! Hey, hey! Hey Mickey!" Then he started playing some chords as the

crowd did the stomping and clapping. "Hey Mickey you're so fine You're so fine you blow my mind.

Hey Mickey! Hey, hey! Hey Mickey!" Then he did an ending chord. "That was just a warm up. But

here's the serious ballad."

V1: Last night I had a dream about a girl.

She was more beautiful than any in the world.

When she smiled, I just melted.

Love was a joke, 'til I felt it.

Now my life isn't the same.

It's not about winning the big game.

It about keeping the ones you love,

Close enough to touch.

Chorus: Hey, hey Mickey,

I know you're the one for me-ee-he-ee.

Hey, hey Mickey,

I know we're meant to be.

I can't stop thinking about you.

I hope you feel the same too. Oh.

Hey, hey Mickey,

I love the way you walk.

Hey, hey Mickey,

I love the way you talk.

If there's one thing I know,

it's when you're here the day glows.

Yeah. Hey, hey Mickey.


The song was heartfelt and bueatiful. After he was done, he came down from the stage to me. He

stood me up, took my hands and bent on one knee.

"Mickayla Joy Reese, will you go to Prom with me?" he asked.

"I-I-I-I..." I stuttered on my words.

"She means to say yes!" Ash said for me.

"I want the answer from her." Bret said.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-e-e-s-s. Yes!" I said. The whole school went wild. Bret smiled the biggest smile I've ever

seen him give. His eyes were glistening with happiness. He stood up, looked at me for a split

second the pulled me in and kissed me. The wildness turned into close to chaos at that. But I

didn't hear it. I was in the arms of the man I loved. I was kissing my knight, my Prince Charming.



And I knew I was ready for it.


-::Bret's POV::-

I couldn't believe it. She was mine.


Finally.

Part One: Chapter six - Surprise

Hiding In the Open

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter Six: Surprise

-::Bret's POV::-

After the dream I couldn't look at her the same. I almost felt like a sinner. But then I realized how

stupid I was. I had no control over my dreams.

"Hey Mickey." I said sitting down with her like I'd been doing for the past few lunches since... that

day.

"Hey, Bret." she said matter of factly. "I need an interview for the school newspaper and I was

wondering if you'd be willing."

"The school newspaper?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm the newest recruit." she smiled. "My mom said I needed more extracuirrculars than

just drama and choir and since I love to write I figured it would be fun."

"Oh cool." I said. "Interview away."

She asked me about how I juggled football, school and my social life. She asked me about my

plans for after high school. Than she asked me about a bunch of little things like my favorite food

and my favorite hang out where I got my clothes. Every answer I gave she was writing vigorously

in her notebook.

"Thanks Bret." she smiled. "You might make front page."

"No problem." I said smiling back.

The next day at school was... strange. People were saying hi to me in the halls and the boys were

giving me high fives. After the break up with SiSi and since I started eating with freshman, my

popularity had gone down. What was going on?

"Heeey Bret!" SiSi waved. "You're looking cute today."

"Um, thanks?" I asked confused.

"Why haven't you been eating with us?" she asked as if nothing happened. "We miss you."

"SiSi, cut the crap please?" I said.

"What crap?" she asked innocently. "You're the most popular guy in school, so you should eat with

the other popular people."

"S, my popularity is gone after... what happened." I said.

"Well now it's back." she smiled, handing me a packet. I looked down. It was the school

newspaper. On the front page was a picture of me.

BRET GIBSON: A QUIET KNIGHT IN HIDDEN ARMOR

by Mickayla Reese

We all know of him. He's QB of our football team, the most gorgous guy in the school and
probably the most charismatic. But many people don't know him. I do. Recently he has had
some tough times in his life. Through decisions he made on his own, his popularity was diminished. But why? If he really was popular, people would like him for who he is, not because he fits a mold that our social student body has sculped for him. I've known Bret since the first day of this year. He's become a good friend to me. I know him better than more than half of you. I know that he is a quiet but beautiful, caring and kind person. He willingly gave up his popularity to be my friend. I once accused him of not being chivalrous. But I was wrong, horribly wrong. He is a quiet knight in hidden armor, secretly, silently sacrificing himself to be a friend.


The article then went into the interview. I couldn't believe it. She stood up for me. I could feel the

tears in my eyes. I don't cry... except at my grandma's funeral. I quickly blinked them back before

anyone could see.

"She's right." SiSi admitted. "The freshman's right." She took my hand. "During our relationship

you always were doing something for me. And I never thanked you once. So thank you." She

kissed me on the cheek and left.

-::Mickey's POV::-

"I can't believe it worked!" Ash squealed. "No one reads the paper!"

"That's why it's helpful that the editor of the paper is a senior that has a blog." I smiled. "She

spread the word."

"Mickey, I have never met anyone like you." Jeanie said. "I'm glad I did meet you."

"Awww, thanks Jeanie." I threw my arms around her and engulfed her in a hug.

"Mickey?" The voice that called my name was filled with emotion. I turned to se Bret's eyes filled

with gratitude. "Thank you." I stood up and took his hands.

"If anyone deserves it, it's you." I whispered. He pulled me into a bear hug. When he let go he said,

"Come on, there are some people I want you to meet." He took my hand and led me to the

popular table.

"Hey guys. This, is Mickey." he said.

"Hi Mickey!" the group said in unison.

"Hi." I said weakly. "It's so nice to meet you."

"Hi I'm Sierra!" the goddess jumped up and stuck out her hand. "I can tell we're going to be great

friends."

"Uh right." I said. In your dreams chica.

"This is Megan, Jake, Brock, Lily, and Will." he introduced me. Lunch was nice with the populars

but it wasn't the same without Ash and Jeanie. I said this to Bret and he nodde his head. He got up

to go get them. The moment he was out of earshot, the group turned on me.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh you know what." SiSi snapped.

"Yeah, I thought you'd turn out to be a bitch." I said almost conversationaly.

"Excuse me?" she asked shocked and so was the group.

"Yes, you're excused." I said. "But only this once. You treat me like that again and you could be

socially murdered by a pen and paper... or more like a computer and paper."

"Oh you think that just because you are a school newspaper reporter you have power over us?"

Megan asked.

"Shut up Megan and let me handle this." SiSi sneered. "So you think that just because you are a

school newspaper reporter you have power over us?"

"Um you took that from Megan. She has as much of a right to speak as you do." I said. "And I'm

sure she's sick of not having her own voice."

"Yeah!" Megan said. "And Sierra there's one thing I'd like to say... well there's more than one thing

but an important one is..." she took a deep breath and said, "I'm in love with Bret and I think he

deserves more that a selfish, self-centered, fake, bitch-whore like you!" Sierra gasped and so did

the rest of the group.

"You did NOT just say that!" Sierra cut at her.

"I did. And I won't take a word of it back." she said. "I've had enough of your crap." She turned to

leave the table. But Sierra, not knowing how to handle being stood up to like that, went wild...

literally.

"Yeeeeeee- yah!" she ran and jumnped on Megan's back tackling her.

"Sierra! What the f**ck!!!" Megan screeched. Of course the whole school was watching. It turned

into a full blown cat fight... or bitch fight. Then Bret and the girls came over to me.

"What'd I miss?" Bret asked confused. I told them. They weren't so shocked about SiSi turning on

me but thet were shocked Megan turned on her. Soon some teachers came to break up the fight.

Bret and I introduced the girls to the rest of the group and we finished up an interesting lunch.

Part One: Chapter Five - Aftermath

Hiding In the Open

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter Five: Aftermath

-:Bret's POV:-

The rain was lightly falling outside. In the distance I could hear the thunder and I'd see a flash of

lightening. It reminded me of what I felt when she and I kissed. I couldn't stop thinking about that

kiss. It was more than anything that I ever felt with any of my past girlfriends. After a hard

practice in the rain that went late again, I sunk into my bed. I breathed in heavily. The smell filled

my lungs and spread through my body like wildfire. It smelled like her perfume. But why? The

sweet scent burned in my nostrils. It lulled me into a trance. I started to doze. A light sleep fell

over my eyes like today's rain fell on the grass. The thunder and lightening that followed was a

dream. The backdrop was a white room. I was with her. I could tell it was years in the future

because she looked different. We looked different… older. Also we were in a bed together. I

had just my shirt off, but she was completely unclothed. However she was facing away from me

and the sheet was covering her up to her chest. An open oak wood window with mesh curtains

was on the wall to the left. A light breeze flowed through and blew her hair back into my face,

along with her shampoo and perfume. The pulse of my blood pounded in my ears as I inhaled.

Edward Cullen has nothing on her. I thought. I lowered my neck to her bare shoulder and

lightly traced my lips along her skin. She rolled her head to the side and then up closing her eyes,

enjoying the pleasure of my simple but effective gesture of affection. A smile spread across her

lips.

"Bret." she whispered.

"Hm?" I murmered.

"I love you." she said, now tracing her lips along my jawbone. The hairs on my neck stood up and I

could feel the goosebumps along with them.

"I love you too." I said, combing my fingers through her hair. More perfume. Now it just wafted

about the room, lingering, dancing around my senses, pulling me into a fantasy I could only

dream.


-::Mickey's POV::-

I was curious. Can a girl help it if she's curious? So I went into his room to see what it was like.

"I'll be right back." I told the girls. "Bathroom." They nodded and went back to work. I crepted

down the hall to where his room was. I opened the door slowly. His room was part typical teenage

boy with blue walls and sports (mostly football) stuff. But it had it's own personality, Bret's

personality in the sense that it was spotless and organized. There was a place for everything and

everything was in its place. I walked along the wide room. I looked at his bookcase and his dresser

letting my fingers drag along them. Then I reached his bed. I laid down on it and closed my eyes

wondering what he dreamed about. After a minute or two I decided I'd "been in the bathroom"

long enough and I went back to the room.

That night I called my sister Alysa who was away at college.

"Hey Mouse!" That's what my family calls me. It orginated from Mickey Mouse but I was a really

tiny child so I be came Mouse and it stuck. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. Just wanted to chat." I answered.

"Ok, what's the problem?" she asked knowingly. So I told her about Bret.

"Awwww, my baby sister's found her prince charming!" she cooed.

"Oh shut up!" I said. "Just tell me what I should do."

"Well, since you're not ready for a relationship, just do something for him to show you care,

something big." she advised.

"Something big... oh! I got it!" I said. "Thanks Alysa!" I hung up and immediatley got to work.

Part One: Chapter Four - Belated Confrontation

Hiding In the Open

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter Four: Belated Confrontation

The three of us were sprawled out on the family room floor with our homework spread out. This

study date was going fine until he walked in the door.

"You're home early." Ash said to him.

"Coach let us out early." he said a bit harshly glancing at me.

"That doesn't seem like coach." Ash said prying. "He's not that nice."

"Fine, I had a bad practice, OK?" he said, now fully harsh. "I just have some things on my mind."

He swung his bag over his shoulder and ran upstairs. The girls just stared at me.

"Oh what?" I asked. "You think I'm the reason for his bad practice? That I'm the "things" on his

mind?"

"Yep." Jeanie said.

"Can't think of anything else." Ash shrugged.

"Guys it can't be me." I said. "I mean, they're so many reasons why he couldn't be into me."

"It's been almsot six and a half months and all he's done is stare at you." Ash said. "He's so in love

with you."

"Well..." I trailed off. I realized I wasn't really in love with him... not yet anyway.

"Well what?" Jeanie asked.

"I'm not in love with him." I said. "I mean he'd be a good friend, but right now, that's it."

"Well, ok." Ash said, not convinced. Then I heard steps on the stairs.

"Hey, Mickey, can I talk to you?" Bret asked. I looked at the girls. They had smirks on their faces.

"Uhhh, sure." I said. I got up and mouthed to the girls "Stay here" because I knew they would

listen in. Then I followed Bret up the stairs to the back hallway.

"Mickayla, I just wanted to say-" he started to say but I cut him off.

"Bret, stop. Listen, I judged you. I jumped to conclusions and put you in a stereotype that you do

not belong in." I confessed. "I'm sorry for that and that this apoplogy is so late." The look in his

eyes, his beautiful eyes, was that of relief but also of conflict. At that moment, I wanted to kiss him,

badly. But I didn't. I knew I wasn't ready.

"Thank you." he whispered. "I want to be your friend, not your enemy, no matter the cost."

"Then eat lunch with me..." I said. He smiled and opened his mouth but I added, "... when your

friends are at school." His mouth closed and the smile faded.

"You found out." he said.

"Ash told me." I said. "That's the only thing I have an issue with. Why'd you lie.. or just not tell the

truth, rather?"

"I don't know. I guess I didn't think it was all that important." he answered.

"Well, I thought you were being chivalrous." I said. "But I guess not."

"Look, I'm sorry." he said, eyes pleading again. "I just- I just don't know what to do. I've never felt

this way about someone before, especially this fast. Besides my friends... well let's just say I don't

want to eat lunch with them for a while." I was silent, not knowing what to say. "You don't

have to say anything." he said answering my vacant thought.

"I-I-I should get back to the girls." I said.

"K." he said. I turned and headed back down the stairs. As I did, of course, I triped. And, of course,

he caught me. As he pulled me close, I looked into his deep lavender blue eyes. I felt the

connection. Then he pulled me closer. The spark, the electric shock that came with the touch of

his lips to mine was... invigorating, but scary at the same time. I wanted more but I knew that I

had to pull away.

"B-B-B-Bret..." I said breathlessly. "I-I can't do this. I-I'm sorry."

"OK." he said quietly. I turned around to head back down the stairs. It was then I realized that I

was in love with him. But I knew I wasn't ready for a relationship.

"So what happened?" Ash asked when I joined them.

"Well, we talked. Then I tripped coming back down the stairs and he caught me." I said. "Then...

he kissed me."

"WHAT???" the girls squealed.

"Yep." I said.

"I hate to say I told you so but... I told you so!!!" Ash said.

"Yeah, you did." I admitted.

"Well?" Ash asked.

"Well what?" I asked back.

"Oh come on girl. You kissed! Now tell!" Jeanie said.

"Alright. I give in. It was amazing." I said.

"Eeeeeep!" was the reply.

"So that means...?" Ash pushed.

"I'm in love with him." I mumbled.

"What? I didn't quite cetch that." Jeanie faked.

"I'm in love with him." I said loud enough for them to hear but not be overheard. The respose was more squealing.

"So are you together?" Jeanie asked.

"No, I'm just not ready for a relationship." I answered honestly.

"Ok, whatever." Ash said.

"Can we just focus on homework now?" I asked. The girls reluctantly agreed.