Vulnerability

six: Tori

So I might have spent lunch with Michael Holden. In an empty classroom. What the hell?

"You know I've never done this before." I say.

"Done what?" Michael asks.

"Eaten lunch in an empty classroom." I say. I usually either eat in the common room or just skip lunch completely.

"Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything."

"Ew."

"What?" He asks.

"You're being way too disgustingly optimistic." I say.

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"Yes." He just laughs.

"Are we even allowed in here?" I ask.

"Yeah. It's Mr Ajayi's classroom. He's a good teacher. He won't care."

"Okay?"

We sit up to a table with our lunches. Not that we're really eating them.

"So," He begins. "Are we going to talk about it?"

"It?"

"You know, you kissing me. Twice by the way."

"Nope." I say.

"Okay then." He shrugs. He looks down at his food and starts picking at it.

I roll my eyes and sigh.

"Fine." I groan. "We can talk about it."

"Okay." He says. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you kiss me?" He looks genuinely like he wants an honest answer.

"I don't know." That's the best he'll get.

"That's all I get?"

"Yes."

"Did you want to?" He asks.

I pause.

"Yeah. I mean I guess." My voice quietens and I too look down at my food.

"Are you- do you like, like me?" He asks. Normally, I would laugh in his face, even if it was true. But I'm just too tired.

"I don't really like anyone." I say.

"Makes sense." He shrugs.

"I suppose.." I start, "I don't exactly feel towards you what I would feel towards anyone else. I don't know. You're.. different?" I think this is the most I've ever talked about my feelings towards someone.

"Okay, okay. One more question."

"You're really pushing it here." I glare at him.

"One more." He protests.

"One. More." I say.

"Would you kiss me again?"

Once again, normally I would laugh in his face, even if the answer was yes. His question really makes me think. The most I've ever thought in a few seconds. I think about drowning and taking him with me. I don't want that. But I also know that in his own way, he brings out the better in me. So, I say:

"Um, yeah. Maybe."

The next thing I know, he's cupping my face with his hands and kissing me. And I'm kissing back? His hair is sort of tickling my forehead as he leans forward more. My hands are resting on my lap still. Suddenly, Becky runs in.

"Tori! God there you are! I've bee-" She pauses when she sees me properly.

Michael and I pull apart and honestly I sort of want to be swallowed by the ground. Becky looks at us in shock.

"Oh my- Tori! You're kissing.. a boy." Her voice trails off. And then she squeals. "I'm like a proud mum!" I can only watch in half horror and half embarrassment for her.

"Ah! Ugh sorry! I'm gonna go now.. SORRY FOR INTERRUPTING!" She shouts this as she's running back down the corridor.

Michael and I look at each other and then we just laugh. When we stop laughing after a few seconds, he replaces his hands so they're back on my cheeks, and once again he's kissing me.

And everything feels okay.

okay so hey. i really don't know how i feel about this chapter, but we'll go with it. sorry it's so short!!