Michael's Story

Chapter 12

Michael shut Junie's door, and Junie looked around his car. It looked brand new and smelled as fresh as the day he drove it off the lot. The dashboard looked like something out of the far future. Yet, she felt secure thanks to the dark tint on the windows.

Junie felt her heart catch as she watched him through the windshield. She fastened her seatbelt by yanking on the strap and clicking the buckle. As soon as Michael got into the car, his eyes went straight to Junie.

At first, Junie didn't realize how unnatural it looked when she stared straight ahead, but then she did. If she avoided his gaze on purpose, he would notice. So, although she was a nervous wreck, she managed to look his way. A smile escaped her, and surprisingly, he returned it.

He fired up the car and took off immediately. The stereo came on, and music played fairly loudly through the speakers, but he muted it. Next, he switched the air conditioning on.

"Is that good?" He glanced at Junie while driving.

"Yeah, that's fine." She glanced over at him.

For several minutes, there was complete silence. Junie turned her head away from the window to hide the smile on her face. However, Junie began to relax the longer Michael kept quiet. Michael was paying attention only to the road. He didn't seem eager to get to know her. At first, she assumed Michael was trying to flirt with her, but now she was beginning to think he was being nice.

With the light turning red, Michael slowed to a stop. Junie stared out the window, absorbed in her thoughts. The most handsome man she had ever seen was sitting next to her. It wouldn't matter if he said anything to her; she'd never forget it. Polite and well-groomed, he made a good impression. He seemed so serene but very intimidating and in control. She didn't even know his name, but he was everything she needed.

'His name!' Junie thought.

Slowly, she shifted her attention to him. As she studied his profile, she felt her face heat up. He went from focusing on the road to trying to focus on her. The beats in her heart were skipping, and she could feel it.

"It was rude of me not to introduce myself. I'm Junie." Junie uttered softly.

"I know," Michael revealed.

Junie wrinkled her forehead in confusion and asked, "You know?"

"I already knew your name." Michael clarified, "I've seen you around a few times."

"Back in the Gardens?" Junie asked.

"The Gardens, on 45th, Greentree. I've never seen you around here, though."

"I just started coming out here. Did Julian tell you my name?" Junie did understand.

"A couple of people told me your name," Michael said.

"Are you gonna tell me yours?" Junie hinted.

Michael smirked, "I'm Michael."

Junie nodded, "Nice to meet you. Oh, and thank you for the ride."

"If I do anything for anybody, it's because I genuinely want to. I don't need a thank you." Michael said.

"Wouldn't you hate to be doing things for ungrateful people?" Junie questioned with a tilt of her head.

"Ungrateful people still say thank you," Michael replied.

"So then, what would you want someone to say to you?" Junie asked.

Michael half shrugged, "Nothing. I'm not big on words unless I fully trust you."

"Well, for what it's worth, I meant it," Junie said.