i believe in u & me. | 𝐌𝐉.

𝐈𝐈.

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I BELIEVE IN U & ME.

( chapter two • just good friends. )

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After making his way to the garden, Michael took a seat on the stool placed in the garden next to Esther, much to her dismay. She rolled her eyes and loudly sighed in annoyance and quickly moved to another stool. When Michael moved to the new stool she moved to, Esther lost it.

"Oh my God, can I help you? First you were trying to get information about my date of birth, then you followed me into this garden where I am trying to get away from all of you, so I can be by myself, and I can't even do that! What do you want?! Leave me alone, weirdo!" She snapped.

Michael sarcastically peered over at his highly expensive, diamond-encrusted Van Clef & Arpels watch. "Are you done, Essie?" He replied to Esther.

"My name is Esther." She huffed.

Michael laughed at how irritated he made Esther. "Look, girl. I just came to clear the air with you. I don't like to have issues with the ladies. I like to love the ladies, knowwhatimsayin?" Slightly amused by his corny comments, Esther chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow.

"Look, you wannabe mack daddy," She started, mocking Michael's 'Look, girl...', "My parents said I can't have sexual relations with any man until I'm 30 & married. So if you're flirting with me, you need to calm all that down." Michael was taken aback by this statement. "Woah, I-I didn't say nothing about no sex!" He said, laughing nervously. "Your parents are Christians?"

Esther rolled her eyes. "... Yeah." She was so turned off from church, and Christianity altogether, the mere mention of church caused her to become annoyed. She pasued, then spoke. "I really want to take a break from church, though. And by a break, I mean for the rest of my LIFE. I'm so sick of that place."

"Yeah, I get it. Somewhat." Michael's family weren't devout Christians, but he had the experience of going to church because his mother took him for a short period of time when she was pregnant with his younger sister, Janet. "She only really went 'cause she wanted the entire family to be christened when Jan was born...for some reason." Michael reminisced. "We stopped after she was born, however, 'cause my mama kept citing postpartum as a reason she couldn't go, and my parents divorced shortly after that, and she didn't want to be anywhere near my dad or his family."

"Oh. Sorry to hear that, Michael." Esther said. Being the compassionate person she is, she placed her hand on Michael's shoulder to comfort him, but quickly removed it once she realized she was touching him.

Michael grabbed Esther's hand before she could drop it and held it. "It's okay. I'm still grateful, though. At least I still have both of my parents in my life, some kids don't. And, they're both still spending their dollar bills on me!"

They both erupted into laughter. "Yeah, I did notice you look pretty fresh." Esther eyed Michael up and down; he donned a colorful men's Coogi sweater, gray jeans, a pair of black Versace gym shoes on his feet, that sick diamond watch, and a golden chain. "You better hope somebody doesn't try and steal her stuff, Michael."

"Ha... please." Michael reached into his black leather backpack and pulled out a bottle of pepper spray. "My Daddy's good friend works with the police, and I'm loaded." Esther was surprised at how Michael was even permitted to bring the weapons to school. "Woah, that's crazy. How did the school even let you bring that here?"