Shutter

Part Nine: Words (Michael)

"YOU KISSED AVA BAKER?" Everett exclaimed to the morning crowd in the hallway.

I sighed and fiddled with the dial on my locker. Why did I think Everett would be subtle when he was labeled the human megaphone on the track team?

"Yeah." I said. "I really did."

I had to keep adding the really every time I said it aloud. If I'm being honest, it's the only thing, the only word, six letters, that reinforced it wasn't a dream.

"So are you guys like a thing now?"

I pulled my locker open and stared at a picture of me and Ava taped to the inside. 

"I don't know." 

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "I can't believe you, Mike! You got that dog in ya, huh?"

"Don't know about that." I chuckled weakly, eyes glued to the picture. 

She took it a year ago, a few months after she collided into my life. Sometimes when I was having  a bad day, I stared at it and imagined I was there again with her. 

"But you're also kinda linking with Amy too aren't you?" He pressed.

I shook my head. "I'm just her tutor."

"That's not what Lia said-"

"Shut up, Ava's coming."

Everett turned quickly and pursed his lips.

"So track's almost over." I said to him, hoping he would pick up on the fake conversation.

"Can't believe there's only a month left in the season." He sighed, winking.

Sometimes I wondered if an outsider looking in would find my conversations boring. I don't think I'm interesting guy. But maybe, I just don't know how to say what's always bubbling in my head. 

Maybe, I'm not boring if someone like Ava Baker could kiss me.

"The things I do for you, Mikey." Everett whispered as Ava approached, "Good morning, Ava."

I couldn't help but laugh. 

"Morning, Smith." She said in that sweet musical voice. 

I felt my stomach drop to the basement of the school. I looked at the picture again and inhaled. 

"I'll catch you later, Mike." Everett grinned, winking again before leaving us alone.

Words. Words felt like a problem to say to anyone else in the world, except Ava. Normally, I was usually at a loss, and even now with her, my words were abysmal. 

"Hey, Ava." I nervously grinned.

"Mike?" She raised an eyebrow.

It amazed me how Ava could make me nervous enough to tangle every nerve in my brain and still somehow manage to wash it all away with a single word. 

How could I act normal after we kissed? What was our normal? 

"I'll see you in English later." I squeezed her shoulder as we parted ways.

Why did I squeeze her shoulder? I never did that. Did I? Everything felt so natural but so upside down at the same time.

Setting my book bag down, I pulled out my notebook and skimmed through all our hang man games. This is normal, but also kissing her felt normal too. 

It felt normal, but also like every thing good in the world pouring through my body. Puppies, kittens, new born babies, world peace.

"Michael." I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Amy set her bag in the seat behind mine and smiled. "We still on for "tutoring" tonight?"

Crap. Crap Crap Crap.

Could I still tutor Amy instead of "tutoring" her? Would I have to tell Ava? 

"Um." I muttered. "Did you tell Lia Hal?"

She rolled her eyes. "She's my best friend."

"That's not an answer."

"Okay, class." The teacher clapped her hands. "Pass your homework to the front and then we'll dive into Newton's law." 

Without answer, Amy slid her assignment on my desk and opened her text book.

If Ava had the ability to make my nerves disappear, Amy only had the ability to create them.