☽★𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝑰 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒐 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔★☾

Untitled Part 24

1995

Michael looked around himself in Lise's room and instantly loved it. "It's not nearly as nice as yours but it's something", Lise chuckled. "It's as cold as a fridge sometimes." She walked to her full body mirror, appraising eyes at her hair. Michael noticed polaroids tucked into the mirror's frame and a Nirvana poster above it. "I prefer your room to mine." Michael could see Lise in the chaos. Lise looked at him through the mirror. "Really? Why?" she inquired. Michael picked up a book from the floor and began leafing through the pages. "It's yours", he said shyly. "Oh." Lise blushed. "So, um, before we leave I want to ask you something. Is that okay?" Michael gave a small nod. "No one's been slagging you, right? If they are, you should tell someone." Michael stayed quiet for a few moments and Lise waited patiently. "A few times." Michael averted her gaze. "What?" Lise's hands were squeezed in fists. Michael took a few steps back. This change in Lise alarmed him. "Those wee fuckers aren't getting away with it. What have they been saying?" Lise's eyes were ablaze. "They think I'm weird and awkward." Michael's voice was quiet. "I think you're weird and awkward." A part of Lise's anger had melted away. "It's endearing." Michael smiled crookedly. "Not everyone thinks so."

"What they think doesn't matter", Lise said firmly. "Can I hold your hand?" she added shyly. Michael nodded. Instinctively he pulled the fiery haired girl closer to him by her hand. They spent a few moments looking into each other's eyes. The door flung open and they broke apart. "Can I borrow your polaroid camera?" Eddie smirked. "You're an arse", Lise said. "You can borrow it but you're paying for the film." Eddie's smirk widened. He strolled across the room to a bookshelf and picked up the camera. "Cheers." He leaned on the wall. "What's up, Michael?" he asked. Michael glanced at Lise. "I don't know how to answer that." Lise waved her hand in the air vaguely. "That's okay. Just don't say anything. My brother's a tool." Eddie acted offended and left the room.

"Where are you going?" Ann's arms were crossed. "Out", Lise said airily. "That's okay, right?" Ann eyed Michael suspiciously. "I suppose." She sighed. " Just come home for dinner." Lise flashed her a smile. "Absolutely."

"They've been spending a lot of time together."

"Don't you think it's weird? Because of you and I? What if they'll fall in love?"

"I'm just glad they've found each other. Michael has grown very fond of Elisabel."

"No one calls her that you know. Elisabel."

"You know why I do?"

Ann was suddenly very aware of how close Sirius's hand was from hers on the railing. Sirius noticed her look and took her hand with a small smile. Ann returned it. "You gave her that name." Ann's heart felt warm. She touched Sirius's face gently. His eyes were on her again. "Are you going to keep glancing at my lips or are you going to kiss me?" Ann grinned. "Decades ago you would have just gone for it."

"I want to remember this moment. How you look like."

Ann kissed him. "I don't think you would have done that back then." Sirius grinned too. "I guess I might have wanted to." Ann kissed him again. "You could still be more in your kids' lives you know. Change is hard but I think you could do it."

"What makes you think so?"

"I believe in you."

"I'm sorry about my mom." Lise caught a scarlet maple leaf from the air and held it in her hand. "So beautiful", she sighed. She didn't see the fond smile Michael gave her. "I don't know why but I don't think she's very fond of you", Lise said delicately. "But you know, that's alright. I like you a lot. Is that enough?" Lise's eyes were still fixed on the leaf. Her hands felt sweaty. Michael leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I think so." The colour on Lise's face matched the leaf on her hand. She wanted to squeal out loud. He kissed me. He kissed me. Michael Valdez kissed me! "Was that alright?" Michael asked anxiously. "More than alright", Lise managed to say. "It was lovely."