Sanity Siphoned

Ch27: Optimism Grasped

Chapter 27

The surprises kept coming at school. The next morning Julienne was aware of the looks and whispers behind her back, everyone wanted to know the full story about her and Michael and just what exactly he saw in her. She couldn't really answer those questions because she was unsure herself. What did he see in her to fall for? Going around in circles in her mind about it started to get rather depressing so she decided to ignore it and everyone else.

The surprise came at lunch when Michael came over and sat with her and Nick. He smiled at her and noticed the questions written all over her face. "I'm still giving you time," Michael clarified. "But that doesn't mean we can't hang out. Unless you want me to go?"

She looked at him as if he grew another head, he was being so sweet and considerate. She wasn't used to that. She looked at Nick for help and his answer was to shrug as if to say I-don't-know. She sighed and looked at Michael again. "It's ok." She meant that, it honestly didn't bother her to have him close anymore after they spoke yesterday and cleared some of the air.

Nick asked the next question on her mind. "Wouldn't you rather sit with your friends?"

Calmly Michael unwrapped his sandwich and spoke. "They're not my friends, if they were they'd accept me no matter what and wouldn't try to control my life. You and Julienne are real friends."

Relief swam though her chest to hear him say that. If she gave him another chance, a still very big if, she didn't want to fight about her friendship with Nick like they had done in the past.

Nick must've thought the same thing and said, "Good so that means you understand and won't try to keep her from me. She's my best friend and nothing is going to change that." he spoke with assertion in his belief because he knew in his heart Julienne felt the same way.

Michael held up his hands in surrender. "I know I was a dick before about you and lot of things. I'm trying to change that now and believe it or not I'm glad she had someone on her side while I was too stupid to man up and be there myself."

Now Julienne really stared at him like he was from another planet. Nick looked at her with surprise in his green eyes. "He's really good." Her friend commented.

Julienne's mouth gaped open, this was all very surreal. "I guess so." Michael turned and gave her a bright smile. "But I'm still thinking." She didn't want him getting the wrong idea; she didn't want to be that girl who sent mixed signals.

"Ok I accept that that but while you're thinking if I'm worthy of the risk of a second chance can I remind you of something?" he asked innocently enough but there was something dangerously mischievous lining his eyes.

Staring into his blue eyes that always got her into trouble she wasn't sure what to do. "Um…alright."

Michael moved closer to her on the bench and captured her lips with his in the sweetest kiss he had ever given her. It wasn't laced with racing hormones and undeniable lust. It was more of a sweet I'm-glad-to-see-you kiss laced with we-can-continue-this-if-you-want-to type of promise.

Her eyes were ready to fly out of her head by the time he pulled back. If he kept surprising her like this she wasn't sure she was going to survive long enough to make a decision about their future.

Nick's laugh broke her daze, she sent him a glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"I'm sorry but your face was hilarious. I've never seen a mix of I want to vomit and kiss you back all mixed into one." Nick explained while trying not to laugh at the same time.

"I'm going to kill you."

"Nah you love me too much."

"Fine I have one better; I'm not letting you touch my hair again." Satisfied with her threat she crossed her arms. Her hair was an array of dark color highlights from purple to deep red to compliment her natural black shade.

"Alright Jules you win this one."

IIII

Michael sat back and watched him bicker back and forth. He felt like an ass every time he remembered being jealous of Nick for spending time with Julienne. It was blinding clear now that they were close but there was nothing romantic between them.

Nick was a good guy and harbored no ill feelings toward him for their run ins in the past, for that Michael was glad because he knew if they couldn't get along it'd affect Julienne's decision.

He reached under the table and grabbed her hand. She didn't flinch or pull away, they held each others hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. These small moments gave him hope. If she was still furious and hated him there was no way he'd be able to touch her. His mom had been right.

Last night he spent an hour telling his mother about his feelings for Julienne and gathering her advice. She had suggested he show her in little ways that he was there, to offer support but not push for too much too soon. Strangely enough his mother hadn't been surprised to hear of his feelings for Julienne.

It was nice to have people to talk to, he didn't know what he'd do if he didn't have his mom and Shane. His so called friends were certainly no help. Now that Cody was dating Anna it made sense he was siding with her. Still it stung to know the guys he had been friends nearly all his life couldn't have his back. Cody sided with his idiot girlfriend and her nasty comments while Marko completely ignored him.

Michael couldn't believe he let what they thought control his life for so long and now looking back at the things he did to Julienne and others he felt ashamed. There was still hope, he could still fix things. He needed to believe that.

He glanced at Nick and realized he was the person who knew Julienne, especially this Julienne, the best. He needed his advice next if he was ever going to win back her heart and most importantly; her trust.