Felicity: The Unwanted Emotion

~Chapter 4~

I couldn't help but think about what he meant by that. How soon I wanted to know? How I'll be able to handle it? What did he mean by that? Was it something bad, or was he just leaving me at a cliffhanger only to tell me something anticlimactic? I couldn't focus during Pre-Calculus because of it. I mean, I was writing down notes, but the theories and logistics were going in one ear and out the other. I was distracted to say the least. I was so distracted in fact, that I hadn't even noticed the dismissal bell ring until my entire classroom and teacher left the room, leaving me in there with my thoughts.

I casually gathered the rest of my things and walked out the door after I write the assignment down in my notebook on the page I took for notes that day. As I walk out the door, I am immediately squashed by a group of incoming juniors who are trying to get their things for their next hour class. The wind gets knocked out of me and I stare blankly into space trying to figure out what happened to me. When I finally piece together what happens, I shrug it off, laugh, and move on my merry way. For a moment, I even forget why I am so confuzzled, but then I see him. Michael.

I run over to him and greet him with a smile, but as soon as I'm a few feet away from him, a scowl manifests upon my face. He notices my expression and his smile that he gave me vanishes as his black hair is casually swept to the side so he can make full eye contact with me.

"Are you ok?" He asks, the sentence drawn out. Almost as if he is trying to find the right words to say, given the situation.

"No, I'm not," I answer calmly, "I was stuck thinking about what you said and it was driving me insane."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well," he starts, "do you want me to tell you?"

"Now?"

"No Daniella, ten years from now." He laughs, trying to lighten the mood a little bit. It works.

I laugh. "Yeah, that would be great, but how long is this going to take?" I ask; I didn't want to be late because I was listening to him.

"In all honesty, it's going to take a while. But, you'll understand my father if you do listen."

"I don't want to miss this opportunity, but I don't want to be late to class either." I admit.

"Well, then I better talk Sonic Speed Fast." He laughs. Then, he begins.

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    3 years ago

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO DO IT! SO STOP ASKING ME!"

"MICHAEL, you are going to do this no matter what! You are a Clanet!"

        "THAT IS A LOAD OF BULL CRAP AND YOU KNOW IT!"

"Michael-" Michael's father begins to say.

"No! Killing is not the answer. I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to be able to live life and not be afraid to become shot. I want to be better than this, and most importantly, you."

Michael's father was silent for a long time. Then, he spoke.

"Get the hell out. RIGHT NOW!" His father screams at Michael, making Michael a pale ghostly white.

"But Dad-" Michael pleads.

Michael's pleas were silenced abruptly by a slap to the face. It stung and automatically put a welt on Michael's face. Tears began pooling in his eyes, threatening to escape. All Michael could stand to do was nod his head silently and walk out of his father's office.

A few minutes later, Michael had his things packed and on his shoulders. His wallet, phone, and a few weeks of clothings as well as a few hand choice toiletry items; his deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, and a toothbrush. He looks around his room one last time, same red walls, same wooden floors, but it all felt empty. Tears pool into Michael's eyes again. He closes his bedroom door one more time, walks downstairs quietly, and goes out the front door. He had no idea where he was going, but wherever he was, it was better than here.

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         As Michael finishes, I can sense the pain in his eyes; the hurt. I start to cry, but can hardly start, because the minute bell rings, we have to go. The little corner we carved in the hallway for ourselves dissolves as we disband. I have so many questions but I can't begin to phrase them. Michael looks at me and waits for an answer. I can't muster up enough courage to say it, but I undoubtedly want more time with Michael. He's fascinating, and I want to figure him out.

    "So, where have you lived all these years?" I manage to say, remembering how to speak again.

    "My grandmother from my mom's side lives here. I'm going to stay with her until I graduate."

    "What about your mom? Where is she?" I ask.

    Michael looks at me, his eyes begin looking glassy, as if he is about to cry.

    "My mom died from throat cancer a few years ago." He says.

    "Oh, Michael, I'm sorry, I didn't know." I hug him. Of all the people I've known, he is the first to have suffered through the loss of a parent.

    "We have to go," he says, "class starts in like fifteen seconds." He says.

    "Oh yeah, school, we have that still." I laugh.

    Michael just smiles and looks at me with the most genuine eyes I've ever seen. They make me feel very self-conscious but happy at the same time.

    "Hey, what are you doing today after school?" I ask him.

    "Oh, you know, probably just gonna spend some time building the rocketship I have in my backyard. Take my hoverboard to Europe." He laughs. "Nothing of importance, why?"

    "We are having a bonfire at my house tonight, the rest of the people at the lunch table and I. Do you want to come?" I ask.

    "A social event? YES! I have been spending too many nights watching shitty chick flick movies on Netflix for the past few months. I need social activities." He smiles with angelic glow on his face.

    "Awesome! But there are requirements for the bonfire." I say. "First, newcomers have to go skinny dipping in my pool, while we hide your clothes. Oh, and if I was you, I would bring some things we can roast over a fire, preferably hot dogs, because we are little fatties and we love food."

    Just then the final bell rang, we were both late for class, but who cares? I don't want to go to advanced physics anyways. This was more fun anyways.

    "I'll be there." Michael says. "Should be a ton of fun, and I will bring the meats." He laughs.

    "Starts at 6! Don't be late." I say as we finally separate and go different ways.

    "Oh, don't worry, I will be on time."

    We leave our little corner of the school and as I walk away from him, I can't help but look back and see if he was still there. I look behind me and notice that he's just standing there, smiling. Michael isn't like the other guys in this school. I have ideas of what I want to do at the bonfire, but if those plans go through, I will have to wait and see.