Shades of Gray ♡ Michael Nesmith

Chapter 9

My night with Mike replayed in my head every chance it could. When I wasn't doing schoolwork or just day dreaming, the warm smile of the Texan would fill my mind and I couldn't help thinking of the way he smelt and the way he looked at me. This was a look that I had never been given by any guy that I went out with... Well maybe Davy, but he's probably given that look to thousands of other girls.

The only down fall of my night with Michael Nesmith, was that one way or another others would find out and the torment would start. That shit started pretty much 24 hours later. Cameras were stealthy, and the whole time throughout the date I didn't see one. I was wrong to think that they wouldn't ruin this.

I was harshly woken up to the phone ringing and then the groggy voice of my father. "Hm? What? Who is this? If you don't tell me who you- Stop. She's just a young girl. Listen buddy, if you call here again, I will personally find you with the police and have you arrested for harassment." He spoke firmly. I swallowed hard and pulled the blankets to my bed. How the hell are they getting my number? My eyes quickly adverted up as the creak of the old entrance to my bedroom pulled me from my thoughts. My graying father stood there in just his boxers and a white tee shirt. His glasses were on the bridge of his nose, noting that he had gotten up quickly and snatched them off his nightstand where he kept them. His hair stood up every which way and he just looked like his age.
"This is really getting out of hand Nat." He sighed lowly. "I..I think you should stop seeing Nesmith. For one he's older than you and certainly don't think that is good for you. Secondly, there's a ton of press calling the house and God knows all the girls at your school who are going to want to become your friend to get to him." He spoke quietly in hopes not to wake up my brothers or mother. He walked over and slowly sat down on the bed. It almost made my heart shatter saying that I should stay away from Mike. I practically shot up and gave him a look.
"Dad, I know Mike may be older and he may be a little egotistical, but I really do like him and I think that he wouldn't hurt m-" He stopped me suddenly.
"He has Natalie."
"But that doesn't mean he won't again! He's taken me out and shown me a good time! Shown me the man that he is deep down inside. I'm a believer in giving people second chances." I told him seriously. He licked his lip and looked down putting his hand on my knee giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I know... You're my little girl and it's just not Nesmith I worry about. It's all the other women who like him that I'm afraid are going to hurt you." He explained and looked at me with worn tired eyes.
"I have two brothers and dad who are big and strong that I'm pretty sure can protect me." I smiled and bit my lip softly. He nodded slowly and placed a kiss on the top of my head before standing up.
"Alright, good night sweetheart." He said walking to the door.
"Good night daddy." I chuckled, laying down yanking the blankets back up under my chin. I watched him shut the door and then listened to him walk to his room. My eyes slowly drifted to the dark ceiling and just proceeded to stare at it flashes of Mike's face going through my mind, thoughts about what was going to happen next.
Two Months Later

Natalie:
It had been a whole two months since the date with Michael and there wasn't much contact between us. He had called a couple times explaining how the show was going, and making empty plans with me to meet up and do something. At school many girls would ask what it was like to go out on a date with Mike, and I would say just like any other with a regular guy. They asked if there had been any more dates, but I told them honestly...There hadn't been any because Mike wasn't talking to me. My friends were helping my cope with being put on the back burner by Mike, and kept me busy in attempt to keep my mind off him. Although, we'd end up watching The Monkees every night it was on.
Evelyn was kind enough one night to invite me over to her house for a sleep over. I was quick to answer yes, because as long as I wasn't home I wasn't staring at pictures of that damn Monkee.
We sat in her room flipping through magazines while a record spun blaring The Beatles loudly. Even over the record player, I heard Evelyn gasp which made me turn my head over to her quickly. "What is it?" I asked as she stared at a cover of a magazine. She pressed the booklet to her chest hugging it tightly and looking at me shaking her head.
"No Natalie you can see this!" She said firmly and held it close to her. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
"Oh my goodness, give it." I told her and yanked it from her grip. There on the cover was a picture of Mike and Phyllis. The large print on the cover read Phyllis Nesmith pregnant with Baby #2! I felt my heart break and my breathing pick up. This was why he wasn't talking to me? He had lied about not being with Phyllis anymore and took me out on a date.
"Natalie... I'm so sorry.." Evelyn spoke up and moved closer to me.
"I-I'm so stupid." I mumbled as my lip trembled hard tears starting to form.
"Oh sweetie.. You aren't. He is, he's too low for someone as perfect as you." She said grabbing a tissue and dabbing under my eyes. "I know how much you liked him, but maybe that's a sign?" She asked.
"Y-You could be right." I mumbled and looked at her tears dripping down my face.
"You don't need a lying, scummy, smelly, Monkee in your life." She told me rubbing my shoulder. "You need someone who'll be there for you and won't walk all over you." She whispered. "All you need right now is Jane, Sophie, and I. No Michael Nesmith!" She stated proudly. I nodded slowly and tossed the magazine at the wall. Evelyn smiled. "Atta girl." She grinned and stroked my tears away with the tissue.
I couldn't believe that he was having another kid! I actually thought he liked me. I thought i meant something to him! That night out wasn't a date at all, anything that happened that night meant nothing. I was just another girl on Mike's list. Why did I fall for someone like Davy, or Micky, or Peter! Both of them would have been much sweeter and I fell for the one that was the dick. I was just a sort of prize for him, so he was able to say that he got a young girl to go out with him. It was now my goal to forget about Robert Michael Nesmith. He meant nothing to me anymore. He was a complete stranger that I had no interest in getting to know again.