Birthmarks

Birthmarks Part 8

As I waited in the darkness for Michael, I thought about how he would hold this over me for the next week. I mean he was the one who told me to stay away from him, multiple times, and yet he was the only one who I wanted to tell when Jason flirted with that waitress on our date.

I think the one thing I liked about him was that he was real. No matter how shitty things were or how he was feeling about you, he told you how it was, and that was something I needed when I was being an ass. Jason, on the other hand, was trying to be what I wanted him to be. It's hard to realise that when he's talking to you, but in hindsight that positive attitude that I had admired when I met him was what I wanted in myself.

Maybe he should become a politician one day.

I laughed to myself as I put my hands in my jacket pockets, thank god I had worn it!

BEEP! BEEP!

I looked to the road and saw Michael's car pulled over. Of course he wouldn't actually get out of the car.

I made my way forward and jumped in the passenger seat. He didn't look at me as I put my seat belt on and I wasn't expecting him to.

His silence spoke volumes.

When we arrived at his, he silently me led me to the kitchen and gave me a glass of water.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded as I drank my water. If it wasn't for him then I would have been alone in the darkness. Sometimes it takes a shitty situation to see how much you take for granted.

He yawned, "Well I'm heading off to bed so make yourself comfortable, I've left some clothes in the guest room. Try to be quiet as you come in."

I put down my glass and crossed my arms. Was he being serious?

He saw my change in demeanour, "Look Natasha, you can't just bounce from one guy to the next. I don't want to be treated like a toy and I would never put myself or you in the situation where we could make a mistake."

I looked down. I don't know what I wanted but the cold reality is that Michael thought we would be a mistake. I could feel tears pricking my eyes and I couldn't tell if it was relief that Michael wouldn't push me into doing anything, or embarrassment for wanting him to at least try.

His eyes softened as he saw me compose myself, "I think that you've had enough shit for one night."

I tensed up as he touched my shoulder, he didn't know just how much his touch affected me.

"Natasha I'm not trying to be a dick here, in fact I'm desperately trying to do the opposite. We both need sleep, and that's the simple truth."

Then he started to walk away. Was he really going to leave just like that?

"Sleep with me!" I pleaded.

Poor choice of words.

He stopped and turned around to face me with a questioning look in his eyes.

"I didn't...I didn't meant it like that!" I spluttered. "I just don't want to be alone tonight, if that's okay with you?"

He smiled and his whole face lit up. "Come on then!"

I did that awkward run-walk thing when you're trying to catch up with someone and together we entered his room. It was still as clean as ever, and this time there were textbooks piled on the desk, all bookmarked with pages which I assumed to be his homework.

"Is this your plan for the weekend?" I flirtatiously remarked.

He raised his eyebrows, "I think that you'll find that photosynthesis and Virginia Woolf are actually very good company."