undeniable feelings | a stephchelle story

Chapter 28 - bribery

— STEPHANIES POV —

Me and Michelle lie peacefully on the sandy beach. Our eyes tightly shut and our palms interlocked. I hear the gentle tune of the ice cream truck near closer to us. I instantly sit up in unison with Michelle. She pulls the loose money from the beach bag, pulling me up so that I'm standing.

I feel a sense of presence, not just Michelle, I feel something or someone else. I slowly turn around to see a group of Toby's friends from out of school. Oh no, this is really bad.
"Well hello, Stephanie." One smugly grins, looking down at the money. "I'm sure Toby wouldn't be too happy to hear about this."
"Please, please don't tell Toby about this, he'll get me kicked out of my house." I cry.
"Here's the thing, we don't plan to tell Toby, just give us the money, and this conversation never happened." He snaps.

I bite my bottom lip, I can't afford for Toby to find out I've spent more time with Michelle, he already knows that I'm gay and he can use anything against me, and this is exactly what he wants to use against me.

Before I can say anything, Michelle spitefully hands the boys the money. They smirk at the $14 and cycle off down the beach, laughing at us.
"Michelle I'm so sorry." I sob "how are we going to get home now?"
"Steph it's fine, you're okay and that's the main thing, I guess we might as well head back, it'll take us a good few hours to walk home, we should start as soon as possible." She sighs. We begin pack away our things and begin trudging back.

We walk in silence through the pathways, our heads facing downwards as we walk. I burst into tears, I've ruined this day for the both of us, and I feel awful about it.
"Michelle I'm so sorry, I-I can't believe that just happened, I just ruined our day completely."
"No you didn't Steph, you're not at fault, them jerks are." She whispers, wiping the tears as they stream down my eyes.

We're 2 hours into the journey and our normal waking pace has turned into trudging at the pace of snails. We conveniently find a bench and slug into it. Michelle's eyes instantly shutting tight as she leans on me.

I pull out Michelle's phone from her bag, turning it on as it instantly asks for a password.
"What's your password." I whisper in Michelle's ear quietly, holding the phone towards her. She weakly taps her thumb on the screen, closing her eyes again as soon as it's unlocked. She rests her head against me as I cradle her in my arms. I open up messenger and find her nan.

"Hiya Linda, it's Stephanie, some guys took our bus money and now we're moneyless and can't get back, if it's not too much trouble, could you possibly pick us up if I forward you our location? X"

I wait eagerly for a reply, it takes about 10 minutes but eventually to my relief, a text pops up.

"Oh my gosh you guys! I hope everything's okay and you're safe now?? Of course I'll pick you up, I'm just coming out of work now so forward me your exact location and I'll be there xx"

I forward our location to her, waiting until it's send and throwing Michelle's phone back in her bag. I prop my feet up on the bench and cuddle her close to me.
"Your nans on her way, hang tight." I softly whisper, kissing her cheek gently. I close my eyes tightly beside her.