Trust Me

An Extraordinary Birthday Part 2

After school was over, Michelle headed out to the parking lot in the back of the school to wait for her mother. Normally, she would go hang out by the JROTC building, but today she wanted to sit by herself and listen to some music on her phone while she waited. She pressed the play button on a random playlist of her, slipping her ear buds into her ears. The first song that began to play was 'Superman' by Brown Boy. It was one of her favorite songs to listen to, for no reason in particular other than that it was just a good song. Turning the volume up, she sat down on the ground with her back against the brick corner of the gym building and closed her eyes.

Subconsciously, her foot tapped against the cement to the rhythm of the music, oblivious to all the students bustling around the parking lot. If ever she needed something to clear her mind and take her to a safe place, it was music she would turn to. It could be the lyrics or it could be the rhythm in the background, whatever the reason, music has always calmed her down. She wasn't exactly mad, she was just disappointed, because she knew where he had gone. He didn't have to say it for her to know. 

Christina, Marcus's off and on girlfriend, was usually where he disappeared to. Though last she heard they were off again, their relationship was always unpredictable. Michelle was friends with both of them, but she had known Marcus longer than she had known Christina. She had always had a bit of a crush on Marcus, so to have him kiss her only to run back to his off and on again girlfriend was quite disappointing. She had hoped, for just a moment, that he would have finally given up on Christina. 

Someone tapped on her shoulder, and she jumped slightly as her eyes flashed open and she looked around to see who it was. When she looked up, she saw a somewhat familiar face from Marcus's group of friends at JROTC. Pulling an earbud out and pausing her music, she stood up to greet the guy. He was probably only a few inches taller than her, and he had a buzz cut, blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and a warm smile on his face.

He cleared his throat, "Sorry, I just recognized you as one of Marcus's friends but I don't think we've been formally introduced. My name is Joey, I couldn't help but come over because I thought a pretty girl shouldn't be sitting by herself. Especially not with a sad look on her face."

"My name is Michelle, it's nice to meet you Joey. That's really sweet of you, I wouldn't say that I'm sad though. Just kind of bored waiting for my ride to get here." She replied sheepishly, moving a strand of her hair out of her face to behind her ear.

As if her mother had heard her, their maroon Mercedes Benz pulled up in front of the two and her mother honked the horn. Startled, she gave him an apologetic look, waved goodbye, put her backpack in the back seat, and got into the passenger seat. Once she buckled the seat belt, her mother pulled away from the curb. 

"Who was that boy Michelle? You haven't already gotten yourself a boyfriend have you? Didn't I tell you to worry about your studies over boys. Your grades will be the only thing that matters once you get out of high school. Boys will only come and go." Her mother condescended. 

Rolling her eyes as she stared out the window, "Mama he's just a friend of a friend, I literally just met him before you pulled up. I am focusing on my studies. I have good grades, I turn my homework in on time, I do great on tests. All my teachers like me."

"I know honey, and I would like for it to stay that way, I don't want boys tainting your mind and leading you astray. I want you to have a better life than your father and I." Her mother sighed.

Leaning her head against the window, "I know mama, and I really am trying to do that. Besides, he doesn't look like my type anyways. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's cute and all but I don't know."

"Your type? And what exactly is your type Michelle?" Her mother narrowed her eyes, giving Michelle a side glance. 

Shrugging, Michelle retorted, "A nerdy guy who doesn't care that I play video games once I finish my homework. Someone who likes me for me and not for my looks, someone who isn't just trying to get laid."