Before Everything

Chapter 20

And there I was, again. My things were on the floor including me. This couldn't happen to anyone else than me, I thought.

Then, a familiar hand grabbed mine and pulled me up...

~~~

Mike helped me get up and then he crouched down to get my stuff.

"Here, you dropped these, " he gave them to me, and quickly I put them in my bag.
"Thanks! Well, I gotta go, see you!" I wanted to get out of the awkward situation quickly but of course, luck was not on my side.

Just as I was about to turn the other way, Mike grabbed my arm. He had a serious look in his eyes.

"We need to talk, Mads," I turned around and faced him unsure of what to say.
"I don't know, Mike..."

He sighed and let go of my arm. He ran his hand through his hair looking frustrated, then he returned his gaze to me.

"When are you going to stop avoiding me?" He asked me softly.
"W-what? I'm not avoiding you," I cast my eyes to my shoes and drew patterns to the floor with my feet.

I felt Mike put a finger under my chin and tilt my head so he could see my face. Our close distance was making me a little uneasy.

"If you're going to lie to me at least do it better," he said while searching my face for something.

His gaze dropped to my lips, and I broke our contact by stepping several steps back and creating distance. He dropped his arm to his sides and looked lost.

After the silence, I decided to say something.

"I'm just really confused right now," I said quietly doubting that he heard me. Our distance was way too long for a conversation between two people.

But surprisingly he turned his stare to me quickly and strides towards me. And then he was close again.

He tilted his head towards me.
"What are you confused about?" He murmured softly.

I could feel the warmth radiating from him and his intoxicating scent that was luring me to come closer. I was getting nervous and butterflies were in the pit of my stomach. So I stepped back once more so I could think clearly.

"I don't know what I'm confused about. You? Me? Us? Everything!" I threw my arms in the air in frustration.

I wasn't confused about my feelings for him, but when he just flat out confessed his feelings to me I was caught off guard. And I'm afraid that all of this is just a dream or a joke or maybe even a bet or a prank.

"You're confused about my feelings towards you," Mike said out loud. But it wasn't a question it was more like a fact.

I didn't say anything because I didn't know what to say.

"I want you to know that everything that I told you that night at the beach was true. I really like you Madeline Johnson and I'm falling for you, hard," I looked up to see his expression.

He had a soft look in his eyes and the way he said that he was falling for me. He sounded almost proud. My heart fluttered from his words. His eyes also had a vulnerable look and I appreciated him for not hiding it. So at that moment, I decided that he needs to hear it. I looked him right in the eyes and said:

"I like you too, Mike," I said softly and gave him a small smile. I couldn't help but admire the beautiful smile that he was giving me.
"But Mike, I'm also scared."