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XI- HEAT OF THE MOMENT

A couple of weeks after his birthday, James seems to be doing fine. Despite being confused if he should tell Michelle about his feelings or not, they still hung out with each other and their friendship bloomed even better than before.

"So, how's your family doing?" Michelle asked. "They're doing great! Allen is graduating from elementary and he's consistent in being at the top of his class." James bragged. "That's great news! I hope he can keep it up. You're graduating too, right?" Michelle inquired. "Not yet. I still have some subjects that I haven't taken. I think I'll graduate on your junior year here." "Oh? Still a long way to go I see. Good luck with that." Michelle said with relief in her voice. They were hanging out in a convenience store for quite a while because of the hot weather they were having that day. And since their classes have been cancelled, they decided t stay there for a while.

While hanging out, James couldn't help but notice that something was in Michelle's mind. "Thinking deeply there, Michelle? What's up?" "Nothing. I just want to ask you about that high school friend of yours. What is she like?" Michelle inquired. In a nervous voice, James answered, "Her? Her name is Sarah. She's cute, smart, and has a sense of humor that you don't normally see in women." In James' mind, 'And she's not really the one I like, you are!' James did not expect the question from Michelle. Although he didn't want to, he had to lie to her in order to protect their friendship. He wanted to avoid the topic but Michelle kept asking him questions. Finally, as if he has had enough, James snapped. He told Michelle everything. Every single detail. Shocked, Michelle left James alone at the convenience store.

James went back to his dormitory where all of his friends were hanging out. Patrice noticed that James was not feeling good so she asked him what the matter was. "I did it. I told Michelle everything." James said. "What?!" the whole group reacted. In an angry voice Michelle responded, "Didn't I tell you to wait for the right moment?!" Irritated, James answered, "That was the plan, I know. But I had no choice." "No choice?! What, did she point a gun at you?!" Michelle responded sarcastically. "No! She was asking about Sarah. Everything was going well. The lie Michael established was working. But the more she asked, the more my conscience got heavier. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to tell her." James said disappointedly. The silence that filled the room for a few minutes was broken by Michael. "So, what happened?" "Nothing. She left after I told her everything." "You should call her." Michael suggested. "And what? Apologize?" James said angrily. "I didn't say you should apologize. Just call her. Talk to her and sort things out." Michael said calmly.

After talking to his friends, James decided to call Michelle. She did not answer any if his calls. Finally, James decided to send Michelle a text message. Seeing that it was among shot, he decided to just lie down on his bed and wait for a miracle to happen. At around 6 that evening, James received a call from Michelle. They talked over the phone trying to sort things out. "Look, Michelle, I'm sorry I lied to you. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship." James said in a regretful voice. "But you don't just say those words to anyone! I know it's free, but, really?!" Michelle exclaimed. "I can sense that you are not in the right mood to talk about this. Let's just do this tomorrow."

As James was hanging up, Patrice cameback to the dorm from her class. "Hey, who was that?" Patrice inquired. "Michelle.Furious Michelle." Answered James. "Really? Have you sort things out with her?""No. not yet. We'll talk tomorrow. She's too angry right now. She won't listento anything I have to say." With nothing but Michelle on his mind, Jamesdecided to go to bed early and sort things out the following day.