* * * * * Crystal’s POV * * * * *
I was still watching in amazement as Michael brought out his phone from his breast pocket and dialed a number, then got on a call with someone.
“Yes, do you think you can have a position for an undergraduate who will be available mainly in the afternoons?…. Yes she’s smart and a good friend of mine too.”
I was flattered. But is he really going to get a job for me so easily? The person hasn’t even seen me or asked for my qualifications, so how would they offer me a job over the phone?
“Oh alright, hold on a bit, let me know if she’s comfortable with that position or if you should find something better.”
What?
Does that mean he already found something over a single phone call?
“Hey Crystal, how would you like to work in a library or would you prefer to work as a secretary in an industry? If you’re not ok with any of those, I could make more calls.”
“What? I will take the one at the library,” I spoke immediately
I can’t believe he has found me a job in less than five minutes.
“Are you sure Crystal? The salary for that one is not too attractive, it’s $$$ per day, I think I should find you something better.”
“No, no, no! That’s good enough,” I said.
Even though it was not as much as what I earn at Logan’s place, the job could take care of my problems and still give me an opportunity to study and since it’s a library, I don’t see any hard work.”
“Alright, if you say so.” Michael said then continued with the call.
“Alright, she will take the one at the library and she will start…” He looked at me like an inquiring when I would like to start and I whispered “tomorrow”
“Are you sure about that?” He asked and I nodded in the affirmative
So just like that, he got me a decent job at the library. I couldn’t be happier.
He always has a way of making me smile, even at such sad moments.
“Thanks a lot Michael, you’re the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”
I was really grateful to him. He had really saved me and Aidan from starvation as the thought of that had bothered me since morning.
I have not paid back the loan my step parents gave to me and I was already troubling them a lot with Aidan’s responsibility, it would have been wrong to go back asking for money from them.
“It’s no big deal Crystal, what are friends for?” He replied and smiled.
“Seriously, thanks a lot. You don’t know what you’ve done for me today.”
“Come on, now you’re embarrassing me by saying that, it was the least I could do for you. Now come along, let’s go hang out at the…. Um, what do you call it again?” He said with a smirk.
“Love garden?” I asked
“Yeah, correct.” He chuckled.
“Mr Michael McQueen, it looks like you enjoy breaking rules.” I said with one of my smirks.
“Well I told you before, as long as you’re by my side, I could break a million rules for you baby.”
I burst into laughter after hearing that. This guy is funny!
* * * * *
We went to the love garden. He had bought some snacks in the school canteen before we got there.
We sat on one of the benches. The place was quiet, there were no other students there and even if they were, we wouldn’t be able to know because the benches there are demarcated by tall flowers. The flowers were all beautiful and arranged in a very lovely manner.
“So why were you late to school today? Don’t tell me you are a latecomer,” I said with a mischievous smile while chewing on a candy bar.
The chocolate flavor was my favorite. As a kid, mom used to yell at me a lot for always chewing one. I would buy a lot of it and hide them in different locations just in case mom finds any, I never run out of stock. Haha
“Well, not really. It’s just that I got lost running after a monkey.” He said and chuckled.
“What? Running after a monkey?” I asked while watching him in a scrutinizing manner with my head tilted to the side.
“Yes. Look how it happened, so I was coming to college when this strange monkey stole my hat from my head and fled into the jungle. It was my favorite hat so I had to go after it…”
“Really? Do you expect me to believe that?” I asked and smirked again.
“Of course, I am not lying.” he protested.
“Okay, so then where is the hat?” I laughed.
He scratched his head and that moment I remembered Miss Maggie. I haven’t seen that old woman in a very long time.
“Um… I couldn’t outrun the monkey.” He replied.
“Hahaha, you are such a terrible liar. No one would buy that badly cooked up story,” I said amidst laughter.
“Wait! I thought you said my lies were sweet,” he asked and furrowed his eyebrows. “You have two tongues,” he whined.
“True, but at least you have admitted that you are lying.” I smirked. That would be the third time now!
“What?…. No! I just…”
“You better confess Mr Michael McQueen,” I said pointing a finger at him.
“Hey, I’m not lying. In fact, the monkey followed me to school and it’s behind you right now!”
“Arrrghhh!!” I shrieked and jumped onto his body.
We both fell off the bench to the grass on the floor, with him laying on top of me.
We remained in that position for a few seconds laughing, then the laughter died off and we were both quietly staring into each other’s eyes.
I began to reminisce how it felt when I looked into Logan’s eyes. That strange scary yet exciting feeling wasn’t there this time around, in fact I felt nothing while staring into the eyes of the Vampire.
Michael lowered his face slowly to meet mine. He was about to kiss me!
Just before his lips could touch me, I put my hand on his chest and pushed him off gently. I couldn’t do it.
“I am sorry Mike, I can’t do it.” I muttered and stood up.
He stood up too and held my hand.
“It’s okay Crystal, I understand. It’s my fault anyway, I shouldn’t have tried to do that.”
I don’t understand something. I was never hesitant whenever Logan tried to kiss me, I always let him have his way without a fight, even though he was always hurting me.
So why couldn’t I let Michael kiss me just this one time and why the heck do I keep comparing the both!?
I thought I hate Logan Stewart, so why is it so hard to just forget him?
* * * * *
Michael and I went back to the class. There was a little bit of awkwardness between us after that scene.
The lecturer we had been waiting for finally came and so we went to have his lectures, that was when I realized that Rhea was present at school, but I had not seen her till then.
To be continued!!