Author's Note: This is a new series I'm hoping you guys will like! Please post comments/ constructive criticism in the BBS.
Ever since the day we met, there was a connection between us. Whether visible, or not, it was always there.
Michael was the kind of guy that most people would roll their eyes at. He was sarcastic as could be, and he didn't let other people boss him around. The only rules that mattered to him where his own. He was always getting into trouble, and always told me just to blame things on him, so I would stay out of trouble. It was next to impossible to embarrass Michael, because he couldn't care less about what other people thought of him, except for me.
I'm the kind of girl that's really quiet when you first meet her. Once you get to know me, I open up into a girl like any other; a girl with dreams, fears, and memories of the days before her parents divorced locked in her heart until the day she dies. I'm the kind of girl who knows she can change the world, but has no clue where to start.
Michael and I first met back in third grade, the year that he was a new student at my school. We became good friends, and we stayed that way through sixth grade, but I always felt something deeper than just the presence of a friend whenever I was around him.
Everybody knew that Michael would be leaving to go to public school for junior high next fall, but I never knew how hard it would hit me.
"Omigosh Michael! I can't believe we're already in sixth grade!" I squealed as I dragged him past the blue lockers towards room 6, jumping around him like a bouncy ball that had just been dropped off a cliff. "I guess adults are right. Time really does move fast."
"Speak for yourself, Chloe. Fifth grade seemed like a thousand years long, and now we have to start a whole new school year." He sighed. "Well . . . this should be fun!"
Ah, sarcasm. Michael always found a way to keep me on my toes.
I stopped jumping and turned to face him, and he did the same. We stopped walking and stood alone in the middle of the hallway. I knew that sarcasm was his way of saying he was sad that it was his last year of school with me and the rest of our friends.
I looked deep into his blue-green eyes. "It will be fun," I said, placing one hand on his shoulder, trying to assure him. "Trust me."
He stared at my face for a few seconds. "I do."
We both knew it was our last year together, but neither of us wanted to think about it. The thought of losing Michael was just far too sad for my heart to handle, and I could tell it was killing him too.
Sixth grade flew by in the blink of an eye, and summer was finally upon us. Michael and I went on walks and bike rides together as often as we could. We spent hours on end asking his Magic 8 Ball questions. We made so many memories, but the one I remember most is the day before school started: our last day together.
I was lying on my stomach on my bed examining my new school supplies when I heard a tapping noise. I turned my music down and found that the noise was coming from my window. I walked over to the large, two-panel window and unlatched it, letting the glass swing open and the warm summer air rush into my air-conditioned bedroom.
"Michael?" I said, looking around and shading my eyes from the afternoon August sun.
"Hey Chloe!" Michael whisper-shouted from the branch of a nearby tree.
"Hey," I giggled. "Why are you whispering? And why are you at my window? You do know we have a front door right?"
"Yeah, I know," he smiled, obviously flattered that some of his sarcasm had rubbed off on me. "I guess it was just time for a change. So, you wanna go on a walk? I have to show you something."
"I don't know, Michael. I'm pretty busy."
"Please . . ." he begged. "It's really important."
"Okay. I'll meet you at the front door."
"C'mon, Chloe. You have to face your fears. The only way you can overcome your fear of heights is by coming out this window." Michael smiled. His eyes were crazy and his tone of voice nothing but encouraging.
"Umm . . ." I leaned my head out the window, looking at the green grass of my front yard, which rested two stories below me. For a split second, I actually considered climbing out onto the tree branch with Michael. Then a wave of fear shivered down my spine. I knew I couldn't. "Nope, I think I'll use the front door!"
Wow. Talk about a nervous rush.
"Fine. But we're racing." Michael settled.
"You're on. On your marks, get set, GO!"
I grabbed my cell phone and bolted down the stairs to the front door. I knew I'd beaten Michael. I just knew it! I flung the door open and to my surprise (well not really), there he was. He'd beaten me.
Michael laughed. "What took you so long?"
"Traffic."
"Ladies first." He stepped out of the doorway, and we walked down the cobblestone path in front of my house towards the sidewalk.
