I felt Michael's lips on mine, and suddenly, everything was fine. The fact that this could be the last time I'd ever see him just didn't faze me, because just for one moment (If I had to guess, seven seconds, but it's not like I was counting or anything . . .) our little barely-teenage world stopped spinning. Everything paused, and for just those seven seconds (Okay, fine. I was counting . . .) it was all about us. So what if he was switching schools? It didn't matter. Nothing did. He gave me a minute of complete serenity, and I don't even think he knew it.
He pulled away, and then the pain came back. My perfect moment of numbness was over. He was leaving. I didn't know if I'd ever see him again. I needed to know, but no one had the answer. I couldn't believe this was actually happening.
Up until this point, the fact that Michael was leaving was just sad. I knew it would hurt to let him go, but I didn't know it would be so hard. Then I realized that I was standing there, moping about Michael leaving, while he was still right in front of me. I still had him, but not for much longer. Every second that passed pulled us farther apart, but closer together. I decided to make the most of the time that we still had.
"Hey," I looked up at Michael through the tears building up in my eyes. "Remember the first year that you moved here, and you'd never seen snow before? So, after the first snow, I took you sledding and we built a snowman, and my mom made us hot chocolate when we came inside?"
"Yeah." Michael sounded a little confused.
"Remember how I got mad at you because Mom gave you the big marshmallow and I got the little ones?"
"Yeah." He was holding back a giggle.
"Well, I just wanted you to know, I'd let you have the big marshmallow any day."
I smiled up at him and he smiled back down.
"Well, that's nice and all, but I'd want you to have it." He said.
"Thanks."
I looked around my front yard for a minute. Then I looked back up at Michael.
"Hey Michael . . ."
"Yeah?" He looked straight into my blue eyes.
"Um . . . I just wanted to . . . um . . ." I felt the sea of tears I'd been holding back flow down my cheeks. "Just promise me, that no matter what happens, you'll never forget me."
Michael brushed my wavy auburn hair away from my eyes and directed my face toward his.
"Chloe," Michael whispered. "I could never forget you."
He hugged me. He was warm, and he smelled delicious. I rested my head on his chest. It was perfect . . .
Michael's phone rang.
"Shoot! It's my mom! I completely forgot!" He started pacing my front yard. "I was supposed to be home half an hour ago!"
"Hello? Yeah, I know. Sorry . . . Okay, I'll be right home." Michael hung up.
He walked back over to me and hugged me tighter than I'd ever been hugged.
"I have to go." He said. His voice cracked.
"I guess I'll see you later." I said, dropping my head to the ground. I knew I wouldn't be seeing him later, or anytime soon at all.
"How about next Tuesday? My new school is having their back to school dance and everyone's supposed to bring a date." Michael asked.
I couldn't believe my ears.
"What? You want me to be your date?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"I'd love to go to the dance with you Michael." I said, trying to hold back my excitement.
"Okay, I'll see you then. I gotta go. Bye Chloe." His blue-green eyes met mine.
"Bye Michael." I smiled.
Our eyes unlocked. Michael grabbed his bag off my lawn and ran down the sidewalk. I just stood there in front of my house going over the last two minutes in my mind, wondering if they actually happened, or if this was just some crazy dream. I pinched myself. I didn't wake up.
I rubbed the Magic 8 Ball softly, treating it with care. Then I asked it a question.
"Magic 8 Ball, did that really just happen?" I shook it and looked at the bottom.
"Without a doubt." I read to myself. I smiled.
I walked up the cobblestone path to my front door. When I got inside, my dad was waiting for me. He didn't look happy.
Author's Note: Happy Holidays everybody! I'm traveling for Christmas this year, so I won't be able to send in part four next week. I'll get it in the week after though . . . I pinky swear. Wow! I just realized that the week after next week is 2010! Holy cheese! Anyway, enjoy your Holidays and eat lots of yummy food! I shall now end this article with caroling!
*clears throat* "Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh! HEY!"
~caliebabi
