Side Story 1 : Michael (The beginning)

Mike’s POV

               “Dude! What took you so long?” Dix shouts as I climb out of the bus.

              “Sorry. Overslept,” I mutter groggily.

I literally had to jump out of bed, pull on my clothes and run to the bus. I look like hell and I feel even worse! Could there be a better way to kick off my sophomore year?

               “I can tell! You look horrible,” Dix smirks before gesturing for me to follow him.

Yawning loudly, I trudge through the crowd of students, finally getting to the field.

               “So, I told you about this girl I met during the summer break, right?” Dix begins and I groan internally.

Here we go again! This is going to be another of Dixon’s I’m-going-to-get-a-new-girlfriend gush session.

Yes, yes, you’re a babe magnet! We get it!

               “Yeah, only a billion times,” I gripe.

He laughs good naturedly, thumping me on the back.

This is the best thing about Dix though. He’s not one to take offence.

               “Anyway, she’s here! A fresher!” he announces happily.

I smile up at him, unable to be bitter. He’s my best friend and obviously this girl is making him happy. I might as well be happy for him.

               “When do I get to meet her?” I ask waggling my eyebrows at him.

               “Soon. When I seal the deal with her,” he smirks.

Seal the deal?

Poor girl has no idea what she’s in for!

***

               “Royce! May I see you for a minute?” Miss J, the school councillor calls as I walk past her office.

               “Sure. What’s up?” I ask, walking into her room.

               “Take a seat,” she instructs, peering at me intently over her glasses.

I obey and twiddle my thumbs nervously, not sure why exactly she wants to see me.            

               “How did your break go?” she asks after a moment.

               “Okay. How was your, Miss J?” I say.

               “It was good, thank you Michael. The reason I wanted to see you was about what we talked about last year,” she murmurs concernedly.

I swallow loudly, dropping my gaze.

Right after finals last year, I came to see Miss J. I had no one else to turn to.

Mum has just told me that Joseph Royce, the man I believed was my father was in fact not. I had mourned his death since I was 10. He was the only father I knew.

But biologically, we weren’t related at all.

Miss J helped me out during that depression phase.

               “I’m okay,” I mumble.

               “Did your mother tell you who your real father is?” she probes.

               “No. She won’t say,” I spit.

I’ll find out. One of these days, I’ll finally know the truth as to who my father really is!

               “I was thinking perhaps you should come see me once a week? We could talk and stuff?” Miss J suggests.

               “I’m not mad,” I state blandly.

I’m not!

I don’t need weekly visits to the councillor!

               “I’m not saying you are, Michael. But you need to let these things out otherwise things will only get worse,” she whispers softly.

               “I don’t need help!” I snap, storming out of her room.

I can handle this myself!

I stomp across the corridor taking the turn without minding the people coming from the opposite direction and I knock right into a girl.

The both of us topple over, her books go scattering around.

               “Hey, sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I mutter, picking up her books.

               “Yeah, don’t worry about it. I should be more careful anyway,” she murmurs, tucking her dark hair behind her ears.

               “I’m Michael. I haven’t seen you around. Are you new?” I ask intrigued by her.

She’s really pretty, there’s no denying that. She’s got short dark hair, high cheek bones, milky complexion and the most amazing eyes ever – violet! She’s a little short though.

               “I’m a freshie,” she shrugs.

               “Right. Of course. Do you need any help finding your classes?” I ask, this odd sensation begins tingling in my stomach.

This girl is so pretty! Prettier than any I’ve seen so far, that’s for sure!

               “Thanks! I’ve gotten lost five times already! I’m Skylar, by the way.”

***

               “Yeah, so I kinda chickened out and ended up having to do the alternate dare instead,” she mutters, her nose scrunching up adorably.

We sit on the open field during break since she didn’t want to be in the cafeteria. It looked like I was her only friend. For now anyway.

But she’s amazing! She’s funny and smart and really, really sweet.

               “That’s sad. I once had to run down my street in my boxers on a dare,” I volunteer, laughing.

               “That would have been so embarrassing!” she exclaims, her eyes huge.

I smile at her reaction.

I like this girl.

I really, really like her.