Chapter 21

I stumble into my apartment and collapse on my sofa.

Oh my, the feelings that man gives me.

I pull out my phone for the first time since before I went to Michael's house.

26 missed calls, 6 messages.

Sam. My parents.

Crap.

I scroll through the messages.

Sam: Bella, why'd you miss lectures? Call me.

Bella?

Hello? Why aren't you answering?

Okay, what's going on?

Are you with Michael? Mark?

Bella, I'm worried sick! Please talk to me?

Where the hell are you?!

16 of the missed calls were from my mom and dad, the rest from Sam and Claire.

I quickly call Sam. I hope she hasn't had a heart attack yet.

She picks up one the first ring.

"What the hell is going on Bella? Do you--"

"Come over."

I hang up and lay back down, rubbing my eyes. I can explain everything to her then.

Sam arrives in five minutes.

I try to hug her but she breezes past me and into my living room.

"You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do." She says sternly.

"I know, I know."

"Well, start."

I decide not to leave anything out, and I start from the beginning.

"Do you remember when you were looking for me around campus last Tuesday?" I ask.

"Yes, what happened?"

"I was trying to get away from the people teasing me about a text message the Professor read out."

"Who sent it?"

"Michael.." I say quietly.

I go on and tell her how Jared cornered and kissed me, and how I quickly got away.

"And that's when I found you, and you took me home."

Sam stays silent, waiting for me to continue.

"So when I got home, Michael was here and he stayed with me and was distracting me while I was trying to write my essay. And.. fast forward, he nearly gets me in bed, but I stop him."

"Thank god, I know you wouldn't let things go too far." She says.

I smile at her support and keep going.

"Then, Mark texts me that night saying he's coming over the next day, and I was sleeping with Michael and he rang the doorbell."

"I think I know what happens.. you two broke up." Sam concludes.

I nod my head sadly. But Sam has a smile on her face.

"What Sam?"

"Mark didn't deserve you. And I think you and Michael should hook up. Like, officially."

"I don't know Sam.." I say.

"Well, you never explained why you missed class."

"Right. So later that day, Michael got a call from Quincy Jones."

Sam's mouth hangs open.

"THE Quincy Jones!"

I nod my head and tell her how he took me to one of his recording studios and I got to meet him.

"And then after that, Michael took me to his house, which is almost four hours away from here."

"Why?"

I shrug.

"He never said. Maybe he just wanted me to see his home."

I tell her how he showed me his room and forced me to drink a glass of wine.

I also say how his personal chef Kai cooked me dinner.

"But get this, she said that he's mysterious and nobody really understands him completely."

"Well, obviously. No one ever understands celebrities." She says matter-of factly.

I sigh and continue to tell her why I was late, and how I went back to the recording studio today.

"Sam. Michael's assistant.."

"Is..?"

"So. Freaking, hot!" I yell and Sam starts to giggle.

I tell her about how we talked and Michael got jealous of us talking. Then I tell her about the drive home and his gentle kiss.

She sits quiet for a moment.

"He likes you," she says after a while.

"I think I get that. But I'm not going to do anything serious. I just broke up with Mark."

Sam rolls her eyes.

"Yes, because serious doesn't include sleeping with him numerous times and almost having sex."

"Shut up!" I shout, playfully punching her.

"Whatever Bells. You need to figure out what you want. But I think you like him back."

What?

No, I don't.

Like, no.

I think.

I cover my face with my hands and fall back on the couch.

"Love sucks.." I mumble.

"Hmm, so this is love?" She asks.

"No. It isn't. Its just, a strong friendship."

"Really? What's his favorite color?"

"Um, I don't know."

"Food? Song? TV show?"

Wow, I really don't know him.

"Some friends you are." She says.

I can't believe I don't even know the basics, I don't even know his birthday!

"I need to get to know him." I say.

"Yes, you do."

Sam stays for dinner and then leaves after she helps me catch up with what I missed.

I decide to call Michael. Its still kind of early, 5:30.

He picks up on the second ring.

"Bella?"

"Yes Michael, its me."

"What's up babe?"

"Um, I want you to come over." I say quickly.

"Why?"

"So we can hang out together," I say.

"I'm so glad you asked. I'm outside your door."

What? That fast?

~~~~~~
-Joy <3