Chapter 19

"Hello? Earth to Alondra," Cameron says with a chuckle while waving his palm in front of my face.

"What, yes?" I ask, still thrown off by who I saw.

If I'm not mistaken, that was Ching Lang Fen. God knows she gave me hell during my first attempt at college.

She is two years ahead of me now, since I've had a delay in my education. Ching Lang isn't even a bully, she's got a whole other level made just for her.

She claimed that she's royalty, a descendent from a king in one of the Chinese dynasties. Because of that, she treated everyone like lower life forms, just to boost herself up.

I worked hard to try not to let her get to me, but it was terribly difficult. At one point, she started spreading rumors that I was a leader of a drug cartel just because of my Mexican background.

She sneered and taunted me from the minute she saw me, and I will never know what she'd been holding against me. I can help but wonder what the heck shes doing here, at this college? What are the odds that we end up in the same place? I just hope that maybe she was visiting and that I'll never have to see her again.

I shake my head to clear it of the unpleasant memories and look over at a concerned Cameron. I give a smile, telling him that I'm okay.

"I had a really fun time with you Alondra," he says, smiling back. I nod as we continue down the walkway and across a bridge.

"Me too, Cameron. I'm glad I've met someone even before school really starts for me, it's really eased my conscience." I explain to him.

"Well, I'm glad I could help with that. Er, may I have your phone number? I'd love to keep in touch," he says a bit nervously.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have a phone at the moment," I say, my mind going back to when I smashed it accidentally on the day my parents died.

"Forgive me for assuming. Maybe we could meet before school, here on this bridge? I could walk you to class." He remarks.

"That would be great Cameron," I reply happily. Together, we walk off the bridge and to the parking lot where Kristen and James are waiting for me. I turn back to Cameron.

"Thanks again for, everything basically," I giggle. He waves it off casually.

"Don't worry about it. I had fun with you," he says.

"Me too." In less than a second, Cameron and I are locked in a sweet hug. I pull away and start to blush a little.

"Tomorrow on the bridge?" He says, calling over his shoulder as he walks away.

"Of course!" I say while waving. He disappears back into the lobby and I sigh and turn around, making my way to Kristen and James. They're standing outside of the Escalade.

"Hey you two," I say with a smile. We climb inside and drive on back to Neverland. The mood of the car is awkward, so I survey both of them.

"So, how was the tour?" James asks. I look over at him and he has lipstick on his mouth and his hair is a mess. Where they..

"It was fine.." I say, turning to look at Kristen. She quickly shrugs on her jacket and zips it up before reaching down to strap her shoes. I pull her close to me to whisper in her ear.

"What is up with you two?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows at her. She shakes her head and laughs.

"Oh, I don't know, what about you and Michael, hmm?" She says, turning the tables. I brush my hair back and cross my arms.

"Nothing's happened," I lie, embarrassed. Kristen snorts and rolls her eyes.

"If nothing happened, you would still be a virgin," she says lowly. I gasp, confused. Is it that obvious? Oh man..

We arrive back at Neverland and I set my backpack down in the living room.

"Is Michael home yet?" I ask Kristen. Before she could answer, he emerges from the stairs, slowly walking down them with a stern face.

"Thank you Kristen, James." He says, as if asking them to leave politely. They comply, closing the door behind them.

"Before I say anything, is there anything you'd like to tell me?" He asks, his unusually demanding voice surprising me. I decide to stay silent, but I have no idea what he's talking about.

"Because apparently, you met someone today. And who was that person?" He asks, moving toward me.

I can't help but roll my eyes. There goes Michael being jealous, jumping to conclusions.

"He was my tour guide and now a new friend. Nothing--" But he cuts me off and walks still closer.

"And as if that's not enough, look what I found in our bathroom." He pulls out three blades from the pocket of his trousers.

My breath is caught in my throat as I look up at him like a dear in headlights. He's close enough now to rest his forehead against mine.

"Why?" He whispers.

This single question just makes me break down into tears. I feel so foolish. Why would I continue, knowing that Michael would soon find out. I don't know the answer. I shake my head and bury my face into him.

"It's okay. But don't you know that I'm here for you? You'll always have me." He quiets my sobs by rubbing my back soothingly.

Suddenly, he picks me up and I'm forced to wrap my legs around his thin body. He sets me on the sofa before laying around me.

"And about that boy," He whispers while wiping my tears away.

"He can't treat you like I do, care for you like I do, love you like I do," he says, bringing a smile to my tear-stained face.

"I know. But he's just a friend, so don't get any ideas," I say to him before pinching his nose playfully. He laughs and I relax more.

"Help me remove this tie, I just got in and I'm tired." He says. I sit up and he does the same, and my hands start unraveling the fabric.

He shrugs off his dress shirt and I assist him in unbuttoning it. His biceps come into view and I feel myself start to get weak. This man's body is heaven!

We get off of the couch and Michael leads me to the bathroom.

"As for these," he says, taking the blades and throwing them into the open toilet bowl, "they're gone. It's over and done, do you hear me?"

Michael's fatherly side comes out and I nod my head quickly.

"Good. Now come on, tell me about the tour," he says.

I walk to the kitchen to pull out a bad of potato chips. I open them and sit on one kitchen stool, facing Michael.

"I really love the school, it's so beautiful. And the professors seem very friendly. I can't wait to start," I explain.

Soon, I realize that the bag of potato chips are finished. I look up and Michael's cheeks are stuffed.

"Food thief!" I yell. He laughs and gets up to start running away. I catch up to him and pull him down until we're rolling on the floor.

He sits up, leaning against me before I sit on his lap.

"You know what else you stole?" I ask, taking a curl around my finger.

"What did I steal?" Says Michael, eyebrows raised.

I lean in, my lips millimeters away from his own. He grips my waist and I put my hands on his soft face. I press my lips against his, slowly kissing him. He groans as I pull away, softly biting his bottom lip. This was the first time I initiated a kiss between the two of us. Michael seems to have liked it, a lot.

"You stole my heart," I whisper. He smiles and turns his head to kiss my cheek as I rest against him, our hearts beating as one.

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Chapter 19 guys! I'm sorry for the delay, really! Help me come up with a name for this chapter pleaseeee. What do you think will happen next? Suggestions? Vote and comment! 👍

~Joy ❤️💕