Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [103]
They shared one more intimate laugh before Michal raised her hand to wave good-bye. And then she hurried away.
The next day flew by. After her exam, Michal thought she’d earned a strong B if not the A she’d hoped for. Quizzes in other classes weren’t difficult either, and by the end of the day, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Michal had hugged Beth good-bye. Jessica, Ruth, Jenny, and Samantha had already headed home for spring break, leaving the suite uncharacteristically quiet. Few students remained on campus at this point besides Michal; her bus for Florida didn’t leave until the next morning.
She was leisurely packing when the suite’s phone rang—the resident advisor informing her she had a visitor in the lounge. For a moment, Michal was flustered. She knew Allistair was one of the few students remaining; his team also didn’t leave until morning. But when she entered the lounge, she was relieved, and intrigued, to see the familiar hunched form sprawled on the couch, clicking the remote.
“What is it with men and remote controls?” she teased. “And not watching one channel for more than two seconds?”
Stephen stood, and the smile and dimples flashed again, sending a quick stab to her heart. “Hey, Michal. Someone told me you’d still be here. Hope you don’t mind me bothering you?”
“Oh no, not at all. I’m glad for the company. Will you be here until tomorrow morning too?”
“No, actually, I leave in about ten minutes.”
“Oh, okay.”
Stephen plopped back down, his gangly legs and big feet stretched out before him. Michal sat too, making sure she was a discreet distance away.
Both were quiet, awkward—not knowing what to say. And then they both began to speak at exactly the same time … laughed at their bungling … and quieted again. Finally, Michal ventured, “Was there something you wanted to tell me? Ask me?”
“Um, no. Well, are you looking forward to spring break?”
“Oh, yes. I’m going to my Aunt Sarah’s. In Fort Myers. Florida.” She rushed to add, “Of course you knew that. That Fort Myers is in Florida, I mean.”
Stephen smiled and she felt the tickle in the pit of her stomach; the butterflies were back.
“Oh. Yeah, I did. But I didn’t … I mean, I didn’t know you were going. Or that your aunt lived there.”
“Yeah. She does live … there.” Why is this so hard, Michal wondered, when it was so easy to talk with Allistair last night? “How about you?”
“What’s that?”
“Where are you going for break?”
“Oh. Just home.” Michal inclined her head toward him, and he caught the clue. “Ohio. Bay Village, to be exact.”
“Doing anything special?”
“Nope. Don’t think so.” Stephen glanced at his watch, and Michal saw it was a computer type, very studious looking. She was impressed.
“Time to go?”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” He stood, awkward again. “I just um … wanted to say good-bye. See you when we get back?”
“Oh, yeah. Absolutely.”
Michal followed behind him, walking toward the door when suddenly Stephen stopped and turned toward her. But she never guessed what was coming, didn’t anticipate his intention to put his arms around her, pulling her roughly toward him. Before she could even take a quick breath, he’d planted a wet, sloppy kiss on her lips.
Just as quickly, he was gone. Sprinting toward his dorm.
Michal put her hands to her cheeks, feeling the heat of her flushing. It wasn’t her first kiss—but it nearly was. And the other hadn’t been that urgent or forceful.
Her heart was pounding. But she couldn’t decide: Was it out of excitement? Or shock?
On the bus to Fort Myers, Michal was still debating. Did I somehow convey to Stephen that I wanted him to kiss me? She shook her head, wondering, unsure of herself and the message that she’d possibly, unknowingly sent.
The other questions in her mind, however, haunted her more: Will he do it again? And do I want him to?
She leaned her head wearily against the window and soon went to sleep, dozing peacefully until excited exclamations awakened her, for they were approaching the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Rubbing her eyes, Michal was mesmerized by the bold primary colors of several