This fiction is starting during the second book. Her mom is pregnant. Kenny isn't around, though.

Chapter Three

We stepped out into the chilly fall air, wrapping our coats tighter around our waists. I take a peek over at Michael, watching him as he tucks a loose strand of his dark hair behind his ear. I feel a swoon creeping up my throat, but I shut it out, deciding against it. Best to keep it cool! The whole "knee incident" upstairs must've been a fluke. I have imagined Michael and I sharing a romantic kiss so many times... this must've just been another one of my daydreams. My brain must've let the wandering go a little too far. I scare myself sometimes.

"So how are all of your classes going, Michael?" I ask, braking the awkward silence that had settled over us as soon as Lilly walked into the room.

"They're all fine. Advanced Chemistry is a real mother though! I have a B in there right now!" he scowled, kicking a pebble with his toe.

Oh gosh, a B! In Michael world compared to mine that's an F for me! Ironic! "Wow, it must be a pretty tough class then. I don't think I've ever heard of you getting a B in anything." I smile, risking a look over at him. I can see he is pleased that I am proud of him in all his academic glory.

"Yeah. It's a rarity." he smiles, modestly.

"Well, I'm still failing Algebra... well... I have a D." I moan, crossing my arms, trying to stay warm. I only have a sweater on so I'm pretty cold.

"I could tutor you after school one day. Seriously, it'd be no problem!" he says somewhat nervously, looking over at me.

I smile and try to contain my utter enthusiasm for the idea! "You'd want to?"

"Sure, as long as it isn't Wednesdays. I've got computer club then." he smiles.

"Great. Where do you want to do this?" I ask, trying to set this up so we'll actually go through with it. Anything to spend more time with Michael!

"My house?" he suggests.

"That's fine. How about Monday. Mr. G. usually gives us the whole week's schedule so we can go over everything I'm going to be working on that week. We can follow it up in G&T if we need to," I begin to ramble.

"That sounds fine, Mia." he says quietly smiling.

"Great." I grin, taking in a few deep breaths to calm my on-edge nerves. "So, I guess you're missing your Mom's big dinner and attempt to bring your family closer together then, huh?"

"Yeah, she said she would save me some, but I'm thinking I'll just grab a bite to eat on my way home." he smiles, grabbing his throat. "It's suicide trying to eat my Mom's meatloaf or whatever the hell she's cooking. I don't want to get food poisoning!"

I laugh, covering my mouth to stifle it. "I was thinking I'd run by Number One Son and grab some noddles and then eat them in the park." I think out loud.

"Would you mind company? That sounds good!" he asks nervously.

"Yeah!" I grin, squeaking it out. "I mean, no, I wouldn't mind! I would love some company. I... never mind." I decide against admitting too much.

"You....?" he smiles deviously.

"Nothing!" I know I must be blushing like a crazy person. I can feel my cheeks getting hotter by the second.

"C'mon Thermopolis! I'm going to get it out of you one way or another." he says, grinning from ear to ear, mischievously.

"Oh really?" I shriek, suddenly feeling flirtatious.

"Yeah!" he laughs, leaping forward to tickle me. I squeal taking off. I'm running about as fast as a Granny with a broken leg, though, weighed down by my backpack, and it only takes him a few moments to catch up with me. His fingers run all up and down my stomach and somehow I end up hunched over on the side-walk, giggling like a little girl.

"Stop!" I squeal, curling up into a ball, flailing my arms about, trying to swat him off.

"I forget why this started!" he laughs, the tickling subsiding momentarily. Then, he remembers and begins again. "Tell me!"

"Oh fine! Ju...s...st... Pl...hehehehe...please...hahaha....ahhhh. Stop! Please!" I shriek, laughing uncontrolably. He has somehow found the spot where I am unbearably ticklish.

"Okay." he smiles, extending a hand to help me up. I take it and once I'm on my feet I give him a swift swat on the arm. "Gaw Michael," I giggle, smoothing out my shirt.

"I was going to say that I don't like sitting out in the park alone at night," I say sheepishly.

"Why?" he asks, 'accidentally' brushing his arm against mine.

"I don't know. It's just creepy. There is this one guy who is always out there smoking. He always sits on the same bench. One time..."

"Oh my gosh, Mia! What happened?," he asks, concern painted all over his face. I must say, it is a definite turn on that he cares so much. Most guys would just laugh.

"Well, it wasn't a big deal. He just offered me some drugs... when I didn't buy them... he got a little physical." I said, wincing a little.

"Oh my gosh, Mia!" he says, his face looking horrified. It was so cute, I almost couldn't help myself from just totally losing it.

"He just started shaking me and yelling at me to buy the drugs so he could eat." I say rolling my eyes.

"What did you do?" he asked, his eyes very intent on me.

"I pulled out my mace and then ran like hell! I haven't seen him since." I smile, running my hand over the pocket where it is still resting.

"Did you tell anyone?"

"Of course, I told my Mom. She notified the police, but I doubt they did anything. As long as I'm alive, it's not an issue to them." I giggle flippantly.

"Well, there is no way in hell I'm letting you go sit there by yourself!" he says, anger evident in his tone. He really is driving me mad. The whole protective bit is very nice!

"I've been there a million times since then and I've never seen that guy, Michael. No worries!" I smile. Not that I'm trying to talk him out of coming along! Not at all!

"Well, I'm still coming! I'd feel better if you weren't by yourself. I don't like the idea of you sitting around in that park at night all alone!"

"My hero!" I smile. I don't know where I've gotten this sudden burst of flirtatious energy, but I love how it feels. He seems to be being overly nice to me as well. I'm probably imagining it!

He chuckles as we walk through the gates and onto the school lawn. We cut threw the grass, making a bee line for the gym. It's always easier to cut through there.

"Well, my meeting is upstairs." I comment, knowing the computer lab is down the hall from the gym.

"Okay. Where should we meet?" he asks.

"I need to go to my locker. I want to put some of my books up."

"I know where that is. You're right by Lilly. I'll come find you!" he smiles. "Later Thermopolis."

"Tootles." I call, running up the stairs. "Well... that was an interesting little walk," I whisper to myself.