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Title: Love Unexpected
Main Characters: Michael Corinthos III/Starr Manning/Johnny Zacchara/Georgie Jones
Summary: Michael meets Starr Manning and becomes fascinated by her. She comes to Port Charles looking for a fresh start. What starts as a friendship possibly leads to more when they find things they have in common. Georgie & Johnny are smitten with each other, but are hesitant to reveal their feelings. Will their friends help them with it? A love story for Starr/Michael & GeJo fans. AH.
Chapter 3
(Michael and Starr are in the doorway at Kelly's, completely shocked at seeing the other there. Michael clears his throat and attempts to recover from his dry throat by swallowing loudly. They both compose themselves enough to finally speak)
Michael: "I-I..." (chuckles nervously) "S-Sorry that I'm stuttering. I-I just... I can't believe you're here."
(Starr chuckles nervously and attempts to talk)
Starr: "What are you doing here in Port Charles?"
Michael: "What are you doing here?"
(They both stop talking when they realize they spoke at the same time. They chuckle nervously and walk a few steps away from the door to give the customers that are walking towards them a chance to get in. They realize they need to sit down as they are both still shocked to see the other so they sit at the table that's next to them. After getting comfortable, they look at each other and smile before speaking)
Michael: (chuckles a little) "Okay, now that we have recovered from seeing each other just now..."
Starr: (eyes widen & chuckles) "That's putting it mildly."
Michael: (gestures) "The last time I saw you...you had that flat tire and I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see you again."
Starr: (chuckles) "Yeah, um...I guess you could say I wanted to be somewhere different."
(Michael looks at Starr and he can tell from the way she spoke that it is a somewhat tender subject)
Michael: "I think you said you were a few hours away from where you used to live?"
(Starr nods and smiles politely)
Starr: "Ummm...I decided to explore or whatever and see where I ended up."
Michael: (smiles) "Is that so?"
(Michael briefly looks around and moves his hand like he is showing her the scenery of the spot where they were. He then faces Starr)
Michael: "Port Charles is a nice place to live."
(Starr looks at him with a puzzled look and looks around without moving her head before facing Michael)
Starr: "You-You live here? In-In Port Charles?"
Michael: (chuckles & nods) "Guilty."
Starr: "Huh?"
(Michael senses Starr is surprised by his answer)
Michael: "I, uh, I take it you're surprised?"
Starr: "Yeah, I guess I thought you were just a stranger passing through."
(Michael looks at her apologetically and is tempted to place his hand over hers as if to comfort her, but knows it's not a good idea, so he keeps his hands to himself)
Michael: "I'm-I'm sorry, Starr. If I would have known you were staying in Port Charles besides just getting your tire fixed..."
Starr: (quickly shakes her head) "No, it's okay, Michael. I mean, how could you have known? The only thing I said was I was hours from home and besides, neither of us thought we would ever see each other again."
(Michael chuckles softly and nods)
Michael: "That's true."
(Starr looks at Michael and wonders whether to talk some more or go, as she isn't sure if he has a place he needs to be. Her thoughts are dashed when Michael speaks)
Michael: "So are you, uh, staying in Port Charles for just a few days or longer?"
(Michael realizes he is getting too personal so he raises his hands and looks apologetic)
Michael: "Starr, I'm...Oh, my god! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked that. That was so incredibly rude of me."
(Starr smiles and can't help but chuckle at his kindness. She shakes her head and waves her hand)
Starr: "Michael, it's okay. You're fine."
(Starr studies Michael and can tell he genuinely feels bad for his questions, but she reaches over and places her hand over his and smiles sweetly)
Starr: "You're such a gentleman. I appreciate your kindness and your apology, but I assure you...no harm done."
(Michael smiles and nods in response as he appreciates her honesty and compassion)
Starr: "And to answer your question..." (shrugs) "I'm not sure how long I'm in Port Charles for." (sighs) "I guess you could say I wanted to try something different." (tilts her head) "Port Charles looks okay so far, at least from what I've seen."
Michael: (nods & smiles) "Yeah, it is."
Starr: "You mentioned earlier that you live here?"
Michael: (nods) "Yeah, I've lived here all my life."
Starr: (smiles & nods) "So, you must know this place well."
Michael: (chuckles) "I guess you could say that." (raises his eyebrows) "A little too well sometimes."
Starr: (jokingly) "Uh-oh!"
Michael: (laughs) "I guess you could say every place has its ups and downs." (shrugs) "My family lives here."
(Starr's smile quickly goes away when Michael says the word 'family'. She wasn't sure if he was saying he has a family of his own. He looks really young, but then again, maybe he found love at a young age. Michael sees her smile disappear and clarifies what he meant)
Michael: "Sorry." (chuckles) "I meant my parents and sibling. Friends too, of course."
Starr: "Oh." (chuckles nervously) "Cool."
Michael: "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
Starr: (nods) "Yeah, a younger brother."
Michael: (nods) "Siblings is something we have in common as I have a younger brother, too."
(Michael tries not to stare at Starr, but it's obvious he is completely enchanted by her. Starr can't help but smile at him, as she finds him fascinating. Before another word is spoken, they hear a pair of footsteps coming towards them)
Woman: "Oh, there you are, Michael!"
(Michael and Starr turn their attention away from each other to see who is talking to him. Michael looks apologetic)
Michael: "Oh, hey, mom. Sorry that I forgot to meet up with you. I was on my way, but then I met up with Starr and we got lost in conversation."
(Carly looks at Michael before glancing at Starr and then she smiles)
Carly: "So this is the famous Starr, huh? The one that I've heard so much about?"
(Michael gives his mother a look, as if telling her to stop what she is saying. Starr can't help but giggle during this)
Michael: "Mom." (chuckles nervously) "Please, stop."
(Carly puts her hand up to her mouth before she winces)
Carly: "Sorry." (apologetically) "You know me. When I get all excited about something..."
(Carly looks at Starr and briefly places her hand over the young girls' hand)
Carly: "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to embarrass you two."
Starr: (laughs) "No, it's okay. Michael speaks very highly of you and he credited you and his father."
(Carly looks at Starr with a stunned face before facing Michael and smiles)
Carly: "He did, huh?" (to Starr) "Well, thank you for saying that!" (chuckles) "We did try to raise Michael right, you know, with nice manners." (smiles happily) "I guess we did well."
(Starr laughs, causing Michael to blush)
Michael: "Okay, okay, okay. You do know I'm right here, right, mom?"
Carly: (shrugs happily) "Oh, trust me, Michael, you know I would not miss an opportunity to make you blush. Especially when it makes you look so cute."
(Michael groans as he crosses his arms on the table then rests his face on his folded arms. Starr can't help but laugh)
Starr: "I think it's so sweet that your mom is able to playfully embarrass you like this."
(Michael raises his head and points at Starr)
Michael: "Don't let her catch you saying that because it'll tempt her to do it more." (wincing at Carly)
(Carly raises her hands and shrugs happily)
Carly: "Too late."
(Starr and Carly laugh, causing Michael to playfully roll his eyes before they get serious)
Carly: (smiles) "It was very nice to meet you, Starr. I look forward to seeing more of you, especially being you rented the room above Kelly's."
(Michael looks at Starr with a puzzled look)
Michael: "Oh, you're staying here at Kelly's?"
Starr: (smiles & nods) "Uh-huh."
(Michael looks between Starr and Carly)
Michael: "So, you knew that my mother was the manager?"
Starr: "Well, I knew her name and met her before, but didn't know she was your mom till just now."
Carly: (nods) "There was one more room above Kelly's that was available and Starr wanted it." (to Starr & smiles) "You are a very nice young woman. Don't be a stranger, okay?"
Starr: (chuckles & nods) "Okay. Thank you."
(Carly offers Starr one last smile before facing Michael)
Carly: "Your father wanted to see you by the way. I know you and I were going to meet up so I told him I would deliver the message."
Michael: (nods) "Okay, thanks."
(Starr and Michael get up from their seats and face each other as Carly walks away from them to give them some privacy)
Michael: (smiles a little) "It was nice running into you again."
Starr: (nods & smiles) "Yeah, same here. I'm sure with a town as small as this, we'll be seeing each other often."
Michael: (nods & smiles tenderly) "Sounds good."
(Starr watches Michael walk to Carly before they walk away. Starr looks in Michael's direction and smiles as she shrugs)
Starr: "Maybe Port Charles isn't a bad idea after all to start my new life."
Chapter 3 Done
Thank you for reading. I hope you're enjoying this story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. I hope you will continue to be patient with me on the updates even though they aren't updated regularly and that won't stop your interest in this story. Thank you to those who review/follow/favorite! Until next time!