Chapter 6

From that moment on there was a new bond between them. You could see it but no one could put a finger on it.

Sully stayed until Charlotte got home. She found them on the couch, Michaela resting her head on Sully's legs; because she didn't have a lot of sleep the night before, she was bone tired. Now that her conscious was settled she could let herself rest. Sully didn't mind. He'd made a promise to himself to always watch over her.

When Mrs. Cooper entered the room Sully didn't feel uncomfortable. He knew that she was a woman who always kept an open mind.

"How was your evening, Mrs. C.?"

"Fine, thank you. It seems like yours went well, too." Charlotte watched Michaela.

"You stayed?" she at last asked the young man.

"Yes, sorry." Sully explained to her how the evening had flown by and that he hadn't wanted to leave Michaela alone.

Charlotte smiled. Michaela woke slowly not aware that Charlotte was already home. Subconsciously her hand ran along Sully's leg. Yet as she opened her eyes, she got up swiftly and blushed. "Nothing happened, Mrs. Cooper." She was trying to apologize.

"That's ok Dear, as long as everything went well I'm happy," Charlotte winked and cast a knowing glance at both of them.

After saying their goodbyes Sully and Michaela left the house.

"Goodnight," Michaela said and wanted to walk away.

"Hey, where are you going alone at this late hour?" Sully held her back.

"Home of course, it's not that far," she replied.

"I'll take ya."

"That's really not necessary."

"I insist," Sully said, not accepting 'no' for an answer.

Noticing that Sully was serious Michaela didn't argue. Of course she new she was capable of walking that short distance alone. But she had to admit she liked spending some more time with him.

"Thank you Sully, for staying with me tonight," she told him.

"It was my pleasure." He took her hand, "I enjoyed the company."

They walked the rest in silence. As they neared Rebecca's house they slowed down a bit, as if they could postpone the moment when they had to part.

"Will I see you at the center on Monday?" Sully eventually asked.

Michaela nodded.

"Maybe we can go together," he suggested.

"I would like that," Michaela agreed.

Slowly, they strolled toward the door.

"Shall we meet at the tree?" Sully wondered, still holding her hand.

"That would be nice." Michaela blushed again. "I'm glad I've met you Sully," she added, looking down.

He lifted her hand and kissed it instead of a reply. They wished the night would never end.

The weekend couldn't go by fast enough for both of them. Sully was busy helping his mother and brother. But while doing so he caught himself thinking of Michaela most of the time.

Michaela had a lovely time at Rebecca's but was glad when Abigail's dad picked her up on Sunday evening. This meant it was almost Monday.

As usual Abby was chatting away about clubbing and boys. She didn't even listen to Mike's stories. Maybe it was even better; this way Abigail couldn't see the shine on Michaela's face when she thought back to last Saturday.

"Oh, did you meet Sully?" Abby asked excited. "A hunk, isn't he?"

She poked Michaela's side. Michaela didn't know what to answer. And it wasn't necessary because Abby was dragging on about how Sully and her had been friends since they had been kids, and that they were just meant for each other. Michaela didn't like it when Abigail was talking and bragging about them. It made her mad.

Loren, Abigail's father, started a different topic. He liked Sully but didn't think he was good marriage material for his daughter.

Michaela was glad for the break and told Loren more about her life in Boston.

Abby was pouting because she wasn't the one who got the attention.

"Did you know I saw Sully naked once?" she suddenly said.

Michaela's mouth flew open.

"Abby, you've been only three and had pushed him into the pool in our backyard," her father reminded her.

"So? It still counts.," Abby retorted.

"Do you think you two will ever get together?" Michaela inquired.

"Of course! And I'll do anything to make it happen," her new friend exclaimed.

Loren sighed.

As if having an on and off switch, Abigail started to talk about different things.

When they arrived at the dorm, Abby asked if the rest of the girls would come to their apartment to watch TV. Michaela, however, retreated to her room.

"Aren't you joining us?" Grace asked.

"I'll be there in a minute, just have to unpack my things." Michaela wanted a moment alone. How could she do this to Abigail? She'd spent one of the best evenings she'd ever had with a man someone else wanted. But Michaela couldn't help it, she had feelings for Sully. Never ever she'd experienced something like this. Before she was going to tell Abigail about her feelings, she had to find out for herself if Sully was the one.

Sully was sitting in his room. Not doubting his feelings. All Sunday long he wanted to call her, just so as to hear her voice. He didn't want to be too forward though, but he just couldn't stop thinking about her. His heart was screaming out for her.

Michaela was almost done with putting her belongings back in their places when her cell phone let her know she had a new message.

Probably Becca, she thought to herself. She never expected what she saw on the screen.

"Hey you, how was your day? Can't wait till tomorrow! XXX S."

Her heart jumped. He was thinking of her too.

"Fine, already at campus. Can't wait either! XXX M."

What am I doing, she thought. She never acted like this, yet her inner feelings told her it was right.

Sully was walking around in his room, wondering whether she would send something back. He was silently praying and leaped when his phone rang. She sent kisses too!! He just had to let her know he couldn't wait to see her.

"Just 17H&41M left, sweet dreams," he typed.

When Michaela entered the living room, she was still blushing. Dorothy noticed but didn't want to point it out. Luckily the other girls were chatting about their Saturday.

"You must join us this Saturday," Myra looked at Michaela.

"You are going again this week?"

Grace, Myra and Abby nodded. Dorothy shook her head no. "I'll skip this week, have too much homework."

"Maybe I'll join," Michaela lied. She wanted to spent some time with Rebecca. Maybe even Sully. Her thoughts went to him again. Dorothy saw in Michaela's face that there was something else on her mind but didn't want to confront her in front of the other girls.

A few weeks flew by. Abigail was more involved in having fun and hanging out with the girls and boys than studying. Michaela on the other hand had her time filled with writing essays. Luckily Dorothy was also one to go for her studies. So it came that both became good friends and did a lot of studying together.

Michaela also worked at the Center two days a week, which she absolutely didn't mind. The work was made for her. This was what she wanted: Helping others and making their day a bit brighter. Of course there was another plus. Sully. He was there the same days as she was, and it was an unspoken agreement that they would meet at their tree. Every time both came a bit early so they would have some time alone. It was not as if they were moving fast, but subconsciously they both knew what they wanted.

No one knew about their growing relationship. Michaela just couldn't tell anyone. What if Abigail found out about them? She was her roommate and Michaela just couldn't bring it over her heart to break Abigail's dream. Yes, she was better friends with Dorothy but she didn't want to ruin the friendship she had with Abby. Maybe it was better if she would keep some distance from Sully for a while. Just so as to see what would happen.

When Michaela and Sully met at their tree again, she made a decision.

"Sully, I have to talk to you."

He held her hand and absentmindedly stroke it with his thumb. She was very aware of it but quickly dismissed the feeling it gave her.

He saw there was something bothering her. "You know you can tell me everything," he encouraged her.

Looking down she nodded, "I know."

Stepping closer he lifted her chin, "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Did someone say or do anything?"

He bent his knees so as to look closer in her eyes. He was concerned she might want to go home, to Boston. "Are you leaving?" His eyes were full of sadness.

"Oh no Sully, I'm not going anywhere! I love it here."

"Good," he stated. "I would have followed you anywhere."

She looked in his eyes and saw only love. How could she do this to him? He cupped her cheek and bent down closer. Their lips touched slightly, his other hand went behind her back to get nearer to her. Her hands went up to his shoulders. Never before they had been this close. He opened his mouth and she responded the same way. Both had never experienced something like this before.

Sully pulled back a bit, "What did you wanna tell me?"

"Nothing," she blushed, got up on her toes and kissed him again. This time it was even with more passion than before. She just couldn't let him go.

When they broke apart, both were blushing. "Wow!" Sully described his feelings with this one word.

Michaela looked up at him and gave him a smile which made him fall in love with her even more.

"I can't believe girls can go around and kiss different boys in one evening. It's normal for them." Michaela shook her head. "Like brushing their teeth."

Both fell into a laughter. "We should go", Michaela started to walk away. Sully took the back of her coat. "Come here." He turned her around and looked deep into her eyes. "When you're courting, all you wanna do is kiss, over and over," he almost whispered the last words. "There is only one I want," he vowed.

His lips touched her forehead and went down to her lips. The kiss deepened in no time. Both were unaware of the small figure watching them.