Chapter 7

It was Friday afternoon, and the girls sat in the café having a cup of coffee.

Michaela was engrossed in a book, Dorothy was reading a newspaper and the other girls were talking about how they would spent their weekend.

"Are you two bookworms coming along this weekend?" Abigail made them both look up.

Dorothy agreed, but only if Michaela would join them tomorrow. They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer this time, so Michaela agreed.

"Is Robert E. coming too?" Michaela enquired.

"Of course! Can't go without him." Grace winked.

"Will there be more boys?" Michaela grew curious.

"Usually Hank comes along and we'll ask Daniel. Maybe Sully will join us, too when his best friend can convince him." Abigail was a bit sad. "I haven't seen him in a while."

"I bet he's very busy," Myra said while watching Michaela.

Michaela noticed the look but didn't pay much attention to it. She was contemplating how she could tell Abby about Sully and her. Monday had been the day when they both agreed they would start courting. How could they not after sharing such wonderful kisses? They had been special and only reserved for just them.

Myra saw that Michaela was lost in thoughts. Should she bring up what she had witnessed in the beginning of the week?

"Myra, are you listening? When are you gonna go for it?" Grace nudged her.

"Going for what?"

"Hank!" Abigail and Grace exclaimed at the same time.

"I don't even know if he likes me…" Myra was insecure.

"Girl, just open your eyes, he adores you!" Grace couldn't believe how blind her friend was.

Myra shrugged her shoulders. "And Jake is very fond of Dorothy," she suddenly laughed.

"But I don't like him, and by the way I don't have any time left. A boyfriend is a hand full," Dorothy retorted.

Suddenly Abigail had the greatest idea, at least in her eyes it was. "Oh, oh, oh, when Myra hooks up with Hank, you already have Robert E., Dorothy with Jake, I think Mike will be a perfect match for Daniel, and I finally get Sully! Wouldn't that be great?" she squealed.

"In your dreams," Dorothy rolled her eyes.

Myra hadn't talked to anyone about what she had witnessed in the beginning of the week. Her curiosity at last won the upper hand. "Maybe Mike already met a nice boy from around here."

Michaela grew as pale as the milk foam on her cappuccino .

"Where do you get that idea? She would have told me; we're roommates," Abby put her arm around Michaela.

"I'm just saying she's a beautiful girl. I'm sure many boys are interested, maybe there is one in particular."

Michaela took a sip from her cup to avoid an answer to the question.

Dorothy watched her friend and saw that there was more to it. "Is there someone?"

Quickly Michaela denied. Myra looked her in the eyes with a knowing look. What she got back was a pleading gaze. Michaela just couldn't handle it right now. Complying, Myra sat back in her chair. Michaela sighed a breath of relief.

"Well, who knows, maybe you'll meet one tomorrow," Myra winked.

Michaela announced she had to go, but the truth was she had to get out of there before her friends began asking more questions. "See you tomorrow."

Myra wanted to go after her, but Grace started talking to her. 'Later,' she thought.

Michaela almost ran out of the door. Her brain was working overtime: Myra knew, but how? Did she say something to reveal her feelings? No, she never talked about Sully. How could this be happening?

Unaware of where she was heading, Michaela had walked towards their tree. She sat down on the trunk and held her head between her hands.

That's how Sully found her. "Hey, you are early, eager to see me?" he said playfully.

Yet when she looked up he saw the concerned look in her eyes. While kneeling to be on the same level with her he enquired what happened.

"Sully, they know!"

"Who knows what?" He had no clue what she was talking about.

"Myra, about us!"

"So?" Sully said.

"So?!" Michaela was getting frustrated. "She's Abigail's best friend, who knows, maybe she's telling her right now. I can't do this to Abby, Sully. She is determined to have a relationship with you."

Sully couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't laugh!" She was getting angry. "What if she finds out her roommate is dating the boy she wants to date herself? "

Sully was still grinning.

"I'm serious, Sully."

"Me too. The girl I want is sitting right in front of me." He saw her slipping away from him. "Hey, you know we can handle this, if you want we can go to her now, we'll tell her together."

Michaela couldn't look at him. "We can't Sully. I can't. She's my friend. I don't want to be the one who destroys her dream. I'm sorry, Sully." Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"What are you saying Michaela?"

All she could say was, "I can't see you anymore."

"You don't mean that, please don't."

"I have to, Sully, I have to."

Sully's world was crushing. "You're not thinking straight, please we'll figure something out." He held her as if he would never let her go. "I promise you, we'll make it."

Why was this so hard, it felt so good in his arms. Why was love so complicated? Why did she have to choose?

"I'm sorry Sully, we can't see each other anymore, please give me time."

With that she hugged him one last time and left.