Awww...I think the chapter speaks for itself. I will admit, this chapter was somewhat awkward to write. I hope it's okay with you guys.
On with the show!
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Chapter 15
First Kiss
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Something was wrong.
Al knew it. She just couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was.
The past few days have been a fun experience, but something was…well…off.
For some reason, Al has been receiving a multitude of stomachaches. Every night after dinner, she would go to her room and lie in agony. She didn't know if it had something to with the food Ted made or the fact that she rarely ate at all?
Probably the second one, she thought.
The past few nights, Al could not tear her eyes away from Mike. Even when they weren't talking, she couldn't stop. It was becoming a really bad habit and she had no explanation for why she was doing it.
Also, there was the matter of her appearance. She never usually cared what she wore, not even when she was going out with Kevin. Any old dress would do for her. For some reason, whenever Mike was coming her way, she would sneak into the nearest room and check herself in the mirror. She would fix her always-messy hair and try to make sure she had no bad breath. It's becoming so bad, that she now carries a mirror in her pocket.
And whenever Mike thanked her for helping him or even if he accidentally touched her hand, she would blush. It was time to admit it, but she really couldn't bring herself to it.
She was falling for her boss and friend, Mike Yagoobian.
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Mike awoke happily and went over to a calendar he had placed in the kitchen. He happily checked off another day. The calendar read that there was only about a week left until the 'Scientist of the Year' award ceremony. Next to the calendar, was his checklist. He checked off the 'make a name for myself' and 'make a new friend' off his list. He went into the kitchen to grab himself a cup of coffee.
Al's been so helpful lately, he thought. I don't know what I'd do without her. I feel like I should give her something…but what?
As he sat down in the dining room, he suddenly got an idea. He picked up the phone and a phone book and began to call a few numbers…
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Later that day, both Al and Mike were working in the dining room. Mike was fixing Ted up a little because his screws were coming a bit loose. Al could not help but stare at Mike when he did not ask for a tool or for her assistance. Ted rolled his eyes at her strange kid like behavior. Mike put the finishing touches on Ted, before saying:
"Alrighty Ted! You're done!"
"Gee thanks," Ted responded sarcastically, poking at the places that Mike fixed to make sure that they were sturdy enough. Ted saw Mike give Al a smile, which made her blush and giggle. Ted sighed.
"I'm going to my room," he said in a huff.
Al watched Ted leave with worry. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he'll be fine. He's grouchy as usual."
Mike then gave Al another toothy grin, "Say Al, would you be a dear and retrieve a tool for me? I believe I left it in your room."
"Oh sure," Al said as she got out of her chair. She hastily went upstairs to check, not noticing that Mike was close behind.
When Al finally made it up the flight of stairs, she opened her door and gasped at what it beheld.
Flowers. There were flowers everywhere! Very beautiful exotic flowers all over her room! They arranged in her room so nicely that they sent off a very positive atmosphere in the room. She took a purple flower in her hand and sniffed it. The smell was heavenly. She turned around and there was Mike, who was watching her the whole time.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Al could not say anything. She just nodded enthusiastically. She could have sworn that her head was going to roll off.
"It's my way of saying thank you for all the work you've done,' he said patting her on the back. "I'm so glad I have you."
Mike froze when he said that. Those were the exact same words he told Doris when they were partners. He looked earnestly at Al, waiting to see what her reaction would be. She began to sob a little, which alarmed him.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
Al wiped her tears and smiled. "No, no…it's just…I'm glad I have you too."
Mike gave a small sigh of relief. He noticed Al was leaning closer to him. He braced himself for what he thought would be a hug, but grew very surprised with what she did instead.
She kissed him.
Al shut her eyes tight as she did so, finally taking pleasure in kissing the man she had slowly begun to like. The room was spinning, and Al loved the feeling. Mike just stood there, wide-eyed and unable to comprehend the situation. He placed his hands on Al's shoulders and gently pushed her away from him.
Al wondered why the spinning stopped. She opened her eyes to see Mike, looking very confused.
"Uh…" he began, going completely red in the face. He laughed nervously. "What was that?"
Al grew red too. She didn't think that Mike would protest to her kiss.
"Um…nothing…just…a thank you I suppose," she said shyly.
"Uh…" Mike tried again. He knew what it was…Al obviously likes him, but he wasn't sure if he felt the same way. They were just starting to be good friends! Does he really wan this to go so fast?
"We are…just friends still right?" he asked nervously.
"Oh! Of course! The kiss meant nothing!"
"You sure?"
"Absolutely!"
"Oh good!" said Mike with a sigh of relief. He and Al laughed a little and then they both left, still utterly embarrassed of what just happened. Not to far was Ted, who stared at both of them as they walked away.
"I knew it," he said with a smile before shutting the door.
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Oh oh...friendship is becoming love! Awwwww...that can only mean one thing...Doris is oging to do something to screw it up! Like I said, she won't appear until Part 4, but pay close attention to somethings; like the whole 'binder incident' and whatnot.
Oh, and if any of you have the MTR soundtrack, each important/significant chapter has a song that was inspired by it. If you want me to tell you what the song was, I will so you can listen to it while reading. Just for your FYI, the song for this chapter was "A Family United" by Danny Elfman.
Thanks for Reading!
-Kim