Day 27

It was a week after Michael had asked me out, and news had spread fast. Everyone, and I mean everyone, knew, even Headmistress Morgan. It was kind of creepy, actually, but hey, we are Gallagher girls, right?

Michael gave me a rose everyday. Well, he didn't give me the roses. The first one I found on my nightstand when I woke up. How it got there, I don't want to know, but the thought was still sweet. Then I found one in my backpack. Then one on a shelf in a library. They just turned up, one everyday, in the most random places. It's almost like Michael knew where I was going to go, but I never found any when he was with me, holding my hand. I was always on the lookout whenever he wasn't around. Which was almost never.

"You ready for class, Tina?" He asked me that morning. We had P&E next, and I was really looking forward to real life. This past week had felt like a dream. It didn't feel like my normal life, and I liked it. I loved, but sometimes a girl, especially when that girl is a spy-in-training, really needs a taste of reality.

"Yep, I just have to go to the bathroom first," I told him. He waited out front while I slipped in to redo my hair. There's nothing worse than loose hair and P&E training. Believe me. I've seen some really dangerous and painful things done to girls with their hair free, especially when Rebecca Baxter was involved. I don't think she really means to hurt anyone, but she's really good at tying nots, and making a huge mess of them in the process.

I'd almost finished when I noticed the rose stem, sprouting from the paper towel dispenser. I quickly finished with my hair and grabbed the rose. I headed for the door, but just before opening it, I breathed in the sweet smell of roses. How did Michael know they were my favourite?

Michael smiled when I stepped out with the rose.

"Do I want to know how this-" I lifted the rose "-got in there?" I asked pointing to the bathroom.

"Ignorance is bliss," He said cheerfully.

I rolled my eyes and pulled him out the front doors. When we reached the P&E barn we headed straight for the rock climbing wall.

The lesson was long and tiring. I climbed the wall so many times that I didn't want to count - which is hard not to do with a photographic memory. My hands hurt from climbing and my elbow hurt from knocking it on the wall when Michael had climbed too close, but I could feel the adrenaline pulsing through me, giving me the energy to do anything. I felt like I could fly, which I may soon be able to do as soon as the CIA perfect their project.

Michael and I had classes together for the rest of the day. When we were finally free, we sat down by the lake with our books. We were supposed to be doing homework, but we were too distracted.

"Okay, so your favourite colour's pale pink, like when the sun sets, your favourite flower's roses, and you love birds." Michael summarized, after asking me a bunch of questions.

"Yeah. What's your favourite colour?"

"Purple. Grape purple." He grinned.

"I'm serious! What's your favourite colour, Michael?" I asked again, trying not to laugh.

"Deep blue."

"Okay, what's your... favourite season?"

"Winter."

"Why?"

"Two words: Snowball fights." He really loved to smile, didn't he. "What's yours?"

"Winter."

"Why?"

"Because it's perfect weather for snuggling up for a movie marathon. With hot chocolate and marshmallows." I smiled, remembering our last movie marathon. Jason Bourne and a marshmallow fight.

"Really?" Michael looked surprised.

"Yeah. Why's that strange?"

"I never said it was," he smiled. "But that is another reason I like winter. Don't tell anyone." He put his finger on his lip to emphasize his point.

I laughed and reached out to move his finger away. Then I leaned in and kissed him softly. Next thing I knew, he had pushed me onto my back and, together, we rolled down the hill, laughing like little kids. When we reached the bottom, I was on top of him. He perched himself on his arms and kissed me again, sweetly.

Day 32

I hated sleeping alone when I knew I could have Michael with me. I never told him this, but it seems I didn't need to. The only secret passageway I've ever found led into a small, secret room. I showed him once, as part of my tour, and he seemed to like it. He led me there at 11:00pm, and brought some blankets with him. Inside, in the middle of the floor, was a rose. I walked over to it and picked it up.

"I thought it had a nice view in here," he said, pointing to a large hole in the upper wall. Through it, you could see the dark night sky, covered in stars. It was beautiful.

Michael lay down the blankets and we cuddled up together, gazing at the stars. After an hour of silence, he kissed me softly.

"Goodnight," he whispered. We fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms, and it was the best sleep I'd had in a long time.