MICHELLE

                                    

                                          
Chapter 9
                          
"My love for you is a combination of feelings I understand, and feelings I can not explain."- William Chapman

                          
~
                          
Emily's p.o.v
                          
A few days later, Justin had seemed to go back to normal. It seemed as if our lives were returning to normal and I didn't have to worry about anything. 
                          
Matt had disappeared and Brittany stopped calling Justin constantly. Justin and I seemed to just enjoy each other's company. 
                          
I wasn't sure what Justin and I were because we hadn't made it official but then again there was way too much happening around us that it slipped our minds. It didn't matter to me either way because deep down inside, he was mine and I was his. It had always been that way and everyone knew it.
                          
Currently, Justin and I were at dinner at a small Italian restaurant. I sat across the table for two and held onto Justin's big hand as we smiled at each other in the dimly lit room.
                          
It seemed cliche and romantic but I loved these type of things. 
                          
"I've been thinking, have you talked to Michelle?" Justin wondered. I pursed my lips and furrowed my eyebrows.
                          
"No, why?" I replied a little skeptical of why he was asking.
                          
"Maybe you should go see her." He suggested. I shook my head. 
                          
"Why?" He asked, his caramel eyes swirled with curiosity. 
                          
"I just...I don't think she wants to see me." I said. I looked down at our hands that laid on the table.
                          
"Listen, I'm very sure that Michelle would want to see you. She's your-" Justin paused and closed his eyes as if he was thinking about something. Before he began again, he drug his tongue across his bottom lip.
                          
"She's your mother. She adopted you, she wants to see you, you're her daughter." He finished.
                          
"I guess you're right." I muttered in defeat.
                          
He nodded his head with a smile and we ordered our food. We made small talk as we picked at our food. 
                          
Occasionally, I would glance around to make sure my surroundings were clear. 
                          
No Matt equals no problem. 
                          
My fork dinged against the ceramic plate every time I took a portion of my Alfredo pasta. 
                          
Suddenly, I felt a hand rest upon my shoulder and I felt my heart stop. 
                          
I turned my head to see Michelle, coincidentally, standing beside me. My lips curved into a upward 'U' and I stood up, my chair scuffing the hardwood floor. 
                          
""Emily! I've missed you!" Michelle exclaimed. 
                          
I smiled and nodded awkwardly.
                          
She wrapped her arms around me and I wrapped my own around her petite body. Her long blonde hair was up in a bun and her blue eyes sparkled. 
                          
"How've you been?" Michelle asked. 
                          
"I've been well. What about you?" I wondered. 
                          
"Oh Emily! I've missed you so much!" She exclaimed. I thought I almost saw tears in her eyes but I guess I was wrong." How come you didn't visit?" 
                          
I shrugged and didn't really know how to answer." I-I have really just been hanging out with Justin. I don't know how long I'm staying in town." 
                          
"You have to come by! Tomorrow maybe?" Michelle asked eagerly. 
                          
"Yeah. Definitely." I replied, leaving a smile on my face. 
                          
After Michelle left, I sat back down and faced Justin. I let out a heavy sigh and brushed my face with my hand. 
                          
"Are you serious?" Justin questioned.
                          
"What?" I asked confused. 
                          
"I mean- are you leaving again?" Justin asked with hurt written all over his face.
                          
"No. Of course not. Eventually, I want to but for now I'm right here." I explained as I stared into his gorgeous eyes. 
                          
He nodded and grabbed the check from the waiter. I decided on not taking my leftovers home because I probably wouldn't eat them anyways. I linked my arm around Justin's and we walked to his car. It was a cool night in Stratford tonight and it was one that needed to be enjoyed.
                          
~
                          
The next day was Sunday and I decided to finally grow some man balls and visit my adoptive mother. After all, she adopted me and raised me. Unlike my real biological mother who didn't want me. 
                          
That bitch.
                          
If I ever met her, I'd want nothing to do with her, I'd probably hit her or something. 
                          
I kissed Justin goodbye and told him that I'd see him later. I scrambled to get my key in the car door to unlock it. Once I got inside, I put my key into the ignition and started the car. I rolled out of the parking spot in the big hotel parking lot. I sped off towards my old house that held memory after memory after memory. 
                          
*
                          
I parked my car in the winding driveway and made my way up to the tiny house. I knocked a few times on the front door and waited for an answer. 
                          
Michelle appeared behind the door, in a pair of flared jeans and a plain blue v-neck. 
                          
Her blonde hair was now straightened and fell along her shoulders. She smiled and her pearly white teeth sat straight.
                          
"Hi sweetie." She spoke softly. 
                          
"Hey." I smiled back. She stepped aside and I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the area. I heard the door shut behind me and Michelle spoke quietly. 
                          
"Hasn't changed has it?" She gave a small laugh. 
                          
"No. It hasn't." I giggled. 
                          
The living room was the same and the kitchen was the same. Michelle was right, nothing changed. Not even the blood stain in the carpet from when I was younger. I was wrestling with Michael and he was too rough. He ended up slamming my face into the ground and broke my nose. 
                          
He must've thought it was legit wrestling. 
                          
Michelle grabbed me a cup of tea and we sat in the living room that I had grown accustomed to for several years.
                          
I took a sip of tea and set my cup on the table." Where's Michael?" 
                          
"Oh." she perked up." He moved out a couple of months ago with his girlfriend." 
                          
"That's nice." I reassured. She nodded and stared at me. 
                          
"What?" I wondered what was on her mind.
                          
She bit the corner of her mouth and opened it once before closing it again. 
                          
"Are you and Justin together?" She asked. 
                          
"I would say we were together but without the title, you know?" I giggled. I hoped she understood that.
                          
She nodded and grabbed her cup of water and took a few gulps. 
                          
It was silent for a moment before Michelle spoke again.
                          
"I need to tell you something." Michelle spoke softly. 
                          
"What's wrong?" I asked with worry. 
                          
"Just take a couple of deep breaths before I tell you this." She stated seriously. I did as I was told and waited for her to speak.
                          
What was so important?
                          
"I have cancer." Michelle whispered. 
                          
~
                          
IM SO DUMB LIKE I JUST REALIZED THAT MY LAST AUTHORS NOTE WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT ME PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO MY OWN STORY. 
                          
"Oh god, what is it?" *bites fingernails* (or some shit like that idk) 
                          
LIKE OBVIOUSLY SHE JUST SAID IT LOL SO THERES ANOTHER CRINGEY MOMENT ADDED TO THE LIST