Part 2 Warrior

Chapter 10 – Armed and Dangerous

Michael decided to take it easy for the next little while. That night, he went flying again just to try out his new body, but kept the flight short. No matter how rested his body may feel, he was still mentally exhausted. One of the things he noticed straight off with his new form was that it seemed to be much more powerful than the previous one. It had much higher power levels, and performing the various tasks necessary for flight required less energy. All in all, he was pretty happy with his first flight in his new form. He went to bed naked that night – just in case anything else happened in his sleep! He woke up late the next day. He glanced at his body and was relieved that nothing more had changed. Change was good, but it was nice to finally wake up to the same body that he had the night before! There was a message on the answering machine. Serena had called to tell him that she would not be dropping by during the day after all. She had some errands to run and would drop by at night to take him out to dinner. He thought about what he wanted to do today. He didn’t want to go out, but he didn’t want to stay in the house in case more reporters showed up. He grabbed a few novels off his bookshelf, jammed them into his backpack, and headed off to the park.

He had just settled down in his secret spot and opened up his first book when his big brother intruded.

<<Excuse me, young one, I believe that now may be a good time to teach you more lessons.>>

Not now, Big Bro. I really need to unwind. Any more lessons and my brain’s going to tank!

<<Time is short, young one. You must be prepared!>>

What’s the rush?

<<Perhaps you are forgetting one small detail. There was one survivor from the Valean hunter pack I destroyed.>>

Yeah, I remember that. The coward ran away when you destroyed his friends.

<<He did not run away. When he left, my body was already disintegrating. His job was complete. He returned to make his report about a new unconquered planet he had found.>>

Wait, you mean he’s going to tell his bosses about Earth? That means the Valeans are coming to destroy Earth?

<<They will not destroy Earth. They will merely conquer and enslave the people. That is their style.>>

Great! Why didn’t you say something sooner! Let’s get this show on the road! Michael threw his book down and stood up.

<<Slow down, young one. It may be several years before they arrive. The Valeans must first win the war against my masters. When the Pracetorians are finally defeated and enslaved, then the Valeans will come.>>

Well, I’d better be ready for them then! Just a sec though, I’ve got a bright idea. Let me show you!

Michael stood up and undressed before he changed into his Shiza-haran form. He was learning! Sunlight gleamed off his silvery armoured body. He held up his arms, and imagined his arms becoming longer, leaner, and sharper. In response to his mental command, his fingers melded together, and his arms from the elbows down grew long and flat. Soon, where his arms used to be, there were two long sword-like objects. He swung them around experimentally.

See, now I’m armed and dangerous!

<<Impressive, young one. However, what if you are facing armoured Valean shock troops?>>

I’ve got you covered there too!

The swords started to glow blue. When Michael swung them through the air, a barely audible hum could be heard.

<<Once again, most impressive, young one. However, what if your enemy were far away?>>

Well, I suppose I could always throw something at them…wait I see what you’re leading up to! You’re talking about those laser blasts you used to destroy the Valeans right?

<<Correct. However, try not to burn anything down! To use your energy as a weapon, you must take it from within your body and push it out.>>

Huh? That makes no sense!

<<Take hold of your power and put it outside your body. Then throw this power at your target.>>

Michael looked around and spotted a convenient boulder on the far side of the clearing. He reached inside and took hold of the power. He tried imagining it being outside of his body, but couldn’t visualize it.

Damn, this isn’t working. I need some kind of reference point.

He returned his arms to normal and tried a different tact. All of a sudden, he had an epiphany. Taking both hands, he held them in front of his chest, with his palms facing each other. Concentrating hard, he focused on the empty space between his palms. At first nothing appeared. Then, a small spark seemed to ignite. It grew bigger until it was the size of a golf ball.

<<Careful, young one. You want to hit your target, not burn this park down!>>

Michael straightened his arms and pushed his palms out in one smooth motion. "HA-DO-KEN!" The ball of light flew towards the boulder and impacted with a large CRACK! A large hole, the size of a basketball had been gouged out of the boulder.

Holy shit! Did I do that?

<<Well done, young one. As I have said in the past, you learn quickly. What was that you shouted just as you threw the power sphere?>>

If he were able, Michael would have grinned. Oh, just something out of an old video game.

<<Does that mean that you will be declaring ‘sho-ryu-ken’ in close combat?>>

How did you know about that?

<<Remember, young one. What you know, I now know.>>

Sheesh, not only is ‘big brother is watching’ accurate, Big Bro is also a snoop into my past! Still, that power sphere as you called it is pretty powerful, but it takes some time to generate. What if I was in a hurry? Wouldn’t it be faster if I just do this?

He raised his right hand and pointed his index finger at the boulder. A beam of coherent light shot from his finger and hit the boulder. This time there was a sizzling sound. The light disappeared and Michael used his senses to examine his handiwork. A small round hole had been burned right through the boulder!

Cool. They should re-classify me as a lethal weapon!

<<Young one, I begin to wonder who is the teacher and who is the student! Your young mind seems capable of things no Shiza-haran has ever contemplated! Very well, you have offense covered, now what about defense?

You mentioned something about shields once.

<<True. A shield is simply a different application of your power. Instead of pushing it away from yourself, you keep it around you like a protective shell.>>

Kinda like how I use the transparency thingy, right?

<<Correct.>>

Ok, let me try it.

Michael though back to how he created his transparency shield to hide himself from view. Using this as a basic reference point, he imagined a protective shell around himself. His body started to glow faintly blue. What surprised him the most was how easy it was. Then, he realized why. He had already used this skill before.

Hey, big bro, I think I used this last week when I fought off Mark and his goons.

<<That is correct, young one. When in danger, your body reacted automatically. Now, you know how to consciously create a shield. When the Valeans come, they will be in for a shock.>>

Well, I hope they take their time! I think I need to practice this some more. I wonder how I can practice my powers during the day?

<<Perhaps if you engaged in a sport of some kind. You would be free to use your powers in small ways.>>

True, but wouldn’t that be cheating?

<<Was it not your father who once said, "Win or lose, you can only use the hand you are dealt with." Your powers are a natural extension of yourself. How can you not use them?>>

Smart man, my father! But which sport?

<<I do not know. Perhaps you could ask your gym teacher?>>

Mr. Clark? I think he’d rather try to throttle me than offer me any help! Besides, he only helps out people who’re on the football team. Football is not my cup of tea!

<<However, the cheerleaders would be a nice fringe benefit would they not?>>

Hah! They sure would!

Monday morning, Michael rose early and headed off to school. There was something bothering him and he wanted to clear it up. There was announcement over the intercom first thing in the morning as he sat in his English class. The principal, Mrs. Hoover, announced that a student who suffered severe burns because of it had caused the fire at the dance. She didn’t name any names, but mentioned that the student responsible would be expelled. She gave a short congratulatory speech about Michael’s part in fire and then signed off. The class all turned to Michael and gave him a cheer. Embarrassed, Michael could only blush, smile and wave.

Mr. Anderson added his congratulations and promptly started his lesson. The rest of the period passed without further incident. Michael did note that May was not in class today. In math class, true to his nature, Mr. Cameron downplayed the events from the fire and proceeded with his lesson. Michael kept looking at the clock and hoped that he would have couple of minutes alone with Mr. Cameron. When the bell rang, all the students filed out and headed for the cafeteria. Michael hung back and approached his teacher.

"Something on your mind, Michael?" asked Mr. Cameron.

"Um, sir, about that test last week…I want you to fail me," said Michael in a nervous voice.

"Why on earth would I do that?" Mr. Cameron however, did not look surprised.

"Well, sir, I can’t tell you how I did it, but I cheated on your test. I didn’t study and I ended up copying someone else’s paper."

Mr. Cameron nodded his head and looked intently at Michael. "I’ve been expecting something like this. Usually when two math tests look exactly identical, down the how the problems were solved, including the wrong answers, I usually suspect cheating. But since you and May sit on opposite sides of the room, I couldn’t figure out how you could’ve done it."

"Sir, what matters is not how I did it. What matters is that I did do it and I deserve to fail this test.’

"Believe it or not, young man, you are not the first student who has been guilty of cheating. You are however the first one to confess it before I could accuse you of it," said Mr. Cameron. "Normally, in a situation like this, I would reward your honesty by giving you a retest later in the week. But, I won’t."

"Sir?" asked Michael, clearly confused now. He had been expecting Mr. Cameron to fail him, not give him another chance!

"Everyone has lapses in judgment from time to time," said Mr. Cameron. "Let me tell you a story. I was at the dance last Friday as a chaperone. I watched as Mark and his cronies came in, obviously drunk and high on God knows what. I stood there and watched as Mark drank some more. I wanted to go over and throw him out, but I was suddenly intimidated. What if he had a knife? Or a gun? Instead, I stood there watching, trying to gather my courage to walk over. Then, he lit up the witch and everything changed. When the fire started, I could’ve done something to prevent the chaos that followed. I’m a teacher, and the students’ safety was my responsibility. Instead, I panicked until I passed out from breathing in the smoke. The next thing I knew, someone had picked me up and slung me over his shoulder. I was barely conscious when this person took me outside and passed me to a paramedic. I got one good look at this person before he ran back inside that inferno. That person was you."

Michael was speechless. He didn’t even remember picking up his teacher. Everyone that he picked up was just a faceless person he just had to get outside.

Mr. Cameron wasn’t finished with his speech. "This morning, I came in early to see Mrs. Hoover. I planned on giving her my resignation. She wouldn’t accept it. She told me that the situation was an extreme one, and that I deserved a second chance." He held up a test paper from the pile on his desk. "I can’t however, just gloss over your test and the fact that you cheated on it. That would be favoritism, even if you did save my life. I’m thinking though, that in the confusion of the fire, I left my briefcase lying carelessly around, and it got burned up."

With that, an astonished Michael watched as Mr. Cameron swept ALL the test papers into the recycle bin. "But – " Michael managed to sputter but his teacher interrupted him.

"Sometimes we all suffer from lapses in judgment, Michael. Sometimes we all need a second chance," said Mr. Cameron. "Now get out of here so that I can have some lunch!"

Michael was approached several times in the hallways. People wanted to come up and congratulate him or thank him for his actions last week. He shook a lot of hands and received a lot of hugs. In Science class, Michael was finally able to confide in someone.

"Jeff, this is starting to drive me crazy!" complained Michael. "All these people are coming up to me and I don’t know what to do or say!"

Jeff smiled and replied, "Relax, man, they just want to show their gratitude. It’ll all blow over in a week or so. You’re the hero of the hour. Imagine you’re on the crest of a huge wave with a surfboard under your feet. Enjoy the wave as long as it lasts!"

"Thanks, man. But I didn’t realize you were a surfer."

Jeff clapped his hand on Michael’s shoulder. "Dude, there’s a lot you don’t know about me. You should come out with me one summer."

"But you don’t look like a surfer."

"Man, you should know that appearances aren’t everything. Just because I like to surf doesn’t mean that I have to act all dumb and macho or anything like that!"

"You’re right. Sorry about that!"

Mr. Mohammed arrived and prevented any further conversation. He started his lesson off by talking briefly about the fire. Then he launched into a thorough lecture about combustibles and various ways fires are started. It was a very interesting lesson and Michael listened in rapt attention. The bell rang all too soon, and Michael headed for his least favorite class. With the gym under repairs due to the fire, he wondered what was in store for him.

There was a crowd of students mingling outside the dressing room doors. From this side, one couldn’t see much damage from the fire, but the smell of smoke was strong. There were yellow caution tapes barring the dressing room doors as well as the entrance to the gym. There was a short note explaining that Mr. Clark was away and that a substitute teacher would be in tomorrow. Gym class for today was canceled. Everyone had a free period! Michael felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned to see the fantastic four (minus May) grinning at him.

As always, Tracy, the unofficial spokesperson spoke for the group. "Hey, Michael, since we’ve got a free period, what’re you plans?"

Feeling nervous but determined not to show it, he replied "Not much. I figured that I’d probably just head home and watch some TV."

Tracy was grinning like the cat that ate the canary. "Good. I was wondering if we could drop by your house in about 15 minutes?"

"Sure, what’s up?"

"Oh, nothing much. We’ve prepared a little thank you for saving our lives and we just want to show it to you."

"That’s not really necessary," protested Michael. "I just did what I had to do. You don’t need to reward me for that!"

"But we want to, ok?" replied Tracy. Linna and Catherine both nodded their heads in agreement.

"Arighty, if you insist, who am I to argue?"

"Good boy! Hey, did you do something with your hair?" asked Tracy, looking at him intently. "It looks good!"

Catherine spoke up for the first time, "Yeah, and you must have put on a serious growth spurt too! You’re almost my height!"

"Looks like you’ve been busy at the malls this weekend, Michael!" chirped Linna. "You’re looking pretty good!"

Michael flushed at the compliments. Tracy couldn’t resist one last comment, "Awww, look, he’s blushing! Ok, girls, I think we’ve embarrassed him enough! See you later, Michael!"

The girls flounced away, giggling as they went. Seeing no alternative, Michael retrieved his bike and went home.

As Tracy led Catherine and Linna away, she couldn’t help but to feel a little excitement. She didn’t know Michael all that well. In fact, none of her friends did. Michael was the sort of person who just kept to himself, never really socializing. The cheerleading squad had a dating system. They had voted collaboratively on the potential date-ability of the boys in the school. They gave each boy a number between 1 and 10 based on how they looked, acted, and what sports they played. Due to his shyness, Michael never even made it onto the system. Tracy knew it was a pretty stupid system, but thought that it was rather harmless. In the girls change room of the secondary gym, as she and her friends were getting changed for their surprise for Michael, she couldn’t help but to wonder, how the heck did they miss someone as handsome as Michael in the first place? Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Linna was almost done changing when she started having second thoughts. "You know what? I don’t know if I can do this. I mean, my hair’s a mess and I don’t have my make-up on!"

Catherine stopped what she was doing and started to massage her left ankle. "Yeah, and my ankle’s not feeling too great. I think I sprained it or something!"

Tracy, who was fully changed, glared at her friends. "What’re you talking about? Linna, you look fine, and Catherine, you were practically prancing on that foot when we got here!"

"I just, I don’t know, feel weird, ok?" replied Linna. She was starting to look a little flustered.

Catherine stopped massaging her ankle and said, "Did you see him? He’s SO cute! How did we ever miss him before?"

Tracy arched an eyebrow. "So, basically, you think he’s hot now, and you’re feeling shy?" Her friends cast their eyes down and nodded. "Oh come on you guys! You’re cheerleaders for heaven’s sake. You prance around all the time. How can you be shy? And Catherine, I know for a fact that you go commando as much as you can. How can you be shy?"

Catherine looked up. "It’s not just that, you know? I mean, what if we do this, and then he thinks we’re cheap or something?"

Linna looked up at Tracy too. "Yeah, what if he thinks we’re sluts or something? He’ll never ask us out or anything!"

"Dates?" cried an incredulous Tracy. "You guys are worried about dates? Look, I can see where you’re coming from, but come on! This is just a simple routine we whipped up. There’s nothing slutty in it!"

"But what about the part where we turn around and – well, you know." said Linna as she blushed.

"Oh come on, Linna! We do that all the time at the games!" scoffed Tracy.

"But this is different!" insisted Linna.

Tracy sighed and tried a different tact. "Look, you guys can’t make me go by myself. The routine only looks good if we all do it. If I go by myself, I’ll have to improvise!"

Linna looked scandalized. "Tracy Adams! You wouldn’t! What would George say?"

"What can he say? It’s my body! Besides, we have an open relationship. I’m sure he won’t mind."

"I wouldn’t be too sure about that," warned Catherine. "He’s a jock, and you know how jocks think!"

Tracy thought for a minute and sniffed. "Well, that’s too bad then. Like I said, it’s my body. Besides, I don’t remember him complaining when he saw my costume last Friday."

Catherine laughed, "As if what you wore could be considered a costume!"

Tracy laughed too. "Hey, I was aiming for the best costume of the night, ok? So, ladies, what’s it going to be? Are you two going to shape up or am I going to have to bug out Michael’s eyes alone?"

About twenty minutes after he got home, the doorbell rang. Steadying himself, Michael opened the door. Tracy was standing outside, and she didn’t look amused.

"They chickened out!" stormed Tracy. "We had this all planned! We were going to give you a private routine in our outfits, but they chickened out at the last minute!" She was dressed not in her cheerleaders outfit, but in the same clothes as before.

Michael invited her in and led her to the living room. Tracy was still livid at her friends.

"I’m sorry, Michael. We had this routine planned out, but Linna and Catherine suddenly got the jitters and said they couldn’t do it." She looked at him intently. "I think they thought you looked pretty hot and got nervous."

Tracy looked at Michael and had to agree with her errant friends. She met his eyes and had to suppress a shudder. They were the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen! They seemed able to pierce right through her and see inside her soul. Firmly making up her mind, she got up from the couch. She walked over to the stereo system by the TV and turned it on. She changed the station until she found something that that played R&B. She started to sway to the music and turned back to face Michael.

"Well, I promised you a show, and I’m going to give you one! I don’t have my cheerleader’s outfit on, but somehow I don’t think you’re gonna mind!" she said with a saucy look in her eyes.

Speechless, Michael could only sit on the couch and tried his hardest not to gape. Tracy Adams was here, in his living room, and she was putting on a show for him! Tracy danced in front of him, her body gyrated back in forth. She came over until she was just a couple of feet away. Still dancing in time to the song, she turned around and wiggled her butt. She reached back, and flipped up her skirt. Michael caught only the briefest of glimpses before the skirt fell back down. Tracy turned back to face him. Her hands were busy at the front of her blouse. She was still smiling, but somehow, the smile seemed strained. Something wasn’t quite right. Something’s not right.

<<Indeed, young one. I get that sense too. Perhaps she is only doing this out of a sense of duty?>>

I don’t know. On one hand, I can’t believe this is happening to me. On the other hand, I don’t want her to do something she might regret later. What should I do, Big Bro?

<<I do not know either, young one. The mating rituals of primitive life forms has always confounded and confused me. Perhaps you should speak with her?>>

Talk? Yeah, I guess I can do that. Almost feels like a shame though!

Tracy unbuttoned the top few buttons of her blouse. She gave Michael a wink and gyrated her body until she was facing away from him. She was starting to bend down at the waist when the music suddenly stopped. Bewildered, she straightened up and turned to face Michael. "What’s wrong? Aren’t you enjoying the show?"

"I’m enjoying it immensely." Michael patted the spot on the couch beside him. "Why don’t you come and sit down for a bit?"

Tracy felt a lump in her throat. The feeling of being rejected was making her heart ache. "Don’t...don’t you like me?" The words of her friends in the change room came back to her. "Do...do you think I’m cheap?" Unwanted tears started to well up in her eyes.

In response, Michael jumped up and grabbed her arms. At his touch, Tracy started to feel weak at the knees. He gazed into her eyes, and instead of aching, her heart started to thump hard and fast. Those eyes! So blue! So clear! Wordessly, she allowed herself to be led to the couch. She sat down and realized that Michael was still talking to her.

"Of course I don’t think you’re cheap! On the contrary, I think you’re gorgeous!" Michael looked so intent as he said this. Tracy could almost believe that he was being honest. "I just...I just want to talk for a minute. If that’s ok with you, of course!"

Talk? Tracy felt even more confused. What boy ever wanted to just talk whenever they were alone with her? For as long as she could remember, no boy ever wanted to just talk. Usually, when they said they wanted to talk, they actually wanted something else from her. So, she did the only thing she could think of. "Talk? Sure, we can ‘talk,’ big boy!" She leaned in with her eyes closed. Part of her was wondering if maybe she was taking this too far, but she’d promised that she would thank Michael properly, and to Tracy, a promise was a promise.

A hand reached up and touched her lips. With a gentle but insistent pressure, the same hand moved to her cheek, down her neck and finally stopped on her shoulder. Tracy flushed, as the hand seemed to trail fire down her neck. She opened her eyes in surprise as she realized that same hand was pushing her back.

Michael was looking intently at her again. As those blue eyes held her own, she started to get a warm feeling that quickly spread throughout her body. There seemed to be a roaring in her ears. She could see Michael’s lips moving and realized that he was talking to her again. She gave herself a mental shake and the roaring in her ears subsided. What was wrong with her?

"Really, it’s ok, Tracy. I really just want to talk," said Michael.

Tracy found that she couldn’t hold his gaze indefinitely. "Ok, so, um, what would you like to talk about?"

Michael looked down at his hands. He seemed to be reaching for a topic. "So, umm, are you alright? After the fire I mean. And May. Is she ok too? I didn’t see her at school today"

Tracy felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. He must be in love with May, she realized. "Yes I am. Thanks to you, that is. That’s why I’m here. To – "

"Thank me for saving your life." finished Michael. "I know, you mentioned it. You’re very welcome, but you don’t have to put on a show or anything like that."

"But most guys would -"

"Shhh. No buts about it. And, I’m not most guys. Before Halloween, you probably didn’t even know I existed."

Tracy flushed at his words and felt guilty. Before she could respond though, Michael was talking again. "No, no, it’s ok. I don’t blame you. I guess I’m, or rather, was pretty shy. It’s just that I’ve gone through some changes, you know?"

"You’ve been through a lot of changes! Linna’s right, you know. The clothes look good on you. So, what made you want to change?"

Michael looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, something happened last week. It wasn’t bad or anything and well, I guess I decided to go with the flow."

Tracy could feel that she was starting to calm down. At least this wasn’t a rejection or anything like that! "Well, whatever it was, I think you should keep going with the flow. I’d say, that with what happened last week, and the way you look now, you’d be a 10 out of 10 on the dating scale."

Michael looked confused. "Dating scale? What’s that?"

Tracy bit her lip and cursed her loose mouth. "Oh, it’s just something stupid the cheerleading squad cooked up. You wouldn’t be interested!"

"No, wait. Please tell me." pleaded Michael. "I used to feel so out of touch at school. I didn’t fit in with any of the crowds and I was so disconnected."

Tracy sighed and thought for a minute. "Look, don’t get offended or anything like that, ok? Like I said, it’s pretty stupid. Anyway, the girls in the squad rate the guys in school on a scale of 1 to 10. They base the score on looks, fashion sense, athletic prowess and so on. Basically, it’s the girls’ way to confess to each other how badly they’d like to date a particular boy."

"So, how did I rate before?"

Tracy shook her head. "You didn’t even make it onto the radar. Most of the girls on the squad didn’t even know who you were. I barely knew your name before last Friday. I’m really sorry."

Michael smiled and shook his head. "It’s ok. You don’t have to apologize. I guess I can’t really blame you after all. Besides, the guys on the football team have something similar, but they don’t call it the dating scale. I hear them bragging all the time in the locker room during gym class."

Tracy smiled back. "Let me guess. They call it the score scale or something like that right?"

"Yeah, something like that. Although they use a word not suited for polite company. Is there any truth in it?"

"You mean if they’ve ever scored with the girls they talk about?" Tracy thought for a minute and decided that honesty may very well be the best policy. "Some of it is true. Last year, a boy on the team bragged about how he got into my pants. When word got out, the guys were pounding on my door, thinking that I was easy. Well, the squad looks after itself in that sense. That boy’s date rate went down into the negatives and he never got a date again. Girls talk. Even outside of the squad." Tracy paused and looked at Michael. "Umm, I’m not, you know."

Michael looked back with a quizzical expression. "Easy," said Tracy, almost in a whisper. "You don’t think I’m easy, do you?"

If Michael had scoffed loudly at Tracy’s question and protested profusely that "Of course he didn’t think she was easy", then Tracy would’ve known that he was full of crap. Instead, his answer surprised her and raised her opinion of him through the roof. He looked thoughtful before answering and finally said, "Actually, I think you’re more of a free spirit. You’re one of those people who think you should live life to the fullest and try to experience all the joys that life has to offer."

Tracy’s eyes widened, but she managed to quietly say, "Thank you."

Michael shrugged. "It’s ok. My mother is like you in that respect. She’s always telling me that I should try to experience as many pleasures in life as possible. She says that when life’s rollercoaster ride reaches a slump, it’s memories of the good times that get you through them."

"She sounds like a wonderful person," said Tracy. She looked around the living room and gestured to a picture on the wall. It was a wedding photo of David and Mary. “Is that her? With your dad?"

Michael nodded. "That’s when they got married."

"She’s beautiful," said Tracy breathlessly. "Your dad’s pretty handsome too. I guess that’s where you get your good looks!"

Michael’s expression turned to a pained one. "Um, actually, I’m adopted."

"Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know!"

Michael smiled reassuringly. "Make that the last apology today, ok? It’s ok, there’s no reason you could’ve known." He reached out and patted her hand.

It was a innocent gesture, but Tracy could feel herself starting to feel warm again. She captured his hand with her other hand and held it. "So, where’re your parents now? Are they at work?"

Michael made no attempt to retract his hand. Tracy took this to be a good sign. "Actually, they’re in Africa right now, on assignment," he said. "They work for Canada Life Magazine and they’re doing a feature there."

"So, you’re staying home all alone? That must get lonely!" As if on cue, the front door opened and one of the most beautiful woman Tracy had ever seen walked in. She self-consciously let go of Michael’s hand and unconsciously brushed her hair back.

The beautiful woman closed the door and came into the living room. "Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were home, Michael. Is this a friend from school?"

The sinking sensation that Tracy had felt earlier was back. Tracy had always known that boys found her beautiful. That sentiment had grown exponentially when her bra size had grown. However, next to the woman who just waltzed in unceremoniously as if she owned the place, Tracy felt positively dowdy. She cleared her throat and said, "Um, I think I’d better get back to school. Cheerleading practice should be starting soon." How could she have thought she ever had a chance with Michael when he was living with this beauty? So involved with her own self-pity that she almost didn’t hear Michael’s response.

"Oh, hi, Serena! You’re early today. This is Tracy from school. And Tracy, this is Serena, my sister."

Sister? Tracy couldn’t believe her ears. Sister? She held her hand out and shook hands with Serena. Serena’s grip was warm and firm. "Um, you don’t resemble Michael very much."

Serena tilted her head back and laughed. Tracy realized with dismay that Serena even looked beautiful when she laughed. "Actually, I’m adopted!"

"Adopted?" Tracy was starting to feel as if she were the butt end of someone’s idea of a cruel joke.

Michael stood up and grasped Tracy’s hand again. She turned to look at him, ready to spit in his eyes, depending on what he had to say. "It’s true, Tracy. I only just found out this past weekend. After the fire, Serena stayed and watched me over all night. In the morning, when I confronted her, she told me that my parents hired her as our housekeeper so that she and I could get to know each other better before they told me."

Instead of spitting into them, Tracy found herself being lost in Michael’s eyes once more. She had never before felt the feelings she had felt ever since she came into Michael’s house. She almost wanted to disbelieve Michael’s words so that she could disbelieve her own feelings. Instead, she found herself accepting his words.

Michael continued on as if he couldn’t feel the turmoil going inside Tracy’s stomach – which he couldn’t. "My parents couldn’t have kids naturally, so they adopted me, and later they adopted Serena while on one of their business trips."

Serena looked back and forth between the two teenagers and decided that she had interfered enough. "Well, I guess I better start what my parents are paying me to do! Please stay, Tracy. It was really nice to meet you and to know that my brother has friends as pretty as you!" With that, Serena made her way upstairs, all the while humming a wordless tune.

Tracy watched her as she went upstairs. Her gaze moved over to the wall clock and she did a double take. It was almost time for cheerleading practice! "Oh my gosh! I’m going to be late for practice!"

"I could double ride you back to school on my bike, if you want." Michael followed Tracy to the door.

"That’s sweet, but what would my team mates think? Besides, I can’t ride while wearing this skirt, now can I!" Tracy winked at him, and on a sudden impulse, leaned over and kissed Michael on the cheek. "I had a really great time!" Though Tracy had used these very words many times in the past, they never felt more right, or honest as right now.

Michael’s face brightened up with the kiss. He reached up with one hand and touched his cheek where Tracy had kissed him. "I had a great time too!"

Tracy waved goodbye one last time and then she was off. As she ran, she reached up with her hands to button her blouse back up – can’t have the family treasures bouncing unchecked, she thought. She suddenly stopped and looked down. Her blouse was already buttoned up! She could’ve sworn that she had unbuttoned at least three buttons during her little dance, before Michael used the remote to turn off the music. She couldn’t remember buttoning her blouse back up during her conversation with Michael. The talk with Michael was already becoming a warm and fuzzy memory, but she thought hard to the part before she sat down. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t remember ever seeing a remote control anywhere near Michael or on the coffee table at all! She gave her head a shake and continued her dash back to school, glad that Michael didn’t live all that far away. Maybe she was so distracted by Michael that she was forgetting? She couldn’t wait to get back home so that she could call up May and tell her everything that had happened!