Chapter Nine ㅡ Michael's POV ㅡ Would it be too feminine to say that I felt sparks spread out through my body when she hugged me back? And that I felt like a part of me just woke up and felt ever so lively? It was the very first time I felt that feeling, and it was unforgettable. I loved the way her slender arms wrapped around my waist, her head resting on my chest; and I loved how her silky black hair felt on my fingers. She fit so perfectly on my arms, that I never had the intention of letting her go. I also loved the way she breathed silently, and how she looked ever so gorgeous just thinking so hard; and the way her nose scrunches when she's mad, and when her eyes sparkles when she's furious. I also loved the feeling she made me feel. And most of all; I loved how she would a hide her breathtaking smile, and it would turn into a tug on her pink lips, like a smirk— but a sweet one, not the mischievous smirk. But I was confused. I was utterly confused of her actions. I was scared for her; and I was scared of what I was feeling for her. When I locked the door, she began hyperventilating. I shook her, trying to calm her down, but then she thrashed on me... until she stopped and cried. It was torturous seeing her cry. It looked so excruciating. And the fact that I felt jealous hearing her late boyfriend's name. Andrew. She said his name so sweetly and gently, but hurt was evident in her voice. It was inevitable that she would still feel the pain... she just lost the people she loved the most, and there was nothing she could do but watch. I hugged her tighter, unconsciously kissing her hair. "Shhh," I whispered, running my fingers down her hair. It had a minty scent, very boyish, but it smelled really good on her. She sobbed harder against my chest, "I'm sorry." I shook my head slightly and mumbled, "No, no... There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm the one who's supposed to be sorry..." She pushed away from me and wiped her tears with her thumb, "I hate it." I tried to go near her but she moved back, so I stayed in one place and stared at her sadly. "What?" "I hate it so much... I hate how you make me feel," she confessed. I felt my heart skip a beat and I felt my cheeks heating up. "I hate how you make me want to tell you what happened in my life, I hate how I don't hate it when you touch me... I hate it when you're not around... I hate yearning for a friend. I hate this feeling... It's better to be alone; so please, just leave me Michael... I don't want you to get hurt." Looking into her eyes that were making my chest tighten, killed me slowly. Her sadness was overflowing, and the tears streaming down her flushed face made her look like she was in agony. She looked vulnerable— tortured even. "But I won't... I won't let myself get hurt. You won't hurt me, Mary." I assured her. She shook her head, disagreeing. "I won't hurt you...? I already am." She was right. But I couldn't say that. She was just hurting me emotionally for pushing me away. She was hurting me by her words that were like sharp daggers. "No, that's not true. I won't let myself get hurt, Mary. I won't let anyone or let you hurt me." "If it's not me, then she will hurt you," she whispered hoarsely. My eyes widened. "You remembered?" "What?" "Violet. Do you remember what you said?" "I don't know her... I was only saying that she's gonna hurt you. She means the curse." Why doesn't she remember? I asked myself. I sighed deeply and shook my head. "Never mind, Mary." And without any other hesitation, I grabbed her into a hug and embraced her tightly. "Don't try to get away from me, Mary... Please?" Something stirred inside me. It was a good feeling, but it felt dangerous at the same time. It felt cold, mixed with warmth and butterflies. Like... something along with an illegal adventure towards admiration. ☆ "So... Peanut butter and jelly, or nacho with cheese?" I asked Mary as we were in line in the cafeteria. I could feel wandering eyes on us, and I felt self-conscious for some reason, though I've already got used to it. Mary's face was covered with her hair, she peeked at me and gave me a number two signal. "Nacho with cheese, please... and water," she whispered, walking close to me as I moved for the line. I nodded and smiled at her, and unexpectedly she smiled back— though it was a sad forced smile. At least she smiled, right? As I finished getting our lunch, we both walked over to an empty table. I knew that Joshua and my gang would've had a fit if they saw Mary in 'our' table, so I chose an empty one. It felt much nicer with her anyway. "Why?" She asked suddenly. "Why what?" "Why are you so determined to befriend me?" "I don't know— I feel a pull, I guess." I answered honestly. "Why aren't you afraid of me?" "Because you're harmless." I smiled. She shook her head, "I'm not— you're only going to get hurt, Michael." "I'm not. Stop saying that..." "But it's true. All my loved ones died because of me— because of the curse!" She yelled silently, clearly in the verge of breaking down from anger seeping in. I chuckled, "You love me?" She calmed and her face became beet red. "N-no... I-I m-mean—" she stuttered. "Chill, Mary. I was only joking. I'm just taking a risk, Mary— I really want to be your friend." Or more. "Your risk isn't worth it," she grumbled. "It is. You're worth it!" I argued. "I'm not," she said silently, looking down on her food. I sighed deeply and lifted her head up. "Look into my eyes," I ordered; and she complied. "Now, tell me if I'm lying, okay?" She nodded. "You're beautiful, Mary— and you are worth the risk." I stared deeply into her eyes, her soul surfacing clearly. She shut her eyes and sobbed. I panicked, wondering if I touched a nerve or something. "You speak so much like Andrew, it kills me." Pang. Jealousy. I honestly hate it. I gritted my teeth, controlling my anger. "Who's he?" I asked, faking the fact that I knew who he was, and practically everyone of her family, since she was screaming their names when she was passed out. She looked at me with tears in her eyes, "Some guy I used to know, some guy I used to love— but I actually still do... And because of me, he's dead," she said emotionlessly. I didn't respond. I didn't know what to say. I was afraid of saying something that would even make everything worse. I just continued eating my peanut butter and jelly, and when I was about to finish, Mary received a phone call. She has a phone? I watched as she answered the phone call— and she was clearly uncomfortable. "Tom?" She answered in distress. And after a few minutes of watching her expression change so many times, her phone fell and then her eyes widened. "Amanda's dead." And with those two words, she broke down, left the table and ran. Watching her slowly fading away from my vision made me hurt. I wanted to protect her. And that's what I was going to do. Protect her. Hey guys! So... This one is going to end soon, since this is the short version of this. On the next post, we will be one step closer to finding out why Mary's cursed. I'm sorry if this is short and it sucked. I'm very busy. Anyway, I hope you had a great time reading it? suggestions?! Thanks xxx