Platonic Benevolence

Chapter Four ~ Unsheathed

 

 

~*~*~*~

I woke up to the warm sun, shining in my face. I groaned and rolled over only to be startled by two big, brown doe eyes staring back at me. I shot up, allowing Michael limited time to get out of my way. I held my hand to my chest and took a deep breath, to try and calm my racing heart.

"Did I scare you?" Michael asked still laying in bed, his head being supported on a propped up elbow. I glared at him.

"Do you like scaring people, Michael?" I asked, making sure to make eye contact. God, he looked divine, even in the morning.

"Yes, I enjoy scaring people..." Michael said, unfortunately he didn't have time to say anything else. I pounced on him, straddling his lower waist and looked down at him with threatening eyes. My hands formed into claws and I brought them to his sides, he stilled.

"I hope you enjoy scaring people as much as you like being tickled..." I said as I began my tickling rampage on him. He laughed wildly, squirming until he wiggled away from my hands and dove off the bed. He ran out of the room, shutting the door. I smirked.

"That's one way to get him out of the room." I whispered to myself as I got off the bed and pulled my t-shirt over my head. It was still chilly in the room but nothing like it was last night. I put on a bra, and took off my bottoms. I wasn't watching what was going on behind me as I was pulling up my jeans. I heard glass break. I turned quickly to see Michael standing there, his mouth agape, eyes wide. I quickly grabbed the nearest piece of fabric I could find and covered my exposed body.

"Michael!!! Get OUT!!" I yelled, snapping him out of his trance. Michael quickly turned and walked out, closing the door behind him. I quickly pulled the shirt over my head, and buttoned up my jeans. I walked over to the broken glass that was on the floor. Milk was already soaked into the hard wood floor. There was a knock at the door. I knew it had to be Michael.

"Come in," I said looking up to see who it was. Sure enough, it was Michael.

"Look, I'm sorry I barged in on you like that, I should have knocked first..." I stopped him in his sentence, while stepping over the glass and walking past him to get the broom and dustpan.

"Just hold that thought." I said racing out of the room and down the stairs. I looked around, Nadine was at school, her mother was at work. Mr. Willis had passed away two years ago. I went to the broom pantry and grabbed a rag and the broom and dustpan. I turned to go upstairs when I saw a note on the kitchen table. I grabbed it and read it.

Crystal,

There are eggs in the fridge and bacon in the freezer, you know where the bread is. Sorry I couldn't be there, to greet you this morning, but perhaps you and Michael can spend some time getting to know each other. I should be back before suppertime.

Your Friend,

Ms. Willis

PS. There is a fresh change of clothes for Michael in the bathroom. They used to be Harry's. He was probably a little bigger than Michael but I think they will work. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Then raced up the stairs again bringing the items with me. I walked to the door and knocked.

"Come on in Crys." I heard Michael say through the wood door. He just used my nickname, since when were we using nicknames? I opened the door, to see him dressed in dark jeans and a red cotton shirt. I figured he found the note.

"You got the note I take it." I said, as I got on my hands and knee and began wiping up the milk on the floor. Michael took the broom and dustpan from me and proceeded to sweep up the mess.

"Michael...what are you..." He stopped me with a gentle touch of his hand on mine.

"Stop, I've got this. Why don't you go downstairs and get breakfast ready for us." Michael said looking up at me with his best puppy eye expression he could muster. I laughed as I made my way downstairs.

"All right Mr. Jackson..." I said making my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and got out the eggs, I opened the freezer and got out the bacon. I placed the bacon in the sink and ran hot tap water over it so it would unthaw. Then I got out a skillet and put it on the gas burner and put a little oil in the pan and placed the carton of eggs beside the skillet. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Michael rounded the corner into the kitchen. I looked up at him as I started the burner.

"How do you like your eggs?" I asked, his eyes meeting mine.

"Any way, except over easy, looking at the yolks makes me nauseous." Michael said, making a goofy face. I laughed.

"Did you want bacon?" I asked, knowing that he was a vegetarian, thinking it would only be safe to ask.

"No thanks." Michael said, picking up the morning paper off the table and began reading it. I cooked breakfast. Two eggs, over-easy with four slices of bacon and two pieces of toast were on my plate. While scrambled eggs and a piece of toast were on his. I went to the fridge and found some orange juice and took out two glasses, placing them on the table. Michael and I began chowing down.

"You're a pretty good cook..." Michael complimented, taking a bite of his eggs. I dunked my toast into an egg yolk.

"Thanks, you should try my home-made Indian tacos, now those, are worth the compliments..." I said, eating my toast. Within twenty minutes, both of us had demolished our food and orange juice. Michael put down the paper he was reading.

"So...what now?" Michael asked looking at me, his eyes meeting mine. I got up and began clearing off the table.

"I'm going to clean up." I said as I began running dishwater. As I did dishes, Michael went outside on the back porch. He told me to go out there whenever I got done, but I wanted to go upstairs and get myself ready for the day. After the dishes were done, I went upstairs and walked over to the vanity and started to put some make-up on. I turned on my CD player and Timbaland's "The way I are" started blasting through the speakers. I began to dance to the infectious beat, mimicking the dance moves that I had seen on Janet's and Britney's provocative videos. Completely submerged in the music, I never noticed I even had a spectator. Or of his next move.

The cool autumn breeze was getting to me, causing goose bumps to form on my skin. I shivered a little, and checked my watch. Crystal's been gone for nearly a half an hour since breakfast. So I turned around and walked into the house. I walked up the stairs and looked down the hall to see Crystal's door open. I could hear music as I neared her room. Once I got to the doorway, the sight that met me was immediately arousing. My mouth dropped and my knees gave way, causing me to lean on the door jam for support. I've always been a sucker for women who could move. I became mesmerized by her seductive movements. My feet carried me over to her, making the next move.

I saw a figure moving toward me out of the corner of my eye, but before I could react, I was grabbed into a passionate embrace. Electric lips fell upon mine, sending shocks down my spine. Sending the heat, rushing up to my face. It was Michael. He had hunger in his eyes. Had he been watching me this whole time?

I pulled away from him, smoothing my shirt out and biting my lip, a nervous habit of mine. My heart was racing, I searched his eyes for an answer.

"What was up with that?" I asked moving forward to turn off the radio. He shoved his hands into his back pockets, snapping out his trance.

“I'm sorry. When I see a woman dancing I tend to get carried away. I'm sorry I came onto you like that." I cupped his face with my hand, and looked into his eyes, moving a step closer to him. I kissed him again before pulling away from him.

“This is wrong, Michael, I can’t be doing this." I said, feeling a tinge of hurt as Jason came to my mind. His actions before I left for Ireland, hurt me deeply, but being the woman I am, I forgave him. I retracted my hand, but Michael grabbed my hand again. Michael must have noticed my change of attitude.

"Crys, what’s going on?" Michael asked, holding my hand, and cupping my face with the other. Tears formed in my eyes. What would he care?

"Nothing, it's nothing." I lied, letting go of his hand and turning away. I felt like a rose and someone was picking off my beautiful petals that hid the ugly part of my past from the rest of the world. I began making my way out of the room.

"Try me." Michael said, catching my attention. I turned around.

"What?" I asked, looking at him.

"Try me." Michael said, sitting down on the bed. He patted the space beside him on the bed. I paused, only to walk and sit down beside him. He slung an arm around my shoulders and looked at me.

"So girl, tell me, what's eatin' at chu." Michael said. For the next hour and a half I completely unloaded all the things that were burdening my heavy heart. Telling him things I only let a seldom few know. I was fully unsheathed, showing him the ugly scars left on my wounded heart. When I was done, Michael was emotionless, trying to interpret everything I had told him. He let out a heavy breath.

"I would have never known that you've been through so much. But again, everyone has a story."

"Yeah...I feel like a school girl again. I can’t be having these feelings for you. I’m engaged…" I said looking at Michael, insecure about letting my idol know everything about me.

"Look Crys, I'm glad you told me...I love you even more for telling me. Thank you for confiding in me." Michael said, tears forming in his eyes. He leaned over and held me in his embrace, lavishing my forehead with kisses. My eyes started tearing up again from his heartfelt sympathy. We stayed like that, until we both heard the front door, close with a slam. Nadine came rushing into the bedroom waving a piece of paper.

"Crystal I totally aced my project. God! I couldn't do it without you..."

"What project?" Michael asked looking at Nadine as she passed him her paper.

"The anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Crystal gave me most of the information, and gave me good sources to do research on...she's amazing..." Nadine said giving me a huge hug. She raced out of the room. "I gotta call my mom!" I let out a laugh of amusement. Michael looked at me.

"What can't you do?" Michael asked, teasingly. I looked at him as I got off the bed.

"A lot. Believe me." I said walking out of the bedroom. Michael followed.

"Nah, I don't believe that." Michael said. I went downstairs and went to the kitchen and took out a soda from the fridge. I cracked it open and began to drink it. Just then Nadine's mother walked in. Her eyes met mine.

"Well, well...Happy Halloween." Nadine's mother said, bringing a few bags in full of candy. I had completely spaced out that it was Halloween today. From the look on Michael's face, he did too.

"It's...Halloween today?" I asked looking at Nadine.

"October 31st. Being an American you should know that." Nadine's mother said, looking at me. I was picking up on a bad vibe. She must have had a rough day.

"Ms. Willis, go relax, I'll take care of the candy from here. It sounds like you've had stressful day...Nadine has some news that might cheer you up." I said taking the bags from her. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Crystal, you're so sweet, thank you." Nadine's mother, as she headed into the living room. I set the bags on the countertop, just as Nadine came downstairs. She went to the living room and showed her mother her graded project. Michael came to my side. He picked up a bag of candy and ripped it open.

"God, I completely forgot it was Halloween today...I haven't even picked out a costume yet for Nadine's party..." I said to myself. Michael heard me as he dumped the candy into the plastic orange pumpkin bowl. On second thought Nadine hadn't either.

"I know, me too...hey! Why don't we go shopping for Halloween costumes...I'll foot the bill. I know a great stylist nearby who I'm sure will help us with our make-up and hair..." I looked at him, as I emptied another bag of candy into the bowl.

"I can't allow you to do that, I’ll feel like I'll owe you something..."

"Nonsense, I wanna do this for you...and you won't owe me a thing." Michael said, looking at Nadine as she entered the kitchen.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Nadine said walking to the fridge and grabbing a soda.

"Nadine, have you picked out your costume yet?" I asked, pushing the bowl aside, but not before grabbing a Snickers from the bowl. I opened it and began munching on it.

"Not yet..." She walked over to the bowl and grabbed a Reese. Michael, not wanting to feel left out, grabbed a 3 Musketeers bar and began munching on it. "Why?"

“Well, Michael and I don't have costumes either, and he wanted to take us shopping..." Nadine's eyes widened with excitement.

"Really?!?!? Oh my gosh, I'll go upstairs and get my money..." Nadine started for the stairs, but Michael grabbed her hand to stop her. She turned around to face us. "What?"

"There's only one catch, however, and that is that you will allow me to pay for everything. Consider this a gift to the both of you for your friendship and hospitality." Michael said, looking at Nadine as he let go of her hand. Nadine couldn't contain her excitement. She jumped up and hugged Michael then ran into the living room to tell her mom the news.

*At the local store*

We walked into the store to see a display of costumes and other Halloween decor. Michael and I left Nadine in the adolescent section of the store and headed to where the adult costumes were. There were a great variety of costumes there. Michael held up a red, all leather outfit, very similar to the one Britney Spears wore in 'Oops I didn't it again.' and a blonde wig.

"Look, you can be Britney Spears and I can go as myself." I shook my head, and grabbed the vinyl suit and rolled my eyes.

"Not a chance in hell...besides, I don't have the body to fit that outfit and you can't blow your cover." I said, putting the ridiculous costume down and holding up a very flattering one. It was a female play on the smooth criminal outfit. It was a black pinstriped jacket with a red undershirt and black tie with a black pinstriped skirt and came with a fake silver pistol.

"How about this one? We could both match?" I said looking at him. He took it in his hands as his eyes scanned over it. He looked back at me, then set the costume aside on an empty rack.

"I can‘t blow my cover remember?" He said, looking through the costumes again, then he came upon another costume. It was a black vinyl bat costume. It was very skimpy. Definitely something not to where in front of high school teens.

"I like it, but we’re dressing up for a high school party, I'm sure the costume is against the dress code." I said taking it and putting it back on the rack.

"What? I like it, I think you'd look sexy in it." Michael said moving closer to me. I then found a costume that I loved. It was one of a gothic fairy. It was sexy, yet conservative enough to wear at a high school party.

"Okay Mr. Sexy, take a look at this." I said giving the costume to him. His eyes scanned it then scanned me. He nodded in approval.

"Very nice." He said as he handed the costume back to me. "Its a keeper." He said setting aside the costume on the empty rack where the other one was. Nadine came over to us, Michael kept looking for costumes. Suddenly he stood up like he remembered something.



"I gotta call Carrie, I'll be right back." Michael said, digging his cell phone out and walking outside of the store. Leaving me alone with Nadine. I continued looking through the costumes.

"Have you picked out a costume yet?" I asked looking at Nadine.

"Yeah I'm going as a vampire..." She said looking at me, and showing her costume.

"Really? I was hoping you’d go as Britney Spears..." I said pulling out the hideous red vinyl outfit Michael had earlier. Nadine's face cringed in grimace.

"Oi!!! Hell no! I'd rather be dead then to be caught in that outfit." Nadine said, shaking her head in disgust. I laughed. I put it back.

"I'm just kidding..." I said looking at her. She looked at me.

"So what's up between you and Michael? He's flirting with you hardcore."

"Tell me something I don't know." I said turning around again and looking through costumes.

"So...are you going to do anything about it? He obviously wants you."

"Nadine, I realize that, but I don't want to go any further than a platonic relationship." I said, trying to focus on the costumes in front of me. But the thought of going further with Michael kept running through my mind.

"Plata-what?" Nadine asked.

"A friendship, I just want it to stay a friendship..."

"I've been listening to your conversation closely...Michael wants to be more than just a friend with you..."

"I know Nadine, okay? But I'm engaged to a very wonderful man..."

"A man who thinks that exploring his gay side while with you is fine! Crys, this is your chance to taste what a real man is like, even if it’s for a night..."

"Nadine, no, I'm going to be the better person and not take that chance...I just want to be friends...is that a crime?" I asked looking at Nadine. Nadine shook her head.

"No, but what Jason is doing to you is a crime. You should get him back for all the hurt that he caused you. Besides, he doesn't need to know. Does he…?" Nadine said. I turned around.

"Nadine, stop getting ideas." I said scornfully. Michael walked back into the store.

"Crys, I'm telling you, get it while he's interested." She whispered as Michael came into earshot. He didn't hear anything though. I grabbed the gothic fairy costume.

"Well ladies, have you found costumes?" Michael asked looked at me then at Nadine.

"I found my costume..." I said looking at Michael.

"Good, Carrie's expecting us, so grab any accessories that you need..." Michael went and picked out a Neo from the Matrix costume. Michael paid for the costumes and we walked out of the store.

"Who is Carrie?" Nadine whispered.

"She’s the stylist..." I said looking at Nadine.

*At Carrie's Studio*

"Okay guys, I have three straws in my hand, whoever draws the shortest gets to go first okay?" Carrie, a tall woman of slender build said, holding her hand up high. "Michael, you will go first."

Michael drew his straw, I was next. Nadine drew her straw. Nadine had the shortest straw, Michael was next after her, I was last.

"Now, get changed into your costumes and then come see me." We did just that. One by one we changed behind a changing shield. One by one, we got our make-up done. Carrie seemed to be pretty pleased by my costume and my facial structure. She put tiny gems on my face, and put on fake eyelashes that were laced with tiny rhinestones. She air-brushed my skin to make it look even and to erase any acne scars I had. She lined my eyes with black eyeliner and did my eye lids in a dark blue and blended it in to the white at the bottom of my eyebrows. On my lips, she put a blood red lipstick and put gloss over it. She topped it off by putting a black, long wig on my head. She did a few tweaks then took a good look at me, taking a nod of satisfaction.

"There you go...take a look." She said as she spun me around and I didn't even recognize the person I was looking at. She was good, she turned me from an ordinary woman, to a gothic beauty. I hugged her.

"You're amazing, thank you." I said getting up, my five inch pumps clacking on the tile floor. I walked to where Michael and Nadine were. Both of their jaws dropped.

"Oi! You look very good..." I looked at her, her make-up was done up in such a way that she looked dead with blood coming out the side of her lip. She smiled and she was wearing realistic fangs. She looked freakishly pretty.

"You're not looking too bad yourself Nadine."

"My God! She's amazing, she's turned you into a completely different woman." Michael said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I blushed.

"Yeah I know, its crazy..." I said as my eyes scanned his body. He was looking irresistible in the costume he was wearing. Michael’s hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and his skin had been airbrushed into a darker shade. His eyes were lined with a thin layer of black eyeliner and his lips matched his skin tone. Nadine's words came to mind again. I gave a smirk of amusement. ’God, can’t stay away from the naughty thoughts can you Crys.’ We headed out of the shop, after Michael paid Carrie generously for her services. We then headed back to Nadine's house.