Chapter 1:
Michelle walked out of her last class for the week, her last class before receiving her masters degree. She smiled at the thought of becoming a teacher. The challenge of shaping young minds thrilled her.
"Michelle! Wait up," Amber said.
Michelle turned around to see her friend and classmate running to catch up with her. "Hey, what's up Amber?"
"Not much," she said smiling, "are you ready for finals next week?"
Michelle made a face, "ew! You just had to bring that up. The one thing that stands in my way of becoming a brilliant teacher is Dr. Stallworth!"
Amber smiled, "Okay, so do you want to study with me next week?"
"Definitely! Call me tonight and we will set something up. Right now I have to run to work."
"All right, talk to you later. Don't stress too much!"
"I will try not too! See-ya later," Michelle said. She walked across the street to the building she had worked in most of her college career. She quickly became overwhelmed with sadness as she realized she wouldn't be working there much longer.
"Hi Michelle, there is something for you on your desk," the receptionist said.
"Thanks Mrs. Andrews," she said before making her way to the back of the office where she worked. When Michelle turned the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was a vase with two dozen pink and blue tulips sitting on her desk.
Michelle dropped her bookbag and opened the card. It said....
Hey Angel~
Next week is finals, don't stress! You will do fine. I can't wait to see you graduate next week. Good Luck!
I love you,
JC
She smiled and picked up her phone, she dialed his cell phone number. After two rings, he answered. "Hey Sweetie!"
She laughed, "how did you know it was me?"
"I have caller ID on my phone," he said. "Did you forget?"
"I guess, right now I am so floored I can't even remember my name!"
JC laughed, "apparently you got my flowers. Do you like them?"
"You know you don't have to ask, tulips are my favorite and these are gorgeous! You really didn't have to do this."
"Well, I wanted you to know I am thinking about you. I know how stressed you get before exams."
She smiled, "I suppose I get a little stressed out. But after next week I will never have to do it again."
"That's right, you will be giving out the exams."
"I miss you so much. Next week can't get here fast enough for me."
He sighed, "I know.....I miss you too. But if I was there now, I would just be a distraction. As soon as your last exam is over, I will be there."
"Yeah, it will give me something to look forward to."
"Michelle, I hate to go, but we have a sound check in five minutes."
"Okay, give my love to the guys."
"I will," he said, "I love you and I will call you later."
"Okay, I love you too. Good show tonight!"
He laughed, "thanks. Bye."
"Bye." She held the receiver to her chest and took a deep breath before hanging it up. She gently touched a blue tulip before getting to work.
Chapter 2:
Michelle threw her book on the floor and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She got up and stretched to try to get the kinks out of her neck. She looked up in shock when there was a knock on her bedroom door. "Come in!"
Her long time friend, Krystine, walked in and slammed the door.
"Well hello to you too! Rough day?"
"You know, I can't take it anymore," Krystine said as she paced around the room. "The people at that firm burn me up!"
Michelle sat down on the floor to settle in for the story, "what happened this time?"
"Those people think that just because I am fresh out of school, they can take advantage of me. Mr. Roberts gave me this brand new account that came into the firm. I did all the books and all the work. Then, when the client came in for the meeting, Mr. Roberts gave the credit to Melissa."
"Krystine, I told you two months ago to leave that job."
"I am seriously considering it now."
"Perfect! You can join me and Stacy in Florida. There are a ton of companies in Tampa and Orlando that need a good accountant like you. Pack up, we move next week!"
"Michelle, I can't up and move."
"Give me one good reason why not."
"Well.....," Krystine said while thinking.
"Krys, let me call my cousin Gwen and get some leads for you. Meanwhile, quit that job of yours and start packing," Michelle said when the phone rang. She reached for the phone with a smile. "Hello?"
"Three down, one to go," the voice said.
Michelle's smile grew wider, "JC! I was hoping it would be your voice on the
other end. How was the show tonight?"
"It was good, it was the last one too. Tomorrow we make our way to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We all are looking forward to it, especially me."
"Oh, I don't know if I will be able to concentrate on my exam tomorrow. Knowing that you are on your way, it will be hard to think straight."
"'Chelle, don't blow your last exam. The finish line isn't far away. Keep your eyes on the prize."
"I will, only if the prize is you."
JC laughed, "of course. Hey, are you sure that your parents don't mind all of us staying at your house?"
"I'm positive, they are looking forward to seeing all of you again. There is plenty of room, besides I need you all here to help me pack," she said.
"I knew there was a catch," JC said laughing.
"JC, I am truly hurt."
"Oh, Angel, you know I'm only kidding."
"I know you are. Are ya'll picking up Stacy from the airport tomorrow?"
"Yes we are, and no I am not going to tell you what time her flight lands. I want our arrival time to be a surprise," he said.
She frowned, "I hate surprises."
"I know, that is what makes it all better. You just pass your exam tomorrow and we will be there ASAP. Just concentrate on what you have to do. Now go to be and get some sleep. I will see you tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll try. See you tomorrow, I love you."
"I love you more, goodnight."
"Goodnight," Michelle hung up the phone and collapsed back onto the floor.
Krystina looked at her friend and laughed, "girl you have got it bad!"
"I know. I don't know how it happened, but I fell in love."
Chapter 3:
Michelle stood up to turn in her last exam. She took a deep breath and handed it to Dr. Kraft.
"Well, Michelle, it was an honor to have you in my class. I know you are going to be an inspiring teacher."
"Thanks Dr. Kraft, I appreciate that. Have a nice summer." Michelle said good-bye to her professor and headed out the door. She dug in her purse for her car keys as she walked down the front steps of the building.
"Michelle!"
She looked up startled at the sound of her name. In front of her was a black limo and JC standing by the open door. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat. She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He quickly gave her a kiss and ushered her into the limo. She quickly greeted Chris, Joey, Justin, Lance and his girlfriend Stacy. Stacy and Michelle had been long time friends and were going to live in the same apartment building in Orlando.
JC got in and slammed the door. Michelle looked at him in confusion, "JC I have to get my car."
He put his arm around her and grinned, "it's been taken care of. I gave the other drive my key to your car and he is following us to your house."
"You think of everything," she said before leaning over to kiss him.
"Okay guys, please save that for later," Justin said. "Some of us really don't want to watch you spit swap."
Stacy laughed, "come on Justin! They haven't seen each other in a month, cut them some slack."
"Yeah, besides we have something to celebrate," JC said.
Michelle leaned back into his arms, "yes and I really want to celebrate."
"So does that mean we are finally going to get you to a club," Joey asked in excitement.
"No," Michelle said quickly, "nothing has changed. I am still as chlosterphobic as ever. Clubs are so small and I can't make myself go into them. Sorry guys!"
"Well, what did you have in mind," Chris asked.
"Mom has been home cooking all day for you guys. After dinner, it is every man for himself."
Lance grinned, "home cooked food, sounds about perfect to me."
Michelle looked up at JC, "just having you here is perfect. Everything is going to fal into place exactly like it should."
Chapter 4:
Michelle stood on the front porch and looked up at the stars. During all the madness at dinner, she was able to slip out to spend time with her thoughts. She was so lost in them that she didn't realize the door had opened.
"Michelle? What are you doing out here by yourself," Lance asked as he walked onto the porch.
She turned around and smiled, "just thinking. I have a lot on my mind."
Lance leaned against the rail, "feeling overwhelmed yet?"
"Just a little, I mean going from graduation, moving to a new state, and starting a new job all in one week. Talk about overhaul."
"You will be fine, JC will be there. Not to mention the rest of us."
Michelle smiled, "you know, if it wasn't for you and Stacy I wouldn't have met JC. I owe you guys for that."
"We aim to please," Lance said as the front door opened again.
"Lanceten, are you making a move on my woman," JC asked when he shut the door.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I am going to find STacy and make sure that Chris and
Joey aren't giving her a hard time."
Michelle watched Lance leave then looked up into JC's eyes. She smiled and walked into his arms and held on tight.
"'Chelle, something going on? You seem like you have a lot on your mind," he bsaid before pulling back to look at her.
"I feel a little worried about everything. My life is about to drastically change, and I don't deal well with change."
"You have nothing to worry about. Our tour is over and I am going to be in Orlando for three months while we lay down our next album. You won't be alone. You have me, the guys and Stacy."
"Oh I forgot to tell you," she said as a light went on in her eyes. "I talked Krystine into moving to Orlando too!"
"Ah, Krystine. So do I finally get to meet this friend of yours that you always talk about?"
"Yeah you do. She will be at graduation tomorrow, then she is coming over here after that," she said. "I can't wait for you guys to meet her."
"Any friend of yours......"
"I am glad to hear you say that. Now kiss me and make all my worries disappear."
JC grinned devilishly, "my pleasure." He leaned down and captured her lips with his. She melted into him and returned the affection lovingly.
Chapter 5:
Michelle rolled out of bed, careful not to wake Stacy, and quietly slipped out of her bedroom. She poked her head in the guest room to find Chris and Justin still sleeping. She made her way downstairs and found Lance and Joey sound asleep, but JC was no where to be found. Curious, she walked around the corner and found him in the kitchen with her parents.
"Good morning sweetheart, sleep okay," her mom asked.
"I sure did, I slept like a baby." She walked over and sat down by JC at the table after giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "So, how should we wake them all up?"
JC grinned, "the meanest way possible."
Lance and Joey walked in sleepily. "This is why we had to get up before they could wake us up," Lance said.
"You two weren't really going to do something horrible to us while we slept, were you?" Joey stared at JC and Michelle as evil grins spread across their faces. "Okay Lance, we better go wake up everyone else to save them from a rude awakening!"
"Man, they take the fun out of everything," Michelle pouted.
A few minutes later, the rest of the group stumbled into the kitchen. Stacy sat down and put her head on the table, "Michelle, you are the only person I would get up this early for on a Saturday morning."
"You wouldn't get up this early for me," Lance asked.
"Well, maybe for you," she responded smiling.
"Michelle, what time do you have to be on campus," Chris asked as he filled his plate with breakfast.
"I have to be there at 12:30 and the ceremony starts at 1:00."
Justin leaned against the kitchen counter, "are you excited or nervous?"
"A little of both actually. What if I trip on my gown or something?"
"Then we will laugh at ya," Joey said before filling his mouth full of food.
"Oh thanks. In that case, i am going to get in the shower and use all the hot water." Michelle grinned and stood up to make her way back to the second floor of the house. JC caught up to her at the bottom of the staircase.
"Michelle hang on a second. I have something for you that I want you to wear today."
"What is it," she asked with growing curiosity.
He reached into the pocket of his pajama pants and pulled out a black velvet box. Michelle gingerly took it out of his hand and opened the top fo find a gold charm bracelet. "JC, this is beautiful."
"Look at the charms," he said.
The first one was a heart that said 'My Girl' inside it. The second one was a simple music note that had 'JC' inscribed in it. The third one said '#1 Teacher'.
Tears began to well up in her eyes, "I can't believe this! You are so amazing!"
"I wanted you to have something special to wear at your graduation today. You deserve this, you accomplished this second degree when there were some who said you couldn't do it."
"You helped me, you kept telling me over and over that I shouldn't lose sight of my dreams. Thank you, for the beautiful bracelet and for standing by me when I needed you to," she said before hugging him.
He kissed her and said, "you are more than welcome. I should be thanking you though. I am so glad you came in to my life and found it in your hear to love me."
"Trust me, it isn't hard to love you." She kissed him again and then turned to go upstairs.
Chapter 6:
*After the graduation ceremony*
Michelle stood in the driveway and waved to her party guests that were leaving. She turned to go into the house, but stopped when she heard a car honk. She turned around to see Krystine coming up the driveway. Michelle walked over to her car to greet her friend. "Krystine, where have you been? You missed all the fun!"
Krystine got out of her car and handed her friend a graduation present. "After the ceremony I ran home to get your gift and I had a message from that accounting firm in Orlando. I called them back and they interviewed me over the phone."
"Really," Michelle asked in excitement.
She nodded, "yes, and they want to hire me. They are going to start me at $5,000 more a year than Roberts and Adams are paying me."
Michelle hugged her friend, "that is wonderful Krys! I am so excited for you."
"Hey 'Chelle, JC is looking for you," Justin said as he came outside. He smiled when he caught sight of Krystine. "Well hello," he said putting on the charm.
"Justin, this is my friend Krystine. Congratulate her, she just got a job in Orlando. I have to go find JC." Krys turned around halfway to the house and said, "Justin, don't drool all over Krystine!"
Justin blushed at Michelle's comment, "So, you got a new job? That's amazing, congratulations."
Krystine smiled, "Thanks. I am really excited about it. I am glad I am moving to Orlando with Michelle, I was really going to miss her."
"What about your family?"
"Oh, well my brother moved to Kentucky last year to finish school, and my parents moved to South Carolina about four months ago," she said smiling. "I am looking forward to a change of scenery."
Justin looked at her," so am I."
****
Lance and Stacy walked hand in hand around the horse stables that were near Michelle's house. "Lance, look at that one. It's beautiful!"
"As soon as we get back to Orlando, we need to go riding again," he said as he put his arms around her waist.
Stacy put her arms around his neck, "Sounds perfect to me. But this time don't give me the one that is going to go crazy."
"Stace, that was a freak accident, something spooked the horse."
"No way, I still say that horse was a little wild."
"Would it put your mind at ease if we rode the same horse next time?"
"Maybe," she said as she pulled herself closer to him. "That might calm my nerves a bit."
"Then, what's going to calm mine," Lance asked before he leaned in to kiss her, which took her breath away.