Telling Her She Can't

My mom would always tell me I was a free spirit. She would always say that no one could hold me back, that I had my own mind and soul. She told me in a previous life, I was probably a bird. A bird that would soar through the sky, one that was so beautiful, you had to stop and look.

I could remember this one time she was talking to my brother. I had been in the hospital with a broken leg because I had tried to jump off the roof, claiming I could fly, just like every other kid did. My mom was laughing with Cole as I sat in the hospital.

"She's free, Cole. There's not going to be a single person telling her she can't, or she'll prove them wrong. There's no holding back the wind with her."

That was one of the only vivid memories I had from when I was that young and it was definitely my favorite. It was a memory that made me miss my mom more than anything.

As I stared at a picture of her, I couldn't help but smile. I missed her more than anything.

"Hey Noelle," Laura started, breaking me from my memory. "Would you mind running this next door to Mrs. Beckford? She left it here from the party and she was asking for it back."

There was no way I could say no to Laura so I had to agree. With a sigh, I picked up the cookie tray and began my trek next door. As I knocked on the door, I prayed that Michael wasn't home, since I hadn't spoken to him since his party a week prior.

Luck was on my side as Mrs. Beckford opened the door. She smiled at me. "Hey Noelle, come in!" she greeted.

I stepped in the familiar house, following her to the kitchen. I put the tray down. "Laura asked me to drop this off."

"Oh yes, thank you! I wrote down the recipe for the cookies for her, let me grab that for you to take back. Just one second, sweetheart."

Mrs. Beckford disappeared from the kitchen and I stood there. My eyes trailed over to the spot where I had stood with Michael. I could still feel his hands on my waist.

I was too lost in my trance to hear the front door open and close, or to hear the footsteps come my way. But Michael's voice saying my name snapped me out of it.

"Noelle, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice soft.

He had on a loose tank top and basketball shorts and he was sweaty. I knew he had just gotten back from the gym.

"I was dropping something off to your mom," I said back.

Slowly, and with caution, he walked towards me. "I... I miss you, Ellie."

I stepped back, rolling my eyes. "I wasn't ever yours to miss, Michael."

"I'm so sorry about everything last weekend. All of it. And you have to believe me, nothing happened with Casey, I swear. She tried to kiss me, but I didn't let it happen. I said no, I said no because of you."

Shaking my head, I looked down. "That doesn't change anything, Michael. I believe you, but it doesn't change who you are. You live a life I don't want a part of."

Michael stepped forward quickly, reaching to grab my hand. "I want to change it for you. I want to try this with you. You're all I can think about, you're all I want. I've never... I've never felt this way about someone. Please just give me a chance."

"I can't," I murmured.

His sad eyes came back. "Please. Just one chance. Let me take you out on a date. The second you stop enjoying yourself, you can end it."

"Okay," I finally said.

A wide smile took over his face. He closed the gap between us with a hug, holding me against him. I cringed and pushed him back. He looked hurt and rejected.

"Michael, you smell awful and you're sweaty," I informed, explaining why I pushed him back.

His frown turned to a smile. "I'll pick you up tomorrow at six thirty?"

~

Michael was punctual. He arrived not a minute after six thirty. Cole had answered the door, attempting to play the big brother role, but he ended up laughing end telling Michael not to bring me back too late. It took me about ten minutes to finished getting ready, and after that ten minutes, we were in Michael's truck. He wouldn't tell me where we were going, but he said he knew I would like it.

While at first I had regretted the decision to go out with Michael, I had been very happy ultimately. I was excited and nervous, but in a good way. It was something new and something unlike me, which was exactly why it excited me and made me nervous.

It took about half an hour, but we pulled up to a small drive in movie theater just outside of town. Immediately, I grinned. I had always wanted to go there.

Michael got out of his seat, but he asked me to wait a minute before I got out. I agreed and remained sitting. In the bed of the truck, I could hear rustling and banging around. I wondered what he was doing, but about two minutes later, I was greeted with Michael's face at the passenger door. He held his hand out for me to take, which I did, then he lightly pulled me over to the back.

Inside the bed of the truck, there were several blankets placed around. Pillows lined the back and side walls of the bed and in the middle, there was a plate of pizza rolls. I couldn't help but laugh and still be so surprised.

Michael had planned my dream date. I had always wanted to go to a drive in a movie, but since I hated movie theater food, I wanted the guy taking me out to know that and to pack something corny like pizza or salad or pizza rolls. There were only a handful of people who knew that, though.

"How did you know?" I asked him.

I looked at him and he was smiling while looking at me. "I have my ways, Noelle."

I rolled my eyes. Michael smirked and released my hand. He motioned for me to step up. We sat against the back of the truck and he pulled me into him. "How did you get Sadie's number?" I asked.

Michael laughed loudly and smirked at the mentioned of my best friend from back home. "I might've had Cole steal your phone and get it for me. I wanted tonight to be perfect, El."

We finished eating before the movie even started. Instead of even paying attention to the movie, we were talking instead. We talked about anything and everything. I told him more about my mom and my life back home. He told me about his friends and his family and even his past relationship with Casey. We played twenty questions and never have I ever and we played this or that. They were silly games, but they helped us get to know each other.

The two of us were too busy talking that we hadn't even noticed the movie ended and almost all the cars had driven away. Once we realized that, I helped Michael pack everything up and we got back in the truck.

He reached for my hand, and I let him take it as we drove back to our houses. It was a quiet drive, we were enjoying each other's company. He parked in front of my house and went around to open the door for me. Michael took my hand again as he walked me to the door.

"Thank you for the date. I actually had a really great time, Michael."

With a smile, he looked down at me. "I did, too. Thanks for not turning me down. I uh... I'd like to do this again. I mean, if you want to."

I nodded. "I'd really like that."

Stepping forward, Michael placed one hand under my chin. He put his other hand around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Just a second later, he kissed me and I kissed him back. My arms went around his neck and we were closer to each other. He stepped forward, which put me against the wall. He kissed me harder while one hand fell to my thigh.

His lips fell to my neck. "Noelle," he murmured.

I didn't reply, but I pulled away. Michael looked down at me which a look in his eye like at the party the last weekend. "I should get inside," I murmured.

He nodded and kissed me again. "I'll call you tomorrow."

I agreed and this time, I kissed him. He grinned against my lips. "Okay, okay," I laughed, pulling away from him.

Michael pulled away and he stepped back. "Goodnight, baby."