Maria could feel Michael all around her, not just his body, his lips or his hands, but the presence that was essentially him. And yet something was stopping the connection, unlike last time, it felt like she was up against a glass wall, she could see inside, she just couldn’t get inside. As they slowed to a near stop, their bodies pressed firmly together, their arms wrapped around each other, their breathing heavy, and their hearts racing. Slowly opening her eyes, Maria found herself staring straight into his. Gently, he lowered his mouth onto hers, featherlight and soft. And then it happened, all at once. In a sudden silent explosion, white light engulfed her. It burst around her. She was floating in it. Michael was floating in it. It was shining around them and through them, and she could feel a connection with Michael that made their last connection feel like a faulty telephone line. She knew him. She could see him, his soul, whatever you wanted to call it, whatever it was that made him Michael Guerin. They seemed to be floating together in some other space, in a naked white light that revealed everything and mercilessly lit up all the most secret places. And if anyone had asked her, Maria would have said that would be horrible, and she would have run for her life to get away from it. But it wasn’t horrible. She could see dreadful dark bits in Michael’s mind, and dreadful dark bits in hers. Tangled, thorny, scary parts, full of anger and hate. But there were so many other parts-some of them almost unused-that were beautiful and strong and whole. There was so much potential. Rainbow places that were aching to grow. Other parts that seemed to quiver with light, desperate to be awakened. We ask so little of ourselves, Maria thought in wonder. If everybody’s like this-we stunt ourselves so badly. We could be so much more… I don’t want you to be more. You’re amazing enough the way you are. Michael’s mental voice pushed through her thoughts. Maria could feel warmth envelope her, he was mentally hugging her. But then she could feel him backing away. The warmth surrounding her almost rushed away, retreating to one of the dark corners she had seen earlier. Feelings of anger and desertion, loneliness, and fear pushed at her instead, she realised they were coming from him. His anger at her leaving, the fear that she had deserted him, and the heart-felt knowledge that he would always be alone. Insanely, she started to laugh, bright warm laughter, brought upon by the realisation that Michael was as scared of her as she was of him. At the sound of it, things started to happen, the bright patches of their conjoined minds started to shine brighter. Smiling Maria realised what she had to do. Mentally, Maria started to kiss the air, blowing her kisses in all directions, she thought of sunlight, and warmth, she replayed their earlier kisses, sending him the feelings of pure joy she had experienced in his arms. From far away, Maria could feel Michael’s body trembling in her arms. Quivering with the tormenting pleasure. Stop it Maria! I think you’re killing me. Michael’s thought was shaky-half serious half hysterical, like the helpless gasp of someone being tickled to death. Her whole body was singing with elation, the knowledge that Michael was hers. Putty in her hands. This thought led to another: The Mission. No don’t stop, I’ve decided I’d enjoy dying this way, Michael’s thought was warm and reassuring, but did nothing to ease Maria’s pain. Michael, there are things I haven’t told you, reasons why I left...why I came back…. her thought trailed off, hesitant to continue. Don’t, I don’t care…you came back, that’s all that matters, I won’t let you leave again. You’re mine Maria. Mine. A swooshing noise was coming at them, pulling them away from each other back into their separate bodies. Eyes open wide, Maria starred into Michael’s face inches from her own, his lips still pressed against hers. “Mine” She felt him whisper into her mouth. ~~~*~~~ Maria and Michael made their way through the crowd, his arm wrapped possessively over her shoulder, their fingers entwined. Back up on the platform above the room, Tess, Isabel, Kyle and Max, were all at once animatedly engrossed in conversation with one another. As Michael and Maria joined them they headed outside, walking aimlessly down the still crowded street. “Where to now?” Max voiced the thought everyone was thinking, none so, more than Maria. “Coffee?” Kyle suggested. Isabel and Tess grinned at one another and turned, catching Maria’s eye all three screamed in unity. “MOCHA CHOCA LATTE’S!!!” The trio dissolved into giggles as the boys exchanged puzzled looks. ~~~*~~~ Two hours passed before they all made their way back to the bikes. It had been disconcerting for Maria to spend so much time just ‘chatting’ to the gang. They discussed school, and other classmates, teachers and their own families. All the while, Michael’s hand hadn’t moved from her thigh, his thumb drawing slow circles that burned through the denim. “Umm…were are you all headed now?” Maria asked hesitantly “Back to Michael’s silly!” Tess giggled, obviously still on her sugar high. “You coming?” Max asked, and Michael looked questioningly at her. “Nah, I gotta get home,” she tried to sound casual, hoping they wouldn’t question it. “That’s a good idea,” Isabel replied smoothly. “Jim’s been worried sick about you.” Maria smiled gratefully at Isabel, gladly letting them believe that that was where she was headed. Max and Isabel put on their helmets, Isabel getting on behind him. Tess and Kyle followed suit. The two boys revved their engines at the other in mock competition. “It’s good to have you back chika!” Isabel shouted as the bikes sped away, drag race style. The parking lot they were in, suddenly felt very empty to Maria, the area lit by only one working lamppost. Michael sat on his bike, helmet in one hand, reaching his other out to her. Tentatively Maria placed her own in it. In this position she was slightly taller than he was, and leaning her forehead against his, she softly touched her lips to his. Way to soon for her liking Michael pulled away. “Come to my place tomorrow.” He spoke softly; “There’s something I have to show you.” She nodded dumbly, processing what these words might mean. But before she could, Michael had put his helmet on and was starting his engine. Without so much as a glance back at her, he sped off, leaving her both frustrated and confused. That had been, she knew, exactly his intention. The games were still in full swing, only now, the stakes were much higher ~~~*~~~ At the top of her street, Maria got off her bike and walked it the rest of the way home. Silently stealing around to her bedroom window, she pried it open and climbed in. “Good Morning Maria” Her uncles voice greeted her from atop her own bed. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shiiiit. From a crack in the door, a pair of doe eyes stared at the scene playing out. That’ll teach you to cross me, Maria. Liz silently tiptoed back to her own room, a Cheshire-like grin in place. TBC

Part 10