To valentinebaby:
It's strange, huh, but weddings can give you joyful and sad feelings at the same time. And it's true: at the moment Michael and Maria are the only ones with love problems. Though I must add that Michael is having a bit more than a love problem.
To Marsis:
I did a great job then if you felt like a bridesmaid again! To return to the story: Well, you picked the perfect quote. There's indeed something rustling in the air between Michael and Maria. So here is for you: the reception!
To ItsMeSila:
I admit, chapter twelve was indeed a very short one. But I'll make it up to you. Deal?
To emadaps:
Your wish is my command!
To Luluzita:
If I could make it right, I would do it. Within the minute. But this one will depend on Michael and Maria.
Author's note: This week's chapter is accompagnied by a song of the Dutch band Krezip. You can hear them out loud performing their song when you click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHPfKD9v40g
Chapter thirteen
"You may kiss the bride."
The priest hadn't even finsished his line when Max took Liz in a romantic embrace.
The crowd applauded, cheered and whistled.
Michael released a breath. The first step of the wedding was over. "Thank God!" he thought. He really wasn't into weddings. Especially weddings where he had to parade in a stupid penguin costume and pull off an act as best man. It was one of his worst nightmares.
"Thanks, man."
Max's voice interrupted his thoughts. Looking at Max he noticed the other people had already left.
"Oh, it was my pleasure." He shrugged.
Max laughed out loud with the played nonchalance written all over Michael's face. "No, it was not. Come on, just admit it, Michael. You hate this kind of things."
"Yeah, true." He confessed. "But I've got only one best friend since kindergarten, so-"
"Well, if that's the case then I'm going to take even more advantage of it. Before you can run away, that is."
And before Michael could react, Max grabbed the handles of his wheel chair and started pulling him in the direction of the garden.
"Maxwell?"
Max couldn't hide the grin on his face anymore when he saw the obvious horror on Michael's face appearing after he had said: "Picture time!"
****
Maria was already with the others gathered around in front of a nice setting of flowers and plants when Max and Michael turned round the corner.
She could see Max was teasing Michael. Michael looked accusingly at Max but underneath that pose she could see the start of a smirk on his face.
"Pictures are just a waste of paper, you know Maxwell. It shows people in the ugliest way possible." Michael stated.
"Yeah, speak for yourself! But then again, you can't turn something repulsive in a thing of beauty."
"Oh, is that why all your pictures look like they escaped from a ghost house?"
"Ha, ha. Funny, really funny. Is that where mine met yours??"
"Maybe."
The both grinned boyishly.
Until Michael became aware of her. Maria immediately noticed the change in his behaviour.
A "Did you see me" sign appeared on his provoking face.
"Oh boy!" went through her mind, followed by "What is he up to now?"
But instead of challenging her further at that moment, he just parked his chair nonchalantly on the other side. Trying to give her the impression that he didn't care about her being there.
So she tried to do the same thing and kept herself busy arranging Liz's dress, so the photographer could take pictures of the wedding couple alone.
After those the photographer started gesturing at the others to join.
Pictures with their families, with the bride's maids, with the bride's maids and the best man. Every combination had to pose before the camera.
And during every single one of them Maria could feel somebody watching at her. And every time she looked up, she couldn't help looking right in Michael's brewing eyes. It was as if he couldn't stop glaring at her. As if she was irresistible for him. Though it made her very uncomfortable, she tried to ignore him. Smiling she looked right in the lens.
***
Michael tapped his fork against his champagne flute. When everybody present gave him their attention, he cleared his throat.
"Good evening, everyone. Max asked me to thank you all for coming today and helping to make Max and Liz's wedding such a memorable and special occasion. Personally, I wish you'd all stayed at home and made my job less nerve wracking. But hell, you're here anyway. So here I go. I could say a lot of nice things about how great Max is as a friend. About how lovely and beautiful Liz is. And how they look great together. I could talk about true love and all those other fuzzy feelings. But you know me, I'm not going to do that. So, here's to Max and Liz!"
Michael clinked to his best friend and his dream girl. And everybody followed suit.
Liz smiled at him and thanked him with her eyes. Max pulled up his thumb before he guided Liz to the dance floor for their first dance.
In the fuss of the first dance Michael took the chance to escape the party for a minute. When he drove outside, he met Kyle at the large porch.
Kyle looked up at him. "Hey, man, seems I'm not the only one breaking away."
"My job is finished. Thank God for that!"
"That bad, huh?"
"If you like all the mumbo-jumbo it's paradise. Really."
Kyle laughed at Michael's stinging remark. But then, all of a sudden, he froze when he saw another person standing in the doorway.
"Kyle, what's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost."
But before Kyle could answer, a voice startled them both.
"Michael Guerin, you're telling me right now what's going on in your head. 'Cause I'm sick of the whole show you've pulled lately."
Maria came closer and stood right in front of him. She looked enraged and fierce. It was Maria in hurricane-mode.
Kyle tilted his head and watched them both. "Ok, guys, two is a party, three is a crowd. People, enjoy yourself!"
And with those sarcastic words he turned on his heels and left them both alone on the porch.
Michael barked. "Look what you did! You chase everybody away. Besides, I don't know what you're talking about.
Maria's eyes flashed. "That's crap, Michael! And you know it! You're well aware about what I'm talking about. Every fucking time it's the same thing with you! Something is bothering you. And instead of talking about it like normal people do, you become touchy, annoying and completely unpleasant. And you make me look ridiculous every time our friends are around."
"How-" he started.
"How do I know something's wrong, you mean?" she stared at him. "Well, it wasn't hard to figure that one out, pally. Even a child can see something's up. What's more, it's not the first time you pulled off a stunt like that."
Michael looked at her guiltily. He cringed hearing her angry words knowing that every one of them were true. But Maria was too worked up to notice.
"When you were seventeen, you cut me out of your life for several months because I wasn't cheering your girlfriend. I was nothing to you for almost six months except somebody to make fun of. The highlight was the one time in the Crashdown. Every time I spilled something, you-"
"Gave a penny." he finished her sentence. "I know, I never was that subtle."
"Subtle?" Maria echoed. "That's even an understatement, Michael! You make me so pissed off…"
"But I have your attention, don't I?" he pointed dryly out.
His remark broke the tension between them both. His contented face made her chuckle whether she wanted it or not.
Maria snorted loudly. "Yeah, you got my attention. Damn, Michael, you know you can always have my attention if you want to."
She touched her temples, making soothing, gentle circles on them. "Man, do I miss my oils right now" she thought. And when she was calmed down again, she took a seat on the ground next to his wheel chair. A weary look on her face.
"And now, can you please finally tell me what's on your mind?"
Michael sighed heavily. "It's kinda hard… Where in Gods name do I start?" he fidgeted with his hands in the pockets of his pants.
"From the beginning. Just start at the beginning, Michael."
Hesitatingly he started, choking on the words as he spoke, "I miss our friendship, Maria. I… I miss you."
His voice sounded so bleak to her ears, showing her his complete vulnerability.
Finally, after all those months, he had managed to speak out loud what he was feeling deep inside. His honest words took the wind out of her sails and all her anger faded away. Slowly her hand reached for his. This time he didn't pull away. She squeezed them, letting him know everything was going to turn out fine.
"Me too, Michael. Me too."
Michael sighed in relief. He looked at her in the twilight of the day and saw a tear shimmer.
"Emo," he teased her. Tenderly and delicatly he brushed it away with his fingertip.
"Yeah, that's me." Maria giggled.
"So what happens next?"
"Now we're going dancing and amuse ourselves like we never did before." Resolute she stood up to reinforce her words.
But Michael hesitated again. "Is that everything you're going to say? 'Cause I'm ready to take everything what's going on in the mad mind of yours. All of it."
She shook her head. "I'm not going to do it, Michael. Not tonight, that is."
Confused he looked at her. "Aren't you mad anymore? Don't I have to explain, apologize,…?
"Michael Guerin, could you please get your butt on the dance floor? Like now? 'Cause we lost a couple of months with our own stupid behaviour. Again! It seems long enough to me. And you can be assured, I'm not angry anymore."
She looked him right in the eye. "How can I stay angry with a guy who took so much pains to attract my attention? The way you went about it wasn't that great, to say the least. But what the heck, that's a small detail.
And then she saw the corner of his mouth quirk, a smile appearing on his face, as if it had taken him that long to realize she wasn't going to yell at him. He sure knew she had every right to do so. But like always, her unpredictable behaviour had surprised him. Completely.
"Come on, nutcase, lead me to the dance floor. It's the least you can do to make it up to me."
And before she had the chance to change her mind and find another, more awkward, manner for him to make it up, he offered her his hand. "My lady?"
And with that word he grabbed her hand and did what he was told. He leaded her to the dance floor where they joined the others.
It's strange, huh, but weddings can give you joyful and sad feelings at the same time. And it's true: at the moment Michael and Maria are the only ones with love problems. Though I must add that Michael is having a bit more than a love problem.
To Marsis:
I did a great job then if you felt like a bridesmaid again! To return to the story: Well, you picked the perfect quote. There's indeed something rustling in the air between Michael and Maria. So here is for you: the reception!
To ItsMeSila:
I admit, chapter twelve was indeed a very short one. But I'll make it up to you. Deal?
To emadaps:
Your wish is my command!
To Luluzita:
If I could make it right, I would do it. Within the minute. But this one will depend on Michael and Maria.
Author's note: This week's chapter is accompagnied by a song of the Dutch band Krezip. You can hear them out loud performing their song when you click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHPfKD9v40g
Chapter thirteen
When the aching is over
I hope we can talk again
I hope that you'll understand me
I wonder if I ever will
Krezip - Everything and more
I hope we can talk again
I hope that you'll understand me
I wonder if I ever will
Krezip - Everything and more
"You may kiss the bride."
The priest hadn't even finsished his line when Max took Liz in a romantic embrace.
The crowd applauded, cheered and whistled.
Michael released a breath. The first step of the wedding was over. "Thank God!" he thought. He really wasn't into weddings. Especially weddings where he had to parade in a stupid penguin costume and pull off an act as best man. It was one of his worst nightmares.
"Thanks, man."
Max's voice interrupted his thoughts. Looking at Max he noticed the other people had already left.
"Oh, it was my pleasure." He shrugged.
Max laughed out loud with the played nonchalance written all over Michael's face. "No, it was not. Come on, just admit it, Michael. You hate this kind of things."
"Yeah, true." He confessed. "But I've got only one best friend since kindergarten, so-"
"Well, if that's the case then I'm going to take even more advantage of it. Before you can run away, that is."
And before Michael could react, Max grabbed the handles of his wheel chair and started pulling him in the direction of the garden.
"Maxwell?"
Max couldn't hide the grin on his face anymore when he saw the obvious horror on Michael's face appearing after he had said: "Picture time!"
****
Maria was already with the others gathered around in front of a nice setting of flowers and plants when Max and Michael turned round the corner.
She could see Max was teasing Michael. Michael looked accusingly at Max but underneath that pose she could see the start of a smirk on his face.
"Pictures are just a waste of paper, you know Maxwell. It shows people in the ugliest way possible." Michael stated.
"Yeah, speak for yourself! But then again, you can't turn something repulsive in a thing of beauty."
"Oh, is that why all your pictures look like they escaped from a ghost house?"
"Ha, ha. Funny, really funny. Is that where mine met yours??"
"Maybe."
The both grinned boyishly.
Until Michael became aware of her. Maria immediately noticed the change in his behaviour.
A "Did you see me" sign appeared on his provoking face.
"Oh boy!" went through her mind, followed by "What is he up to now?"
But instead of challenging her further at that moment, he just parked his chair nonchalantly on the other side. Trying to give her the impression that he didn't care about her being there.
So she tried to do the same thing and kept herself busy arranging Liz's dress, so the photographer could take pictures of the wedding couple alone.
After those the photographer started gesturing at the others to join.
Pictures with their families, with the bride's maids, with the bride's maids and the best man. Every combination had to pose before the camera.
And during every single one of them Maria could feel somebody watching at her. And every time she looked up, she couldn't help looking right in Michael's brewing eyes. It was as if he couldn't stop glaring at her. As if she was irresistible for him. Though it made her very uncomfortable, she tried to ignore him. Smiling she looked right in the lens.
***
Michael tapped his fork against his champagne flute. When everybody present gave him their attention, he cleared his throat.
"Good evening, everyone. Max asked me to thank you all for coming today and helping to make Max and Liz's wedding such a memorable and special occasion. Personally, I wish you'd all stayed at home and made my job less nerve wracking. But hell, you're here anyway. So here I go. I could say a lot of nice things about how great Max is as a friend. About how lovely and beautiful Liz is. And how they look great together. I could talk about true love and all those other fuzzy feelings. But you know me, I'm not going to do that. So, here's to Max and Liz!"
Michael clinked to his best friend and his dream girl. And everybody followed suit.
Liz smiled at him and thanked him with her eyes. Max pulled up his thumb before he guided Liz to the dance floor for their first dance.
In the fuss of the first dance Michael took the chance to escape the party for a minute. When he drove outside, he met Kyle at the large porch.
Kyle looked up at him. "Hey, man, seems I'm not the only one breaking away."
"My job is finished. Thank God for that!"
"That bad, huh?"
"If you like all the mumbo-jumbo it's paradise. Really."
Kyle laughed at Michael's stinging remark. But then, all of a sudden, he froze when he saw another person standing in the doorway.
"Kyle, what's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost."
But before Kyle could answer, a voice startled them both.
"Michael Guerin, you're telling me right now what's going on in your head. 'Cause I'm sick of the whole show you've pulled lately."
Maria came closer and stood right in front of him. She looked enraged and fierce. It was Maria in hurricane-mode.
Kyle tilted his head and watched them both. "Ok, guys, two is a party, three is a crowd. People, enjoy yourself!"
And with those sarcastic words he turned on his heels and left them both alone on the porch.
Michael barked. "Look what you did! You chase everybody away. Besides, I don't know what you're talking about.
Maria's eyes flashed. "That's crap, Michael! And you know it! You're well aware about what I'm talking about. Every fucking time it's the same thing with you! Something is bothering you. And instead of talking about it like normal people do, you become touchy, annoying and completely unpleasant. And you make me look ridiculous every time our friends are around."
"How-" he started.
"How do I know something's wrong, you mean?" she stared at him. "Well, it wasn't hard to figure that one out, pally. Even a child can see something's up. What's more, it's not the first time you pulled off a stunt like that."
Michael looked at her guiltily. He cringed hearing her angry words knowing that every one of them were true. But Maria was too worked up to notice.
"When you were seventeen, you cut me out of your life for several months because I wasn't cheering your girlfriend. I was nothing to you for almost six months except somebody to make fun of. The highlight was the one time in the Crashdown. Every time I spilled something, you-"
"Gave a penny." he finished her sentence. "I know, I never was that subtle."
"Subtle?" Maria echoed. "That's even an understatement, Michael! You make me so pissed off…"
"But I have your attention, don't I?" he pointed dryly out.
His remark broke the tension between them both. His contented face made her chuckle whether she wanted it or not.
Maria snorted loudly. "Yeah, you got my attention. Damn, Michael, you know you can always have my attention if you want to."
She touched her temples, making soothing, gentle circles on them. "Man, do I miss my oils right now" she thought. And when she was calmed down again, she took a seat on the ground next to his wheel chair. A weary look on her face.
"And now, can you please finally tell me what's on your mind?"
Michael sighed heavily. "It's kinda hard… Where in Gods name do I start?" he fidgeted with his hands in the pockets of his pants.
"From the beginning. Just start at the beginning, Michael."
Hesitatingly he started, choking on the words as he spoke, "I miss our friendship, Maria. I… I miss you."
His voice sounded so bleak to her ears, showing her his complete vulnerability.
Finally, after all those months, he had managed to speak out loud what he was feeling deep inside. His honest words took the wind out of her sails and all her anger faded away. Slowly her hand reached for his. This time he didn't pull away. She squeezed them, letting him know everything was going to turn out fine.
"Me too, Michael. Me too."
Michael sighed in relief. He looked at her in the twilight of the day and saw a tear shimmer.
"Emo," he teased her. Tenderly and delicatly he brushed it away with his fingertip.
"Yeah, that's me." Maria giggled.
"So what happens next?"
"Now we're going dancing and amuse ourselves like we never did before." Resolute she stood up to reinforce her words.
But Michael hesitated again. "Is that everything you're going to say? 'Cause I'm ready to take everything what's going on in the mad mind of yours. All of it."
She shook her head. "I'm not going to do it, Michael. Not tonight, that is."
Confused he looked at her. "Aren't you mad anymore? Don't I have to explain, apologize,…?
"Michael Guerin, could you please get your butt on the dance floor? Like now? 'Cause we lost a couple of months with our own stupid behaviour. Again! It seems long enough to me. And you can be assured, I'm not angry anymore."
She looked him right in the eye. "How can I stay angry with a guy who took so much pains to attract my attention? The way you went about it wasn't that great, to say the least. But what the heck, that's a small detail.
And then she saw the corner of his mouth quirk, a smile appearing on his face, as if it had taken him that long to realize she wasn't going to yell at him. He sure knew she had every right to do so. But like always, her unpredictable behaviour had surprised him. Completely.
"Come on, nutcase, lead me to the dance floor. It's the least you can do to make it up to me."
And before she had the chance to change her mind and find another, more awkward, manner for him to make it up, he offered her his hand. "My lady?"
And with that word he grabbed her hand and did what he was told. He leaded her to the dance floor where they joined the others.
