The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 15

8 months earlierEllaYoure not seriously divergence to climb up that tree, are you? Micha frowns at me through the dark. Hes dressed in a pair of sexy jeans that make his butt look vertical and his black t-shirt fits him perfectly. Youre gonna break your neck.I rub my manpower unneurotic and give him a devious look. You accredit how much I honor a ch wholeenge.From behind him, the moon shines from the sky and his blonde hair roughly glows. Yeah, but youre a little out of it right now and I dont destine you should be climbing up any trees.Ill be fine. I wave him off, pushing the sleeves of my leather jacket up. He invariably worries just about me. I like that he does, but it doesnt mean I always listen to him. Besides, if my dad catches me coming in, and he happens to be sober, Im going to specify chewed out for sneaking out and world drunk, especially because I was supposititious to be on mama duty this evening.G displumeping a branch, I attempt to wedge my foot up in the tree. But it falls to the ground and I grunt with frustration. Micha laughs, shaking his headspring as he walks around behind me.If you break your neck, pretty girl, he says. Its not my fault.You know your nickname for me is not fitting. I grab the branch again. You desire to think of a new one.He sweeps my hair to the side and puts his lips beside my ear. Its completely fitting. Youre the most beautiful girl I know, Ella May.Through my foggy brain, I return to process what hes saying. Are you trying to be funny?He shakes his head. Im being completely serious. But theres no need to panic. Im sure youll forget all about it by the time morning rolls around.I bob my head up and tweak. Youre probably right.He laughs again and his warm breath tickles my ear, displace a shiver through my body. I almost turn around, rip open his shirt, and thrust my tongue into his mouth, but I dont want to get out our friendship. Hes all I have at the moment and I need him more than air. So I b ottle my feelings up the best I can.He spreads his fingers across my waist where my shirt rides up, making the situation a little awkward. Okay, on the count of three Im going to boost you into the tree. Be Careful. One Two Three He lifts me up into the tree and I swing my legs up. The bark scratches at the back of my legs a little and the palms of Michas hands cup my ass as he pushes me up the rest of the way. It makes me giggle. at a time Im up, he climbs up himself. His hands reunite with my waist and he assists me up the tree and into my windowpane. I tumble through it and onto the floor with his quiet gag surrounding me.Youre going to regret this in the morning, he says with laughter in his voice. Youre going to have a headache from hell.I kneel beside the window as he steps back out onto the branch. Hey, Micha. I sheer my finger at him and he rolls his eyes, but tolerates me and returns to the windowsill. I throw my blazonry around his neck. Youre my hero. You know that? I flatter his cheek. His skin is so soft. I start to move away when his head turns toward me and our lips connect briefly. When he pulls back, I cant read him at all.Sweet dreams, pretty girl. He grins and climbs back down the tree. My head becomes even foggier as I shut the window. Did he kiss me on purpose? I shake the thought away and distort my arms out of my jacket. The house is silent, except for the sound of flowing body of water coming from the lavroom. I head out into the hall, figuring my moms left the bath running again. She does that sometimes when shes distracted. The door is locked, so I knock on it.Mom, are you in there? I call out.Water swishes from privileged and I realize the carpet beneath my feet is sloshy. I sober up real quick, and rush to my closet to grab a lessener. Stretching it out, I shove the end into the lock of the bathroom. It clicks and I push the door open.The bacchanal that leaves my mouth could shatter the worlds happiness into a thousand pie ces. But the concealment that follows it is enough to dissolve it completely.MichaWhat are you so happy about tonight? my mom questions when I walk into the house.Im as happy as I always am. I join her at the kitchen table and steal a cookie from a plate.She takes off her glasses and rubs the sides of her nose. Theres a calculator, a checkbook, and a whole lot of bills stacked in front of her. No, I havent seen you grin like this in a while.I just had a authentically good night. I take out my wallet and hand my mom a couple of twenties and a hundred dollar bill. Here, this is what I got for working a weekend at the s hop.My mom shakes her head and tosses the bullion in my direction. Micha Scott, Im not going to take my sons money.I throw it on top of the bills and push away from the table. Yes, you are. I want to help out.Micha I Stop arguing and take it young lady, I warn with image in my tone.She sighs, defeated, and collects the money. Youre a good son. Do you know that?Onl y because I was taught to be. I head for my room, but hear a scream from outside. I backtrack into the kitchen. Did you just hear that?My moms eyes are wide as she stares at the back door. I think it came from the Daniels house.A billion variant scenarios rush through my head as I run outside, hop the fence, and burst into her house. EllaIts quiet, except for water running upstairs. I dash up the staircase, skipping steps. Ella My body chills like ice. Ella is standing in the doorway and her mom is in the bathtub filled with red water thats spilling out all everyplace the floor. Ella, what happened?She flinches and then turns to me. Her pupils have taken over her eyes and the look on her face will haunt me for the rest of my life.I think she killed herself, she says insensibly and holds out her hands, which are smudged with blood. I checked her pulse and she doesnt have one.I take out my cell phone and call 911. When I hang up, Ella collapses into my arms and stays there, unmovin g until the ambulance shows up. She doesnt cry she barely breathes and it nearly kills me because I cant do anything to help her.