First Love
Author: Janet (SkyGirl5)
Genre: S/V, AU
Summary: For years in her youth, Sydney Bristow had a huge crush on Michael Vaughn, her brother Nathan's best friend, but Michael barely knew she existed. Now, at 22, she runs into him once more and he barely recognizes her. Will she finally get the chance to date him after all these years?
Disclaimer: Sydney, Vaughn, etc are properties of JJ Abrams and ABC.
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Chapters 1-10 // Chapters 11 - 20 // Chapters 21-30 // Chapters 31-40 + Epilogue
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Chapter 1
July 2005
“Remind me why I’m doing this again?” twenty-two year old Sydney Bristow asked.
“Because you’re my best friend in the whole wide world and you love me.” Nadia Santos beamed.
“Ohh yeah right.” Sydney laughed. “But maybe I don’t love you enough for this.”
“Sydney Anne!”
“Kidding,” she laughed.
“Good! Because I need moral support for this,” Nadia sighed.
“Why exactly?” Sydney asked.
“Because Eric is being a dumb ass doing this whole hockey night thing when he’s old and hasn’t played since high school and I told him he’s going to hurt himself but does he listen?”
“No.” Sydney laughed.
“Of course not,” Nadia sighed. “So, I’m going to be the one suffering when he like breaks his crotch or something.”
“Nadia!”
“What?” She smiled. “I didn’t necessarily mean in that way I just meant I’d have to ... I dunno keep getting him ice packs and listen to him whine.”
“Well you wouldn’t have to if you didn’t live with him,” Sydney rolled her eyes.
“Well, if I didn’t live with Eric his place would be so filthy the health department would shut him down. Besides... who would I live with?”
“Me,” Sydney smiled.
“Syd, we’ve been there. During college remember? We were about to kill each other. We’re much better friends if we live separately.” Nadia told her.
“Yeah... but that was when we both lived in the same eight by eight room. An apartment has more space.”
“Well... that’s true I guess. I’ll keep it in mind if Eric and I break up,” Nadia said.
“Ohh you’re breaking up with him?” Sydney asked.
“Well... I don’t know. I mean it’s only been four months so it’s not like I’m booking a hall and calling a minister or anything. But, I mean, can you really see Eric proposing to anyone?”
“I dunno,” Sydney shrugged. “It’s unfair for me to judge. I’ve only been around him a few times.”
“Oh... yeah right. Great we’re here,” Nadia said as she pulled into the parking lot of the skating rink.
“So how many guys are playing?” Sydney asked.
“Ummm three on each team I think so six,” Nadia said.
Sydney nodded. “Do you know them all?”
“No! No definitely not. I only know Eric of course and two of his friends, that’s it.”
“Oh alright,” Sydney said as they went into the rink and saw that there were already a handful of guys skating around the rink. Nadia pointed across the way to bleachers were the guy’s equipment was resting and two other girls were sitting watching them. They walked over and said polite hellos and introductions before sitting down to watch the game. Out on the rink, six guys were skating around passing the puck back and forth between them. All of them wore jerseys from a different NHL team.
“Which one is Eric?” Sydney asked, unable to see the men’s faces clearly because of the distance and their masks.
Nadia pointed towards the goal on the left hand side of the rink. “The Duck’s jersey in the goal.”
“Ohh ok,” Sydney nodded. They watched the men skate for a ten more minutes until one man in an LA Kings jersey scored. On his victory lap around the rink, another man shoved him, he lost his balanced and slammed into the wall directly in front of Sydney, who cringed and gasped as the crushing noise. A groan went through the women spectators.
“Whoa Mike are you ok?!” Eric asked as he skated over.
“Yeah,” the man groaned as he clambered to his feet. He rested one arm on the wall as he unstrapped his helmet and took it off. “That hurt.” He laughed.
“Oh god,” Sydney gasped with a sharp intake of breath upon seeing the man’s face.
“What?!” Nadia asked but Sydney ignored her. All of her focus was trained on the man rubbing his forehead wrinkles and combing his fingers through his sweaty, matted hair.
“Yeah I’m good,” he said as he put his helmet back on, picked up his stick, and staked back out to rejoin the game.
“Syd? Hello! Earth to Sydney!” Nadia called as she snapped her fingers in front of her friends face.
“What?!” Sydney asked.
“What the hell was that?” Nadia asked.
“What?”
“That... the weirdness that just happened,” Nadia said.
“Oh... that... that was Michael Vaughn.” Sydney croaked.
“Yeah, so?” Nadia asked.
“And... OHh! I remember now Eric Weiss! Of course,” Sydney almost laughed.
“Syd, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Michael and Eric were my brother Nathan’s two best friends all throughout high school.”
“OHHHHHHHHHH gotcha,” Nadia said as she nodded.
“Yeah,” Sydney sighed as she returned her focus to Michael who was skating around with the puck once more. Nathan, her only brother, was not quite four years older than her. Shortly after graduating high school he had enlisted in the army and was currently serving with the US troops in Afghanistan. Throughout high school Nathan, Eric and Michael were hardly ever separated, meaning they had spent a lot of time hanging out in the Bristow’s basement. Sydney hadn’t seen Michael since the day he came over to see Nathan off when he was leaving for boot camp.
“So what? Did you have a crush on Michael or something?” Nadia asked.
“What?” Sydney asked, jolted from her own thoughts.
“Oh god, please don’t tell me you had a crush on Eric.” Nadia shuddered.
“No,” Sydney laughed. “Actually, Eric was much heavier back in high school. He lost a lot of weight which is why I didn’t recognize him.”
“Ohhh so you had a crush on Michael then?” Nadia asked.
“Yeah... sort of...,” Sydney mumbled. “Yeah...”
Chapter 2
July 1997
“What are you doing twerp?” Nathan sneered down at his fourteen year old sister.
“Reading,” she said without looking up from her book.
“But why are you doing in there?” he asked referring to the fact that she was sitting across one of the stairs leading to the second floor of their home.
Sydney shrugged. “Why not?”
“Whatever, look my friends are coming over and I don’t want you hovering around like usual. We’re going to be watching movies in the basement.”
“What?!” Sydney gasped. “But Francie’s coming over and we’re going to watch something!”
“Too bad,” Nathan laughed.
Sydney glared at her brother. “I’m telling!”
“Ooo go running to Mom then,” Nathan fake shivered.
“MOM!” Sydney screamed. “Nathan and his friends are going to watch porn in the basement!”
“You little bitch!” Nathan hissed.
“NATHAN!” their mother, Irina, screeched as she ran out into the hall. “Do not ever use that word towards your sister again. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” Nathan said quietly as he looked down at the floor.
“Good, now go up to your room.”
“Moooom! Mike and Eric are coming over!” Nathan whined.
“Not anymore they’re not. Go.” She commanded as she pointed up the stairs. Sydney grinned at her brother as he walked past muttering things under his breath. “Sydney when Nathan’s friends get here would you please tell them that he can’t hang out with them today?”
“Sure.” Sydney grinned.
“Thanks.” Irina smiled as she walked back to the kitchen.
A moment later the doorbell rang and Sydney bolted to answer it. “Ohh Francie hi,” Sydney smiled at her friend.
“Hey Syd! Ready to watch Titanic?!” Francie asked excitedly.
“Yeah I just have to wait for Michael.” She smiled.
“Why?” Francie asked in an annoyed tone.
“Because Nathan’s grounded and I have to tell his friends that he can’t come out to play.” Sydney giggled.
“Ohh ok,” Francie sighed as she walked over and sat on the steps. They had only chatted for a few minutes before the doorbell rang again. Sydney quickly checked her appearance in the nearby mirror, making sure that her ponytail wasn’t lumpy, before opening the door.
“Hi Michael,” She giggled quietly.
“Hey Sydney, where’s Nathan?”
“Oh he’s grounded so he won’t be able to hang out.” Sydney told him. “But I’m just going to watch a movie if you want to come watch with me.” She smiled.
Michael laughed. “No thanks kid. Tell Nathan I’ll see him tomorrow or something,” he said as he turned to leave.
“Okay BYE!” Sydney called before shutting the door and coming face to face with Francie who was shaking her head. “What?!” Sydney asked innocently.
“Why do you do that?” Francie asked.
“What?”
“You and Michael,” Francie said as she batted her eyelashes dramatically.
“Shut up we’re in love,” Sydney said. Francie barked with laughter. “WE ARE!”
“Oh yeah did he say he loves you?”
“He didn’t have to,” Sydney said proudly. “I just know.”
“Whatever,” Francie said. “Let’s go watch the movie.”
~*~
November 1997
Sydney was sitting on the stairs, peering through the banister at the party going on down in the basement. It was Nathan’s and Michael’s joint party since Michael’s birthday was the day before Nathan’s. They were both turning 18 and had invited numerous guys and girls from their class. The music was loud and everyone was talking but Sydney was just watching, waiting for the prime opportunity to give Michael the card she had for him.
The fact that he was laughing with a group of three girls who were clearly drooling over him made Sydney sick to her stomach. She didn’t understand what he saw in them when she was perfectly perfect and sitting right in front of him.
Finally, she saw him walk over to the food table and she took her golden opportunity. She bolted down the stairs, steering clear of her brother’s eyes (“If I see your face at my party I’ll shave your head in your sleep.” He had told her). “Michael, hi, happy birthday,” she said quickly.
“Hey Sydney, are you supposed to be here?” He laughed.
“Well, no, but I had to give you this,” she said as she held out a card for him.
“Oh well thanks.” He smiled.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled back.
“SYDNEY!” Nathan boomed.
“CRAP!” she said as she raced back up the stairs and out of view.
“Stupid twerp,” Nathan muttered. “What’s that?”
“Sydney gave it to me,” Michael said.
“Lemme see,” Nathan said as he wrenched the card from Michael’s hands. “Happy Birthday Michael, Love Sydney,” he read. “What a retard, she didn’t even get me a card.”
“Leave her alone Nate, she’s just a kid.” Michael laughed.
Just a kid. Michael’s words stung Sydney’s heart and caused tears to flood her eyes. A kid?! She wasn’t a kid! She was a freshmen in high school! How could he not see that!?
~*~
July 2005
“Hey Eric?” Michael asked. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m waving to Nadia,” Eric said as he continued to wave.
“Where is she?” Michael asked as he looked up to the bleachers.
“The green sweater,” Eric said.
“WOAH! Who is that next to her?!” Michael asked.
“The girl in white? I dunno her friend or something, why?” Eric said.
“She’s gorgeous,” Michael said quietly.
“Yeah I guess... if you like that type.” Eric shrugged. “Come on man, quit droolin over that chick and play,” Eric said as he prodded Michael with his stick.
“Yeah, yeah I’m playin,” Michael said as he skated away, his eyes still on the smiling brown haired girl next to Nadia. He couldn’t place her but he just knew he recognized her from somewhere.
Chapter 3
January 1998
“Get out loser,” Nathan said as he and his two friends shuffled down the stairs to the basement and found Sydney on one of the couches reading.
“Why? It’s a free country,” she said.
“Because you can read anywhere but we can only play Nintendo down here,” Nathan said. “Buh-bye now.”
“I’m not leaving.” Sydney pouted.
“Oh yes, you are,” Nathan said as he ripped her book out of her hands and dangled it far above her head.
“Give it back!” she said as she tried desperately to reach for the book.
“Nope,” Nathan said as he walked over to the stairs. He threw the book as hard as he could and it landed on the top step. “Fetch.”
Sydney gave a frustrated little grunt as she stomped past Eric and Michael on her way up the stairs. “And bring us some sodas why don’t ya!” Nathan called after her with a laugh.
Sydney muttered insults to her brother as she stomped the rest of the way up the steps and into the kitchen, grabbing her book on the way. She wrenched open the fridge door rather violently and removed a Mountain Dew (which she knew to be Michael’s favorite soda) and a Coke. Then she ran down stairs and handed the Coke to Eric and the Mountain Dew to Michael.
“Thanks.” Michael smiled at her.
“What about me?!” Nathan asked indignantly. Sydney just smiled and then ran up the stairs once more, slamming the door behind her. “Stupid little...,” Nathan muttered.
~*~
May 1998
“Ohh look at you, you look so handsome.” Irina gushed as her son came down the stairs in his tuxedo, ready for prom.
“Thanks Mom.” Nathan smiled.
“You’re so grown up.” Irina sniffed. “And you’re graduating and going off to college.”
“Mom,” Nathan groaned. “Please, control yourself. The guys are going to be here soon.”
“Okay, alright I’m sorry,” Irina said quickly as she wiped her eyes. But then she threw her arms around her son and hugged him tightly. Sydney laughed as Nathan looked to his father for assistance.
“It’s alright Irina,” Jack said calmly as he tried to pry his wife off his son. “We still have Sydney.”
“Thanks...,” Sydney said sarcastically.
“Oh they’re here,” Nathan said when he looked out the window. The four family members filed onto the front lawn where five people got out of the limo that had just pulled up. Eric was wearing a regular black suit and his date was wearing a brilliant yellow dress. Michael was looking just as handsome as ever (in Sydney’s opinion) and on his arm he had a blonde girl in a red dress. The fifth passenger of the limo was a girl in a deep green dress with orange red hair and many freckles all over her face and shoulders. This was Nathan’s date.
“Hey Sarah,” He smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks Nathan.” She giggled. He handed her a corsage and she giggled as she put it on her wrist.
Sydney watched from the front door as Michael, Eric and their dates chatted on the front lawn. Then the three girls gathered together for their pictures to be taken while the guys stood off to the side. Sydney noticed that the flower on Michael’s tuxedo had come unpinned and he was having difficulty getting it back on. She quickly walked over to him and said “Let me.”
“Oh thanks...,” he mumbled as Sydney took the flower and pin from him. She tired to ignore the tingling in her spine when their hands brushed together as she focused on not pricking herself with the pin.
“There,” she said once the flower was in position. “You look, um, really nice.”
“Thanks.” He smiled and then he turned back to Eric while Nathan shooed his little sister away. Sydney sat on the front porch of the house watching the picture taking and giggling. She saw Michaels’ date, the evil blonde, rush over to him and kiss him fully on the lips. Sydney was ill at this sight and her heart broke so she went inside, lay down on her bed, put on her music and tried not to cry.
~*~
May 1998
“Sydney whyyyyyyyy are you doing this?” Francie groaned as she flopped back onto the bed. They were both up in Sydney’s bedroom and Francie was watching her friend preen herself in the mirror.
“I told you, Michael is coming over tonight,” Sydney said as she applied her mascara with great care.
“Syd, we’ve been through this only about a million times. He’s not coming over for you.” She sighed exasperatedly.
“Jeez you don’t have to be mean about it.” Sydney snapped.
“I’m not being mean. I’m being honest,” Francie said.
“Well I know he’s coming over for Nathan,” Sydney said with a tone of disgust. “But I’m going to be here too. I mean, I’ve only got a few weeks before they graduate right? He just has to notice me.”
“Syd, don’t you think he would have by now?”
“No, well, maybe not. I wasn’t pretty before,” she said while examining and perfecting her eye shadow.
“Syd you look the same.”
“I DO!?” She gasped at her reflection in horror.
“No Syd it’s just... oh never mind. I give up.” Francie groaned.
“Oh! That’s him!” Sydney exclaimed upon hearing the doorbell ring. She rushed out of her room and bounded down the steps where she froze half way. Michael came into the Bristow home with his arm draped around the neck of the blonde he had taken to prom the previous week. Immediately inside the door they started kissing, much to Nathan’s disgust. Sydney’s eyes widened in horror and she spun around only to come face to face with Francie.
“I’m sorry Syd.” Francie sighed. Sydney just shook her head as she quickly pushed past her friend and ran back to her room. Francie followed her slowly.
“I just don’t understand. He loves me I know it!” She sobbed.
“Syd...”
“No he does!! He loves me and I’ve loved him since I was eleven years old!! He’s just... he’s just being a stupid mean boy!” She sobbed into her pillow.
~*~
Summer 1994
Sydney slowly walked out into the patio, adjusting her bright pink suit as she went. Her brother and his friends were pelting each other with water from their water guns while trying to drown one another in the family pool. She took out her large sunglasses, put them on and tried to act as cool as possible as she sauntered over to the picnic table and sat down with her legs outstretched.
She had only been sitting there a few moments when she was hit in the stomach with a cold blast of water. She screamed. “NATHAN!”
Nathan laughed hysterically. “That was great.” He laughed as he continued to shoot the water gun at her.
“Stop it!” Sydney sputtered while trying not to choke on the water that was flying at her face.
“Alright, enough,” Michael said as he took the water gun from Nathan. “Hey do you still have that floating basketball net?”
“Uh yeah, I think. Let’s go look for it,” Nathan said as he swam towards the stairs. As the boys were filing out of the pool, Sydney crept closer to the side, dipping her toes into the water. Nathan, with a sly grin on his face, ran over to her and gave her a hard shove into the water. She screamed as she hit her head on the plastic water gun that had been floating in the water.
The pain in her eye and forehead caught her off guard and she was soon coughing and flailing about in the deep end of the pool. Upon seeing her in distress, Michael dove back in the water, grabbed Sydney by the waist and pull her out, setting her up on the pool deck. She was still whimpering and choking as she desperately tried to wipe a mixture of tears and pool water from her eyes.
“Are you ok Sydney?” Michael asked softly.
“Uh huh,” She nodded slowly.
“Come here.” He said as he pulled her off the ground and wrapped a towel around her shoulders. He looked at her forehead and saw that it wasn’t cut and figured she would just have a bruise from it. “You’re ok.” He told her. “Just take deep breaths.”
“Okay,” she nodded slowly. Then, much to her surprise, he leaned down and softly kissed the spot on her forehead where her head had been hit.
“Ohh Mikey’s got a girlfriend.”
“Shut up Eric she could have drowned,” Michael said as he smacked Eric’s shoulder hard.
“No she couldn’t have,” Nathan said.
“Yes, she could have. She’s your sister Nathan, you shouldn’t be so mean to her,” Michael said.
“Whatever let’s go get the basketball net,” Nathan said as the three of them walked down the path towards the garage.
Meanwhile Sydney was leaning against the picnic table smiling broadly as she clutched the towel tightly around her chest. “He loves me...” She sighed.
Chapter 4
“Syd?”
“What?” Sydney said as she looked to her friend.
“Well you just had this weird glazy look,” Nadia said.
“Oh sorry... I was thinking about my brother, Eric and Michael.” She sighed.
“Oh ok well the guys are done playing,” Nadia said as she stood and gestured towards the ice. Sydney looked and saw all six men filing off the rink and slowly making their way to their bags, sweat pouring off their faces. Nadia walked down to Eric and smiled as they began to talk. The other two women walked to their boyfriends while Sydney just sat there and stared down at her feet.
“Hey,” a man’s voice said. Sydney looked up quickly and saw Michael in front of her smiling broadly. He had one of his skates up on the bleachers and he was trying to untie it. Sydney’s heart immediately started beating faster. Did he recognize her? Maybe not, after all it had been over six years since they had seen one another.
“Hey,” she said quietly.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” he said as he pulled off once skate and then switched legs so he could untie the other.
“No, I um, came with Nadia,” Sydney said as she gestured towards her friend who was trying to help Eric strip himself of the padding he was wearing.
“Oh ok,” he smiled.
“I, uh, saw you hit the wall. Are you ok?” She asked.
“Yeah I’m fine.” He grinned. Sydney felt her heart melt all over again at his adorable smile and his sparkling green eyes that were just like she had remembered. “Sorry I’m all sweaty and gross and I look like hell probably but... I was wondering if you maybe wanted to get some coffee or something. After I shower of course,” he laughed.
Sydney’s heart practically exploded. Michael Vaughn had just asked her out. “Oh I...”
“I’m Michael by the way,” he said quickly. “I probably should have started with that so hi, I’m Michael Vaughn. I’d shake your hand but I don’t want to sweat on you.”
She giggled. “It’s ok.”
“I just... I have the strangest feeling we’ve met before. Have we? Because I’m sure I’d remember an amazing smile like that but I just....,” he sighed.
Sydney felt herself blush entirely as she tried to hide her now crimson face. “My name is Sydney Bristow,” she said quietly.
“Bristow... Bristow... like Nathan Bristow?” Michael asked. Sydney nodded. “Wait! NO! You are not Nathan’s little sister!” He gasped.
“I am.” She laughed.
“Get out! You cannot be little Sydney Bristow.” Michael laughed as well.
“Well I am. I can show you my driver’s license if you like,” she said.
“No, I believe you I just... wow, you grew up,” he said in disbelief. Then he cringed. “Sorry that sounded wrong.”
“It’s ok,” she said. “The last time you saw me I was like fifteen and now I’m twenty two so...”
“Yeah... so, you still want to get that coffee?” He asked.
“Do you still want to?” she asked, hoping he’d say yes.
“Of course.”
“Alright then. Let me get you my number,” she said as she reached in her purse for a pen and a piece of paper.
“Syd!” Nadia called.
“Just a second,” Sydney said as she quickly scribbled down her number and then handed it to Michael. “Here.” She smiled.
“Thanks, I’ll call you,” he said as he took the paper.
“Okay. It was really nice to see you again Michael,” she said as she stood up and began to walk down the bleachers while he watched her.
“Yeah...you too...,” he sighed.
~*~
“So, who was that chick you were talking to?” Eric asked Michael as they were bringing their equipment to their cars. “Nadia’s friend right?”
“Yeah, you’re never going to believe who she was,” Michael said.
“Who?” Eric asked curiously.
“Nathan’s sister.”
“Nathan Bristow?” Eric questioned. Michael nodded. “Dude there is no way she is his little sister!”
“She is though.” Michael laughed.
“No way. Nathan’s sister was that little nerdy girl who was all skinny and had the big glasses,” Eric said.
“That was when she was fourteen Eric,” Michael said.
“Oh... yeah... right,” Eric shrugged.
“I’m gonna call her,” Michael said.
“You’re going to go out with her?!” Eric asked.
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I mean, it’s just coffee. Plus I’d like to find out what Nathan’s up to I mean... we haven’t seen or heard from him since he enlisted, right?”
“Yeah, right,” Eric said. “Little Sydney Bristow... who’d have thought she’d turn out to be such a babe right?”
“Yeah... right.” Michael laughed.
Chapter 5
“I cannot believe you are going out with Michael.” Nadia rolled her eyes. She was sitting on her friend’s bed as Sydney was trying just about everything she owned trying to find a perfect outfit for their coffee date.
“Well I am. What about this?” Sydney asked as she held up a dress.
“Too fancy.” Nadia shook her head. “But this is really dangerous Syd.”
“Dangerous? How?”
“Because he was you crush. You’re going to get all those feelings back and then you’re going to set yourself up to be hurt.” Nadia sighed.
“What if he doesn’t hurt me?” Sydney asked. “What if he...”
“See! Ah! There already you’re too into this.” Nadia accused. “Besides how do you know this isn’t just a ‘hanging out with friends’ coffee thing because he wants to talk about your brother or something.”
“It’s not,” Sydney said.
“But how do you know?”
“Because he asked me out before he knew who I was.” Sydney told her as she came out of the closet wearing a short khaki skirt and a green tank top. “This?”
“That’s perfect.” Nadia sighed. “I just don’t want you to get hurt Syd.”
“Thanks for the concern Nadia but I’m fine, really.” Sydney assured her.
~*~
Sydney’s hands were trembling the whole time she drove to the Starbucks where she was meeting Michael. “Ugh this is stupid!” She groaned to herself. “Why am I so nervous?” But deep down, she knew why. After over ten years she was finally getting her chance with Michael and she was not going to screw it up.
She pulled her car into the parking lot and smiled when she saw Michael leaning back against his black SUV. “Hey.” She smiled as she walked over to him.
“Hey, you look nice.” He smiled.
“Thanks.” She said as she nervously played with the strap on her purse. They walked inside and ordered their drinks (Michael insisted on paying for hers) and then sat down at one of the tables near the window. Sydney noticed Michael was staring at her and her cheeks flooded with color. “What?” She asked nervously.
“Sorry I just... I still can’t believe you’re Sydney.” He laughed. “I seriously don’t remember you being this beautiful.”
She laughed nervously and stared desperately into her coffee cup. “That’s because I wasn’t. I was hideous with legs that were too long, big teeth and ugly glasses.”
“You most certainly were not hideous. You never could be.” He told her. “So what’s Nathan up to? I haven’t talked to him in forever.”
“He’s been in Afghanistan since 9/11.” She told him.
“Oh really?” Michael asked in surprise.
“Yeah. We haven’t seen him in like two years...”
“Oh that sucks,” Michael said.
“Yeah.” Sydney sighed. “It’s hard because we know he’s doing good but... it’s still dangerous. Not as dangerous as it was, of course, but still...”
“Yeah,” Michael nodded. “So what about you?”
“Well I graduated in May with a degree in communications and I’m working at the local television station.” Sydney told him.
“You’re kidding? So you’re going to be like one of those reporters on the evening news?” Michael asked.
“No!” Sydney laughed. “Definitely not. I’m just doing the behind the scenes stuff... writing and what not. I’m hoping to become a producer.”
“Oh that’s cool.” Michael smiled.
“Yep. What about you?”
“I’m going to medical school right now,” he said.
“Really?” She asked, completely in surprise. “For what?”
“Dentistry,” he said.
“Oohh that’s right, your dad is a dentist isn’t he?” Sydney asked.
“Yep,” Michael nodded. “It’s in the genes I suppose.” He laughed.
“Yeah I guess.” She nodded.
“So, working at the TV station huh? Are those people really as pompous, arrogant and stuck up as they appear?” Vaughn asked.
“Oh god,” Sydney rolled her eyes. Michael laughed. “Yeah... imagine, if you will, the most overconfident, self absorbed person you know-”
“So combination between your brother and myself in high school.” Michael interrupted.
Sydney laughed. “Even you guys have nothing on these people.”
“Wow. I bet you just want to smack them sometimes.” Michael said.
“That or choke them to death with their microphone cords yeah.” Sydney laughed.
“Yes.” He laughed as well.
“So dentist school, hmm? How much longer do you have?” Sydney asked.
“I graduate this fall, well at the end of the fall semester,” he said.
“Cool.” Sydney smiled.
They talked for almost two more hours before slowly making their way out to their cars. “This was fun we should do it again,” Michael said.
“Yeah. Definitely.” Sydney grinned.
Chapter 6
“Mike you wanna hang out tonight and watch some baseball?” Eric asked his friend.
“Can’t. Got a date.” Michael grinned.
“With who?”
“Sydney.”
“No way,” Eric said.
“Absolutely. I just had coffee with her two days ago and tonight we’re going to dinner.”
“Wait, don’t tell me you actually like her?” Eric laughed.
“Of course I do,” Michael said firmly.
“But... she’s like Nathan’s sister... that’s creepy.” He shuddered.
“It’s not creepy. And I really, really like her. It’s weird it’s like.... there’s something there even after just one date.”
“Whoa don’t tell me this is Mike, the player, talking about mushy, gushy relationship things?!” Eric laughed.
“So what if I am?” He smiled.
“Just remember that if you sleep with his sister, Nathan will kill you and he has access to guns now.” Eric laughed. Michael just rolled his eyes.
~*~
“Don’t you look beautiful tonight?” Michael smiled when he picked up Sydney at her apartment.
“Thanks.” She smiled. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Thanks so I figured we’d go to Antonio’s tonight, is that ok?” Michael asked.
“Sure. I used to love that place but I haven’t been there since... prom actually,” She laughed. “So it’s been a while.”
“Oh yeah, who’d you go to prom with?” Michael asked.
“Jason Martin.” She told him. “He was my boyfriend for the last couple months of senior year.”
“Steve’s brother?” Michael asked, thinking of the Steve Martin in his year. Sydney nodded. “Ah, I always hated that guy,” Michael said. Sydney just smiled. “Speaking of boyfriends, I’m positively shocked to find that you don’t already have one.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re just...,” he paused and smiled. “It just surprises me, that’s all.”
“Well I was dating someone until a month ago when he cheated on me,” she said with disgust.
“Jackass,” Michael said.
Sydney laughed. “Yeah, it’s ok, he sucked anyway. Looking back it’s sort of funny actually. He told me to come to his office to meet him for lunch you know? And I went up to where his office was and his secretary wasn’t at her desk so I just knocked on his office door and I thought he said to come in so I opened the door and there he was with the secretary... on the desk... and they were...”
“You’re kidding?” Michael gasped.
“No.” She laughed. “It was horrifying.”
“I bet. How long had you two been going out?” Michael asked.
“Only two months... well not quiet that even. Only like six weeks. And this is the best part. The next day he came to me and actually blamed me for it.”
“No way,” Michael said.
“Oh yeah. He said he was driven to do that because I wouldn’t put out,” she said.
“Asshole,” Michael said.
“Yeah he really was. Oh well he’s gone.” She shrugged. “So as long as we’re talking about this.... how come the fabulous Michael Vaughn is single?”
“Fabulous, huh?” He laughed. “Actually I try to keep my options open.”
“Do you?” She smiled.
“Yeah well.... you never know when something amazing is going to come along,” he said as he looked directly at her. She just looked down and smiled, blushing slightly.
~*~
“Well I must say this has been significantly better than my prom date.” Sydney giggled as they exited the restaurant.
“Oh no, I’m sensing a story,” Michael said.
“Oh yeah. Well my prom dress was white with black trim which isn’t exactly conducive to eating at an Italian restaurant.” She began.
Michael cringed. “Oh no.”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “So the whole time I was sooooo careful not to drip one little spot on tomato sauce on me at all and I was successful. But unfortunately, when we were leaving the restaurant and going back to the car somehow, and I don’t know how, but my date had sauce on his hand or something because there were two red finger prints on the back of my dress.”
“OH NO!” Michael laughed.
“Oh yeah. And of course since they were on my back I didn’t see them at all. It was my mom who pointed them out once I got home so I walked around the whole prom like that!” She laughed.
“That’s awful.”
“Yeah it was bad.” She sighed.
“Well I didn’t get sauce on you I swear,” he said.
“Good.” She smiled.
When they arrived at Sydney’s apartment Michael parked the car and walked her up to her door. “I had a really great time tonight.” Sydney smiled.
“Me too.” He said as he leaned his face in closer to hers. Sydney’s breath hitched in her chest as she leaned the rest of the way in and met his lips softly with hers. Their kiss was sweet but brief and when Sydney pulled back she giggled softly as she covered her face with her one hand. “Was that weird?” Michael asked nervously.
“No! No, I mean it wasn’t for me. Was it for you?” she asked.
He smiled and kissed her again softly. “No, not weird at all.”
“Good.” She sighed. “Call me?”
“Absolutely. Night Syd.”
“Night.” She grinned as she walked into her apartment and shut the door behind her. She raced back to her bedroom, kicking off her shoes as she went and squealing the whole way. “Michael kissed me! AHH!” She screamed into her pillow having a complete teenage girl reaction. With that kiss she realized two things. First, that Michael Vaughn was truly amazing. Second, with the electric felt that shot up and down her spine all of her old feelings for him came rushing back and thankfully they were no longer just stupid, childish wishful emotions. They were real; one hundred percent real.
Chapter 7
One Saturday, Sydney was absentmindedly pushing her cart through the grocery store gazing at the shelves while her mind was preoccupied with what she would be wearing that evening on her date with Michael when she ran into someone unexpected or rather, they ran into her.
Sydney’s cart was jolted unexpectedly from the left. “Oh god I’m sorry, it slipped!”
“It’s ok.” Sydney said. “Oh my god, Francie?!”
“Syd! Hey! How are you?” Francie grinned.
“I’m great, how are you?” Sydney asked.
“Good, good. Wow, how long has it been, three years?”
“Yeah.” Sydney laughed. “So how have you been?”
“Good, great actually. I just got engaged,” Francie said as she flashed the ring on her left hand.
“Wow! Congratulations! Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Oh we met at school. He owns his own restaurant,” Francie said.
“Oh that’s great.” Sydney smiled.
“So what about you? Are you seeing anyone?” Francie asked.
“Um, well.” Sydney laughed. “I’ve actually been seeing Michael Vaughn.”
“Michael Vaughn? Like that guy from high school who you were like in love with?” Francie asked in disbelief.
“Yeah.” Sydney laughed.
“Get out!” Francie gasped. “Since when?”
“Only about two weeks. We ran into each other and....,” she smiled.
“Wow... that’s amazing. Kinda weird but good I guess.” Francie laughed. “Well I’ve got to get home but it was great running into you.”
“Yeah you too. See you.”
“You too.” Francie smiled as she pushed her cart away.
Weird? Why would it be weird? Sydney thought. This is only what I’ve wanted since I was eleven.
Then it hit her. That’s why it was weird. What if the Michael she had idolized and been pining after for half her life didn’t turn out to be the real thing? What if the real Michael turned out to be just another asshole who wanted to get into her pants?
But she wouldn’t let herself think that way. She was determined to have a positive attitude about her new relationship but she did think it best to approach it more cautiously than she had been in the past two weeks.
~*~
“Hey.” Michael greeted her with a smile and a kiss.
“Hey.” She smiled back. “Oh I wanted to tell you, I got an email from Nathan today.”
“Oh yeah, do you get those often?” He asked.
She nodded. “Usually every few weeks, sometimes once a month if he’s really busy.”
“Cool, what does he say? ‘Doing good, it’s still deserty here’?”
Sydney laughed. “Sort of. He’s hoping to get leave to come home soon but of course by soon I mean in the next year.”
“Ah,” Michael nodded.
“So I emailed him back and just said the usual you know I hope he’s well and stuff but I also told him that I ran into you and Eric.” Sydney told him.
“Did you tell him about us?” Michael asked cautiously.
“Us? There is an ‘us’?” She asked with a smile.
Michael smiled nervously. “Well... yeah I mean... yeah.”
“Good, I thought so but I was just checking.” She giggled. “But no, I didn’t tell him about ‘us’. I figured it was best not to give him an aneurism.”
“Right,” Michael laughed but then his face fell. “Wait, he wouldn’t like this?”
Sydney sighed heavily. “Nathan was never particularly fond of me dating at all. He really over played the protective older brother card. I mean seriously, I think he’d prefer if I became a nun.”
“Uh oh,” Michael laughed.
“Yeah... he’d give every guy I went out with this horrible threatening speech. He was even worse than my father. As a matter of fact, I believe my dad actually told him to chill out a few times.”
“That’s bad.” Michael laughed again.
“Yes, definitely. It’s only funny now because he’s out of the country and can’t do it anymore. For a while there it was pretty bad. I could hardly leave the house.”
“That sounds like Nathan.” Michael smiled.
“Yeah well... sometimes I wonder how exactly he went from hating my guts to being the obsessively protective older brother.” Sydney sighed.
“He never hated you.” Michael told her.
“Well he sure didn’t show it.”
“It’s just.... I think he tried to play the cool guy thing when he was around his friends, you know? Teasing you and stuff like that. But he really, really cared,” Michael said.
Sydney smiled. “That’s nice to know.”
“Yeah nice for you, but now I’m afraid for my life.” Michael teased.
Sydney laughed. “You’ll be fine. He’s not coming home for a loooong time anyway.” She winked.
“Great.” He sighed.
Chapter 8
The second week in August was Michael and Sydney’s one month anniversary and instead of going out to dinner they decided that bowling would be more fun and cheaper since Michael was still paying for medical school. Sydney drove to Michael’s apartment to pick him up since his car had decided to stop working earlier that morning.
“Hey.” She smiled as he climbed into the passenger side of his car.
“Hey,” He said as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Do you feel like a guy?”
“Yes very much so,” she laughed. “I’m not used to being the one driving on dates.”
“Yeah well this is nice for a change; you get to chauffeur me around.” He sighed.
“Yeah right.” She laughed. “So bowling huh? Who came up with this idea?”
“Actually it was Eric’s suggestion.” Michael told her.
“Ah yes. Well it should be amusing to say the least. I can’t remember the last time I went bowling.”
“Your thirteenth birthday party, wasn’t it?” Michael asked.
Sydney glanced over at him briefly with a smile. “Yeah... I guess it is. How did you remember that?”
“Well I remember Nathan complaining that your mom had yelled at him and told him that he had to go to your party and help her our or whatever. He protested of course and then she threatened to take his driving privileges away so he had no choice but to go and he had asked if we wanted to come along and help him to quote ‘not commit suicide out of pure boredom and frustration’.” Michael laughed as did Sydney. “Eric blew him off but I went and we played video game the whole time you and your little friends were giggling and screaming.”
“Me and my little friends?” Sydney asked with a laugh.
“Yeah... whatever,” he shrugged.
“I don’t remember you being there.” Sydney said.
“Well, I stayed very hidden. I don’t know if you knew this or not but a lot of your friends and... well younger girls had crushes on me or something. Which normally I wouldn’t mind or even notice really, except it made them like psychotic and they were stand only like a foot away from me and drool. It was rather disturbing.” He shuddered.
Sydney smiled and tried not to blush. “I can’t imagine.” She mumbled.
“Yeah well... I guess that’s the price to pay for being the sexy god that I am.”
She burst out laughing. “Amazing that they still liked you even with that freakishly big head of yours.”
“Hey! I was kidding.” He laughed.
“So was I.” She smiled.
Once they arrived Sydney insisted on paying for their shoe rentals since she was being ‘the guy’ on their date and Michael agreed as long as he paid to rent their lane for their games.
“What’s the deal?” Michael asked her when he saw her touching her shoes very cautiously.
“It’s just... they’re icky.” She grimaced. “Their communal shoes and that’s sooooooo gross.”
Michael laughed. “Well yeah but they spray them with disinfectant.” Michael said.
“Yeah that makes it all better.” She rolled her eyes. She made a very revolted expression as she slid the shoe on her foot and began to tie it up. “I’m definitely burning these socks.”
“Okay.” He laughed. After putting on their shoes (through even more complaining from Sydney) they chose their balls and began their game.
“YES! Gutterball!” Sydney chanted as her hot pink ball rolled directly into the gutter before even making it half way down the lane.
“Nice.” Michael laughed. He took his turn, slipped because of the shoes and his ball ended up in the gutter too. “Well at least we suck equally.”
“Right.” She rolled her eyes. On her next turn Sydney fell flat on her butt when she released the ball.
“Are you ok?” Michael laughed.
“Yeah I’m- STRIKE!! HAHA YESSSSSSSSS!” She cheered as all ten of the pins fell down and she clambered off the floor, doing a victory strut back to her seat.
“Alright, alright let me show you how it’s done.” Michael said as he picked up his ball. He did an odd hop on the approach and a strange almost pirouette when he released the ball and managed to knock down four pins.
“Oh my god! Do it again.” Sydney laughed so hard she slid off her seat. “Do the little dance thing again.”
“I’m ignoring you,” Michael muttered as he threw his ball once more, knocking down only two more pins.
~*~
“Oh my god I can’t believe I was beaten by a girl.” Michael groaned as he rubbed his face with his hands. Not only had Sydney beaten him but she had nearly two times the number of points he had.
“Aww but I’m a pretty girl,” she said in an innocent voice as she batted her eyelashes at him.
“Yeah maybe if you were ugly I would have kicked your ass.” He said.
Sydney laughed. “Yeah right. So you want to play another game?” She grinned.
“Uh no, I believe one massive humiliation a day is plenty.”
“Aw, oh but hey wasn’t it funny that every time I fell I ended up getting a strike?” She laughed.
“Oh it was hysterical,” he said dully. “Anyway I was wondering, when is the last time you were at the beach?” He asked as they began to untie their rented shoes.
“Wow that was random.” She laughed.
“I know but I have a point, I swear.” He smiled.
“Okay, umm last year’s spring break. I couldn’t go on spring break this year because I was interning,” she said.
“Ok, cool. So this guy Eric works with has this beach house and he offered it to us for next weekend. Eric and I are going down and I think Nadia’s coming so... do you want to come?”
“Seriously?” Sydney asked in surprise.
“Yeah, sure. I mean don’t feel like obligated to come or anything...”
“No, no I want to. When is it? Like when would we leave?” Sydney asked.
“Um next Friday after work I suppose... or like if you can get off earlier we’d leave late afternoon. Sorry it’s such short notice but Eric just told me about it so....” Michael sighed.
“No it’s fine. I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled. They both got up and returned their shoes to the rental window before walking out to the car. “Wanna grab some ice cream before we go home? My treat.” She smiled.
“Well if you’re buying Bristow I’m definitely not saying no.” He grinned.
They both got ice cream cones and ate them outside while they talked and then Sydney drove Michael back to his apartment.
“So are you going to walk me to my door?” Michael asked with a smile.
Sydney laughed. “But I’m already in my car!”
“Oh come on, if you’re being the guy you have to do it all the way,” he said.
“Fine.” She sighed as she followed him up the path to the apartment complex door. They walked hand in hand until Michael paused in front of “5A”.
“This is me.” He smiled. “I had a really great time tonight,” he said in a purposely girlish tone.
Sydney giggled. “Me too.”
“So... do you wanna come inside?” He smiled.
Sydney hesitated. It was actually the first time those words had been spoken in the one month course of their relationship. She wasn’t exactly sure what to say but she knew the issue had to be brought up sooner or later and it was best she just got it over with. She smiled softly and gave him a cautious but affirmative “Yes.”
Michael smiled and unlocked the door to his apartment, never dropping Sydney’s hand as they walked in. Inside, Sydney found the typical bachelor apartment with a few assorted sports memorabilia, dirty dishes in the sink and minimalist furniture and decorations. “It’s nice,” she said.
“Thanks.” He smiled as he tossed his keys into a small bowl on a table near the door. “So...”
“Can we, um, sit? Because I wanted to... tell you something,” she said nervously.
“Sure.” Michael said as he pulled her over to his couch and sat down. “What’s up?”
“Well it’s just, um, see the thing is that, I mean it’s only been a month and I’m having a really great time, really great. I mean, you’re having a great time too right? Aren’t you? Because, I mean, if you weren’t then-”
“Syd,” Michael cut off her rambling.
“Right sorry.” She blushed. “I mean, a month it’s just.... it’s too soon for me. Not that I don’t like you because I do, I really do it’s just.... are you mad?” She asked curiously.
“Mad? No of course not.” He laughed. Then he reached out and stroked her face and took both her hands. “Syd, it’s ok. I don’t want to rush you into anything. It’s fine... just when you’re ready...”
“Thanks.” She smiled as she leaned in and hugged him. “You’re the best.”
“Well I don’t know about the best...” He sighed. “Oh so wait, when we go to the beach we kinda have to share a bed. Are you going to be ok with that?”
“Michael, I’m an adult; it’s fine. I mean assuming you don’t try to jump me in the middle of the night.” She smiled.
He laughed. “I’ll try to keep myself in check.”
“Good.” She smiled. Then she leaned in and kissed him sweetly. “I should go.”
“Wait, one more minute,” he said as he pulled her into his lap and kissed her.
Five minutes later she got off the couch, wiped some smeared lip stick from the side of her mouth and headed towards the door.
“Night.” She grinned.
“Call me.” Michael called after her. She just laughed and waved goodbye.
Chapter 9
Sydney was lucky enough to get the afternoon off so the following Friday she, Michael, Eric and Nadia left for the beach around 2 Friday afternoon. It was a long, boring drive through small beach towns and even smaller inland towns until they finally reached their shore destination and found that the house was not exactly what the had expected it to be.
“So... when he said ‘beach house’ he meant...,” Michael began cautiously as he stared at the structure in front of him.
“Wooden shack,” Eric finished for him.
“Apparently,” Michael sighed. The girls grimaced as they approached the weathered home. When Michael went to unlock the door with a rusted key, the door promptly fell off its hinges and clattered onto the sandy walk way. “Ummm...” Michael began. Everyone just exchanged glances as they slowly filed into the house which was not only surrounded by sand on the outside but on the inside as well.
“Oh I think he mentioned something about hurricane damage.” Eric said.
“YA THINK?!” Michael snapped as he examined the rusty, murky water covered skink in the kitchen.
“We are so not staying here,” Nadia said.
“Maybe the bedroom’s alright,” Sydney said wishfully. She went into a room on the right and returned only a second later with an ashen face. “I think there’s a dead fish on the bed.”
“That would explain the smell...,” Eric said quietly.
“Yeah, ok we’re leaving,” Michael said as he bolted out the front door.
“So what now?” Sydney asked as the four of them clustered around the car.
“I think I saw a motel with vacancy a few blocks back,” Michael said. “We could try there.”
“It could be gross,” Nadia said with a scrunched up nose.
“Really? Would you rather sleep with the fish?” Michael said as he gestured towards the dilapidated house.
“Good point.” Nadia sighed. The four of them got back into the car and drove to the motel where they found only one room available.
“But it has two double beds.” The motel manager had assured them. Seeing no other choice they split the room fee between them and then went back to their car to retrieve their bags.
“I’m almost afraid to look.” Nadia sighed once Michael had unlocked the motel room door. Inside it was dark and with filthy carpet and worn furniture. Upon examining the room Sydney began to laugh.
“How is any of this funny?” Michael asked in confusion.
“It’s all funny because it’s so sad.” She giggled. “There’s nothing else to do but laugh.”
“Or we could cry...,” Nadia muttered.
“Okay, okay let’s just go grab some dinner at that pizza shop on the corner. My friend said it was really good,” Eric said. The starving trio agreed and tossed their bags on the beds before following Eric out the door.
~*~
“Ok I have to admit, that was probably the best pizza I’ve ever had,” Sydney said once they had finished and were walking out of the restaurant.
“Yeah it was really good.” Michael said. “So what now?”
“Want to walk along the beach before the sun sets?” Sydney smiled.
“Yep.” He grinned as he put an arm around her waist.
“Ohh Eric that sounds fun let’s do that.” Nadia smiled.
“But I just ate...,” He whined. She glared at him. “Yeah ok.” He sighed.
“So this isn’t so bad right?” Michael asked as they were walking across the sand staring up at the rosy sky.
“No, well I’m not so sure about the sheets on those beds at the motel.” Sydney shuddered.
“Yeah let’s not dwell on that.” Michael sighed.
“Luckily I brought sheets,” Sydney said.
“You did?” He gasped.
“Yeah well... I wasn’t sure if there would be any in the beach house and I’ve learned from personal experience unfortunately how very questionable motel sheets can be,” she said.
“Uh oh that doesn’t sound pleasant.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t,” she said. “So I have sheets.”
“I’m so glad I brought you,” he said as he gave her waist a squeeze.
“I’m glad you brought me too.” She smiled as she rested her head against his chest. “Isn’t the sunset pretty?”
“Not as pretty as you.” He sighed. She giggled and kissed his cheek softly. He stopped walking and pulled her into a deeper kiss.
“Guys come on we’re walking here.” Eric groaned as he nudged them softly when he passed.
“Way to ruin a moment Eric.”
“Thanks.” He smiled.
~*~
“Hey, she’s got sheets!” Eric exclaimed once they were back at their room and getting ready for bed.
“Yep.” Michael grinned. “And she’s all mine,” he said as he threw his arm around Sydney’s neck and kissed her cheek with a loud smacking noise.
“Stop it.” She giggled as she tried to shove him off.
“How come you didn’t bring sheets?” Eric asked Nadia.
“Because I’m normal.” She responded. “And I wasn’t aware we’d be sleeping in the grungy motel.”
“Ah its ok a little grunge won’t hurt ya,” Michael smiled.
“Says the man with clean sheets.” Eric rolled his eyes. Michael just smiled as he slid into the bed next to Sydney and she curled up around him.
“Comfy?” He asked quietly.
“Very.” She sighed as she rested her head on his chest. Once Eric and Nadia were in their bed (after some more complaining and muttering) Michael turned off the lamp between the beds and the room was flooded in darkness once again.
They had only been settled for about ten minutes before suspicious kissing noises were heard from Nadia and Eric’s bed. Sydney shoved her face into Michael’s chest to try and stifle her laughter which was a mix of amusement and horror. Michael reached up and turned on the light again.
“Dude what the hell?” Eric asked.
“What the hell? What the hell was THAT!” Michael shouted. “That’s disgusting. Control yourselves please,” he said. Sydney snorted with laughter.
“Fine.” Eric grunted.
“Good.” Michael sighed as he turned off the light. Then the four of them fell asleep.
Chapter 10
Michael awoke the following morning to find Sydney sitting up in bed reading a book by the dim light filtering through the room blinds. He nudged her arm and she look down and smiled before gesturing to Nadia and Eric who were still sleeping and then pressing her finger to her lips in a ‘shh’ gesture. Michael rolled his eyes and put his head in her lap where she began to comb her hands through his hair.
They had only been sitting that way for about ten minutes before they heard Nadia and Eric waking up in the other bed.
“What time is it?” Eric mumbled.
“After ten,” Michael told him.
“Ohh no sleep till noon.” He grumbled.
“No then all the good beach spots will be gone. Come on, get up,” Michael said as he threw a pillow at his friend. “How long have you been up anyway?” he asked Sydney.
“Over an hour.” She smiled.
“Freak,” He muttered. She tapped him lightly on the head with her book. “Hey...”
“Come on let’s get ready for the beach.” She smiled.
It was nearly noon by the time they had all taken their turns in the tiny (and questionably unclean) bathroom and were all dressed and ready for the beach. They grabbed some water bottles and towels and then set off on the three block trek to the sand.
“Damn it is HOT out here.” Eric moaned.
“Just think how hot we’ll be after baking in the sun for two hours.” Sydney laughed.
“Damn it.” Eric groaned.
Once at the beach the girls stripped off their cover ups and lay out on the towels to tan while Eric and Michael broke out a Frisbee and began to toss it back and forth.
“Dude, dude,” Eric beckoned to his friend to come closer. When he was close enough to hear a whisper Eric said in a low voice, “Seriously was Syd this hot in high school because I definitely don’t remember that” he said as he glanced toward the ladies on the towel.
Vaughn scowled. “Dude, she’s my girlfriend.”
“I know but... ah never mind.” Eric sighed.
“Ok, ok, yes you have a point. I definitely don’t remember that otherwise...”
“We would have fought over her until Nate killed us with one of his big army guns?” Eric offered.
“Yes.” Michael laughed. “But she’s mine now.”
“Yeah, yeah... you lucky son of a – hey wait.”
“What?” Michael asked.
“You said ‘she’s mine’.”
“So...”
“Well... you were never like that about girls. You always left it so you had that easy out clause you know?”
“Well this is different. She isn’t just some one night stand she’s.... she’s...,” he paused. “I don’t know, I can’t describe it its just different. All I can say is this is not one of my stupid flings. This is real.”
“Wow Mike, I’m impressed,” Eric said as he patted his friend on the back.
“Yeah, yeah just throw the Frisbee alright?”
~*~
“So you know what Eric said to me just before we came?” Nadia said to Sydney.
“Hmm?”
“That he’s never seen Michael this serious about anyone before,” Nadia said.
Sydney turned her head to the side and looked at her friend. “Seriously?”
“Yep that’s what he said.” Nadia told her. “I just thought you’d be interested in that.”
“Wow...,” Sydney sighed.
“What’s the matter?” Nadia asked.
“Nothing... it’s just... I just... I dunno.” She sighed.
“What? You don’t really like him that much?” Nadia asked.
“NO! No definitely not. He’s.... better than I had imagined.” Sydney sighed.
“I’ll bet.” Nadia laughed.
“Nadia... not like that.” Sydney groaned.
“Hey I just call it like I see it,” Nadia said.
“Well if you must know... we haven’t,” Sydney said.
“WHY NOT?!” Nadia gasped. “He’s hot!”
Sydney laughed. “It’s just... that’s not me.”
“Fine, have it your way. But trust me, don’t wait much longer,” she winked. Sydney eyed her suspiciously. “Oh! No I haven’t with Michael but this one girl I know has and she said that-”
“Enough!” Sydney cut her off. “Conversation over.”
“What’s the matter Syd? No juicy gossip?”
“Oh yes please tell me about all the other women who have slept with my boyfriend,” Sydney said sarcastically.
“Oh. Right. Good point then....,” Nadia sighed.
“You ladies gonna play or just lay there all day!” Eric yelled.
“Actually, we were planning on staying just like this.” Nadia called back.
“I’ll play,” Sydney said as she got up and brushed some sand off her. “Uh... why did Eric just throw that in the ocean...,” Sydney asked as she watched the Frisbee fly and land in the surf.
“Because he’s stupid.” Michael rolled his eyes.
“Oh,” Sydney laughed.
“Come on.” Michael said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her down towards the water.
“AH! Freezing!” Sydney whined as a wave rolled over her feet.
“Oh it’s not that bad,” Michael said as he walked over and put an arm around her waist to pick her up.
“What are you doing! NOOOOO!” She screamed as he plunged deeper into the water. “Oh my god COLD!! LET GO!!” She whined.
“That was fun.” He grinned as he walked out of the water and put Sydney back on the sand.
“So cold!” She whined. “I’m stealing your towel now.” She said as she raced back up the beach and began to dry herself off.
“Women.” Michael and Eric muttered together.
“WE HEARD THAT!” They called.
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Chapters 11-20