A Life Plan Without You. Page 4

  There was someone already in the changing room, it was Lana, with legs up to her armpits and gushing posh bitch from every pore. She spotted me and smiled, thanking me for taking the nippers class, she had, taught them for a few weeks, and she said that was way too many times. No, she wants to teach hunky boyfriends, not kiddies.

  “Michelle, when did you get your hair permed? It’s great and so natural and soft.” She had her hands in my hair. Was she deliberately making me uncomfortable and freakier?

  “It’s naturally curly hair Lana, it just got soaking wet in the rain before class.” I replied curtly, what was she playing at? I looked up and into the mirror and for the first time in eighteen years, my hair didn’t look like the usual freaky frizzy mess it usually was, I didn’t now look like Hair Bear, it did however look like all the new curly perms, top models and footballers had! Oh hell wow. I shook the freshly dampened curls and smiled, yeah for the curl! Did I really just praise the hair?

  “Here have a spray of this it’s my new perfume from a grateful friend, Bill Blass, the perfume, not the admirer. You look so different tonight Michelle, here have this too.” She handed over a lip-gloss from her purse.

  “You keep it as I’ve got a ton of it. Good dancing by the way, thought anymore on doing it with Lee, and he really wants to give it a go with you?” Lee and Warren had asked me to do the professional circuit next year, and what with going in the navy, I didn’t think it would be fair to train hard and let him down.

  “Thanks Lana for this, but no, I haven’t because the chances are I would only be letting him down with my choice of career, and well he needs commitment and I can’t give him that just now, to him or anyone else.”

  “I know, but things change, people come into your life and you have to grab what you can whilst you can, live life to the max is my motto and one that serves me well, look got to go my fellas waiting for me downstairs see you next week and remember grab chances when they come.” I smiled what was she on about, that was the most she’d ever spoken to me in, well, forever? Off she went in all her finery, smiling at me again strangely. Out into the arms of her chap. I couldn’t see who it was, we were three floors up and the windows needed a good clean, I just presumed it was Sam. Oh bollocks, this night had done a straight turn around, yes it seems it could get worse, because he had now left the building. I hung up my cardi.

  “We are not stopping in here all night.” I said to the mirror, the music was playing, a foxtrot, so what now? Do I make a complete idiot of myself in there half of the old year five mob were in there watching. Where is my band of buds, when I need them most? Onward Christian Soldier was now playing in my ever-filling brain, complete with big bass drum, forward into battle, so come on Michelle let battle commence. The lights were low mirror ball was sparkling and whilst walking the dreaded walk to my waiting seat why did it feel like the spotlight was on me?

  I hoped this night would hurry up and finish, this lot would hate it and next week would go back to normal, the next dance a tango. The music started. Looking down at my lovely new shoes, I was oblivious to the voices and chattering going on around me. I could hear the sniggers and hushed whispered voices, I couldn’t figure what, if anything had sparked the kerfuffle exactly, but had I been room watching as I normally did, I would have seen him. I looked up to see what the fuss was, Sam was there and his hand was held out stretched to me.

  “I’m thinking you still owe me that dance Michelle?” Oh my days, in that moment the world stood still and there it felt like wasn’t another soul in it, it was just him and me. I switched to autopilot, shuffling out of my seat and into his strong waiting arms and wow all before I realised what was happening to me was real. The sniggers were still there, but the talking had stopped. The music started, the tango my favourite dance, the dance of love, romance and if done correctly exuded a strange and sexual feeling in a room, oh hell we were really doing this and it was there the chemistry for exuding that there sexual crap, yeahh be still my beating heart and watch out wonky knees…

  Shit stop it and snap out of it Michelle. I knew I was dancing because my legs were moving. I could smell him, feel him, his heart along with mine was racing, and we were holding each other close. Yes, I’ve died and here I am in heaven, was I dreaming if so pinch me? My head was a mass of thoughts and present, imaginary helpful advisers. This was really happening wasn’t it? He was talking to me I think, this snapped me suddenly out of my daydream.

  “You dance well, Michelle and smell really nice.” He took a deep breath in and smiled as he spoke. Speak Michelle come across looking like the gawking girl, you really are.

  “Thank you, it's Leggy Lana’s she sprayed it on me as she passed me on her way out, it does smell nice, I may even buy my own bottle.” She hadn’t been meeting Sam after all, he was here with me, and my heart skipped a beat.

  “Leggy Lana’s?” He was laughing at me. “Does she know you call her that?”

  “Umm I don’t think so and it’s nothing, compared to what the others call her, she’d not like what the others call her.” Shit, shit, shit I’d said that aloud.

  “Oh and that is what then?” Blushing I spill.

  “Loose-Legs-Lana, Lay-Over-Lana, Leg-Over-Lana, take your pick the girls don’t like her much, because she’s so pretty and they would kill to look like her.”

  “Do you like her?” I blush no because you dance with her and you have fun with her.

  “I do, I think she dances well, she dresses so beautifully, and her hair is lord, to die for what I wouldn’t give to be like her.” Liar, liar pants on fire Welles.

  “Why? Your hair is nice, though today it looks different, nice different Michelle, don’t do something stupid to it, because it’s lovely and it suits you.” I umm and then realise he’s looking down into my eyes again and smiling.

  He laughed and pulled me closer. We didn’t stop for what seemed like an age. He didn’t speak, he just stared at me and yes, I stared back. Lord, he was so nice to hold, I could feel his arm muscles beneath his shirt, his chest was firm and the hairs on it just tantalisingly visible from the button he had left undone, he is teasing me with what’s under the other buttons. As he pulled me closer, I could feel his heart, it was beating fiercely, and he seemed to sigh as his arm hung from my waist, his thumb caressing the small of my back.

  “You don’t talk a lot?” I snapped back from my ogling the dark angel, stood before me.

  “So Sam, what do you want to talk about, then, and please remember I still haven’t cleaned the filters yet?” He laughed as I replied, finally finding my voice, after day dreaming we were totally on our own and kissing, now that was a good daydream to be having.

  “Oh I don’t know how about the price of bread?” Laughing I told him.

  “Depends, they are normally about fifty pence, depending on the size and type.” He was laughing at me again.

  “Really? You say that like you’re an expert in that area?” I smiled back up at him my face would crack if I smiled much more.

  “I work in the new shopping centre at the bakers, come cafe there, my Saturday job and work placement for the last few months! It’s good for me, the placement thing they actually pay me for working.” This was not the conversation I thought I’d ever be having with this man Sam. “Have you got a clue what or why Jimmy and that lot are doing here?” I asked, hoping to find out why they had invaded my world of solace.

  “No, I don’t know either. I had noted Jim Bobs with them though.” I laughed at Jimmy’s name.

  “Does he know you you’re having lessons here?” He looked deep in thought.

  “I’m not sure and I don’t really care what he thinks, but he’s mad as hell you’re dancing with me though.” He laughed and pulled me to him and smiled as I blushed, I need to reel in the blushing. Not a lot of brotherly love between them there I noted.

  The music stopped for the half time interval and he ushered me to the empty seats in the corner, still holding my hand as he sat me down a
sked what I wanted to drink and went to the bar, ordering two cokes. Sitting back down he smiled, the hunk was now back by my side. He sat so close to me, any closer and I’d be in his lap, oh now there’s a thought! I’m going wake up in a minute and find I have been dreaming.

  Then the dream actually started to unroll, Karen was on her way over, all boobs and fancy frock. Hey ho it was fun whilst it lasted. Watching as my nightmare unfolds, the whole of the idiots she’d brought with her, including Jimmy smiling like a fool.

  “Hi Sam long time no see! Dance the next dance with me, it’s a ladies excuse me so excuse me Shelly? You don’t mind do you Shelly Shell?” In her best I’m going to get him voice, she knew I hated the name Shelly, yet she did it all the time, bitch-troll-ho! Really, where exactly did you last see my Sam, oh yeah derrr dance lessons last week… I had a sip of my coke there was no competition her or me? Then before I knew what I was saying, the words were falling out of my mouth. I had to leave before I saw her snatch him away.

  “Samuel is big enough to dance with whoever he wants and no, if he wants to dance with you, he doesn’t need my permission Kazza, and anyway I’m off in a minute. Thanks for the drink Samuel but I promised Mum I’d be home early.” She hated Kazza it works both ways bitch. She had won the bouncy big boobed bitch had won. She was always going to win, girls like her always won and he was so way out of my league. I sighed then shuffled uneasily in my seat as she caressed his arm, why did this always happen to me, please?

  “Sorry Kazza, but I’ve already promised to walk Michelle home. We were just about to get our coats, maybe some other time?” I laughed as he took her arm off his and smiled at me. Karen that was a man’s excuse me rebuff to the request to paw him and the offer for the dance! I laughed inside and she cringed, when he said her name as I had done. She shrugged her shoulders and walked off back to her hangers on.

  Jimmy by her side and she seemed to be screaming abuse at him? If looks could kill, I would be six foot under and so too would poor Sam I wonder what he has done to upset Jimmy? Who is almost certainly angry with Sam but why? Did I just hear that right, he had actually told her he was walking me home? I’m shaking to my core. Sam was now offering to walk me home… This had turned into an awesome night. The doubts though had now started to make their way past the gatekeeper and were now flying around in my head, her voice was looming and advice was imminent.

  Was that just an excuse so he could leave? He should be in the pub on a Friday night with girls his own age. I scooted past him and smiled, he smiled too and then put his hand on my bum as I passed him, he’d copped a feel and wowsers the fireworks were exploding in my head, yes…

  “I have to change shoes and grab my cardi.”

  “I’ll wait here for you, Michelle.” I placed my new dancing shoes in my locker. Mum would blow a gasket if she knew how much I had paid for these little beauties, so I'll keep them here a while. I re-applied the lip-gloss and the geeky freaky teenager was back and walking toward Sam, who held out his hand and grabbed my cardi.

  “Here let me get that.” He’d stopped talking to the others so he could help me on with it. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, I could get used to this.

  “Thanks Samuel.” Those he had been chatting to were also leaving. Should I give him the opportunity to go if he wanted? He held my hand as we went down the stairs…

  “Please, after you Michelle.” He was smiling down at me, his arm now wrapped around my shoulder. “This way isn’t it? You live near college don’t you?”

  “How exactly do you know where I live?” His arm slipped around my waist.

  “Jimmy, he walked home down the alley between your old school and college, following behind you a few times and he passed your street. I noticed he was watching you on a couple of occasions as I waited for him by the fence. I’m at the university part time I’m doing an apprenticeship in architecture.” Was he trying to change the subject? No, he was still explaining. “I walk home with him sometimes after my classes, have you never seen me?” My mouth dropped open and as usual, I was, as Grandpa would say catching flies. Yes, I had seen him and I’d seen Jimmy plenty of times, but never together. Do I admit I thought he was waiting for Lana? Truth and honesty in all things…

  “Well sort of, but I thought you were waiting for Lana. She teaches at the other school near mine. Jimmy, yes I have he is always passing my house, his mate David lives in the next street. I’ve seen you in a few places lately too, are they just a coincidences Samuel? Look, you don’t have to walk me home. It’s still light, and I am sure you have better things to do than walk me home? I will be fine, I do it every week, as I’m quite a big girl Samuel.” He looked at me and smiled.

  “If you think I’m going back in there again and without you, you’re so wrong Mi cielo. No I want to walk you home, if that’s still all right? As to seeing you places, I go to uni, work and walk Jimmy home. I’m quite a boring boy really, so no, just a coincidence. Mi cielo!” I sky, so he speaks Italian?

  “Così, si sa come parlare Italiano Samuel? No, I don’t mind, but it seems you may be a little cold, do you need to keep warm? Your arm seems to have slipped to my bum?” He had put his hand in my jeans pocket, pulling me closer.

  “Sorry, I don’t know what you just said, and yes I am a little chilly, do you mind?”

  “I asked did you speak Italian, you called me I sky, or in Italian, mi cielo, perhaps you meant my sky which is il mio cielo?” He blushed and then he nodded, I had made him blush.

  “It’s a bit embarrassing, but I was discussing with a friend how to get you to speak to me and well, that’s a story for another time, but I do think it suits you. Can I call you that Mi cielo?” I smiled as he said it again and nodded.

  “I’m glad you found speaking works for you, you do it so wonderfully. We have come a long way in nearly two millennia we invented fire, the wheel, and surprise, surprise speech.” Laughing, he moved his hand back to my waist. It felt so good were ever he put it. Then he grabbed my hand, his fingers wrapped in mine, his thumb stroking the back of it. I wasn’t in a rush to pull it away either, but what did he want with a frizzy haired very immature eighteen year old girl?

  “Mi cielo I thought falling at my feet was more effective. Did you do it on purpose?” I blushed.

  “No, but wish I’d thought of it sooner, it had an amazing effect you spoke to me.”

  “You could have said something to me. I don’t bite… Much...” I laughed, umm bite me please…

  “I thought you and Leggy were an item, waiting for her at work and the dancing lessons with her.” I sighed. His fingers were touching skin they were beneath my jumper stroking along the waistband phew. I shivered at his touch. Why has Jimmy been following me and for how long exactly? These questions needed answers, any sane girl would be running for the hills now. Confused yes, excited undeniably.

  We continued to walk, but the talking had stopped why? Was he fed up already? We were just walking this was so strange, why? I wanted him to speak to me again, why wasn’t he speaking? His hand was moist and it was getting warmer too. He was looking down at me, we’d reached the steps in front of the university entrance, he laughed and then coughed, and I knew his mouth was moving, but I didn’t hear the words. Well I could but stuff was running around in my crowded head again. He turned to look at me.

  “Would you like to go to the pictures tomorrow?” He had just asked me out on a date… No… I didn’t hear that right at all, we had stopped walking. When had that happened? “Well, Miss Michelle Welles, will you please go out with me tomorrow, to the pictures?” Mum always shouts at me to concentrate Michelle when people are speaking to you, a reply was called for, but he had a load of explaining to do before that. With that he, and before I could answer, his lips had covered my lips and he kissed me.

  Sam was kissing me… Softly and with a passion, you don’t learn kissing the back of your hand or practicing on your reflection in the mirror. His hand was around my waist, and the other
is holding my neck tenderly, this was out of this world, amazing. My body is so relaxed at his touch, my arms feel dead and are flaying at my side. They quickly though find their way to his back, and caressed it and him. I’m now pulling him closer to me. His lips are really so very soft and the flutters in my chest are hurting. The pleasure of the kiss sending my five senses on a fact-finding mission.

  I lose myself as I fall deeper into his kiss, he moans, as he moves to the other side of my face. Oh wow, nothing like my only other kiss from a boy I’d had, I had been kissed before, just the once. His kisses were nice but this is mind blowing. I snapped back to reality with a whoosh, because now his tongue was in my mouth.

  I am returning his kisses, my arms holding him to me. I matched him move for move this was so amazing. I needed to breathe, but I didn’t want it to stop and then it was over and as suddenly as it started. He’d pulled away and the voice was there in my head again. ‘Open your eyes girlie and remember be on your guard,’ shush woman. My brain needed air, I was so light headed from just a kiss, well not just a kiss it was a mind-blowing kiss. He left me wanting more. He was now holding my hands and watching me. We continued to the walk down towards school. He had his arm wrapped around my waist mine was around his, as he spoke softly.

  “Well is that a yes then?” Oh, hell it was a yes, his kisses were better than the feeling I had when I put on my new shoes.

  “A yes I think, but Samuel why do you want me?” I let out a sigh. “And before it’s a definite yes I need some explanations Samuel Todd?” He laughed.

  “My Sunday name, I’m not used to hearing that from anyone, but Mum and Aunty.” With that I got another gentle kiss to my lips, whoosh. I led him to college and to the playing field, to the wet cricket steps. Whilst looking down for a less, wet patch to sit on. He had already taken off his jacket and insisted we sat on it.