Chapter 19

(Later that night)

"So, you're telling me you like tornados?" I asked Shayla for the third time as we lay on her bed. It was hard for me to wrap my mind around something like that!

"I do! I mean, yeah, they're destructive, but they're an amazing thing of nature at the same time."

"But what really trips me out is that you like the most destructive one!" I turned around to look at her.

"F5's are destructive unless you're in their way."

"Wow, Shayla!" I laughed.

"Don't wow me! What's something strange that you like?"

"I like food fights," I shrugged.

"Food fights? See, I'm absolutely against that."

"Why?"

"First of all, why are we wasting food we spent hard earned money on? Second, it's quite a mess and I'm sure a hassle to clean," she made a face.

"If I started a food fight with you, what would happen?"

"I don't know. I know I'd be very upset with you."

"I wouldn't really mind that. You're cute when you're mad."

"You wouldn't want to taste the wrath of Shayla-Elizabeth."

"Woah! You're using full names now? I'm scared," I laughed.

"Yeah, you better be," she laughed and looked at me.

"What?"

"Poke," she smiled and poked my nose. "You have a cute nose."

"No, I have a big nose," I put a hand over my nose.

"I beg to differ. You have a cute nose."

"No, you have a cute nose."

"No, you do."

"It's not as cute as yours."

"If I have a cute nose then you have a cuter nose," she smiled. I opened my mouth to protest. "What?"

"Nothing," I shook my head. "You win."

"I thought so," she smiled and got up to stretch. "I'm going to go ahead and put n my pajamas."

I stood up, "sounds good." I may as well not even try to kiss her again. There is no use in trying if I'm just going to keep getting interrupted.

"Michael!" She screamed from the bathroom.

"What?" I stood by the bathroom door. She opened the door, hiding behind it as she pointed at a Daddy Long Leg Spider. I laughed, "what about it?"

"Can you please kill it?"

"Why? It's an innocent spider. He's not going to hurt you."

"I don't care! Just get it out!"

"Fine, Ms. Bossypants," I went to pick the spider up.

"Thank you!"

"Hold on, I think..." I began as I held it up to her face.

"Stop!" She screamed and slammed the door.

I opened the window, laughing, "bye, spider. Don't come in here again or next time she's going to kill you." I let it crawl out of my hand. I made my way to my room and shut her door. It amazes me how she's scared of spiders but loves tornados. I shook my head, "that girl is something else." I went to put on my pajamas as well and got in bed. Thunder rumbled and the light from an ever-present lightning bolt lit up my room. Rain has always sounded so beautiful to me. I might just go to sleep, but I have to wish Shayla sweet dreams at least. I got up and lightly tapped on her door, "Shayla?" I let myself in just as she was coming out of the bathroom. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore a large tank top. "I'm going to sleep, okay?"

"Alright," she crawled into her bed.

"I just wanted to wish you sweet dreams," I smiled and shut her door. I went back to my room and got in bed. The rain pounded on the roof and slowly lulled me to sleep...

VII

(MIDNIGHT)

"Michael?" I heard a faint whisper. I opened my eyes to look back into Shayla's. "You're a good kisser," she blushed, caressing my cheek. I smiled. "Michael?" She whispered again.

"Did you say something?" I asked.

"No," she turned around.

"Can you please wake up?" I felt someone lightly shake me. My eyes shot open to find Shayla standing above me. That was such a sweet dream... She just had to wake me...

"What's wrong, Shayla? What time is it?" I looked at the clock on my nightstand to find that it was 12:30 a.m.

"I'm afraid of thunderstorms. Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"How can you be scared of thunderstorms but love tornados?" I laughed. "Don't tornados usually happen when there is a thunderstorm?"

"Yeah... But this is different... Please?" She begged.

"Sure," I moved over.

"Thank you," she smiled and got in bed under the covers and snuggled up to me.

"Any time..." I closed my eyes.

"Do you think the thunderstorm will pass eventually?" She whispered.

"Oh, yeah, of course," I nodded.

"Good... I'm sorry I woke you."

I yawned, "it's okay," I turned to face her. She looked at me and caressed my face. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing," she said and planted her lips on mine. As shocked as I was, I kissed her back. She slowly backed away and rubbed her lips together. "I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize," I moved her hair from her face.

"That was so forward. I'm sorry," she shook her head and covered her face.

"No, it wasn't. I've been wanting to kiss you all day. You couldn't tell?" I pulled her in for another kiss. We were more into this kiss than the first one.

She backed away, blushing, "goodnight," she whispered, snuggling closer to me.

"Goodnight," I kissed her forehead. We finally got a kiss without any interruptions.

I completely doubt she's really scared of thunderstorms.