Vulnerable by Elise Pehrson Page A

lines and pigments of her portrait-like face.
                “I don’t think so,” Michael replied quietly. Again, the nausea began to subside, even if it was just a little bit.
                She faintly smiled out of one corner of her mouth. “Well, what happened?” she seemed to whisper. He tried to shrug but winced in pain as he did so. “Be careful,” she said, holding his shoulder gently, pressing it carefully against the gravel.
                “How are you?” he asked. Her face stretched in surprise.
                “What?” she asked, laughing at the absurdity of such a question at such a time. “What do you mean me? You’re the one sick and in pain here!” she teased.
                “I mean just that: How are you?” he looked straight into her eyes; the darkness was gone, but he still sensed uneasiness inside of her somehow.
                “I-I’m fine,” she replied, cocking her head and furrowing her eyebrows.
                “Good,” he smiled up at her, which made her smile appear—her real smile. They seemed to have a real knack at making each other smile, and Michael loved that about them.
                “Good?” she laughed, clearly still confused, “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
                “I know.” The sickness dissipated and he felt great, with the strength of a thousand men. It was crazy what Millie could do to him— for him.
                He got up, brushed off dusty dirt, and gave her a tight squeeze. “Wow,” she said, hugging tightly back, “You got better fast.” He released her slowly and looked down into the eyes that now reflected no discomfort whatsoever.
                “Well… let’s just call it mind over matter.” They stood there smiling at each other, both confused at different things, and—unknowingly—soon enough are about to find out.

Chapter Eleven
     
     
                After the trip that seemed much quicker than the way to the campsite, they finally made it back to the parking lot of the church. Everyone was limp with exhaustion and practically tumbled out of the van when they arrived. One by one, everyone left. Everyone but Millie and Michael.
                He looked at her but realized the shadows were back inside her eyes. This made the nausea rush back as well. He took a step closer to her, but she took a step back.
                “It’s been a long day, and we have a date tomorrow,” she smiled. “You should go home and get some rest.” He nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder.
                “So… I guess I’ll see you at home,” Michael said. She nodded back. The nausea was fluctuating—sometimes there, sometimes not—because now he was feeling the same way he’d been feeling since he first laid eyes on her. He stroked his fingers along the outline of her face. He knew what it meant to him, but it was a little risky to be so forward with her; especially considering her complex with physical contact. She closed her eyes and breathed in the moment. He wanted to kiss her with everything inside of him, but he resisted; maybe tomorrow… he thought… we’re going on a date. He felt his heart flutter and flip and flop—he felt like he did in high school again; he felt like he did when he met Lindsay.
                He hopped in his car and thought about their date. Tomorrow’s going to be great.
     
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                Millie smiled and thought about the day that awaited her. She thought about dating and how she’d never experienced it before; she thought about maybe taking a chance because she felt the wholeness—the goodness—of his spirit. She didn’t knew how that was possible, but she knew that Heavenly Father guided her through life when she tuned herself to Him by making good choices, and she felt that this was