Intertwined: So It Goes (2)
"Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming? Is this burning an eternal flame?"
Michael was right: none of Jaelyn’s tests were irregular. She scanned the puke green walls of her psychiatrist’s office from his stiff couch. On the left were three Ivy League degrees clustered together. To her right was a landscape painting that even Bob Ross would admit was a mistake. Above the Good Doctor’s head was, honest to god, a “Hang in there, baby!” poster with a cat on it.
This was the decor of the man who was all too thrilled to assure her of her good mental health.
“This is good news, Jaelyn!” Dr. Westley said, putting down the sheets of test results. “I consulted with your primary care physician and therapist, and I think we may have come to a conclusion about these Michael dreams. Would you like to hear it?”
Jaelyn nodded, genuinely curious.
He clasped his hands together on the desk. “I believe that Michael is a personification you’ve created due to your anxiety about your impending adulthood.”
Jaelyn inclined her head. “Okay?”
“It started when you were 14--the doorway between girlhood and womanhood,” He had sweat on his forehead and gesticulated wildly. “He’s someone you can talk to and explore complicated subjects with. A confidante. You told me you never dated anyone. Well, why would you? You created the literal dream guy. He’s handsome, nice, and you’ll never have to cross any sexual boundaries--the ultimate safe boyfriend. Thoughts?”
Jaelyn chewed on her lower lip. “It seems possible.”
The doctor seemed deflated at her less than enthusiastic response. “It’s a lot to digest, but I believe this may just be it. He’s not a delusion. Focus on that.”
He went on to tell her that it wasn’t necessarily her fault. She didn’t mean to create him. Michael was a product of her subconscious. It was time to start tapering him out, though, and focus on reality. The last thing he said before the appointment was over was that she should definitely go to the prom like her mother told her to.
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Senior prom was Saturday night. Jaelyn wore a gold ball gown dress from a thrift shop that complimented her light brown skin. The dark red lipstick and clumpy lipstick her mother applied felt foreign on her face. Her thick hair was pulled into a tight French twist.
Travis White pulled in her driveway at 6:30. He wore a tux that was a little too baggy, and his shaggy hair was slicked back with gel. Jaelyn had known him marginally since kindergarten. Most of their recent interactions were in chemistry class when they did group experiments. He was funny and had a cute crooked grin. She was surprised when he asked her to prom, and originally wanted to turn him down. She’d seen Carrie . The weird girl getting asked to prom was never a good sign. To be honest, she just wanted to go with her friends. But her mother insisted that it would be great to go out with a real boy.
Travis stared from the opposite booth at the restaurant. Clary’s Diner wasn’t fine dining by any means, but they had a prom night special with a choice of prime rib or roasted chicken breast for only $6. But Jaelyn wanted the six-piece chicken strips with honey mustard dipping sauce.
“You sure can eat, huh?” He’d finished his rib and side of fries and was sipping his Sprite.
Jaelyn nodded. “Yep.”
After dinner, they drove 30 minutes away to the hotel. Her friend Mandy was there with one of Travis’ friends. Mandy was a sweet girl with red hair and kind eyes, and events like prom were her thing. She got Jaelyn to line-dance, slow dance, and fast dance. They were all over dance floor. It was all fun and games until during a slow dance about an hour in, Travis suggested in a husky whisper that they go to the afterparty in a room upstairs. Whether there was an actual party or not, she didn’t wanna know.
She ran out the doors without another thought. Luckily, she saw Rachel Dawson heading to her station wagon. She could spot her white-blonde hair anywhere. They had been friends as kids but grew apart after middle school. Jaelyn asked for a ride because they still lived on the same street. The whole way home, she thought of how she wished prom would have gone.
When Jaelyn got to her trailer, she plastered on a smile before opening the door. Her mother sat at the kitchen table in her light pink bathrobe and satin bonnet. She put down her crossword puzzle, a bright smile on her face.
“How was it?”
“Great!” Jaelyn said. “But, mom, I’m really tired. Is it okay if I fill you in on everything tomorrow? I think I wanna head on to bed.”
“Sure, honey,” She stood up to hug Jaelyn and kiss her cheek. “Get some rest!”
Jaelyn showered, taking care to wash every inch of her body. She even shaved and moisturized her skin, which happened less than she would care to admit. Wiping the fog off the mirror, she smiled at her reflection.
Before she slept, she lay in bed thinking about what her psychiatrist said. It didn’t matter if he was right. Michael was good for her. He made her happy. He was something to live for. She didn’t want to get rid of him. Not now. Not ever. If she was crazy, so be it. Jaelyn closed her eyes.
When she opened them, she was sitting at the same table she had been in hours before in the hotel ballroom. Now, though, it was the only table there. The cheesy light blue streamers and banner hung from the ceiling. She wore the same dress, but her curls were free, and she didn’t wear a drop of makeup.
An 80s love song boomed from the speakers as Michael entered from the blue haze of the dance floor. He wore a well-fitted suit with a gold tie. He extended his hand, and she took it. Her arms were around his neck, and his hands rested on her waist as they swayed to the beat.
When the song ended, Jaelyn broke the silence between them.
“Michael?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you.”
“I know.”
She took her head from his shoulder, and Michael laughed at the glare on her face.
“I love you too,” he kissed her forehead, guiding her head to the original position. “You look so beautiful.”
“Is that why you love me?”
“Yes, I’m completely shallow.”
They laughed and continued to dance as the next song came on. As George Michael sang and a sax solo crooned, Jaelyn took a deep breath. She knew what she wanted to say, but actually putting it into words was harder than she thought.
Michael stood still and held her out at arm’s length. “What is it?”
Jaelyn repeated her deep breath, unable to look him in the eye. “Michael, do you ever think about sex?”
“Yes,” His thumbs traced circles above her hips.
“With me?”
“Of course.”
She looked up at him. The smirk that usually adorned his face wasn’t there.
“What are your thoughts about it?”
“Usually positive,” he said, a glint of mischief reappearing in his eyes. “Sometimes, pretty dirty.”
“Michael,” she swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m ready to do it. Tonight. With you.”
He nodded, solemn. “Okay.”
His right hand rested on the side of her face and he pressed his lips to hers. His tongue soothed hers. When he pulled away, he nibbled her bottom lip.
Jaelyn’s eyes opened. She almost gasped at the intent look on Michael’s face has he returned his hands to her waist. He walked her backwards before her calves hit something soft.
She fell backwards, and the music and ballroom faded away. She landed on her bed, and the popcorn ceiling of her bedroom hung above her head. Michael took off his shoes and socks in about six seconds before he climbed onto the duvet and onto her.
He kissed her again, before trailing his lips down to her neck She gripped the back of his jacket. The room felt like it was spinning, and she needed something to ground herself. Jaelyn had never seen him look so serious as he did when he pulled away.
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
He kissed her quick before pulling her to sit up. He shrugged his jacket off, throwing it to the floor. Jaelyn’s hands shook as she unbuttoned Michael’s white shirt. He took notice, grasping her hands when she’d finished.
“Jaelyn, if we need to stop--”
“No,” she said. “I’m just nervous.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “I’m right here.”
He kissed both of her palms before releasing them to locate the zipper on the back of her dress. He slipped it off with her help. He kissed the top of her chest before kicking off his pants.
They paused, regarding each other in their underwear. Michael’s torso was toned, but not overly muscular. Jaelyn had worried what Michael would think of the abundant curves of her body when they weren’t covered by a baggy t-shirt. Judging by the look on his face, she’d worried in vain.
Their eyes met, and their lips crashed together. Jaelyn threw herself back on the bed, dragging Michael down by his shoulders. Her hands ran over his chest and back. She couldn’t get enough of him.
He palmed her breasts through the beige bra. She arched her back, guiding him to remove the garment. He sucked and nibbled on her breasts, and she held in a moan.
“M-Michael, can my mother hear us?”
“No,” he panted.
The noises from Jaelyn’s lips didn’t sound like her at all, and she didn’t care. She took it upon herself to hook her thumbs in his boxers, pulling them down. His size was impressive, but most of her attention was on how flushed Michael’s face became when she exposed him.
He impatiently kicked the underwear away, then made quick work of yanking off Jaelyn’s. She swore she heard the cotton of her panties rip. Seeing as she got them in a 5-pack at the supermarket a year ago, it wasn’t much of a loss.
Michael nudged her thighs apart with his knees and Jaelyn felt like her body was on fire. She was already trembling. He gave her shoulders a squeeze.
“I’ll take care of you.”
“I know.”
His eyes searched hers for any sense of hesitancy. When he found none, he kissed her mouth and guided himself deep within her.
Jaelyn’s doctor, mom, psychiatrist, or whoever could say what they wanted. It certainly felt real to her.
“Are you okay?” he asked as soon as her walls surrounded him.
She nodded. “Go slow though.”
Michael rolled his hips against hers, eventually finding a suitable rhythm. Jaelyn’s hands ran up his back and shoulders before settling in his hair. Being this close to him was something she didn't know she’d been missing.
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They lay under the covers facing each other after they finished. Jaelyn couldn’t stop giggling while looking at Michael. His hair was completely messed up, thanks to her handiwork. His blue eyes were as bright as she’d ever seen them, and his smirk was replaced with a genuine smile.
“What’s so funny?” He asked.
“Nothing,” she reached her hand up to tousle his hair some more. “You’re just so cute.”
He held the side of her face. “How do you feel?”
“Not bad. You were pretty good.”
“Just ‘pretty good?’” He teased.
“Well, I don’t have anything to compare it to. So, you’re the best I’ve ever had. And the worst,” Her cheeks grew warm. “It felt nice though.”
He pressed his lips to hers, barely pulling away after he broke it. “You were ‘pretty good’ too.”
Jaelyn tangled her fingers in his thick blond hair and hooked her leg around Michael’s hip. The two lazily kissed one another before falling into a peaceful sleep.
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Jaelyn woke the next morning feeling satisfied and only vaguely knowing why. All she knew was that she had a nice dream the night before. She ate her French toast at the small kitchen table and told her mom about prom. She was blissfully unaware of what her dream boy whispered while stroking her hair before he left. The dreams were going to end, and she’d never see the boyish face or messy curls again. The memory of him was fading, and she didn’t even know it.
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I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! From now on, the chapters will be coming once a week, probably on Thursdays. If you want to be put on a tag list, let me know. Also, this is being uploaded on my AO3 (LuckySeasons) if you’d rather read it there. Thank you so much for the positive feedback. You all are the best!