The Miracle of You

A stunned silence filled the small space between them.

The words that came out of her mouth the next second were automatic. She didn’t think twice. She just spat them out before she could think any further.

“You’re joking,” she said in disbelief.

Christian raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like I’m joking to you?”

“Do you think you’re even a trustworthy individual in the first place?” she snapped. “You’ve been manipulating people half your life. What makes you think that I can even trust that this ‘truth’ isn’t a deception on your part?”

He expelled a long-suffering sigh, as though she was the one who was being unreasonable. The nerve. “I can’t do anything about it if you don’t believe me,” he stated. “However, you must know. Deep inside your heart… you already had an inkling, didn’t you?”

“What?” She stared at him in shock. “What are you talking about? No, I-”

“Why such a hasty denial? Think about it thoroughly, Miss Parker.” His smile grew wider. He looked like he was enjoying this. “How about you try to remember your moments with him in the past? Recall the details and bits of conversation carefully. Hasn’t he been expressing his love to you for a long time now?”

That made her freeze immediately.

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No, no.

‘Don’t listen to him,’ she thought to herself.

But it was so hard not to.

Because he was right.

She had tried so hard not to think about it, not to dwell too long on all the little details.

But now that it was out in the open, she had no choice but to face it.

–

Fifteen years ago…

–

Hailey felt a presence hovering over her and raised her head.

“What are you doing out of class?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Michael McGregor stood before her with his hands in his pockets, dark eyes studying her features. Even though he was a year younger than her, there were times when she felt like he was the older one, with a gaze that seemed to probe deep into her soul.

“I don’t have class at the moment,” he said. “The teacher is sick.”

“I see.” Hailey smiled and patted the seat next to her.

Michael sat down next to her without saying a word, and they both stared up at the sky.

Being on the roof was peaceful, so far away from all the noise. This had originally been Michael’s hangout, but Hailey had quickly grown to like it. Even though no one was allowed here except teachers and student council members, nobody dared to go against John McGregor’s son.

Hailey figured she was an ‘exception’ because she was Michael’s only friend.

And that made her a little sad.

“Haven’t you ever thought about making more friends, Noah?” she asked softly. “You’re not so bad, you know. I’m sure a lot of guys would love to hang out with you.”

“No,” Michael said simply.

“Why not?” she persisted. “You can’t be content with only me as your friend. Even if you’re not planning to take over your father’s business in the future, social connections are still important.”

“I don’t want anybody else,” he said stubbornly.

“Are you sure? I recall that boy in your class who seems nice-”

“No.” He turned away slightly, which signaled the end of the conversation.

Hailey rolled her eyes. ‘What a kid,’ she thought in her head.

Since the day she met Michael McGregor, her life seemed to change little by little. It wasn’t anything dramatic, but at least she had someone now.

Like Michael, she didn’t have a lot of friends. Well, in his case, he mostly avoided people, probably because of his teenage angst or something.

But he didn’t strike her as the social type. Rather, he was introverted and preferred to be alone, just like her.

Which made her wonder why he was hanging out with her at all. If he really didn’t want friends and liked to be by his lonesome, why did he let her into his personal space?

When she voiced this out to him, he gave her a somewhat exasperated look.

“Have you already forgotten how much you used to annoy me a year ago?” he pointed out. “I was minding my business the entire time yet you somehow managed to catch me in the act. Sometimes I even feel like you have eagle eyes at the back of your head.”

“Not my fault that you’re too obvious,” she retorted. “Even your ‘hangout’ places are too predictable. Of course I could find you wherever back then.”

“Well, see? You have your answer.”

She pouted. “Still, you never really got mad at me.”

He shrugged. “That’s because you’re a girl.”

“A girl who’s a year older than you, little punk.”

He snorted at that. “Just you wait. In a few years, I’ll be much taller than you. Right now you’re only a few centimeters higher. The gap is too small.”

“Nevertheless, I’m still taller than you, so I’m justified when I say that you’re a little punk.”

He glared at her and opened his mouth, seemingly about to make a nasty retort. But he pulled back at the last moment and shook his head.

“There’s no winning over you,” he grumbled.

Hailey laughed. “I wouldn’t be the student council president if I don’t know how to fight my own battles, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal.”

“Speaking of that, don’t you have council duties to do, Miss President?”

She shook her head. “Nah. Everything’s calm right now. Exams are in two weeks. We only need to focus on our studies.”

“Why study so hard? You’re already smart,” he remarked nonchalantly.

It was a passing comment, nothing too meaningful, but it warmed her heart all the same. After all, it wasn’t every day that Michael McGregor paid someone a compliment.

Hailey smirked at that. “So you think that I’m smart, huh?” she teased, playfully nudging his shoulder. “You’ve finally admitted it out loud. I’m proud of you.”