Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2)

by Noorman, Krista

  They all laughed.

  Michelle wasn’t sure when the bench next to Quincer had become theirs, but when Sean called the next day and asked her to meet him at the bench, she knew exactly which one he was talking about.

  “How did it go?” She sat next to him and greeted him with a hug.

  He seemed calm, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Awkward. Uncomfortable. About what I expected under the circumstances.”

  “Are you OK?”

  “I am. I really am.”

  Sean relayed the events of the meeting beginning with the dean, who commended him for coming forward to admit his wrongdoing and for voluntarily stepping away from the team and the college. The most difficult part was facing his basketball coach.

  “Coach got real quiet for a long time. At least it seemed like a long time. That room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop in there.”

  “Oh, man. That must have been intense.”

  Sean nodded. “He was pretty disappointed, because he said I was such a great asset to the team. But he said the most important thing is that I admitted what I did and apologized and asked God’s forgiveness for it. And he told me he was proud of me for doing the right thing.”

  Michelle reached over and took his hand. “I’m proud of you, too.”

  He smiled at her.

  “Even though I got you into this whole mess.” She frowned.

  His eyes narrowed. “Hey, I told you about that.”

  She scoffed at his comment.

  “Besides, that doesn’t matter any more. That was before. That was the old you.”

  “You’re right.” She smiled from ear to ear.

  He gazed at her. “You have the most beautiful smile.”

  The color rushed to her cheeks. “Um … thanks. So do you.”

  He smiled back at her, and they both laughed nervously.

  “So, then what happened?” Michelle asked.

  He looked at her with concern. “They asked me if it was with another student.”

  She got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “So I guess I’m out, too, then.” Grandpa and Grandma are gonna kill me.

  “I told them no.”

  Michelle wasn’t sure whether to hit him or hug him. “You shouldn’t have lied for me, Sean. I should be kicked out of here for what I did to you.”

  “Look at all the good this place has done for you already. I wasn’t gonna take that away from you. You need to be here right now.”

  Sean relayed the rest of the conversation, including the final words the coach had left him with. “No matter what your past looks like, God promises His children a future, and I know He has an amazing one planned for you.”

  She thought it was incredibly fitting, not just in Sean’s situation, but in her own life as well.

  6

  As Michelle approached the dorm after dinner one chilly evening, she heard Maggie’s voice, only high-pitched and much louder than usual.

  “You’re a complete jerk flaunting your date in front of her.” Maggie stood near the front door, arms crossed over her chest, not wearing her winter coat.

  Simon and Andi, a girl from the other hallway in their dorm, stood across the sidewalk from her.

  “Maybe I should go.” Andi started to walk away.

  “How ‘bout I meet you at the Skillet when I’m done with … this.” He gave Maggie the evil eye, and Andi nodded and walked on.

  “You totally broke Emma’s heart, Simon,” Maggie cried, her breath visible in the cold air. Soft, fluffy snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

  “Hey!” He held his hands up in defense. “We were never exclusive. She can go out with whoever she wants to.”

  “Oooh,” she groaned. “I hate it when guys say that.”

  Michelle approached slowly, not wanting to get into the middle of it. She had never seen Maggie so angry.

  “So that’s all you have to say for yourself then?”

  “There’s nothing more to say,” Simon stated.

  Maggie shook her head in disgust. “Be man enough to tell her it’s over. Don’t just blow her off.”

  “I handled things how I thought they should be handled.”

  “Well, you thought wrong.”

  “Whatever!” He looked exasperated.

  “There is such a thing as common decency, but I’d say you’re sorely lacking.”

  He stepped closer, and she took a step back. They glared at each other, the tension crackling between them.

  Michelle saw Simon’s eyes dip to Maggie’s lips for just a moment, and a jealous burn instantly hit her in the gut.

  He glanced in Michelle’s direction. “Back me up here, Chelle.”

  She swallowed her jealousy. “I’m not getting involved.”

  Maggie spun and marched to the door.

  “Hey!” he hollered after her.

  “Stay away from my friends!” she yelled, disappearing into the dorm.

  He ran his fingers through his hair as Michelle approached. “That girl is so frustrating.”

  “Well, you did break Emma’s heart,” Michelle informed him. “She’s been crying for days.”

  Simon’s shoulders sank. “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Learn better communication in your dating relationships.” She took a page from Maggie’s dating book. “Make your intentions clear from the start. Don’t lead people on. Be honest when you want to break up.”

  “Hey!”

  She laughed at the look of surprise on his face.

  The surprise quickly turned to sadness. “Do you think I should have told her I wasn’t OK with the no kissing thing?”

  “Yes!” She laughed again, this time at the absurdity of his question. “Of course you should have told her.”

  “I feel bad now.”

  “You should.”

  “I thought you were on my side.” He was adorable when he pouted.

  She stepped closer and grabbed hold of his upper arms. Sigh. She nearly forgot what she was going to say.

  “I’m always on your side, Simon. But I’m not gonna sugarcoat things.”

  He nodded and pulled her in for a hug.

  She closed her eyes and soaked in his warmth as the snow fell around them.

  “Thanks, Chelle.”

  Back in the room, Maggie was still fuming, but Michelle could tell she was trying to keep it under wraps for Emma’s sake.

  “So, I talked to my parents tonight, and I’m transferring to Cedarville,” Emma announced.

  “Emma, no!” Maggie dropped into the nearest desk chair.

  “Are you sure about this?” Michelle asked.

  “I’m homesick,” Emma explained. “Cedarville’s only two hours from home, and I was already accepted there. I’m taking next semester off, and I’ll start again in the fall.”

  “You’re not leaving because of Simon, are you?” Michelle asked.

  Maggie cringed a little at the mention of his name.

  Emma shrugged and wouldn’t make eye contact.

  So she was.

  “You can’t let a guy change your entire life’s path,” Maggie declared.

  Michelle winced. She wanted to help convince Emma to stay, but she had no place giving her any sort of advice. After all, it was her fault that Sean had to change his life’s path.

  “That’s only part of it,” Emma explained. “I feel like I’m missing so much back home. My brother, Josh, is a senior, and he’s about to start his last season of basketball. My sister, Hannah, started sixth grade this year, and she’s having a rough time with it. She needs me for all that pre-teen drama. And my big sister, Molly, is getting married in the spring. I’m missing out on all the planning and stuff. I hate missing that.” She sat up tall as if to display her resolve. “If I go to Cedarville, I can be home more often. I just know it’s the right decision for me.”

  Oh, what it must be like to belong to such a large, loving family as Emma’s. Michelle had always secretly wished for a b
rother or sister. At least then she would have had someone to go through her terrible childhood with. She could only imagine what it was like to leave a family like Emma’s and live so far away.

  “If you’re sure, then I’m happy for you.” Maggie hugged her. “But I will miss you so much.”

  “Me, too.” Michelle joined in the hug.

  “I am sure,” Emma replied. “I’ve been praying about it a lot, and I truly believe this is what God wants me to do.”

  Time was speeding toward Sean’s impending farewell faster than a bullet train. Michelle spent every free moment with him that she could, but the end of the semester arrived too quickly. On their final weekend, they walked to Calvary Church with Simon for the annual Festival of Lights Christmas program. The night felt extra special because she was sharing it with her two favorite guys in the world.

  When they arrived, they were each given a candle for later in the program. They found a seat in the balcony, and Michelle settled in next to Sean, who kept his arm around her the entire time.

  The church was all decked out with twinkly lights, pine wreaths and garland, and pretty red bows. The actors, dressed in Victorian Christmas garb, performed a drama depicting the Christmas story with such talent, and the choir sang gloriously. Michelle had never cared much for traditional Christmas carols, but hearing them now that she was a believer made her appreciate them in a whole new way.

  When the program came to a close, the house lights dimmed. Several of the actors walked the aisles and lit the candles of those seated on the end of each row. One by one, people lit the candle of the person seated next to them as the congregation sang “Silent Night” a cappella. Michelle watched as the light spread across the rows and illuminated whole sections. And soon the light was passed throughout the balcony and down their row.

  Sean held his candle out to light hers and leaned close to her ear. “It’s your first real Christmas.”

  She smiled at him. “You’re right. It is.”

  When all the candles were lit, it was truly a sight to behold — a wonderful reminder that Jesus birth brought so much light to the world on a silent night so long ago. It was the most beautiful thing Michelle had ever experienced.

  As they walked back from the church, Michelle couldn’t help but think of the girl she had been only four months before. She never wanted to come to this school in the first place, yet now, she couldn’t imagine leaving. She didn’t want to go back to Chicago for winter break. Home was cold and unfeeling. She wanted to stay in their warm, safe bubble forever.

  “You’re quiet, Chelle,” Simon commented as his arm came to rest across her shoulders.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him as they walked. “I’m gonna miss you, that’s all.”

  “Break’s only a month,” Simon stated.

  She gazed sadly at Sean, who gave her a knowing look. It would be only a month until she would see Simon, but God knows if she would ever see Sean again. And they were down to less than a week.

  Emma’s family arrived on Thursday to pack her things. It was bittersweet. They had only just gotten to know each other, and now she was leaving. It was clear that Maggie had formed a closer bond with Emma than she had. They were both a mess of tears.

  “Call me every day,” Maggie said.

  “I will.” Emma sniffled.

  “Tell me everything about Cedarville.”

  “I will.”

  They hugged and cried some more.

  Emma turned to Michelle and smiled as she wiped away her tears. “I’m so glad we got to be roommates, Michelle.”

  Michelle got choked up. “So am I.”

  Emma hugged her and held on extra long. “I’ll be praying for you.”

  “Thank you, Emma. I’ll be praying for you, too.”

  The girls grabbed the last of Emma’s bags and helped carry them to her family’s station wagon. When everything was loaded, Emma walked toward the passenger door.

  “Emma!” Michelle called out.

  Emma turned to her.

  “Thanks for being my friend.” She wasn’t sure why she felt such a strong need to say it.

  Emma walked to her and hugged her again. “I love you, Michelle. No matter what.”

  That wasn’t something she was used to hearing. She squeezed Emma tightly. “I love you, too.”

  Michelle and Maggie stood together on the sidewalk and watched their sweet roommate drive away, waving as the car turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

  “This is so sad,” Maggie murmured. “I can’t believe she’s gone. Promise me you’re coming back next semester.”

  Michelle laughed. “Yes, I’m coming back. I wouldn’t desert you like that.”

  “Good.”

  Maggie put an arm around her as they walked, and Michelle did the same.

  “It’s my two favorite girls,” a voice called from behind them.

  Michelle grinned over her shoulder at Simon.

  Maggie did not.

  “I came to say goodbye.”

  “And good riddance.” Maggie headed off toward the dorm.

  Michelle tried her best to hold in a laugh.

  Simon was not amused. “I was just trying to be nice. What do I have to do with her?”

  “Just leave her alone.”

  He closed the distance between them and hugged her.

  She rested her head against his shoulder and inhaled his fresh-from-the-shower scent. His hair was still slightly damp. “Did you just get up? It’s the middle of the afternoon?”

  He snickered. “Some of the guys threw me in the pond.”

  “Brrr! Did you get hypothermia?”

  “Almost. Be glad I showered or you would not wanna hug me right now.”

  She laughed. The aroma of his soap was much better than that of the geese that normally resided in the pond.

  “When do you leave?” he asked as he let go.

  “Tomorrow morning.” She stuck her bottom lip out.

  “I’m heading to my uncle’s lake house in a few.”

  “Ooh, a lake house. That sounds fancy.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a little house on Algonquin Lake in Hastings.”

  “Hastings?” Michelle raised an eyebrow. “Like Hastings that’s an hour from here?”

  He looked at her curiously. “Yeah. You know it?”

  Michelle pursed her lips. “Maggie’s from Hastings.”

  “Nuh-uh.” Simon’s mouth dropped open.

  She nodded. “She is.”

  He grinned deviously. “Maybe she needs a ride home.”

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  Guys weren’t normally allowed in the girls dorm hallways, but moving days were always an exception to the rule. While Michelle was packing a few things into her suitcase, a voice from behind startled her.

  “Is Maggie around?”

  She turned and came face to face with the mystery guy from the roller rink. The blow dryer she’d been holding slipped from her fingers and landed on her foot. “Ah!” she cried out in pain.

  “Are you OK?” He rushed toward her.

  She held her hand out to stop him and retrieved the dryer. “I’m fine.” She was in shock that he was standing in her dorm room.

  Recognition suddenly flickered in his eyes. “Hey, it’s you.”

  “Uh … hi.”

  “Are you Maggie’s roommate?”

  “One and the same.”

  “Michelle, right?”

  She nodded, surprised he remembered her name after their brief encounter.

  “Small world.” He laid a hand on his chest. “I’m Ben.”

  Michelle’s stomach dropped. This is Ben? Maggie’s Ben? Michelle had no words. Of all the guys at the roller rink that night, he had to be the one she made out with?

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “Uh, she’s in the bathroom,” she stuttered.

  “OK. Well, I’m giving her a ride home.” He gla
nced at the pile of things by the bed. “Is this her stuff?”

  “Yeah, but I’m not sure if she has everything packed up yet.”

  “I can wait.” He stood quietly in the doorway.

  Michelle didn’t know what to do or say. She couldn’t believe her horrible luck. If Maggie ever found out about them, she would be crushed.

  She glanced over at Ben and caught him checking out her backside.

  He looked away as if he knew he’d been busted, and anger began to bubble up within her.

  She turned to face him. “Maggie’s an amazing person and a good friend.”

  He nodded in agreement. “She is. She’s the best.”

  Michelle thought for a moment. “I don’t like to see my friends get hurt.”

  “Neither do I.” He looked at her searchingly.

  Her eyebrow raised.

  “Look, we had no idea we both knew Maggie when we met. And she’s my friend, not my girlfriend, so we did nothing wrong.”

  “But you know how she feels about you,” Michelle stated.

  He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “I’m more interested in how you feel about me.”

  “Really?” Her sarcasm was unmistakable.

  “Hey, I had fun with you that night.” His gaze intensified. “And I know you had a good time, too.”

  Michelle chewed on the inside of her bottom lip as she remembered their intimate make out session. At the time, it had been exactly what she wanted, but that was the old Michelle. Now, she felt only shame. And the fact that he completely disregarded Maggie’s feelings made her anger boil over. Her eyes narrowed, but just as she was about to rip into him, Maggie breezed into the room.

  “Ben!” Maggie threw her arms around his neck. “You’re here!”

  He gave her a quick hug. “Hey, Magnolia. You ready to go?” His eyes were still locked with Michelle’s.

  “Just about.” Maggie scurried around the room gathering her bags, never noticing the tension or the stare down between her friends. “This is my roommate, Michelle.”