The first time I met Michelle, it was like a scene from a romance novel. Not that I ever read romance novels. Not me. No way. Never.
I worked for a computer systems company as an installation engineer. We installed networks and systems and just about anything computer based. We had just completed a lucrative contract at the university and I, along with many others, were invited to a party to celebrate the launch of the new faculty we had equipped. I was only 23 at the time so the idea of being surrounded by beautiful female students was a very pleasing thought indeed. Of course, this being the faculty of archeology, my hopes weren't too high but you never know.
I was all kitted out, smart suit and tie, nervous fixed grin and handshake at the ready, not that I expected someone as lowly as me to get much attention. The party was ok, I guess. Very calm, very relaxed and very uneventful. Lots of schmoozing, no action, even though some of those archeologists were pretty hot. Not exactly Lara Croft but enough to get your attention, if you get my meaning. Then I saw Michelle. I can't begin to describe this Goddess in any way that does her justice. She just stood out from the rest, tall, brunette, beautifully tanned skin that seemed to glow against the white evening dress she wore. She was stunning and seemed to have a ready smile, you know the type that lights up a room? I couldn't take my eyes off her all night. She outshone everyone in that room effortlessly, stylishly and beautifully. She caught me staring at her once or twice and simply smiled. That is, until she came over to speak to me. She turned that smile on me and my stomach fluttered madly.
"Hi," she said. "I thought I would come over so you could get a better look."
I blushed hotly, stammering a denial but she tossed back her head and laughed. I just loved the way her hair flowed over her shoulders. I introduced myself, explaining why I was there.
"Oh you must be so clever!" she gushed. I couldn't tell if she meant it or not but she seemed so genuine. "I wouldn't know where to even start with something like that. I would probably end up burning down the whole building."
She was so disarmingly modest. This woman was beautiful and as it turned out, practically a genius. Of course, I didn't know that then. I laughed and shrugged it off, asking her what she was doing there.
"I am a third year student," she was so open. "Final year here. I am studying archeology so if you want to run away, now is the time." That smile returned and I knew I was running nowhere. God, she was special.
I know what some of you might be thinking. A student, right? Unethical, right? Yeah but I was only two years older than her. Screw the ethics!
We chatted for ages about this and that, about something and nothing. We really hit it off. There were a couple of times when she was dragged away from me but she always came back. That made me incredibly happy, I can tell you! We talked and we laughed and we danced. I got to put my arms around the most beautiful woman in the room and dance up close with her. I know I got a few jealous looks from my colleagues attending the party. I know this because I was ribbed about it all week afterwards. I didn't care. It was too good to care.
The party ended and I somehow wound up walking her home. She had linked her arm in mine and it was, you know, what's the word? Comfortable. Yes, it was comfortable and incredibly exciting at the same time. I am not some Romeo with a set of no-fail chat up lines but this was so easy and so right. We reached a nondescript brick building and she stopped, pulling me back.
"This is me," she said. "Thank you for being such a fine gentleman, my good man." She smiled. I smiled.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" I asked, really pushing my luck. She just tossed back her head again and laughed that laugh.
"Easy , Tiger," she grinned. "What kind of girl do you take me for?"
In for a penny...
"I take you as the kind of girl I really want to get to know more," I looked into her eyes, noticing her cheeks flush a little. I am usually shy but as I said, this was so comfortable. She leaned into me and brushed her lips over my cheek. She slipped something into my hand.
"Call me!" she smiled. She gave a little wave and disappeared into the building.
You bet I called her. I called her two days later from about three hundred miles away. I had been sent on another installation. I couldn't help but smile when I heard her voice.
"Hi" I said as nonchalantly as possible, which was probably not very. "Its Charlie. We met the other night at the party."
"I know who you are, silly" she said cheerfully. I could see that smile even over the phone. This beautiful girl was actually happy to hear from me. Thank you, God! "What took you so long?" she chuckled. I explained to her my predicament, away from home, away from her and she made all the right noises, adding a few compliments here and there about my obvious genius. Ever blushed over the phone? I have!
We chatted for over an hour. Again, just chatting about everything and anything. There were no embarrassed or awkward silences. It was like we had known each other forever. I told her I would be back in town next week and she seemed genuinely pleased about that. We even made a date for the day after I got home. I was on cloud nine that night.
I didn't ring her the next night. Amazingly, I didn't get the chance. She rang me! And once again, after a little mild flirting with each other, we talked and talked for ages. She told me she wouldn't be in the next night so she couldn't call me and bless her, she actually seemed sad about that. I didn't ask her why, it was her life after all. She told me though. Being a student isn't all that easy. She had to pay the bills somehow so she got herself a job in a bar. A familiar story as it is exactly how I got through university. God, I missed her on those nights I didn't hear her voice. I couldn't wait to get home.
The job finished a day early. The supervisor said he had never seen me work so fast and joked that he would expect the same every time. I didn't tell him that if I had Michelle waiting for me every time, I would work faster. I tried calling her the day we were heading back but I couldn't get an answer. The journey home took forever and I still couldn't get through. Dammit, I missed her. Is that even possible? Yes, it is. I may have just met this stunning lady but after all the conversation, I felt like I really knew her. So yes, I missed her.
We got home and I still couldn't get through to her. I realised she had probably been in class during the day and would be working that night. There was always tomorrow. Some of the guys were going to have a night out while they had the chance. I thought, why not? Grab a few beers, kick back, have fun, so I readily agreed to go with them.
