A Changed Life Read Online Free

listened to Norah Jones sing, “Don’t know why.”
    I was in heaven.

Feeling relaxed after my heavenly bath, I can’t get Simon out of my mind. I kick myself for not getting his phone number. He did say he would see me again, but how? I quickly write e-mails to some friends back home when my phone starts to alert me that I have a text message. As I opened my phone, I saw five messages, all from Michael.
    How did he get my number? I didn’t even give it to him! I was going to reply to him when I received yet another message.
    Michael: Nicolette, I am going to call you now! Please pick up your phone.
    I shook my head, thinking about his forwardness. He was extremely arrogant.
    My phone did ring right away, but I decided to take my time answering it. I picked it up on the fourth ring. I answered in my most nonchalant voice, and Michael wasn’t amused by it.
    “I texted you five times, didn’t you get them?” He was almost shouting at me.
    “Hi, Michael. How are you? And how did you get my number, by the way?”
    “I have my ways, Nicolette.” Michael laughed. “At this point, I feel as though I’m being a bit led on, and I don’t like it.”
    “You can’t be serious, Michael? Explain to me how I’m leading you on? I only met you this afternoon, you don’t even know me.”
    “I want to get to know you, Nicolette, let me take you out.”
    “I don’t think so, Michael.”
    “Why not? How about we start with dinner and a movie perhaps?”
    “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why me? I’m in high school and you’re in college, Stanford by the way. How can you be interested in me? It doesn’t make sense.”
    “This doesn’t have to be a big deal, Nicolette, don’t over think it?”
    “I’m not over thinking it, I’m just not interested. Answer me this, how did you get my number?”
    “I have my sources, Nicolette.”
    “Now I’m freaked out.”
    “Listen…don’t be freaked out; I just have friends in high places. You have no reason to be… what are you waiting for? It will be fun.”
    “As friends?” I asked, hoping he understood what I was saying.
    “Yes, as friends. Besides, I spoke to your parents—”
    “You what? Did you say you—” I was now up off my bed, pacing around. I was fuming at his boldness.
    “Yes, I asked their permission to take you out. They thought it was a great idea.”
    The thought of his arrogant, sneaky ways pissed me off! I wasn’t sure who to be mad at more, my parents or Michael, so I chose both.
    “Thank you, Michael, for seeking out my parents’ approval. You should have asked me, not them. I’m a big girl and can make my own decisions as to who I want to go out with. Besides, we are just friends . Have a good night, Michael. Don’t call me again.” I immediately pushed end without giving him a chance to respond.
    I was beyond annoyed… the audacity of Michael to suck up to my parents. He just assumes because he is rich I would go out with him. My phone is beeping with more text messages from Michael. I shut my phone off without responding to him and decide to confront my parents.
    I march my pissed-off ass down the stairs, ready to let them know I was sick of them making decisions for me, as if I’m still a child.
    “How can you give Michael St. Clair permission to date me?” I screamed at my parents, realizing my tone was louder than it should have been. I bit my bottom lip out of frustration. Darn it! There’s the look from my father again . Sighing, I was already regrettably sorry for yelling.
    “Excuse us, Nicolette? There is no need to scream at us.”
    “Sorry.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Michael just called me. He said he asked you permission to take me out.”
    “Yes, we spoke to Michael when we were introduced to him at the party.”
    “So you did? How could you?”
    “Slow down, Nicolette. We did not give him, nor anyone else, permission to date you,” my father said.
    “I know but—”
    “But what? You really