Chapter Text
A pleasant warmth sparked behind Francesca’s navel and slid up to her chest as she shyly ducked her head to hide the growing smile on her lips. Usually, she felt a feeling similar to this when she was sitting on a piano bench, her hands dancing across keys of black and white to bring musical notes from page to acoustic recreation. She hadn’t been expecting this when she had forced herself to attend this flat party. It usually wasn’t her type of scene. But the woman next to her was making the loud music and the drunken, jubilant shouting of strangers bearable.
Francesca leaned against the arm of a cheap but durable couch and tried to maintain a composed air even though she was flattered beyond belief.
“I haven’t seen you around before.” Michaela’s voice was a lilt as it passed into her ear. “Do you go to The Ton?”
The Ton was how locals and students referred to Brighton University. Brighton University wasn’t a top-ranked school, but it was still well-known in academic circles for producing a number of influential politicians, celebrities, and other media moguls. It was known for being somewhat of a party school. It had shocked Francesca’s family when she told them she was dropping everything to attend. She was certain many of them had assumed she was just going through a phase and wouldn’t actually go through with her new life plans. But when orientation rolled around and she had moved into her apartment near campus, they realized that she was actually serious.
Her siblings told her to call if she needed anything, and her mother kept asking her if she was sure.
She was more certain than she had been in a long time. Not because she knew definitively that this switch to a new career path was going to lead her to a lucrative future. She was certain because, even if she was making the worst mistake of her life, she was thrilled over the fact that it would be a mistake of her own choosing. She was no longer going to let herself be dictated by her mother’s wishes, by the need to uphold her families’ reputation, by the desires of a faceless and demanding crowd…She was making her own choices for once in her life.
And it was exhilarating.
She turned to face the woman who had come to speak to her. She had introduced herself as Michaela. Francesca could barely bring herself to hold more than five seconds of eye contact with her at a time, but each coy glance had her reeling with the knowledge that a beautiful woman was hitting on her.
Michaela had dark skin and hair that was pulled up into a slick, high bun while two coils of strands were left to curtain her face, curled and hanging beautifully to frame a visage that boasted doe eyes, long eyelashes, and defined cheekbones. Francesca couldn’t contextualize what her lips looked like; she was too afraid to look at them for too long for fear of being too transparent about where her mind was and had been ever since the other woman had taken the seat next to her. Though she didn’t allow her eyes to linger in that particular area, however, she was sure they looked soft and probably felt just as they looked.
“Yes,” she answered in response to Michaela’s question. She let her fingers play together nervously, not sure what to do with her hands otherwise. She found herself wishing for a drink just so she’d have something to hold onto. “I major in culinary arts.”
“That’s cool.” She felt Michaela shift closer. Francesca wanted to hide under Michaela’s intense scrutiny, but she also wanted to stay right where she was and soak it all up. She followed the latter desire. It was stronger. “My cousin, John, is an upperclassman in the culinary arts department. He could probably help you if there was anything you needed help with.”
Francesca’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “Oh, that would be great!” she said. “I’m a little nervous about the science of breadmaking if I’m being honest.”
Michaela smiled. “I’m going to give you his contact info and tell him about you,” she said, holding her hand out for Francesca’s phone. “He’s genuinely an angel. Don’t feel shy about reaching out.”
Francesca handed over her phone and gladly accepted the recommendation. She sometimes had trouble finding acquaintances and friends, so she would take any help that she could get. And she really was nervous about breadmaking. It was a beginner course for the semester, but her need for perfection didn’t allow her to underestimate the challenge of getting the techniques right.
“Do you want me to get you something to drink?” Michaela asked, her eyes on Francesca’s fidgeting hands as she handed the brunette’s phone back.
Francesca stopped twisting her fingers together, feeling like Michaela could see right through her. “No,” Francesca replied. She blushed as the next words came out of her mouth with startling honesty. “I don’t want you to leave.”
She was a bit appalled at herself and the control she no longer seemed to have over her tongue, but the feeling dissipated when she heard Michaela chuckle. She realized it must have been the right thing to say because it led to more conversation, Michaela stroking her hair away from her face, and then kisses.
A small tornado swirled in Francesca’s stomach as Michaela’s lips touched the corners of her own and then slid to cover her mouth completely.
And she had been right.
Michaela’s lips were soft. And the kiss was gentle. Increasingly insistent and eager…but gentle.
Francesca allowed Michaela’s hand to maneuver her face to the perfect angles to complement the press of her lips. She turned her body to accommodate Michaela’s advances. When Michaela expertly used her lips to gently push Francesca’s own open to a degree that she could swipe her tongue inside, Francesca gasped and felt a spark of sensation between her legs.
She chuckled and pulled away, glancing around at the crowd of people teeming around. “I feel like people are looking at us,” she remarked, a blush high on her face.
Michaela glanced around and Francesca could tell from her amused smirk that no one was paying them any attention, but knowing people weren’t actually looking did nothing to assuage Francesca’s paranoia.
Michaela’s hooded gaze softened, and she asked, “Would you like to go somewhere a little more private?”
Francesca hesitated for a second. She usually didn’t do things like this. This was her first big college party. Was Michaela inviting her somewhere private to simply continue kissing? Or was she expecting something more? Did Francesca mind if she was expecting more? How far did she want to go?
The area between her legs was still throbbing slightly.
Francesca bit her lip. She nodded. “Yeah,” she said. “Yeah, let’s go.”
A wolfish grin overtook Michaela’s face, and she took Francesca’s hand in her own. They moved to stand from the couch, but Francesca’s phone let out a buzzing sound, causing them both to abort their movement.
"Hold on,” Francesca said. “I’m sorry.”
She pulled out her phone and turned on the screen to view the latest notification.
It was an offer from the London Symphony Orchestra to join them on their nationwide tour.
Francesca swiped the offer away and clicked the screen of her phone off again. “Sorry,” she said to Michaela again. “That was nothing. Let’s go.”
But they were interrupted once again by one of Michaela’s friends. “Michaela,” the woman called, seemingly relieved to find her. Her long braids fell over her shoulder as she reached down to pull Michaela to her feet. Francesca pouted when Michaela’s grip fell from her hand. She was at the edge of the couch, still ready to follow Michaela but holding still to see what this new interruption was about. “Elizabeth needs you for your big brain,” Michaela’s friend continued, pulling her away. She didn’t even seem to notice Francesca or the fact that Michaela had been otherwise preoccupied.
“I’m sorry!” This time, it was Michaela calling over her shoulder to say the words that were plaguing their last few moments together. “I’ll see what this is about then be right back!”
Michaela didn’t come right back. Francesca didn’t see her for the rest of the night.
Francesca hung around for about an hour more until she finally gave up, gathering her things and calling a rideshare to get back to her apartment.
Her time with Michaela had been cut prematurely short, but she fell into bed that night still thoroughly satisfied with the way the night had gone. She had taken a step outside of her comfort zone, had met someone interesting, and had even made out with that self-same person. It was a win in her book.
A smile settled on her lips as she sank into her pillow and drifted into dreams, anticipating getting to know Michaela more the next day. Michaela had told her she was majoring in Communications and Marketing, so she knew which part of the campus she would be able to find her.
***
Francesca shook her head in amused disbelief when she woke up the next morning and remembered that she had gotten the phone number for Michaela’s cousin and not Michaela herself. She decided she’d have to rectify that.
She sent a message to John, introducing herself, and he responded soon after, telling her that Michaela had told him about her the night before. Francesca smiled at that information. They then agreed to meet in the campus cafe before their first class of the day just to get to know each other a little more.
Pleased that she was growing her social circle, Francesca got out of bed and prepared for the day.
Her meeting with John was pleasant. Francesca found that Michaela’s description that he was an angel was a pretty apt one. There was a warmth and gentleness that John Stirling exuded that made Francesca feel instantly at ease and comfortable. They spoke over their tea about the cooking courses, the upcoming practical exams, and the internship Francesca would be expected to find before she graduated. Even though that last topic stressed Francesca quite a bit, the overall conversation was pleasant. She found herself laughing whenever John tried to crack jokes that were so unfunny that they ended up being funny.
“Are you and Michaela close?” Francesca eventually asked once their scones had merely become crumbs on their plates and only a sip of liquid was left in their cups.
“Oh, yeah,” John answered immediately. “We talk all the time. She’s the sister I never had.”
Francesca smiled, finding their relationship endearing. “I’m glad you two have each other.”
“So am I,” John said. “I don’t know what I would have done without her, honestly. Are you close with your family?” John asked.
The last of Francesca’s tea slipped down her throat as she nodded. “Yes,” she responded. “So much so that I have to beg them for space sometimes.” She laughed, and John laughed along with her.
They continued talking about how important family was to them. John had a similar reaction to Michaela when Francesca told him just how large her family was - slightly shocked and with a sudden deeper understanding for why Francesca now enjoyed living on her own. It happened a couple of times more that Francesca remembered Michaela’s reactions and responses as she and John got to know each other. She perked up a little when the conversation circled around to the female cousin once again.
“You and Michaela must have hit it off last night,” John said, his tone somewhat searching. “Are the both of you going to be seeing more of each other?”
A beaming smile split across Francesca’s face. “I hope so!” she declared. “I plan to get her number today. I can’t believe I didn’t get it last night. I got your number but not hers!” She chuckled and shook her head at the oversight of that.
John smiled soft and a bit sadly as he responded, “Yeah, that’s too bad. She probably wouldn’t mind if I gave you her number.” He reached toward his pocket to begin to pull his phone free, but Francesca shook her head.
“No, it’s okay,” she said. “I’d like to get it from her, if you don’t mind. It’s…” Her lips pressed together in a slightly self-conscious way as she gave her reasoning for waiting to get Michaela’s number. “It’s a good conversation starter.”
A soft expression overcame John’s face at Francesca’s admission. “Okay,” he replied, pushing his phone back into his pocket. “You don’t have to worry about conversation becoming stilted, though. Michaela never stops talking.”
Francesca laughed, happy that John didn’t find it strange that she planned things she would say to others ahead of time. She simply liked to be prepared.
John finished the rest of his tea, and they paid for their breakfast, agreeing to meet later in the week so that John could help Francesca get a headstart on knife skills.
***
The section of campus that housed the Communications and Marketing buildings was modern in structure and spacious in design. The main marketing building jutted out in an imposing and angular design, its shadow stretching across a concrete courtyard surrounded by decorative plants.
The courtyard invited students to linger and lounge with benches sitting underneath shade trees, squares of green that brought to mind picnic blankets, and a couple of strategically placed charging ports for phones or laptops.
Michaela had said something about a 2pm class. Francesca expected that she maybe would have to wait for a few minutes before she spotted the other woman, but she was pleasantly surprised when Michaela was one of the first people out of the building. She was chatting animatedly with the girl next to her, and three other girls were trailing along with them, listening raptly to their conversation.
Without a second thought, Francesca rushed forward.
“Oh-” The girl Michaela had been speaking to gave a mild exclamation of surprise as Francesca’s sudden appearance caused them all to stop short.
“Hi!” Francesca said, her focus solely on Michaela whose hair was in a cute and stylish updo once again.
Michaela blinked at her and showed slight surprise, her eyebrows jumping up to her hairline before settling again in their rightful place. “Hi! Uh…Can I help you?”
Francesca’s excitement dipped slightly. That hadn’t been the response she had been expecting. In the scenario that had played out in her mind, Michaela had been just as excited as she was to see her again. Her lips opened and closed, a bit thrown off at the deviation from her self-conjured script. But despite the customer service response, she pushed through. “I was just thinking that…I didn’t get your number last night.”
There was a chuckle from one of the girls standing next to Michaela. She commented, “This is my cue to head out. I’ll see both of you at the meeting this weekend.” She and the three other girls left. The woman Michaela had been speaking to stayed where she was. Her arm went around Michaela’s shoulder, and Francesca looked over at her for the first time since making her appearance.
She wasn’t sure if the woman was actually glaring at her or if she was just imagining things because she just felt generally uncomfortable at this point.
“Do you remember me?” Francesca continued, turning her attention back to Michaela. She could only deal with one thing at a time. “Last night. I’m Francesca. Culinary arts.” She shook her head, embarrassed that she gave the same kind of introduction one would give when the lecturer forced them to introduce themselves to a class of strangers.
Michaela’s eyes dragged along Francesca’s body. And Francesca was relieved when the smile Francesca remembered from the night before lifted Michaela’s cheeks. She was even more relieved at Michaela’s words. “I remember you.” For a moment there, she had started to wonder whether she had hallucinated the whole interaction.
She watched as Michaela turned a charismatic smile to the woman next to her and asked her to excuse them.
The woman looked as if she was going to argue for a beat, but then she relented. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll work on getting some signatures.” She sent another look - glare? (Francesca was confused) - her way and stated. “Don’t be too long.”
When they were alone, Michaela held her hand out. Francesca’s eyes bounced from Michaela’s open palm to her face, a question in her eyes. “Your phone?” Michaela prompted. “You wanted my number?”
“Oh!” Francesca slid the strap of her bag off of her shoulder so that she could maneuver it to her front and look through it for her phone. She fumbled around for a couple of seconds that felt like hours, her face burning hotter the whole time, before she pulled the cell free and handed it over. She glanced up to see whether Michaela was looking at her with judgment over her lack of finesse, but Michaela was still simply wearing a gentle smile, her eyes dancing with amusement.
“Did John find you?” Michaela asked as she saved her number into Francesca’s phone.
“Yes! He’s great,” Francesca answered. She took the phone back with a pleased smile, goal achieved. “He’ll be a big help. Thank you.” She sent a quick text to Michaela so that Michaela could have her number as well.
Francesca: hi! 👋
“That’s me,” she said proudly as Michaela looked down at the message that showed up on her screen.
In the second it took for Michaela to save her as a contact, she allowed herself to enjoy the composition of Michaela’s face again - the long eyelashes, the winsome smile, the cute nose…It was a great face.
“There’s going to be another party tonight,” Michaela said as she pocketed her phone. “Are you going to come?”
“Another party?” Francesca had been planning to spend the night doing assigned reading. One party was already more than her usual…she hadn’t been planning on more than that. “Is there a party every night?” she joked, not knowing how to navigate her lack of desire to go to another party but also wanting to spend more time with Michaela.
“If you know where to look,” Michaela responded. She retrieved her phone once again and sent Francesca an address. “If you have the time, I’d love to see you there.”
Francesca was faced with another of Michaela’s smiles, and how could she say no? “O-okay,” she stammered out.
With a satisfied smile, Michaela began to walk away. “I have another class to get to. I’ll see you later, Francesca.”
“See you later.”
Francesca watched Michaela until she disappeared around the building and then she allowed herself a small dance of victory. Though it had been nerve-wracking towards the beginning, she had accomplished what she set out to do. She had Michaela Stirling’s number in her phone. Her parents and siblings had nothing to worry about. Everything was going swimmingly.