Timed (Muke)

Hour Five

This is where I started writing after having this book in the drafts for a year so if the flow is off I apologize!

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As they walked away from the empty park Michael couldn't stop thinking about Luke asking if he could write a song about him. The idea of having Luke's beautiful words put to a melody about him made his heart race.

The walk was silent except for the sound of their shoes hitting the pavement. Each boy was lost in their thoughts, swirling with unsaid feelings for the other. It was hard for both of them to admit their feelings, especially Luke. The thought of coming out terrified him but what scared him even more was the idea of liking Michael Clifford, the boy he had hated - for a reason still unknown - for years.

After a few minutes, Michael stops in front of a small building. Luke knows exactly where they are as he comes here all the time. Michael is painfully aware that there is a chance they will run into someone from school at the small bowling alley and he's unsure if Luke will even enter the building with him.

"Is this okay?" Michael's nerves are getting the better of him as his voice comes out a little shaky. Luke looks at him with his eyebrows furrowed slightly, confused by the question.

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be? I love bowling."

"I know, but there might be people you know here. If you don't want to be seen with me I can skip this part of the day."

Realization lights up Luke's face but he only rolls his eyes at Michael's words before pushing the door open and pulling Michael through it. "I don't care who sees us together, Michael."

The words surprised the older boy and although he was still skeptical he doesn't question it. As they make their way towards the shoe area, Michael steps behind the counter and searches for the correct shoe sizes. "What are you doing?" Luke's voice is laced with slight panic as he reaches out and tries to pull Michael out of the 'employees only' section.

"Luke, calm down." Michael rolls his eyes at the blonde before continuing, "I work here, remember?"

The younger of the two forms an o with his plump lips and lets go of the other. Suddenly feeling kind of dumb for forgetting that Michael worked here, as he came to this exact bowling alley at least every other weekend with his friends - often more.

"Size eleven, right?" Michael's bright red hair pops back over the counter as he sets the large shoes in front of Luke, instantly disappearing again in search of his size nine's.

"How did you even remember that?" Luke asks as he takes the pair of red, blue, and tan shoes off the counter. He wasn't the only one in his group of friends that wore a size eleven and he knew for a fact that even though the building was small and rundown, the bowling alley got good business.

"I pay attention, sometimes." Michael shrugged before standing in an upright position again, shoes in hand. "I also booked your favorite lane."

Luke gasped excitedly at the news. This specific bowling alley had a separate room where the individuals who rented it could be alone. It was lit up by bright neon signs and blacklights not to mention the music selection was much more his taste than what they played in the general population. There was only one room like that though so he didn't get it very often. The high demand for some privacy made it almost impossible to get the room more than once every couple of months.

He couldn't contain his excitement and took off for the secluded room, throwing the door open and jumping up and down excitedly waiting for Michael to join him. The older boy only laughed at him as he approached the door, a fond smile present.