Shy Whispers || Michael Clifford

16

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Chapter 16

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While I wait for Michael to arrive at lunch, I get out my phone to see if I have any messages.

Julia and I haven't talked as much as I'd like to lately. Its been almost a week without even saying hello. She's been spending more and more time with her boyfriend everyday. I mean I guess I'm alright with that; she deserves to be happy for once.

I unlock my phone and notice that I have 36 messages. What? Even I know I'm not that popular. I open my messages and laugh to myself when I see the group chat Luke has invited me into with Calum. Calum's actually becoming quite a nice friend. We talk a lot when I hang out at Luke's house because he practically lives with the Hemmings. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm dating his best friend, but he's really nice and I feel like I can trust him. Granted not as much as Julia or Michael, but it's getting there. I scroll up and down the chat, reading through their fight of who's better - All American Rejects or Green Day.

I see someone coming towards me in my peripheral vision and smile up at Michael. He sits down and gets out his lunch, ripping off half of his sandwich and giving it to me. I thank him and take a bite.

"So-"

"Sorry, CeCe, but I have to finish this essay by seventh period," when I laugh, he smiles, "Alright, I procrastinated. Don't tell me you've never done that."

"Yeah that's fine. Thank you for the sandwich."

He looks up and gives me a warm grin before picking up his pen and focusing on his paper. I look back down to my phone.

'Boys, boys, do I have to send you to a time out? :P' I text to the group chat and take another bite of the sandwich.

'Hey, Cecelia' Luke types back, followed by a quick greeting from Calum as well. 'How are you?'

'Good, you?'

'I'm fantastic now that I'm talking to you :3' Luke texts and a smile instantly appears on my face.

'Excuse me while I go puke..' Calum teases him.

I small giggle escapes my mouth and I meet eyes with a confused Michael. "Julia?"

"No, it's a group chat with Luke and Calum," I explain. As soon as I mention Luke's name, a scowl grows on his face. I thought he would be over this by now. I hear him sigh and he looks back down at his paper.

'So what's up?' I text back.

'Well we haven't had a proper jam session in weeks because Luke is so whipped for you'

'Dude, seriously? she's right here'

'Luke, you can practice with Cal today if you want. Don't let me hold you back'

'But I wanna spend time with yoouuu :-('

A smile grows on my face and I put my phone down on the table and lift up my arms to stretch them out. I let out a small chuckle and look at Michael. He's looking - no, glaring - at my phone. When I reach out to grab it again, his eyes trail up to mine slowly.

"Shouldn't you be working on your essay?" I tease him with a challenging look.

"You're distracting me," he whines, laying his head down on his notebook.

"How?"

"Your cute little giggles," he explains and picks his head back up.

Normally, I would get all flustered,but I've gotten used to all of the compliments from Michael. He always does it, except not it's not as subtle. Didn't he tell me to forget that he said he liked me? He's kind of making that hard when he does things like this.

"Why does that bother you, can't you just ignore them?" I ask, leaning forwards slightly. I know the answer. Oh, I know the answer all too well. But that doesn't mean I can't tease him about it, right?

"Not when they're because of Hemmings.."

I quickly text a goodbye to the boys and lock my phone, sliding it into my front backpack pocket.

"Alright, look. This has gone on way too far. You and Luke are going to make up," Michael opens his mouth to complain, but I cut him off, "I'm inviting him to sit with us tomorrow, and you are going to try to at least get along with him."

He lets out a sigh of defeat and nods.

"I like him, alright? A lot. And it makes me sad when my best friend doesn't like my boyfriend. I care about you both so much and I don't want you to fight anymore, okay?" I finish, letting out a long breath.

"You care about me?" Michael asks me, his face showing no emotion.

I give him a 'duh' face and laugh. "Of course, you dork. You're in my top three."

"That's because you only have three friends," he says with a straight face and breaks out into a wide grin when I laugh and slap him arm. "But I'm honored to be your first."

"I never said you were-"

"Shhh," Michael shushes me and reaches across the table, placing a single finger on my lips. "I know I'm your first, you don't have to defend Lukey."

"Shut up, you're just jealous."

"And if I am?"

"Well.. well then you're a dick."

"Well I do have one."

I giggle and finish up my lunch, gathering up all of the trash. Michael stands up like he always does at the end of lunch, to throw away our trash. Instead of just reaching over and taking it, he walks all the way around the table to my side. I give him a weird look and before I know it, his face is next to mine.

I don't turn my head because that would make this whole thing way more awkward than it already is. I can feel his hot breath on my ear as he leans in slowly. He speaks in a low tone, sending goosebumps all up my arms.

"And it's a pretty big one too."

And with that, he pulls away swiftly and starts walking towards the front of the room. I let out a shaky breath that I didn't know I was holding as I watch him walk. He's walking with such confidence, almost strutting. It's probably because he could see his effect on me.

Why did that affect me so much?

No ones ever gotten that close to me. Actually that's not true, but no ones ever wanted to. I mean I know he likes me; he makes it pretty obvious. But this is still a new feeling for me and I just don't know how to react right now. I reach up my hand and scratch the back of my neck nervously, still watching Michael.

He turns around while walking to the front of the room and gives me his famous smirk.

Damn that smirk.

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A/N~ This chapter is actually shorter than I wanted it to be... but oh well. 

I hope you enjoy it and the next chapter is coming up soon! :)