Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Five

"Oh! Hey, thanks, Michael!" I say, stepping forward into Michael, still trying to pull my sweater down.

Michael stumbles backwards, catching himself.

"I, I just need to talk to Michael real quick and then we'll go." I say , looking over my shoulders, smiling.

Nate and Jax are looking confused, suspicious, and Laney, bitch, is grinning at me.

Michael is pushed out the door by me, and I quickly pull the door shut behind me.

"Thank you. I didn't even realize I'd dropped it." I say, smiling.

Michael's wearing a dark blue coat and his blue beanie he had on in class.

"Um, sure. No big deal." He starts to walk away.

"Sorry about that back there." I laugh, nervously.

Why am I nervous? Jesus, I think I'm sweating.

"What?" He says, turning back towards me.

"Oh, um, Nate...he's Laney's boyfriend. There's a guy whose been flirting with her, his name's Michael too, and..."

"I really don't care. I just brought this back because we have a test tomorrow, otherwise I probably would've just tossed it." He turns and starts down the hallway.

Um, ok. Asshole.

I turn back around and walk into the room. Everyone's just looking at me.

"Sorry. Yeah, so that was Michael...obviously. He's an ass, but at least I won't bomb my test in Civ!" I say, faking happy, but feeling like I could rip Michaels' head off his body.

I slip my boots on and grab my jacket.

"So are we gonna go or what?" I say, slightly crazed.

"Yeah, but can I finish putting my clothes on, Star?!" Laney says, giving me a look.

"So he's the one trying to get with you?" Nate says, looking at Laney.

Oh my God! One lie, and everything's just blowing up!

"What?" Laney says, looking confused.

"Ok, no. Let me explain. Laney, get your clothes changed so we can go." I say grabbing my hairbrush. "Michael is in MY class, he's not after Laney, I was just joking about that. He's...gay! Yeah, so he's gay and just um...bringing me my notebook."

GAY?! This is what you go with?!

Laney is pulling her jeans on, looking at me like I've lost my mind.

Because I have, obviously.

"Who the fuck cares! Michael is gay, you have your Civ notebook, let's get the fuck to The Basement and see Shooter!" Jax says grabbing me around the waist.

"He doesn't LOOK gay, Star." Laney says, shoving her feet into her boots.

I just continue brushing my hair, mentally telling her to shut it, as she grins at me.

He definitely doesn't. He REALLY smelled good though.

Jax. Jax is your boyfriend. Jax. Jax. Jax. Michael is a gay asshole.

Not gay.

But he is an asshole.