End Up Here (Michael Clifford a.u.)

Chapter 19

As fun as summer break is, it gets boring when there's absolutely nothing to do. Michael and I just spend our days at each other's houses, sleeping or eating or nothing at all.

As I lay on my couch scrolling through my phone, Michael rummages through the cabinets for food. I groan and throw my arms out dramatically.

"There's nothing to do, and it's too hot outside," I complain.

"And you have nothing to eat," he adds.

"I've dealt with this problem for a week. I know."

Michael walks back into the living room and sits beside me on the couch.

"Let's go swimming," he says excitedly.

"What?"

"Right now. We can go to Calum's house. All of us. And we can go swimming."

"You're crazy."

"Am I? Grab a suit and let's go."

"Michael!" I object. He grabs my hand and pulls me up.

"C'mon!"

He drags me into my room to make me look for a bathing suit. I search through my drawers, wishing I had organized everything earlier.

"Are you sure we're even allowed to go over there?" I ask.

"Actually yes. I asked Calum a while back. Everyone's at his house today. And I suck at surprises."

"Okay then why didn't you say so? Let's go!"

I throw some things in a bag, and we both put on sunscreen so it's dry when we get there. I follow Michael to his car, and he drives to Calum's house, parking behind the familiar cars of our friends. I hear laughter from the backyard, and we walk around the back of the house.

"Hey! It's Makenna and Michael!" Kaitlyn calls, waving at us.

"Hey guys!" Claire says.

"We thought you'd never get here," Calum tells us.

I set my bag down and take my tank top and shorts off, kicking my sandals to the side. Michael takes off his shirt, already in swimming shorts. I laugh and poke his stomach.

"You're so pale," I tease. Michael playfully pushes me.

I laugh and join Kaitlyn and Claire and sit on the edge of the pool, sticking my legs in the water next to Grace who's laying on a float.

Michael playfully dips his toes into the water, stepping back and mumbling.

"It's fucking cold!" he complains.

"Don't be such a baby," Ashton tells him.

Michael yells as he jumps in next to the boys. He comes back up and pushes his fading blue hair out of his face.

All the boys mess with each other, jumping around and being stupid. Eventually they start a game with a beach ball while I talk with the girls.

"So how's life been, Makenna?" Grace asks. "None of us have talked in a while."

"It's great," I reply. "Boring sometimes because we don't hang out everyday though."

"I know. I miss you guys," Kaitlyn says.

"How are you and Michael?" Claire asks.

I glance up at him, watching him laugh and high five Calum as they get a point. I smile and feel myself blush.

"We're perfect," I say quietly, looking down and smiling so hard my face begins to hurt.

"I can tell. He looks at you with such admiration," Kaitlyn says happily. "You two are practically soulmates. It's weird."