Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Twenty

Marcus drives us to their place, his and Scutter's. I don't know where Toby lives. The house is big. An old victorian with a porch and on the right, a steeple looking round part upstairs, that if this were my house, I'd totally have as my room. It used to be one house, one of many sororities at OSU, but now it's divided into two apartments. Scutter and Marcus live upstairs, and there's an apartment downstairs. We get out of his truck and go inside. There's a long flight of stairs going straight up to a purple door.

Marcus opens the door and we walk into a large living room with three leather couches and two leather chairs. There's a kitchen to the left, that's open so that when you're in it you can see everything going on in the living room. There's a hallway in the back that must lead to bedrooms, and on the right side of the living room is the bands equipment. Amps, speakers, Marcus's drums, and several guitars. There's another small staircase that must lead up to the tower part of the house.

Toby's sitting on one of the couches with a cute blonde girl, I'm guessing is Becca. I'm assuming this because they're holding hands and look like they're deep in conversation. She's talking and laughing and Toby is...yeah that's his girlfriend. You can see it on his face. He's completely into her.

Aw, that's sweet! I really like Toby. He's not as hard ass as Scutter and Marcus, more sweet and totally funny.

"Star, go ahead and check the place out, it's pretty sweet, just don't touch the bands stuff." Marcus says, walking past me. He's got Laney over his shoulder and she's laughing. "Scutter and Synna are around somewhere, her car was out front. I'm sure I can guess where." They walk into the kitchen leaving me with Toby.

So....

"Hey Star! This is Becca. You want something to drink, just help yourself. Fridge is stocked. Consider our place your second home. Now that Laney's with Marcus, you'll probably be here all the time." Toby smiles.

I sit down on the couch opposite of Toby and Becca. The couch sucks you in, like a cloud. If I had this couch, I would never leave it.

"Hi, Star. Are you and Mikey together? Toby mentioned you guys were into each other." Becca says.

What?

"Um, no. I don't really even know Michael. We have a class together, and I've seen him at the library. That's where I work." I say.

"Oh...but, Toby I thought you said Mikey was into her?"

"She's into him. I don't think he knows, course the night is young!" Toby grins.

"I have a boyfriend, actually. Jax." I say, awkwardly. I feel like I'm constantly having to tell people this.

"Oh, yeah? Where's Jax tonight, Star? Hmmm?" Synna says, laughing.

"She wants Mikey's junk! She can't get on that if Jax is here!" Scutter says, laughing. "Listen, I'm friends with Jax, so all I gotta say, if you bounce to Mikey, drop Jax first." Scutter says, grinning.

Synna, followed by Scutter. Great, now everyone can get in on this fun talk. Scutter's wearing a blue flannel, nothing underneath, unbuttoned. Looks like Marcus was right about what these two were up to. Synna's hair is, just had sex hair, no doubt.

"Star, ignore them. Their mouths run all the time and most of it is complete bullshit. They like to give new people a hard time." Toby says, smiling.

"I bet Mikey could give Star a hard time, a REALLY hard time!" Synna is cackling.

"Shut up Synna. We all like Jax, if you're happy with him, we're happy for you." Toby says, taking a drink of his beer.

"Well....I like Jax, but my brother's awesome, so if you want to know anything about him, just ask." Becca says, scooting up into Toby's lap.

"Is Michael here? I'd really love it if we didn't continue this super awkward, embarrassing conversation, but especially if he's gonna hear it." I have a fun smile on my face, because I'm just cool like that, but inside I'm screaming at everyone TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Laney comes back and sits down beside me, handing me a beer. I swear I could murder her and Synna both for blabbing about this. They made it into this massive big deal, and it's just not! I crush on Wade, no one's been on my ass about that.

Jax.

Well, yes. Jax is jealous of Wade, but that's because I spend a lot if time with him. We're friends. Michael and I barely know each other.

"Leave her alone. She's with Jax, and if and when that changes, is up to her." Laney says, clinking her bottle on mine. "Drink up, girl. Let's have fun tonight. Did you see the pool table over there? I'll take it easy on ya." She looks back towards the kitchen for Marcus.

Marcus is leaning on the counter, rediculously hot looking, and winks at her. She smiles back, blushing. I can't even believe how close they are. It's literally been three days.

"No, Mikey's at the library, but he should...." Becca starts to say just as the purple door opens.

"Hey, Mikey! We were just talking about you, weren't we, Star?!" Scutter says, grinning.

Every. Single. One. Of. Them. I can picture the murder in my mind.

"Hey Star, you were talking about me?" Michael drops his book bag on the floor by the couch and plops down.

Right. Next. To. Me.

I'm going to pass out.