Toxic // m.c.

chapter sixteen.

MICHAEL'S P.O.V

I quickly composed myself, putting on a façade that I didn’t care what she did, and followed the pair into the restaurant. When I reached our table, no one even seemed to notice I arrived. They were all too preoccupied. Kaya was too busy glaring, and gripping the side of the table, watching my girl and Ashton laugh at some dumb joke he probably old her. I watch as her face lights up, with a wide smile at the words Ashton's telling her. I listen to the sound of her laughter, warming my insides until I remind myself, that once again, I am not the guy making her laugh.

Why am I fighting her so bad? But then again, why wouldn't I? I don't know what the fuck I want. I want to be with her again, I want to be the reason for her smiling, I want to be the person she runs to when she's upset. But at the same time, I want to stay as unemotionally attached to her as possible. I don't want to hurt her again, and I know that's what I'll end up doing... That's what I always do. Also, I don't want to deal with the pain I'll be feeling as well when something fucks it all up. If I even got another chance one day.

So what do I do? Do i fight for her, or do I fight against her?

I felt a sharp kick at my foot under the table, "Ahh, what the hell man?" I whined to whoever kicked me, reaching my arm down to rub my sore leg.

"The waiter has been waiting for your order for about five minutes now, Michael" Kaya told me, and I could just hear the exasperation in her voice.

My face immediately heated up with a bit of embarrassment, I didn't think I was zoned out that long..

I awkwardly cleared my throat. "I'll have a hamburger, extra pickles. Mac and Cheese for the side, extra cheesy please... oh and some fries. With ketchup, don't forget the ketchup!" I finished my long order, looking up from my menu at Ashton and Kaya who were looking at me with wide eyes at how much I just ordered. But Sophie just had a small knowing smile on her face that warmed my heart. At least she hasn't forgotten the little thing's either.

 "Allllright" the waiter exaggerated, who's name tag read 'Mackenzie', "What about drinks?"

"I'll have a Coke." Kaya told Mackenzie.

"Coke for me too." I told her.

"I'll have-" Sophia started, and I knew she was going to say Coke as well, she always does.

"We'll both have waters. Thank you." Ashton told the waitress, cutting Sophia off with a smile. Sophia rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. She folded up her menu as the rest of us were doing, and handed it to the waitress with a smile.

"Your meal should be out in about twenty minutes!" Mackenzie, our waitress told us and headed off into the kitchen.

One thing I do know for sure about Sophia, is she hates to be ordered for. Whenever we would go out on dates, she would order what she wanted. Even though I knew what she would want, she still wanted to do it. She's a people person; she likes talking to our servers and ordering for herself. Also, she's very independent. She like's doing things on her own, and that's something that I love so much about her. 

 I wonder if Ashton ordered her food for her too, while I was out of it? But he has no idea what she likes..

"Sophia, what did you order?" I ask her.

Her head shoots up, shocked that I talked to her.

"Uhhh.. I'm not sure what it was called. Ask Ashton." She told me, murmuring the last part. Did I not call that? I'm pretty sure I did.

"You know Ashton, Sophie doesn't like being ordered for." I told him, anger and impatience dripping from my tone. I'm trying to stay calm, so call me over dramatic if you will, but he fucking pisses me off.

"You know Michael, I didn't ask for your opinion." Ashton shot back, and I could see he was gripping his silverware as well.

"You guys, its fine..." Sophia told us, trying to make some sort of peace. Nice try, Soph.

"No, it's actually not." I spoke through gritted teeth. Everything about Ashton makes me so angry, so if he's going to take the best girl in the world out on a date, he better fucking do it right.

"Chill dude. She said it was fine!" Ashton exclaimed, snickering a little.

"You think this is funny? Do I fucking look like a comedian? She doesn't like do be ordered for! Did you know she's vegetarian? What if you got her something that has meat in it!" I yelled. 

"Michael calm down, he know's that." Soph pleaded.

Ashton turned to Sophia, anger written clearly on his face. "Is it really that big of a fucking deal that I order for you?!"

"DON'T FUCKING CURSE AT HER!" I yelled, standing up from my seat.

Kaya grabbed my arm, shoving me back down into my seat. 

"Please, control your god damn boyfriend.." Ashton murmured at Kaya, playing with his fingers in his lap, refusing to meet me in the eyes anymore like the coward he is.

Then table was quiet. Like dead quiet. I didn't even know what to say, I was too angry and Ashton's just too scared to continue anything.

After about ten more minutes of awkward silence, someone broke it. "Ooookay, here's your orders. If you guys need anything else, just come find me." Our waiter told us with a smile, and walked away once again.

Everyone started digging into their food as soon as it sat in front of them, trying to fill the awkward silence with something. Except, Sophia.

"I'm actually not all that hungry anymore. I think I'm gonna wait in the car... Put this in a box for me, yeah?" She said, and made her way away from the table in such a hurry. She sounded exhausted, and I felt bad again. We couldn't even manage to get drinks without causing a scene. 

I starred at Ashton, waiting to see if he even got up to go after her. His eyes looked like he was contemplating, but he just continued eating his food.

I rolled my eyes at him, what a fucking prick. I stood up from the table, making my way to the exit door to follow Sophia.

As I was exiting the restaurant, I asked myself once again; am I going to fight for her, or fight against her?

And in that moment, I knew my answer. 

A/N: Sorry it took forever to update, I've had writers block like craaaaaaaaaaaaazy