QUEEN OF SUBURBIA -5sos au- WORK IN PROGRESS -

CHAPTER NINE : a change of heart and a new otp

To say everyone was shocked when Michael came out was an understatement. It was a total curve ball. Although it was a huge surprise, everyone was accepting of it, of course. They were all friends, and would never abandon each other because of who they loved. Although he came out to his friends, no one else in the school knew he was gay, and he wanted it to stay that way. Michael might have been a very, very obnoxious person, but he didn't want his private life to be exposed.

In this school, though, your private life wasn't even a private life. Everyone knew everything about everyone.

The click-clack of the small heels Phoenix was wearing were loud amongst the hallway of students. Which was strange, because the hallways were usually filled with the loud sound of gossip. Right now, they were silent. Everyone's attention was turned towards a locker. Michaels locker. Phoenix noticed this, and pushed past the crowd of people to find his locker vandalized. The word: FAG was spray painted in hot pink letters across his locker. Phoenix found herself speechless, until she made eye contact with Michael, who was tearing up. Now, she felt enraged.
"Who did this?" Phoenix shouted. The crowd that surrounded them was silent, except for a small giggle, which belonged to one of her "minions." Phoenix stated at the girl, "You think this is fucking funny?"
The girl looked at Phoenix, and smirked. "Of course I do, why wouldn't I admire my own work?"
The group of students around the laughed. "You are the reason this school sucks! You're a close minded asshole! How dare you use such a derogatory term! Why would you degrade a person because of their sexual orientation? Who he loves is none of your fucking business! And you know what? At the end of the day he's getting more dick than you do!" Phoenix then grabbed Michael's arm and led him to her car. Michael looked at her shocked, "What you just did was amazing! Thank you so much!" Phoenix smiled, "It's no big deal. So where do you want to go?"
Michael looked at her confused,

"What are you talking about?"

"We're skipping school, Clifford."

"Are you sure we should?"

"Um, yes. I can't believe I thought you were punk rock!"

"I am punk rock"

Michael wasn't ashamed that he was gay, it was who he is,but being outed by a "minion" of Phoenix wasn't exactly how he expected it to happen. Although he was happy it was over with and felt free. He was surprised with Phoenix's sudden urge to stand up for him. Michael honestly thought that Phoenix hated him. After all they're from two completely different worlds.

All Phoenix wanted to do was help him forget, and cheer him up. What's more cheerful than an over advertised frozen yogurt shop? It was just what Michael needed to get things off of his mind.

They arrived at the the yogurt shop. As they walked in the delicious aroma of toppings, and cold yogurt floated in the air. Phoenix was surprised by the very well designed room, she honestly wasn't expecting much. Her usual hang out spot was the mall, but she didn't want to take Michael to such a crowed place considering the humiliation he had recently suffered.

"Really, Phoenix, this place?" Micheal sighed. "What's wrong with it?" Phoenix asked defensively.
"Uh, well I work here." Phoenix looked at him and laughed, of course she would take him to his work place while trying to cheer him up. "We can stay here though, my shift starts at 4:00." Michael said.
He didn't know how long Phoenix's new found attitude towards him would last, and he wanted to savor it while he could."Okay sounds good. I just have to get home before 5:00 so Charlotte doesn't try anything with Calum." Phoenix said, disgusted with the fact that there was a possibility that Calum and her sister could be doing something. Michael chuckled at Phoenix.
"Hey, I know Cal, he's like my best friend, and I've never seen him this happy", Michael assured Phoenix, "I know that he would never hurt her."
Phoenix looked at Michael, and knew he was telling the truth.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Charlottes been different too. Happier. She's been acting a lot more mature, she's growing up. I know that sounds cheesy, but our parents aren't really present in our lives, so I feel like more of a parent to her than a sister." Michael nodded, understandingly. "It's fine, I know what you mean. It's crazy how two people meet, and then their lives change. At least with Cal and Char it isn't a bad change." Phoenix nodded vigorously, "True that!" She said laughing, holding up her cup of yogurt. Michael raised his eyebrows, "What the hell are you doing?" He asked laughing at how ridiculous she looked. "Cheers, duh! Cheers to us, to Cal and Char, and to a change of heart!" Michael raised his yogurt to meet hers.

"That change of heart in you was definitely needed!"

"Oh shush!"

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As soon as Charlotte heard that she needed a ride home, she asked Calum, and of course he said yes!
So after school Charlotte practically ran to his car with her friend Andie.
Andie giggled, "Oh my god! Do you think he'll finally ask you out?" Charlotte blushed at the thought, "Oh shut up! He'll ask me out when he thinks it's time!" Andie shook her head, and then pointed to their right. Charlotte gasped. Calum's car was surrounded by heart shaped balloons. In front of the car was Calum. He had a poster in one hand, and a bouquet of roses in the other. Charlotte smiled widely as she read the poster. It said:
"I PICK you to go to homecoming with me! I promise it'll be the BASSt night ever!" Calum grinned at the look of joy on her face.
"So, how about homecoming?" Charlotte jumped into his arms and yelled, "Of course I'll go with you, are you crazy?" Calum dropped the sign and flowers as they embraced each other. Charlottes friend Andie couldn't handle it. She couldn't even. "You guys! My heart can't handle this. Y'all are like my #OTP for life! I'm having heart palpitations! Oh my god you guys!"

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