Written Words Left Unsaid (Michael Cliffofd Fanfic)

Chapter 16

There was another knock on the door, I looked at the mess surrounding me. I had my hands in a bowl of ice, Michael was useless because of these accusations and Karen was freaking out because nothing was going right. How had this all just happened? Honestly I had no idea, but Karen finally had the strength to go and answer the door. She walked to it, put her hand on the door knob, took a deep breath and opened it.

'Rachael! Come in,' Karen chimed. My mum walked in and took one look at me, then gasped.

'What on earth did you do?' She asked me. I looked at her, and saw how much pain I was causing her by leaving, but still didn't feel guilty about it. I looked down and mumbled my answer.

'I burned my hands making dinner.'

'Oh, darling,' my mum said coming over to me. I let her hug me, but saw Michaels face drop when I did, another stab in the chest. I leaned my head on her shoulder, holding back tears.

'Thanks,' I mumbled into her. She tightly wrapped her hands around my shoulders and held me. I sighed and let her hold me, it was the first time in a long time it had happened. I was going to let her have this moment.

'Is there anything I can do?' She asked pulling away and looking me up and down.

'If you could cut the meat that would be good,' I said. My mum turned around and busied herself with that, oblivious to the fact that everyone here felt uncomfortable.

My mum had cut and plated the meat and veggies, and I had my hands out of the bowl. We sat around the table and awkwardly ate our food. I couldn't use my knife and fork, because my burns were mainly on my fingers, and neither could Michael, so we were treated like little kids and had our mothers feeding us. It was seriously awkward.

'So, are you excited that you get to go home?' My mum asked Michael, feeding me in the process. I looked at him and saw him look down at his food. Another stab in the chest as I saw his face try and stay strong.

'Yeah, I guess,' he mumbled, having a drink from his coke. My mum nodded and then the conversation died. We sat in silence again and continued eating. Once everyone had finished, our mums cleared the table and started on the dishes. Michael and I sat at the table, not talking, and not making eye contact.

'Can we talk?' I asked, getting up and walking outside. Michael followed me out and we stood in the back yard.

'Please, you have to believe me,' Michael pleaded. He looked at me finally, and I looked at him, he was dying inside.

'I really want to,' I croaked out.

'Then why can't you?' Michael asked, also on the verge of tears.

'Because I don't know what's going on,' I said, feeling the first tears coming to my eyes.

'Clair is making it up, I know it. She's done this before, I swear it wasn't me!' Michael said, tears finally spilling from his eyes.

'I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I've made your life that little bit harder, but I just don't know anymore,' I said. The tears were streaking my cheeks now, and I couldn't hold myself up. I knelt down on the ground and then sat there crying. Michael sat down in front of me, his right hand reaching for my shoulder.

'You haven't made my life harder, Hayley. You've made it better, trust me. I know that's a stupid thing to say right now, but you have to trust me, please?,' Michael said. His voice cracked as he spoke and I looked into his eyes again. I lifted my hand and lightly pressed the back of it against his cheek.

'I t-trust you,' I managed. I saw a sad smile creep onto his face, and felt one on mine too. We moved a little closer together and Michael leaned his back up against the pool fence. I leaned my head on his shoulder, and did my best trying to hold his hand. Michael gently lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my burns softly.