Michael Afton x Reader

4 - Lies

      Grey, bland, and numb

My life felt in complete. After we moved, mom found out about the death of Evan in the newspaper, I wasn't aloud to go see Michael anymore. We had moved an hour away from the town I grew up in.

An hour away from Michael, and hour away from all my friends, an hour away from my life.

Nothing would ever replace the relationship I had with that town, I loved that run down town. It's probably the only place in Utah that is enjoyable.

I would never be able to replace my relationship with Michael.

We've been living here since then, I graduated two years ago. I've been working from home and babysitting Milo for my mom. Milo was in seventh grade, and he wasn't doing good at all.

That happy go lucky little boy I've least known completely changed that day. He was so depressed, dull, blunt, and quiet.

As for Michael, I would still write letters to him. I would send one every week. Hoping that I would still get any sort of information about him being alright. I just needed to hear him, well see him write back about being okay. We had recently gotten a house phone, I gave my number in one of the letters but I haven't received a call from him.

It's almost like he's avoiding me. What was there to avoid? Was he avoiding the confrontation? Or friendship? His trauma? The damage he caused for Milo and I? Our friendship?

Him and I?

I hope Michael writes back eventually. It's been two years since I've heard from my troubled friend. Though, throwing that thought out of my mind I had gotten out of my bed.

I always wake Milo up for school because Eli wasn't always on top of doing so. Opening his door I gently whispered while walking up to him in bed. "Milo, hey time to wake up buddy." I nudged him and saw his alarm clock.

6:15 am. I hate that he had to wake up so early.

"Mmm" my brother only whined and flipped over. "Come on Milo..please wake up." I noticed he wasn't even awake. He was still asleep. He was practically kicking and turning, followed with some whines back and forth.

He was having a nightmare.

I needed to wake him up but apart of me didn't want to. I wanted to see how he handled it.

I was scared shitless when he shot up with a scream. Milo was crying in his sleep and looked horrified.

Immediately grabbing him and pulling him into a tight embrace I held him while stroking his back. He tightly grabbed onto me, hyperventilating.

I know exactly what he was having nightmares about. Because I've been having them too.

Evan.

Shaking while trying to push me away, he let out a shaky sigh. "Y/N. You don't need to be worried about me all the time..I-I'm fine." I shook my head, sitting down and holding his hand.

He didn't deserve this at all. He was broken. I was broken. How were we ever going to heal?

"I think you should stay home today..How does that sound? You and I can have a nice day together!" I suggested trying to take his mind off of the ever repeating event that hasn't left his brain.

He nodded. "Okay..but I would like to relax more.." I nodded and pat his head. "Alright buddy I'll be in the living room." I turned his nightlight back on and walked out into my cold living room.

Why was the house so cold? Stopping at the thermostat I turned up the heat about three degrees. I was gonna have a talk with whoever made the house so cold.

My mom was brewing coffee and was already preparing breakfast. "You're up a bit earlier that usual." I spoke while stealing a bite of her cinnamon roll. "Hey hands off! Wait until everyone comes out here." I chuckled a bit and washed my hands, preparing to help her out.

"Milo isn't going to school today." "Another nightmare?" She asked me. I hummed in assurance. "Yeah he's not doing good mom." Cracking the eggs into the pan I frowned. "I don't know what to do. His therapist does so much work, I think there needs to be a bit of a change." My mother said while setting up plates.

"Yeah." Maybe he just doesn't want to move on? I wish I knew how to help. I have my own problems I need to take care of but I'll always be here for my brother. Sitting down my mom spoke once more "I'm going to have a talk with her today."

"Good idea mom." Putting everyone's food on their plates and setting them on the table, I made my mission to receive my two brothers for breakfast.

—

(Flashback to senior year, when Y/N moved)

"Have you spoken to Michael lately?" I asked while leaning on the corner of my bed. "I saw him at school for a week and then he disappeared." Stella spoke on the other line of the phone.

"Disappeared? You're telling me he's just gone?" What is she talking about? "No one knows Y/N. He's just been off and on at school." "Have you checked on him?" I was pretty concerned. "..No.."

"Why not?! Stella that's our friend!" She let out a frustrated sigh. "Have you not heard anything? Mr and Mrs. Afton and their daughter went missing.."

"...I-I..what?.." I had zero words. How did they all go missing? "Yeah.. it's real tragic. The house looks the same but like there hasn't been any activity in it." Stella spoke like she had no emotion.

"Stella..I got to go...I can't wrap my head around this.." "Alright Y/N give me a call when you're feeling better okay?" I wiped my tears silently. "Okay, bye Stella."

-
(Present day, a week later from Milo's nightmare)

The whole family was having a movie night together. Milo snuggled into his blanket on the couch, Eli was on the other end. Mom sat in the rocking chair.

"Hey mom! Stella wanted to know if I could come over for the weekend?" My mom pulled her glued eyes from the screen to my figure standing next to the couch. "Though if you need me here I can stay."

She nodded. "Yeah that's fine I'm not doing anything this weekend. You're going to be okay on that drive right?" She was a bit concerned about the time of the drive. But I've driven large amounts before.

"Yeah mom, I'm twenty years old I got this." She chuckled and smiled. "Alright hun I hope you have fun."

-

The sun was setting. My packed bags were in the back seat and I was focused on the road with the radio playing some popular 80's glam metal .

I feel horrible

I'm gonna puke

Why did I do this?

Oh my god I need to pull over

Waiting for an open space I pulled into the shoulder on the highway, turned on my hazard lights and got out of the car to the opposite side where the traffic was.

My head was spinning. Why am I going back?

I lied to my mother. I wasn't going to Stella's at all. I actually haven't spoken to her in almost a month. I sat down against my front right tire and took some deep breaths.

I'm going back to see Michael...

I need to know if he's okay

A/N
Sorry this chapter was shorter than usual I wanted to get something out for you guys! Thanks for reading💕