The Things I Can't Take Back [Michael Afton x F! Reader]

Chapter 15 ~ The Fourth of July

Days continued to go by in a flash, and before you knew it, July had arrived. It felt like this summer was just flying by, and you couldn't believe it was already almost halfway over.

You felt like it was just yesterday that you were starting your new job at the diner, and that Michael had taken you on your very first date. You had only been together for a short amount of time, but you felt like your bond had grown so strong. Not only had you grown closer with him, but his family as well.

Dinners at the Afton household became a regular routine, mostly due to the fact that Evan and Elizabeth were always begging for Michael to bring you over. His mother was also always pleased to have you in their home, and she enjoyed watching you spend time with her children. She had told you one time that she "really feels like you're bringing the family together again," though you always brushed off her compliments with an embarrassed laugh and shy smile.

     But even though you tried to deny it, she was speaking the truth. The Afton family hadn't been this happy in a long while. You hated to say that you "tamed" Michael, but in a way, you had. The teen had slowly started to stop causing trouble around the town, and he had even started to be a little nicer to his younger siblings.

     Meanwhile, the two younger children absolutely adored you.

     Elizabeth was overjoyed to finally have a girl friend here that she could bond with over her interests; dolls, clothes and jewelry, princesses, and all things pink and cutesy. The little girl still considered Charlie her best friend, but the two of them didn't seem to have much in common. Charlie was such a tomboy compared to her, and she never wanted to play dress up or have tea parties with her, like you did. In a way, she somewhat thought of you as a big sister.

     Evan, on the other hand, seemed to think of you more like a protector. He couldn't believe it, but Michael really had started to change because of you. You may have had to yell at his older brother quite a bit, but slowly and surely, the teen began to cut back on his bullying. Michael would still tease the living crap out of him, but Evan no longer lived in fear of his brother jumping out to attack him at any moment. And more importantly, you were the first true friend that the little boy had ever had.

     A few more days after your first dinner date with the Aftons, William had finally started to return to work. Now, he was spending more time than ever at the diner; he claimed it was to make up all of the lost time since he had been gone. He also wanted to make it up to Henry for having him cover so many of his shifts. Whatever the reason, it made you feel relieved; you could come visit the rest of the family without having to deal with William's awkward and creepy behavior.

     It seemed as if yourself and a majority of the Afton family had started to forget about all of the bad things going on in the town. Things were starting to go back to normal. None of you had realized at the time, but this blissful period wasn't going to last much longer.

     "I don't understand," Michael muttered as he shook his head, sitting beside you on a park bench as you both ate your steadily melting ice cream cones, "you Americans actually have an entire holiday dedicated to... separating from Britain?"

     "It's Independence Day," you replied, licking your own ice cream before it had the chance to drip onto your clothes, "they never taught you about the Declaration of Independence? What about the Founding Fathers?"

     "No," the boy scoffed, his eyes shifting over to watch his younger siblings play on the jungle gym, "why would we need to learn about stupid American holidays?"

     "Hm... I guess it's 'cause you're embarrassed," you teased, giggling softly as your boyfriend shot you a glare.

     "There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he retorted, "actually, you should be the one who's embarrassed."