Silent

2. Can you accept it?

Michael hadn't been able to stay. When he had gotten back inside, he hadn't seen his friend and couldn't be sure if he had stayed at the party or not. At that moment he didn't care though. Michael had simply wanted to hurry home, be in his own bed, hide under the blanket, and, preferably, sleep for the whole week, if possible, even avoid going to school on Monday.

Jenny had tried to stop him from leaving, asking with confusion why he was in such a rush, but Michael hadn't been able to explain. He could hardly find his voice. He was painfully aware that nothing could ever return to normal after that night.

Dreams that night only stayed as far away as they wished, though. The air seemed suffocating and hot. His body sweated all over and the sheets wrapped around his damp skin. Horrible pictures were running through his mind at a relentless pace: how Tommy would hate him, how he would laugh and tell everyone. What if the whole school found out? Michael tossed restlessly, cursed his own stupidity, and at the same time cursed Tommy and his silly prejudices!

That kiss had been real, and it was an enormous lie that Tommy didn't enjoy it!

By morning Michael was completely exhausted, more tired than when he had gotten to bed. He rubbed his face and tried to convince himself that somehow everything would turn out okay. Monday was threateningly close though, if he would just... fall ill? No! He couldn't be that big of a coward.

His muscles were aching, his head pounding, his neck felt stiff, he had to force himself to get up.'I'll make it through this, somehow,′ he whispered in his mind as he walked in front of his mirror. His hair was sticking out all over, which almost made him growl at his image, and groom them compulsively. When he finally managed to get them somewhat settled, Michael got dressed and stepped downstairs; perhaps if he could make himself eat something, sleep could come better?

His mother pottered around in the kitchen in her usual manner, humming happily to herself. His dad sat in front of the table and read the Sunday Paper while sipping tea. He brought his gaze up and smiled at the sight of his son.

"Rough party, eh?" He chuckled, winking at him and Michael sighed tiredly.

"Something like that," he shrugged disparagingly and took the sports pages from the newspaper that his father offered him.

"Good morning love," his mother smiled as she turned and poured him a cup of tea without asking if he wanted one. "Did you have fun last night?

Michael shrugged again, looking at the report of Saturday's football game with a concentrated expression, although, in reality, he just read the first sentence over and over without going further. "It was okay," he found himself lying. It was certainly easier than admitting the truth, there, now.

"Was Jenny there?" she continued asking and served him toast with his tea.

"Yeah," Michael replied shortly, bringing the teacup to his lips.

"She's such a nice girl. Isn't she, Henry?"

"What? Yes, definitely very nice. When are you bringing her back to visit?" His father momentarily brought his gaze up from the paper.

Michael sighed with irritation and glared at his parents.

"We broke up in Spring, don't you remember?" He practically snarled.

"Sure, we simply thought, well Jenny's mother said that you're spending time together again?"

Michael looked at his mother resentfully; did parents always have to gossip with each other?

"We're just friends, that's all," he responded quietly.

"I think you have a new girl in sight", Henry chuckled, glancing at his wife.