BLACK | MICHAEL CLIFFORD

Eight

"So what are you going to do?!". Gina asks, totally flabbergasted by the letter of Michael.

"I don't know". I sigh. "Look, I'd like to go there but I don't think I am able to pay for a flight to Florida and we have to stay in a hotel. It is so fast".

"I can pay for you, it is no problem. I know you want to talk to him and I can spend some time with the boys after a while. It is a good opportunity and I don't care when you pay me back".

"Are you sure? I don't want you to pay for all of it. It is so disgustingly expensive". I shake my head. Is this really worth all the money?

"Honey, it is in four days. You should make up your mind. If I were you I'd take the chance". She places his hand on my arm and looks me straight in the eyes. "I know that all that hate stuff makes you confused and the letter. Michael is a good guy and I know that you believe me. You just need some time and the best thing to get to know him is to go to this concert".

"I don't know if I can get the weekend off, I mean, I have my job and all". I am really not sure about this.

"Clarissa will understand". Wait. How does she know her? I frown at her and she chuckles. "I have more friends than you think". I can't believe it.

"Okay. I will text her right away and wait for her reply. If that is alright we'll go". I give her a smile and start typing in the text.

Quickly after I've send the text message I get a reply from Clarissa. She will find someone else and to my surprise she just lets me go, like she knows this is really important. But why do I find this so important?

"And?". Gina asks and a wide smile grows on my face. "That's a yes! Perfect! I will get the tickets and book a hotel right away, I will call you when it is all settled". She is so excited. She hugs me quickly before running out of the shop we've just been drinking coffee and some tea at.

I stare at my phone for a minute, the urge to call Michael is so big. I want him to know that I am coming his way and that I agree to talk everything out, even though there is nothing really to talk about.

"Why are you here on your own?". Ashley asks when she walks in and sees me sitting here all by myself. I met Ashley at the party where Gina brought me to.

"Gina just left, she had to fix some things for Friday". I give her a small smile.

"Oh, okay. Do you mind if I sit here?". She furrows her eyebrows together and I give a small nod. She places her bag on the ground and sits in the seat that was taken by Gina just a few minutes ago.

"So why are you here alone? If I may ask". I ask her.

"Because I am applying for some jobs and I needed a little break so I thought I'd go to grab some iced coffee to relax for a bit".

"You're just starting to apply for jobs? Isn't it a little late?".

"Oh, yes. But I had no time. I had to study and apply for college. I also had to help my brother organize his wedding, so I was pretty busy. But at least I have time now and there are enough weeks left until we'll start college". She smiles. Does she really think that any of these universities agreed to give me education? She must've been joking.

"So, I think the beach shack is still searching for employers, because Michael left town a few weeks ago". I say to change the subject.

"Really? I'd love to work there. It has a cool vibe". She smiles. "I am glad that Michael is gona because I can't stand seeing my ex-boyfriend everyday". What?! I almost spit out my drink and my eyes widen when she says those words.

"You and Michael were a thing?". I frown at her. This concerns me.

"Yes. For like six months, until he just ditched me when we were going out". She rolls her eyes. "That guy has been nothing but a selfish prick and an asshole. If I could turn back time I'd never date him. I hope nobody falls for his lies again, because he isn't that sweet loving guy, he is this guy who keeps you a secret and only wants to be in your panties". Her rage was heard by everyone in this coffeeshop and the only thing I could do is run off. This is so emberassing and such an eye-opener.

I try to call Gina but she doesn't pick up her phone, so I get on the first bus back to my house and walk to Gina's house.

I knock on the door and Gina's mom immediately opens and lets me in. "She'll be back in five minutes". She assures me and I wait on the green couch in the middle of the livingroom.

As five minutes passed Gina walks in right on time and she looks at me confused when I am seated on her couch.

"Your mom let me in". I laugh and she nods.

"I am so excited, I have booked everything and we're leaving Thursday night so we're there on Friday. The hotel is super cool and beautiful and also quite cheap for such a good one. Also I need to get the tickets from you for the concert because you know how I like to control everything". She laughs. "I can't believe it. We're going to see our babies on stage. Performing the hell out of them". She's almost crying from excitement and pulls me into a hug.

"Yeah, cool". I murmur and slightly sigh so she doesn't notice. How am I going to survive this with the new information?