Lips Of An Angel (Muke/Cashton)

Ch. 8 - If You Can't Hang

Michael & Luke were sitting on top of a table at the park near the school. Michael was getting high; Luke was lost in thought.

Not long after they had arrived, Luke had noticed the slowly fading cuts all up his arms, causing him to remember the drunken phone call to Michael on Saturday night.

He'd gotten Ashton to buy him a few drinks, which he later regretted, only because he ended up calling Michael, who broke his heart again, causing him to break down and self-harm again.

Much to Luke's surprise, he hasn't touched his razor since that night- even though it was only a couple of nights ago- and his arms were starting to heal again.

He can't help but wonder how many people have ever noticed the cuts in his arms. How many people cared or wanted to help? How many were secretly glad he was suffering? How many people just didn't care at all?

"I'm dating Calum" Michael sighs, exhaling smoke and watching it blow away with the wind. Luke snaps back to reality, suddenly aware that he had been staring at his scares.

"I'm dating Ashton" he says nonchalantly, turning his arms over to hide the scares on them.

"I don't know why I said that" Michael mumbles.

"That makes two of us" Luke says, glancing sideways at Michael.

At the sight of a police officer nearby, Michael quickly disposes of the joint he was smoking by putting it out and flicking it onto the grass. "If she asks why we aren't at school, do you think she will believe us if we say we had a spare?" Michael asks nervously, trying not to make it obvious that he was staring at the police woman.

"No idea" Luke shrugs his shoulders, "As long as she doesn't realise that you're high".

"M'kay" Michael mumbles, trying to relax, "Did you mention something about having a date with Ashton earlier?".

"I did, I said that he's taking me to get ice cream" Luke sighs, "It's not much, but I'm kind of glad, I don't really want him wasting money on me".

"Then there's me, taking Calum to the movies after school" Michael scoffs.

"Calum seems to really like you" Luke says in disappointment, "I mean, Ashton really likes Calum, so he won't be phased by me dumping him... But Calum seems to like you more than Ashton".

"I don't know about that" Michael shrugs his shoulders, "I think Calum would fuck all three of us if you gave him the chance".

Luke starts laughing, causing Michael to start laughing as well. The two boys stop laughing when the police woman suddenly approaches them.

"Excuse me, shouldn't you two be in school?" She asks politely as she reaches the table, glancing at the school logo on the boys shirts.

"No, we had a spare" Luke replies casually, checking his phone before jumping off the table, "But we should probably get back before our next class starts".

"Mmm" Michael hums in agreement, biting his tongue to stop himself from laughing as he too jumps off the table.

"Okay, good" the officer smiles as she starts to walk off, "Have a good day".

"You, too" both boys say together before starting to walk back towards the school.

Once they are well away from the police woman, Michael starts giggling uncontrollably. "That was a close one" Luke rolls his eyes, trying not to smile.

"Meh" Michael laughs, "Do you have any money on you?".

"Uhh, about $20" Luke replies, "Why?".

"Well I was hoping you would buy me something to eat on our way back to school" Michael grins at Luke, "The money I have on me is for the movie later".