Water Tower

Chapter 18

"MICHAEL!" I yell. "No, no, no, no." I repeat. I don't notice, but my feet start going towards the door. I grab the door handle and open the door. The sight in front of me is shocking.

There's Michael, standing there, with a smirk on his face, a bullet hole in the wall.

"What the fuck, Michael?" Luke says, standing next to me.

"I knew that would make you come back." He says, a smile on his face.

"This isn't a fucking joke Michael! I thought you shot yourself." I say, tears rolling down my face.

"No. I just wanted you to come back." He says. "Baby, don't cry." He walks over and wraps his arms around me. No matter how mad I am at Michael, right now, I'm just glad he is breathing.

"You need help Michael. Please, do it for us." I say, looking up at him.

"I honestly don't think I have a problem." He says, pulling away from me.

"Michael, you do have a problem tho." Luke says.

"No I don't. Not like I use to." Michael says, looking at the ground.

"You're coming back to it Michael. I saw the letter Michael. If we don't pay the rent, they're going to kick us out." Luke says.

"I've been paying it." Michael says.

"Are you sure? Or are you taking my half I give you and go get your fix?" Luke asks.

"Shut up, Luke." Michael says, starring at him.

"No Michael. You've took advantage of me. Is that the reason you asked me to move in with you? Just so you can get money for your fucking drugs?" Luke asks, stepping closer towards Michael.

"Step away Hemmings." Michael warns.

"Oh my god." Luke says.

"What?" Michael asks.

"Calum." Luke says.

"What about Calum?" I asked.

"You're working for him, aren't you?" Luke asks.

"I warned you Hemmings, I will not warn you again." Michael threatens.

"What are you talking about Luke?" I ask.

"Calum, he is a drug dealer. He sent you to Nashville for that job, didn't he? You passed it off as a 'vacation' to Amanda." Luke says.

"Michael, is this true?" I asked.

"Amanda." Michael says.

"Answer the goddamn question." I say.

Michael puts his head down. "Yes."

"Fuck you Michael!" I say, walking towards the door.

"Amanda! Amanda!" Michael yells.

"No Michael. I was about to give you chance." I say.

"Please Amanda!" He yells once more. I look at him and see tears in his eyes.

"Goodbye Michael!" I say, closing the door to Luke's car. Luke starts it up and drives me to the diner. I told Judy everything that happened and luckily, Logan was there and overheard the story and told me I can go home. I don't know where to go actually. I don't want to be a bother to Lauren and Kaitlyn, so I call the only person I can think of and hopefully, they're come get me. I pull out my phone and click on the contact. They answer on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jacob. Could you come to the diner?"

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"What has gotten into him?" Jacob asks.

"I'm not for sure. I just can't believe him." I say.

"Can't believe you had feelings for that asshole." He says.

"I wonder the same thing." I say. Soon, my phone rings and Kaitlyn's name pops up.

"Hello?" I say.

"Amanda, where are you?" She asks, panic in her voice.

"At Jacob's. What's wrong?" I ask.

"It's Michael. He is gone." She says.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I ask, standing up.

"He's gone. His car is gone, phone is gone, some of his clothes, and some of Luke's money. Gone." She says.

"Where are you?" I ask.

"We're at Mi- well Luke's now." She says.

"I'm on my way." I say and hang up.

"What's wrong? Is everything alright?" Jacob asks.

"We need to get to Luke's." I say, going for the door.

"Doesn't Michael live there?" He asks, coming behind me anyways.

"Not anymore." I say going to his car. The drive is silent. Where could he have gone? If he does something stupid. We finally make it and everyone is standing outside. I jump out of the car.

"Amanda!" Luke says, a piece of paper in his hands.

"What is that?" I ask. He holds out the piece of paper.

Dear Everyone,

I'm sorry I'm suck a fuck up. I've screwed up all of your lives. You won't have to deal with me anymore. I called up a buddy that lives..... somewhere, he told me I could stay with him. I just don't want to be a fuck up in everyone's lives. I want you all to live your lives like normal. I love you all and I'll miss ya.

Love,

Michael.

I look up at Luke. "Turn it over." Luke says. I do as he says and see there is more written, but with a different name.

Dear Amanda (aka Mandy Candy)

Thought I forgot that nickname. Ha. You're the one I'm going to miss the most. Sorry to the guys that read this part. You've just moved back here and you have been through hell the whole time and it was all my fault. Now I won't be there to screw everything up for you. If you ever lose your job because of me, I'll contact my father, even tho he is a asshat. Wait, how will I know? I won't be there and no information. Shit, I really didn't think that through. Anyways, I'll find a way to help you. I know this is getting lengthy, so I'm just going to tell you, I love you. I love you so fucking much and I was controlled by those stupid drugs to see that all you wanted to do was to help me out. I'm an idiot and I've lost the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will never forget the things we've talked about on the water tower. All the nights we've spent the night up there. Your name and memory will haunt my dreams. I love you Amanda Lane. Don't forget it.

The Person You Use To Love,

Michael the asshat Clifford.

I don't know what to do. I see a tear land on the paper, causing a wet little circle to form at the bottom of the paper. My legs start to feel like jello and everything starts to get blurry.

"Amanda?" I hear Kaitlyn say.

"Amanda? Are you okay?" I hear Luke say.

"He's gone." I say and everything goes black.