Freedom

4. Late Night Getaway

Courtney's POV

We got home not long after one in the morning. We were walking up the stairs to my apartment as quickly as our slightly drunken bodies would allow. Sam was crying softly on Ashton's shoulder from the traumatic events from earlier. Michael was walking closely behind me as I led the way up to the fifth floor. There wasn't an elevator so of course we were using the stairs.

My head was pounding still from the loud music and alcohol and I knew in the morning we'd all have killer hangovers. I turned the key and let everyone into the spacious apartment. Ashton took Sam immediately to her room so they could talk and smooth things over. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. I stood in front of the refrigerator for a few minutes debating on whether I should eat something when Michael cleared his throat behind me. I had almost forgotten he was there honestly.

"Can you hand me some Advil? That music was so loud, my head's killing me," he said. I opened the cabinet to my left where we kept our medicines and took out the painkiller. I handed him some water along with the pills and took a couple for myself as well.

"Bottoms up," I said trying to lighten the awkward mood. He laughed lightly and swallowed the pills. I did the same and took a long sip of water. I was so tired but I didn't want to sleep!

I left Michael in the kitchen and walked down the hall and took a few blankets from the hall closet. I went to my room and grabbed a pillow off my bed and tossed them gently onto the couch.

"You can sleep here if you want. The TV is also available if you can't sleep, so I guess I'll see you in the morning. Thanks for watching out for me," I said awkwardly. I really felt alive tonight, instead of just an obsessive college student. I felt like all those movies had described, free.

"I didn't want you to get hurt," Michael whispered and made his way over to me. He took me into a tight hug and buried his head in my hair. I was taken aback by his gesture but I quickly returned it. I felt something else in that moment, something more than just freedom. I felt like there were a million butterflies fluttering around in my stomach, like there were fireflies buzzing around eagerly in my head.

He pulled away and looked into my eyes, as though he was trying to memorize their structure. His eyes flickered to my lips for a moment and then he kissed me, like actually kissed me. It wasn't just a quick peck, no. It was a deep kiss that I never wanted to end. One of his hands cupped the side of my face and the other was on the middle of my back, pulling me closer to him. Mine were draped over his shoulders and pulling his face to meet mine, since there was a major height difference. He pulled away first and I was a bit disappointed.

"I'm so sorry! I just told you I didn't want you to get hurt and now I'm standing here kissing you! Oh god I'm such an idiot, now you won't ever like m-" I cut him off by placing a small kiss on his lips.

"Don't say that, you may change the feelings I do have," I whispered as I rested my forehead against his, our noses touching slightly. He smiled and pulled me as close as possible to him. "Why don't you come sleep in my room?" I said, "It'll be more comfortable."

I took his hand and my pillow and lead him to my room. I flopped onto the bed and he mimicked my actions.

"Wow, you're beautiful," I heard him whisper softly, so softly I don't think I was meant to hear it. I just smiled slightly and stood back up.

"Where're you going?" He asked.

"I'm changing, so turn around," I responded and he grinned cheekily.

"What if I don't want to?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

I shook my head and turned back to my dresser. I took out a shirt with my high school's logo on it and a pair of cheer shorts from my eighth grade year in middle school. I was surprised I still fit into them. Damn that was a weird phase, cheering I mean. How the hell did I do it?? I changed as quickly as possible and so did Michael, except he just stripped to his underwear. I plopped myself down onto the right side of the bed and he did the same on the left.

"Are you tired?" I asked since I was starting to get a bit restless.

"Not really, but I should be," he stated and turned to face me. Oh no, he's hot.

I nodded and became unfocused for a moment. Suddenly I remembered what Luke and I used to do when we couldn't sleep. We'd call each other and meet at the parking lot of the local supermarket down the street from where I lived. We would try and see who would drop out and want to go home first. Fun times.

I stood up and ran to my closet and found a pair of old high tops and put them on. I grabbed my wallet off my dresser and threw Michael's clothes to him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He asked, confused.

"Just get dressed! You'll see soon!" I giggled and waited on him to change.

"I'd like to know where I'm being dragged to at this time of the ni-"

"Oh come on Mikey!" I cut him off then sighed when I saw his puppy dog eyes and pout, "Fine, in high school I used to go out with my best friend when we couldn't sleep and hang around town. I remembered one really fun thing we used to do too!"

"Fuck on the hood of your car?" He asked while smirking with a raised eyebrow.

"What the hell! Of course not!" I laughed loudly and he joined in, "We go to the store and act like doofuses!"

//////////

"No way!" I yelled at Michael.

"There's no one around! C'mon it'll be fun!" He laughed back at me.

"I am not going to jump into that 'ball cage thing'!" I said, quoting his dare. There was no way I was risking public humiliation for this boy.

"I guess you leave me no choice," he said suspiciously. In a split second he picked me up and held me on his shoulder.

"Either you say 'Michael Clifford is the most sexy human being to ever walk the earth' or you get in that cage thing. Your choice."

Well, he is quite sexy at this angle, I thought to myself as I could see perfectly downward where his toned back could been seen through his thin shirt.

"Fine!" I laughed, "Michael Clifford is the sexiest human on the earth!"

"Wrong wording," he said, "but I'll take it." He set me back down on my feet so that I was facing him. He hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead. I pushed him away and ran towards the back of the store.

"What are you doing?!" He yelled while laughing and chased after me. I went straight to the video games and stood in front of a screen with a demo game set up. Funny how they were still on at two in the morning.

"Oh I see how it is!" He said and grabbed the controller to my left and I picked up the one in front of me.

We played for about fifteen minutes before I gave up on winning and suggested we head home. He agreed and we made our way out of the store and back to my apartment.

I glanced at the dark haired boy walking beside me and wondered how on earth I thought he would hurt me as he kept giggling when we passed cats traipsing around just like us.

I hope he doesn't hurt me.

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HEY GUYS!

I finally updated!! Sooo how're you liking *insert ship name here* so far?

I have had practice lately and I've had to do that in the mornings and then my sister has been home so I can't post when she's home.

ALSO SHES KINDA HOT COMES OUT TOMORROW IM SCREAMING

I say im screaming way too much

Anyways, vote comment promote whatever it is you guys do!

Love you lots-Callie xx