Only You (Punk Michael Clifford)

Six

When the concert ends, we try to squeeze through the tight crowd without getting separated. As I try to follow Calum, I occasionally look back to see if the other three are keeping up. Luke and Brandi are pretty much in their own world and could get lost any minute, while Rachel is following close behind me. A chill goes down my spine when I feel fingers slip into my hand and tighten around my own. I look behind me once more and Rachel looks up to give me a nervous smile before quickly looking back down. I hurriedly turn back to the front in an attempt to hide the smile that makes its way to my lips. 

After about ten minutes of standing and walking, we finally are able to exit the arena and make it to Brandi's car. When we step outside, Rachel immediately takes her hand out of mine.

"Wanna come over for a bonfire?" Brandi asks as we all stand around the car and stretch.

"Of course!" Calum answers.

"What about you, Michael?" She asks me. 

"Sure, why not," I say with a small smile. 

The girls get into her car and we walk to Calum's car. The drive to Brandi's is not as long as it was to get here. Brandi's house is a lot bigger than mine and Calum's. We follow the girls into her house, where we are greeted by her parents as they sit and watch TV. Brandi tells them that we will all be in the backyard and they inform us that stuff to make s'mores is in the kitchen. They seem nice enough.

After getting some food and drinks, we head to the back. The fire pit is already set up with a few chairs around it. Rachel and Calum sit in different areas and I decide to sit by Rachel while Luke and Brandi laugh as they try to start the fire together, which takes them about five minutes. 

"Good work babe, even though I did most of it," Brandi laughs and kisses Luke gently. 

"Oh whatever," Luke says as he sits in a chair and pulls her on his lap. 

Throughout the night we all have many conversations as we make our s'mores. It wasn't a bad night and I was kind of glad that I joined them. Eventually, I look over and Calum is fast asleep in his chair. I point it out to Rachel and we can't help but laugh. Brandi and Luke are in their own little world as usual, laughing about something that Brandi said. 

"So did you have fun tonight?" I ask Rachel after a moment of silence between us.

"Yeah, I did actually. What about you?" She asks back. Her face was glowing in the light from the fire and I couldn't help but admire her features that were sticking out more than usual. 

"I did as well," I nod. "What was your favorite part?"

"Hmm, that's a tough one," she laughs. "Probably when we...I mean when they sang The Edge of Tonight." I can see her cheeks go slightly red in the dim light, but I pretend not to notice.

"I liked that part too," I say with a smile.

We continue to talk about the rest of the concert and what our plans are for the weekend. Both of us actually have nothing to do and I almost ask her to hang out, but decide against it. 

"We're pretty tired," Luke eventually says as Brandi yawns. "I'm just staying here tonight, Brandi and I will run you home if you're ready Rachel."

"I can take her. I'll drive Calum's car to his house, make him go inside and then I can just take her home," I volunteer for a reason that I'm not aware of. 

"Is that okay with you, Rach?" Brandi asks her.

"Yeah, that's fine," she says almost immediately. 

After we wake Calum up we put the fire out, bring the food inside and Luke and Brandi walk us to the front. 

"Thanks for coming over guys, it was a really good night," Brandi says with a sleepy smile. Luke wraps his arm around her waist and leans against the doorway.

"See ya guys," he says as we walk to Cal's car. 

Calum gets into the back and lets Rachel have the passenger seat as I hop in on the driver's side. Cal passes out within seconds and leaves Rachel and I in the silence. It isn't an awkward silence like it has been in the past, but more of a calming quiet. 

It doesn't take long to get to his house, and I wake him up when we arrive. We both walk him to his door to make sure he gets in okay. When he does, we quietly walk to my car. The only talking that occurs is her giving me directions to her house. We both laugh when I turn the wrong way and we have to take the long way. 

When we finally arrive, I turn the car off and walk her to her door. 

"Oh you don't have to get out," she says when we step outside.

"Well of course I'm gonna walk you to your door, I'm not that big of a jerk," I chuckle. She giggles and walks up to the porch.

"Thank you for taking me home. I had a good night," she says with a smile when we get to the door. 

"It's no problem, and I did too. I hope you sleep good, I'll see you on Monday," I say with a smile and start to walk away. I wanted to hug her, but didn't want to be weird since she probably didn't want to hug me. When I get in my car I see her walk inside before driving off. 

When I finally make it home, it is past 3 AM. I walk as quietly as possible to my room in order to not wake my father. I couldn't be happier to fall into my bed after a long day. I was glad to have a day like today and I had a lot of fun with Rachel.

Wait, what was I doing? I was being too nice. Why was I feeling these things for someone I barely knew? I didn't even really want to know her. I had to stop, I couldn't let her in...I have to back off.

I won't let her in.