A single bullet // M.C ✔️

15

"Why have you brought me here?" The familiar smell of Taco Bell surrounded us as a tray of food sat untouched in the middle of all three of us.

"Thought you were hungry," Michael smiled, running a hand through his shaggy hair, it looking a lot more blonde now in actual lighting.

"I'm not," I said. My hands betrayed me as I reached out and grabbed at a chip, needing the flavour on my tongue.

"I also wanted to make sure you were okay. From what Kensie and I saw, it seemed horrid," he grimaced, shaking his head.

"How do you know Michael?" I ignored Michael's statement and question, looking at my best friend chewing on chips.

"Huh?" She faked confusion, making me scoff.

"Answers Kensie. You've never mentioned him before." And it was as if he had disappeared, our focus no longer on him but each other.

"Pretty sure I have..."

"Pretty sure you haven't," I mocked, leaning back and crossing my arms. "I would remember."

"He's a friend, Nicky. Don't get all weird on me."

"Mate, I'm doing no such thing. Just confused is all. Michael," I focused my attention back on him. "How do you know, dear Kensie, here?"

"She did a few drawings for me. Came friends through that."

"Why is everyone Australian?" I groaned, resting my head on the tabletop.

"Ok ouch," he scoffed, leaning back. "I'm hurt."

"No, no, it's not anything bad. I've just met three other Australians the past week, and I'm reaching my limit."

"Three other people?"

"Yup," I smiled, popping the 'p', resting my chin on the table, looking up at him from lidded eyes. "Calum, Luke, and Ashton. Calum's my bestie, and Luke is my boss. Ashton, I met the other day in a library for some reason." I started rambling, making Michael and Kensie lock eyes. Something seemed to shift in Michael, making him lean forward.

"Repeat their names, darling,"

"Calum, Luke, and Ashton," I nodded, making sure I named them all, closing my eyes, feeling tired from the alcohol. Michael locked his eyes back with Kensie before standing up.

"It was lovely to meet you, Nicky, but I must be going. Kensie, I'll message you." With a single nod in his direction, he was practically running out the doors, leaving me and Kensie. I tilted my head and smiled softly, looking at her.

"Boyfriend?"

"Shut it, Nicky," she sighed. "If only you'd drunk, you know what you just did."

"Whatever that godawful noise is, please shut it off!" I yelled, pushing my body against my soft mattress, harshly rubbing at my eyes. "Kensie!" Nope, it wasn't Kensie; it was my phone. A text. I let my body fall back onto the bed and pulled the comfort blanket up under my chin, turning on my side to grasp at my phone.

Morgan: Cool cop.
Have you heard from Alex? He hasn't turned up today.

I had to reread the message multiple times, pulling my eyebrows together; that's not like Alex. My fingers quickly typed out a response, letting him know I'll call Alex and see where he is, hopefully ending up sending him to work.

I swiped out the messages app and into my phone to call my brother, bringing my phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Alex, are you okay?" I muttered, cursing and rubbing at my eyes that were fighting to close again.

"I'm fine, Nicky."

"Whoa, what's with the hostility?" I had noticed the venom in his tone, clearly making me confused. I hadn't spoken to him for a while.

"Didn't think to tell me about Dad's funeral?" He spat.

"Alright. There's no funeral—,"

"Yes, there is, Nicky! I got a text from Mom." What, come again?

"Mom told me there isn't a funeral, Alex."

"Stop bullshitting me." He spat out again.

"Alex, this isn't why I phoned. Change the conversation. Why aren't you at work?"

"Now you're keeping tabs on me?!"

"Don't be so fucking dramatic. Morgan messaged me, concerned about you, asshole," I held my mouth, Nicky. This is your brother.

"I'll message and talk to Morgan. I'm not talking to you about it." He sneered, making me scoff.

"Fuck you as well." Beep, hung up. My phone nearly ended up against the wall before I realised what I was about to do. I like my phone. Wait,

I gripped my phone, scrambling to find Mom's number, bringing the small device back up to my ear.

"Nicky, is everything okay? It's 7 a.m."

"Why have you told Alex there's a funeral?" Straight to the point.

"I've done no such thing, Nicky. Don't start this again."

"Well, don't tell Alex a date for one! He hasn't turned up for work, Mom, because I didn't tell him about a funeral. Because news flash, there isn't one!" I couldn't believe she was denying it. "He hasn't just pulled it out of his ass, has he!"

"You really think I would lie about this? The love of my life died, and all you can do is make jokes about his funeral. Voice break:I would have told you both in person, not over text, and I would let you both help me decide a date! So we can all be there with no issues. So stop playing this sick joke," she sobbed.

"Mom-," I couldn't piece together words for sentences as I just listened to the strongest person in my life break down, down the phone. "I'm sorry," was all I could spit out before hanging up. I'm such a bitch. Why can I never stop word vomit when it happens?

"For fucks sake," I muttered, shaking my head, glancing at my phone again as it pinged.

Unknown number
6 days, Nicola. See you and Alex soon xoxo

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