Pompeii ➳ muke

ten

It is early on a Sunday morning that Michael finds himself dressed in perfectly ironed clothes and shiny black boots stepping out into the parking lot of a chapel.

Growing up this was exactly how Sunday mornings were spent. His mother would wake he and his sister at exactly nine a.m and prepare breakfast as they tiredly readied themselves. Michael was never the religious type. He simply attended service because it was important to his mother and he wanted nothing more than to please her.

Even now, Michael is only going because his mother insisted. It's obvious that she is excited to have him back after being gone for so long. And it's surely proven when she runs over, careful not to fall in her heels, and wraps her thin arms around his neck in a warm embrace.

"Michael, my only son, I have missed you dearly," She says, kissing his cheek tenderly, "I have already told everyone you were coming. I am so glad you stayed true to your word and made it here on time, what a fool I would have been in you hadn't!"

Michael smiles, shaking his head, "I promised you that I would be here and I meant it. Now, come on, everyone is staring and I think I should go say hello."

Karen nods happily in agreement, taking her son by the hand and leading him over to the group of people gathered around the front entrance.

Michael already knows these people, they've all be regulars since he was a child, but it has been so long since he's seen any of them. They all greet him kindly, as expected, and he returns their gestures accordingly. Everyone seems to be so relaxed around him and on the outside he appears just the same. But inside, he's a disaster. He is a volcano ready to erupt, a dam on the verge of breaking. His hands are shaking so violently that he has to conceal them within his pockets to keep the others from noticing.

Breathe, he tells himself internally, you know these people.

Thankfully, the reunion is over soon after and the group makes their way into the small chapel.

Once seated, Michael leans back in the pew and listens as the music begins to play. The service is laid out just as it has always been, the only difference is the topic of the sermon. The preacher's voice is monotone and Michael zones out almost instantly, fighting to keep his eyes open. Moments later, when he feels as if he can't possibly stay awake any longer, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He removes it and reads the name illuminated on the screen.

Nojo.

He hasn't spoken to Noah since they parted ways outside of the diner. It's likely that the boy is just concerned about the other's well being. He quickly swipes the notification, the message popping up on the screen.

Drinks tonight?

Michael smiles as he types a simple yes.

Soon after, the sermon is complete and the final prayers are said and then everyone is standing and gathering their belongings.

Outside of the chapel, Karen exchanges brief conversation with other fellowship members as the pair make their way to their vehicles.

"I saw you playing on your phone, by the way," she says once they have ventured out of ear shot from the crowd, "You were smiling. Have you met a girl?"

Michael stops walking abruptly, turning quickly on his heel, "What? No. Of course not!"

Karen smiles, her eyes lighting up in pure hope.

"I won't ask you about her again, I promise. Michael, honey, thank you so much for coming. It's so good to see you again. You'll be around for dinner soon?"

Michael says, "Yes, of course I will. Tell Val that I'll be calling her soon, okay? I love you, Mom."

They exchange hugs and kisses upon the cheek before going their separate ways. Michael situates himself in the driver's seat before opening yet another message from Noah.

Pick you up around eight? Jax and Tris are coming.

Michael tells him that the time is fine before pocketing his phone once again and beginning the drive home.