Luke and the Boy Next Door | Muke

::Chapter 16::

It's now the following week.

I was back at work, sitting, staring at the wall to my right.

Abigail kept glancing at me and giving me a sad smile. I told her and Calum what happened. They understood and left the topic alone.

Ashton has tried calling me a few times every day and the occasional text messages. I'd ignore them all by putting his contact on do not disturb. I didn't want anymore of his excuses or his apologies. I simply wanted to move on with my life after having my heart torn to shreds.

Now an hour until my shift is over and we've only had few people come in and buy tickets to see a movie, it's been slow shift.

I spun around on the stool to see Abigail tapping away at her phone. I scoffed rather loud to grab her attention.

"Shh, I'm texting Cal." She said, not even taking her eyes off her phone.

I rolled my eyes before turning back around on the stool to face the cash register. Grabbing my phone out of my pocket to scroll through social media until a customer shows up. Our boss was usually chill about us using our phones when it's been a slow day.

I clicked on Instagram to see one too many selfies from the people at my school. Who I'm most definitely dreading to see again in three weeks.

Three weeks until my summer is over. Three weeks until my life is consumed by school, work, and homework. How lovely. I'm supposed to get my schedule by next week. I'm kind of holding on to the hope that Michael will be in at least one of my classes. He should be, right? If not, Calum will most likely be there to save me.

As I was scrolling through, ignoring all the crap on my feed, I got a text message from Michael.

[ From: Mikey ]

are you busy?

[ To Mikey ]

at work

[ From Mikey ]

ok I'll be there in five

I stared at my phone, slightly confused at the point of the message but shrugged, locking my phone and slipping it into my pocket.

"Okay, now you can talk to me." Abigail exclaimed.

"Too late, our friendship is over." I casually joked. She giggled, feigning offense.

"What will I ever do? Luke Hemmings doesn't want to be my friend anymore. Oh no the world is ending!" She exaggerated, maybe a bit too over the top. But it she made me laugh nevertheless.

"You'd just go suck Calum's di-" Abigail slapped me hard against my chest. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Shut up Hemmings. You know exactly what it was for." She was glaring at me now, but I could see how flustered those words made her.

I smirked. "Really now? Please enlighten me."

"You should know..."

"No-"

"Michael is in the house!" I grinned upon hearing his voice, hopping over the counter only to grab Michael's arm and pull him behind the counter to talk to Abigail and I.

There was no more stools so I gave him mine and leaned up against the counter. Abigail was still sending me glares and I couldn't help but have a permanent smirk plastered on my face.

"What's up with you two?" Michael asked curiously. I then began to explain to him about the whole spew we just had between us. You could tell he was trying not to laugh.

"See, even Michael knows what's up between you and Calum. Nothing to be ashamed of." I said truthfully.

She simply rolled her eyes at us before going back to her phone to text Calum, leaving Michael and I to our own business.

"So what brings you here?"

"Cheap movies?" He said, but it sounded more like a question.

"I doubt it."

"Damn, you caught me." He chuckled. "I actually wanted to see if you were up for some shopping when your shift ends."

"Shopping?" I questioned. I hate shopping, but I usually go with my mom or Abigail and both of those end with me carrying all the bags. Michael can carry his own bags.

"For back to school stuff. I gotta make a good first impression for all the ladies."

I scoffed, pushing myself up onto the counter to sit down, propping my feet up on Michael's lap. "You don't even like girls!"

"Doesn't mean I can't show them what they can't have." Michael smiled. Abigail apparently overheard our conversation and started laughing.

"You're absolutely ridiculous, Mikey."

Michael was all smiles today and it warmed my heart to see him happy, and not sulking around because of me and how I've acted since him being back. He didn't care, all he cared about was me, and getting back what we used to have. Now, I'm was used to the idea of him being back for good. Having my best friend living next door again, having someone I can trust wholeheartedly. It exactly what I need at this moment and I'm not sure how I'd ever repay him for what he's down already.

I zoned out, while he carried on with small talk with Abigail about going back to school. He was playing with my shoelaces. Untying them and then tying them back. He's seems completely at ease with life at the moment, something I wish I could find after everything that has gone down.

I need him to help fill that empty gap. I need that friendship back to help stitch it back up.

I need Michael Clifford.

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this is only a filler and it's longer than the last chapter wtf sorry if it's kinda boring

Three daYS IN A ROW. love me. I never update this much.

I see 5sos in a week hOLD ME!

Thanks for reading cuties!!!!