catfish // mgc

☼ t h i r t y - t h r e e ☼

/// WE'RE #142 IN FANFICTION???? WHAT??? THANK YOU???? /// 

I slowly open the door and the chatter that was amongst the room quickly died as the doctor turned to peer at me from over his glasses. Luke, Ash and Cal all turned their heads, seeming relieved to see it was me. A nurse came rushing over to me, scowling as if she might physically throw me out of the room for intruding.

"Who is it?" I heard Michael croak out, causing the tears to well up in my eyes again at the sound of his tired voice.

"Ma'am, I don't know who let you in here but you need to leave," the nurse demanded, gripping onto my upper arm tightly. I struggled under her grasp, trying to get away.

The boys stepped out of Michael's view and our eyes immediately connected. My lower lip trembled and my hand covered my mouth again as I took in his appearance.

He was slouching on the hospital bed, in his purple plaid shirt and black skinny jeans. He had bandages and cooling gauze wrapped and taped to the left side of his face and head, just like Cal had said. There was also a bright purple bandage wrapped around his head and he looked utterly exhausted. His hair, not surprisingly, looked a little shorter.

"Let her go," he said meekly, his voice cracking. His eyes narrowed for a second, and he blinked a few times as if he couldn't believe I was actually standing there. The nurse hesitantly let me go, after receiving a curt nod in approval from the doctor.

My breath caught in my throat, I took a step towards him as his face began to screw up slightly, his mouth forming a frown. I debated on whether I should say hi or just leave since I couldn't tell if he was mad or happy that I was here, but as I could see shiny tears rolling down his one visible cheek, I bolted for him.

I – gently – fell into his arms, mine – also gently – going around his neck, and started crying hysterically into his shoulder. His arms snaked around my waist and he buried his face into the crook of my neck as much as he could, his breath shuttering.

"Mae," he said softly, his voice shaking. And just like when we first talked on the phone, he said my name as if it was made out of glass, making me feel so fragile.

I sniffled, ignoring the fact that he smelled like burnt hair and sweat. Michael scooted back on the bed, somehow pulling my giant body into his lap so I was straddling him. His arms tightened around my waist as he pulled me closer to him, leaving absolutely no space between us.

"I-I love you," I choked out, trying to control my sobs but failing miserably as he stroked my back gently. "I love you so much."

I pull back, softly placing my hand on his cheek and wipe away his tears with my thumb.

"Hey," he frowned at me, placing his hand on top of mine. "That's supposed to be my job."

"I'm more worried about you than I am myself right now," I told him truthfully, my eyebrows furrowing.

"I'm actually fine. The doctor said I'm super lucky."

"Define super lucky," I pressed, whipping my cheeks with the back of my hand. He just shook his head.

"Not now. This is definitely not how I wanted to officially meet you," he chuckled. "How'd you get here?"

"The boys-" I turned my head to look at them, but the room was now empty. I cleared my throat "They flew me out here to surprise you."

"Really?" He asked, perking up the slightest. I frowned, my eyebrows scrunching together again as I sniffled.

"Yeah. I was planning something special, but..." I looked down at my hands that rested in Michael's lap.