November Dreams (M.C.)

Chapter Forty-Five

September 7th

It had been a few months since Michael and I had fallen back into each others lives. Czara and I had followed them across the country, an adventure that sparked my spirit every day. The tour would be ending soon, and I wasn't sure what that meant for Michael and I; his life was so different now, I wasn't sure where it would take him next. Or if I would be included. That thought terrified me; that after the tour came to a close there would be no reason for me to tag along with him. I tried to push the thought from my mind as Michael and I were torn from our video game by a knock a the door.

"No, Michael. That bitch Emily needs to die, she's fake and I can't take her whining."

Mike rolled his eyes at me.

"As much as I hate her, the point of this game is to get all of the characters to survive until dawn," he said as he nudged me with the controller.

Just as our character moved to inspect a terrifying noise in the game, Calum knocked and opened our door swiftly, earning a girly scream from both me and Michael. Cal and I stopped to stare at Mike, the noise that had escaped his mouth taking us both by surprise. Calum and I exchanged wide eyes and busted up into laughter as Michael scowled at us.

"That. Never. Happened." He deadpanned.

"Whatever you say, mate. Whatever you say," Calum patted Michael quickly on the knee before running away from us.

"We're here, by the way!" He called once he was far enough away that Michael couldn't strike.

Michael pecked my temple with his soft, red lips as he powered off the console.

"Aw, but we were just getting to the good part," I pouted as he moved in front of me.

"I know, bug, I know. But I have to get to rehearsals so we don't sound like shit later," he kissed my tiny nose as his fingers laced with mine. He pulled me up to his height, our eyes locking.

"You should get ready too."

"For what?"

He smiled widely as he lifted my chin, his lips whispering over mine.

"Cuz you're coming to sound check today."

//

I tore through my suitcase as Czara watched me, hands resting firmly on her hips.

"I don't know what you're freaking out about. It's just soundcheck."

I snapped my head out of my tornado of clothes and stared at her like she was some escaped lunatic.

"Are you crazy?! Fans are going to be there! This is the first time that they might actually see me since Irvine and I don't want them to think I'm trash!" I whined, flailing articles of clothing around as I talked.

Czara paused for a moment, her eyes still caught on mine as my arms finally lowered.

"Are you done?"

I nodded halfheartedly.

"Okay. First of all, you're the crazy one. You don't see me screaming at the top of my lungs, waving around a pair of underwear and some jeans. Second of all, who cares? Because you shouldn't. Michael loves you and that's all that matters. And they'll love you anyways. And if you ever call yourself trash again, I'll stuff you in a trash can so you can be one with yourself, okie dokie?"

Her heart-to-hearts weren't always exactly heartfelt, but she always gave me what I needed to hear without sugarcoating anything. I could always count on Czara to give it to me straight; it was no bullshit with her and I appreciated that about our friendship.