A/N: after a hard breakup, Michael is finally ready to get back in the game and he falls pretty hard for y/n and she falls pretty hard for him. But, rumors surface that she's just a rebound...who knows what the truth is?
THIRD PERSON POV
"Michael, dude, you've been in here for the entire weekend. Let's go out," Luke pestered his best friend, nudging Michael's leg. "Fuck off. I really don't want to," Michael groaned, throwing his arm over his face and laying against his pillows. "Are you still hung up on her man?" Luke leaned against the door farm, eyeing Michael.
"I'm tired of this Michael, you're so immature. You never take anything seriously and you can't even get your own life together. Like a band? Really? You think you're going to make it in a band? I need someone who actually has a head on their shoulders. You're not it for me anymore. I think we need to just take our time apart, okay? I need space from you and your wild life," she yelled across the bedroom to Michael as he sat on his bed, half awake. "Okay, well if that's what you want then go," he sighed, pointing towards the door. "See this is what I mean," she continued to rant, "You never even fight for anything. Do you even care if I'm leaving you? Do you even love me?" "I don't know what you want me to do! You said you wanted to leave so I'm telling you it's fine. If that's what makes you happy, then do it. I'm sorry I've been holding you back," Michael rolled his eyes.
"No, honestly I'm over it. I don't care anymore, I just don't want to see her there because I know she's going to make it a big deal. That's just how she is," he sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. "Let's just go, and if she's there and makes a scene then we'll leave. It'll be good dude," Luke lightly punched Michael's arm and tossed him a clean shirt from the back of his chair. "Fine," Michael shook his head and followed Luke down the hall.
~~~~~~~
Y/N's POV
The house was already pretty packed when my best friend, Brooke, and I got there. "Just meet me by the door no later than 1 am okay?" she called over the music. I nodded back at her before she disappeared in search of Calum. As much as I loved partying, I really wasn't feeling it tonight. Making my way to the kitchen, I poured myself a drink and then disappeared out the back door. "Shit, sorry," a boy stumbled backwards into me nearly making me spill my drink. "It's fine," I held his arm, keeping him steady. "Hey I know you," he smiled, "we're in science together." I furrowed my eyebrows for a second, studying his face, "Oh Michael, right?" "Yeah, what brings you here Y/N?" he asked, leaning against the banister, leaving his friends. "My friend actually. She's busy chasing this boy that she's been crushing on since freshman year," I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "That was me a year ago, but she turned out to be totally different than I expected," Michael nodded knowingly. "Oh yeah," I remembered hearing about his breakup with his girlfriend (well now ex-girlfriend) Chelsea. "Glad I got out of that one," he laughed quietly. I bit my lip, not sure if he was kidding or not. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that," he looked down at his cup. "No it's fine, I didn't really know her," I shrugged, taking a drink out of my cup. "You wanna go somewhere else?" Michael asked suddenly, turning to me. "Oh, uh, I don't really-I mean usually I-" "I'm not taking you somewhere to have sex," Michael laughed, tugging my arm to follow him, "I was suggesting a walk." Blushing I nodded, "Of course you were. I was just, ya know- yeah sure we can go for a walk." "You're cute," he laughed, taking my hand in his and leading the way.
Perched on the hood of his car, we were overlooking the water as we sat parked in front of the beach. "Why haven't we talked before?" Michael asked, slightly out of breath from laughing too hard. "Because you sat at the front of the classroom with your girlfriend and I hid in the back," I reminded him, awkwardly bringing up his ex. "Well I'll be in the back from now on," he smiled down at me. "As long as you're smart because I haven't got a clue what's going on in that class," I giggled. "Uh, I can try," Michael laughed, giving me a hesitant response. "That was reassuring," I laughed, running my fingers through my hair. "Are you free Monday after school?" He asked, looking at me hopefully. "Yeah, yeah sure," I smiled brightly at him. "Good, I'll come around yours after class and we can see if we can figure out this physics thing," he laughed, leaning back on the hood of his car.
~~~~~~
THIRD PERSON POV
"So you like really like her?" Luke asked Michael, leaning against their lockers after school a few weeks later. "Yeah, she's cool and really chill. It's like everything I needed," Michael smiled. "Wow I really thought she was just going to be a rebound for you," Luke looked impressed. "Who's a rebound?" Chelsea popped up behind Luke's shoulder, making Michael roll his eyes, "Nobody." "Oh, well how are you guys?" she asked casually. "Great actually," Luke answered for them both, clearly wanting her gone, "And Mikey's even got himself a new girl." "That right? Who?" Chelsea tried to act calm, raising her eyebrows at Michael. "Y/N," Michael grinned, nodding towards her as she walked down the hallway with Brooke. "Good for you," Chelsea smiled tightly as Michael caught Y/N's arm and pulled her into him. "I'll see you guys around," Chelsea waved goodbye, disappearing down the hallway. "Thank god that leech is gone," Luke shuddered, grabbing his backpack. "Hey babe," Michael smiled at Y/N, pulling her in for a kiss. "Ew okay, I'm leaving. I'll see you guys later," Luke stuck his tongue out, leaving the two of them alone.
Y/N's POV
"Are we going to the party later?" I asked Michael as we walked towards his car in the parking lot. "I was planning on it." "Yay! It's been forever since there was a good party," I cheered. "Well it'll be good if you're there," Michael winked at me. "You're such a sap," I rolled my eyes, shoving his shoulder playfully. "Guilty," he laughed, putting his hands up in defense.
~~~~~~
"So, how are you and Michael?" Calum asked me as I stood in the kitchen, fixing myself a drink. "Good," I smiled at him. "Really?" he seemed shocked. "Yeah, I mean I know it's kind of quick after his breakup with Chelsea, but it's actually going really well," I raised my eyebrows at Calum. "I probably shouldn't tell you this," Calum leaned closer so I could hear him over the music, "it's just, everyone's saying you're just his rebound to help him get over Chelsea." I didn't really know what to say, I just kind of stood there with my mouth open, unable to find words. "It's just what I've heard, but I'm sure they're rumors," Calum tried to comfort me, regretting what he'd told me. "Do you think it's true?" I asked, nervous to hear his answer. "I mean, it is kind of suspicious how quickly you guys got together," he gave me an uneasy look and a small shrug. "Oh," was all I said before excusing myself. "Y/N," Calum called after me. "It's fine, Cal, thanks for telling me," I waved him off. Wandering down the hallway, I found Brooke talking to a few girls, leaned up against the wall. "Hey Brooke, can I talk to you?" I asked her quietly. "Yeah sure what's up babe?" she excused herself from the group and we stood to the side of the hallway, "Do you think Michael's using me as a rebound?" "I don't know, I mean I guess it did happen really quick, but I think he's a good guy," she muttered, twirling her thumbs. "Sweetie, he's totally using you as a rebound," one of the other girls gave me a sympathetic look. "Yeah, he doesn't date that quickly, it usually take him a few fucks to get over his exes and then he'll settle down. He wasted no time on you," another one added, the same look on her face. "Fuck!" I tugged at my hair, "Why does this always happen to me?" "Hey babe, no it's okay, just stand up to him. You deserve so much better," the girls pulled me into a hug, brushing my hair back. "You're right, he can't just think he can drag me around like doll. I'm gonna do it," I fixed my skirt and went in search of Michael.
He was sitting in the living room, leaning back on the couch. He had a cigarette in his hand and he and Luke were laughing about something when I walked in. "Hey baby," I cut him off, "Don't call me baby." The room fell quiet and everyone was watching us. "Whoa, what's up?" He sat up straighter, looking at me. "You think I wouldn't find out?" my voice cracked slightly. "Find out what? What happened?" Michael urged me to continue. "I'm just your rebound. I'm just the girl that you're going to fuck around with until you get over your ex, aren't I. You're going to drag me along, playing boyfriend with me until you get what you need and then as soon as you're satisfied you're going to drop me and move onto the next girl. God, I'm so stupid for thinking you'd be different than any other guy that's ever fucked me over. But I guess I'm a creature of habit and I can't get myself out of this routine. So I hope you weren't hoping for anything else from me because you're sure as hell not getting it. Go have fun with some other girl, we're done," I let it all out, my voice going out. "Are you serious? Where did you hear that from?" Michael stood up, putting out his cigarette. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out Michael," I rolled my eyes, "As far as I'm concerned whatever this was is now over." I left him standing there in shock, storming out the front door. Brooke followed just after me and I dropped down in the grass in the front lawn. "I thought he was different," I cried, holding my head in my hands. "Shh babe, it's okay," she wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "Y/N?" Michael's voice broke through the silence outside. "Go away," I wiped my eyes, standing up and turning around. "Listen to me, please," he pleaded me. "Why?" "It's not what you think it is okay, this isn't what everybody says it is" he reasoned with me. I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him, "Then what is it?"