Bad Dreams //mgc

76.

*Michael's POV*

To Michael
Mate, come to the house with Cara. Modest is skyping in.

Cara just walked in the door. Before she has a chance to say anything, I tell her that we have to go. On the way over, she tells me about her presentation on Wednesday and about the conversation with her professor.

"I'll meet you at your classroom before class then. Everything will be fine, angel," I tell her, squeezing her hand. I'm nervous as well, since she mentioned announcing our relationship. We need to talk to Modest about that.

We join the guys in the living room and they're already on Skype with them.
"Michael, Cara, glad you could join us. We were just discussing the EP release next week."
"Next week?! Oh my god that's just... Wow!" I exclaim. Cara has a smile on her face as big as mine.

"Now that everyone is here, we have a few things to discuss," they start. "First of all, we are placing a security guard at Michael and Cara's home at all times. They are not to enter the home unless absolutely necessary, so you still have your privacy. They will just patrol the grounds. You will need to provide a list of people who are permitted access and any other visitors will need to be announced beforehand." Woah. They are taking this really seriously. I wonder if it's worse than I thought.

"We have had our lawyers working on getting the court records sealed, but there is a glitch." Fuck. Of course there is. "As of now, the only reason for sealing the files is a few random pictures and tweets. That's not reason enough for them to seal it. But there is a solution. This has been in negotiations for a few weeks now and with the current circumstances, it has been solidified. 5 Seconds of Summer will be the opening act for One Direction on this summers tour!"

"Holy SHIT! One Direction? We're opening for One Direction?!" This is a dream come true!

"How does that help seal the file?" Cara asks them. Her face is displaying so many emotions, I can't determine what she's feeling right now.

"With them opening for a band of such worldwide status," they were addressing Cara directly, "it automatically generates an increased celebrity status. This status will be the basis on which we can get the files sealed. We will use the new 'celebrity status' to get them sealed, for their protection."

*Cara's POV*

"5 Seconds of Summer will be the opening act for One Direction on this summers tour!" Tour?

"Holy SHIT! One Direction? We're opening for One Direction?!" Michael shouts, his excitement is obvious. I am excited for them. I knew they could make it big. This is what they dreamed of! But going on tour means that not only will Michael be gone for months, but all four of them. My best friends, my family. They will be playing for thousands of people, gaining millions of fans, girls. Girls throwing themselves at Michael.

"How does that help seal the file?" I ask as calmly as I can.

"With them opening for a band of such worldwide status, it automatically generates an increased celebrity status. This status will be the basis on which we can get the files sealed. We will use the new 'celebrity status' to get them sealed, for their protection." So they aren't really doing this for me. I shouldn't have expected them to. I'm just the girlfriend. It's all about them. Making them huge and getting rich from it. The trial would damper all that.

I just nod because that's all I can accomplish at this point. The guys are ecstatic. I am happy for them, I really am. I'm just being really selfish right now. I fake a smile and just sit there, pretending to be listening. I know I can be stronger than this. I've done separation before. But that separation ended very badly. I can't go through that again. I don't think I could survive it again. I'm not about to stand in the way of them living their dream, so where does that leave me? If they're gone on tour and I'm no longer in the picture, then what was the point of trying to get this sealed? It's a double edged sword, and I'm on the sharp edge no matter what. But then again, that's how my life has always been. What else is new?

"What do you think CareBear?!" Ashton asks.

"Hu? What? Sorry. I was off in my own little world there!" Michael turns to look at me. He and Ashton both lose their smiles. Shit. Way to ruin something else Cara! It's times like these, when these two can read through my fake smile, that I hate how well they know me.

"Alright guys. We're gonna head home. Cara has to get ready for work." Shit. I forgot about work. I say a quick goodbye and wait for Michael in the car. A few minutes later, Michael comes out and we drive home in silence. Yup, leave it to me to be the buzz kill.

"Cara...." he says as we walk in the door.
"I gotta go to work. See ya later." I interrupt, grabbing my keys. I walk to my car and drive to the mall. I know that was a real bitch-like thing to do, but I can't help it. I need to get over my selfish feelings before I can talk to him about this.

Twenty minutes into my shift, I am really surprised by Ashton walking in the door. "Hey CareBear! Having fun?!"

"Ash! What are you doing here?!" He looks down at his feet and I know my answer. "Mikey sent you." It wasn't a question because I already know the answer.

"Yeah," he says. "He's worried about you, and you wouldn't talk to him. So he asked me to come talk you you. What's wrong CareBear? And don't try to tell me nothing, because I know better than that." Damnit! Why can't a customer come in?

"I'm fine Ashton, really. I'm excited for you guys. Honest! I'm just being selfish is all. I just... I'm trying to work through that before I talk to Mikey. He doesn't need any more of my negative bullshit."

"Stop that right now!" he yells.

"I'm trying. That's my point!"

"I don't mean to stop the way you feel Cara, I meant to stop shutting us out and being so hard on yourself. You're allowed to be upset about us leaving. There would be a problem if you weren't! But holding it inside will only make it harder for everyone. Just talk to us, CareBear! Whether it's Michael, or me, or Calum or Luke, just talk to us!"

A family walks in at that moment and I tell him, "I have to work," and walk away.