Numb. || mgc

Chapter 5

Cassie's P.O.V

The week flew by. I could tell that there was something wrong with Michael. He kept wearing long sleeves, and he seemed distant and afraid. He was always sad, and he didn't talk to me as much anymore.

I was hurt. But I didn't make an effort to talk to him, either. Over the last two weeks Calum and I had grown really close. We texted almost every day, and we started to hang out a lot more. With the other boys, of course. We weren't dating, and I only thought of him as just a friend.

I still haven't told him or Michael about my cutting, or anything else. I had gotten worse, my arms and legs were all cut up. Barely any clean skin left. I was scared to tell them. They'll probably think that I'm crazy or something.

Michael and I had exchanged numbers when he dropped me off last week. I always stare at my phone, waiting for a phone call. Whenever my phone lights up, it's never him.

I sat on my bed, trying to finish my homework while listening to Good Charlotte.

I was working on my last math problem as my phone rang. I assumed it was Calum, but was surprised when Mikey's name came up. I let it ring a few times before picking up, as I didn't want to seem too desperate.

"Hey Cas?" He asked. His voice sounded scratchy, and I could tell he'd been crying.

"Yeah?" I didn't want to push it by asking if he was alright.

"Can I pick you up? Um so we can go talk?" I could just see him scratching the back of his neck and biting his lips, as he usually does when talking to me.

"Yes, of course."

"Um okay. I'm already here." He laughed. I didn't bother to fix my appearance before I left, I just ran downstairs and out the door. I walked around the car to the passenger side and got in.

I didn't know where he was taking me, and we didn't talk the entire car ride.

About an hour later, we arrived at a small park, far away from anything or anyone. It was beautiful, and the sun was just starting to set.

He didn't say a word, but he took my hand and led me to a tree, and we both climbed up.

Michael sighed. "I just needed to get away. And I'm really sorry that I haven't talked to you." His eyes looked darker, sadder.

"It's okay, Mikey. I didn't make an effort in talking to you, either. We're even." He nodded his head and put his arm around my shoulder. I put my head on his chest and we just sat in silence for a while.

"People think being alone makes you lonely, but I don't think that's true. Being surrounded by the wrong people is the loneliest thing in the world." He looked down at me, and I looked up at him. "Ever since I met you, Cassie, I haven't felt alone. I know it sounds cheesy as hell, but it's true. You're a good person, Cassie. You're an amazing friend. I feel like I've known you my whole life. These two weeks have been amazing. You and the other boys are my best friends. And I love you." He smiled at me. "As a friend." He laughed

"I love you too, Michael." I booped his nose. "As a friend." He hugged me tighter. Never let go.

Michael's P.O.V

I loved her. Even though I've known her for two weeks. I just want to kiss her, so badly. Her pink lips look so soft. I could get lost in her bright blue eyes forever. They're like the ocean. Mysterious, like her. I love the way her brown hair rests on her shoulders. She's so beautiful.

I hugged her tightly, I'll never let go.

We watched the sunset, and almost fell asleep. It was Friday night, so I took Cassie over to the boys house for another pizza and movie night.

~~~~~~~~~~

The boys bought tons of pizza, and I cuddled with Cassie during the movie. Ashton and Calum wanted to watch a horror movie, and they put it in despite our protests.

When it came to horror movies, I was a teenage girl. I screamed throughout the whole movie, while everyone was yelling at me to quiet down.

Cassie loved horror movies. I wish she didn't, because that would give me another reason to cuddle with her. But now it's more of her, protecting me.

But that's the thing, she may be saving me, but she's also killing me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Cassie's P.O.V

I loved laying like this. Cuddled up in Mikey's arms. I felt safe, like he was saving me from the world. His arms felt like the safest place. I love him. At least I think I do. But he only loves you as a friend.

Whenever Michael screamed at the movie I had to laugh. I hugged him tighter and he kissed my forehead.

For some reason I felt like he was saving me from something, like he was catching me, but somehow I feel like I'm letting him fall.

I'm trying to stay strong, for our friendship, and my friendship with the other boys. I still had a few breakdowns, and I still had cut. Just not as much as I usually did.

I was taken away from my thoughts when all of the boys screamed simultaneously. Michael hugged me tighter, if that was even possible, and buried his head into my shoulder. "Hmmm. Your hair smells like apples." He giggled.

I rolled my eyes and laughed at his playfulness.

A few minutes later, the movie was over and the boys were passed out on the floor. I sighed and got up off the couch, only to have Michael's arms around me once again pulling me back down. "Stay." He mumbled.

I shook my head and got up. "I'm hungry. I'm getting cereal." And I walked into the kitchen. I wasn't surprised when Mikey walked in shortly after.

I grabbed a bowl and I opened the cabinet to get the Cheerios. Michael was standing right next to me, laughing because he knew I couldn't reach it. But he let me try anyways.  I stood on my tip toes and reached up. Shit. My sleeve rode up, and I was sure that Michael had seen my cuts. I quickly pulled my sleeve down.

Michael looked down at me. He looked hurt. But he didn't say anything. Instead, he grabbed the cereal, milk, and a bowl for himself.

He sat down next to me at the counter and poured my a bowl. I laughed. "The milk to cereal ratio is all messed up." He let out a small laugh and smiled as he poured himself a bowl.

We ate in silence for a while. I sighed and put my spoon down. "Please don't ask me if I'm okay, I might do something stupid like open up to you and I'm really tired of getting close to people and watching them leave me like I'm nothing." I stared down at my bowl and I could feel his eyes on me.

Michael took my hand in his, and cupped my cheek. He kissed me on the forehead, then hugged me. "Cassie," He whispered in my ear, "I won't leave you. I promise. I will never let you go. And I won't judge you, and I won't leave. I'll stand by your side through think and thin. I love you, Cassie. Promise me that you'll stay strong?"

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. I looked into his eyes, and he was crying, too. "I love you too, Michael. But I don't know if I can promise that." I shook my head and let the tears fall.

He pulled me closer to him. "Shh, calm down. I don't want you hurting yourself."  He tried to calm me down.

"I'll try. But I'm not promising anything. Yet." We were both crying now, and he kept whispering that he loved me and to stay strong. I told told him that I loved him too. But this time I meant it.

When loving someone who doesn't love you, you are taking the risk of falling, knowing that you won't be caught.

(AUTHORS NOTE)

Hey guys!  So the quote at the end of the chapter, I just wrote it. So yeah I write that quote and I feel accomplished :) Please vote and comment on this story.  Please comment your opinions of this, and some predictions of what you think might happen.
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