When Michael woke up that Friday, he was filled with panic, realizing what day it was. What would he wear to Ari's? How would he survive this?
It took him a moment to get his bearings and remember that Suzanne had made plans for next Friday.
He sighed, filled with relief. He still had an entire week until the torturous night at Ari's. He wasn't exactly sure why he was dreading it so much, but he knew that he couldn't be around Ari. He had been wrong. The worst withdrawal was one hundred times better than the torture he felt being around Ari and not being able to kiss her or do any of the things he wanted to do with her.
Michael sat up in bed, throwing his legs over the side and staring for a moment at the stain in the corner of the room. It did look a lot like Australia, which was actually quite strange.
Suddenly there was a knock on Michael's door, jerking him out of thought.
"Michael," Suzanne's soft voice was muffled through the wood of his bedroom door. "Are you awake?"
"Yeah." He replied hesitantly. This was the first change in their usual morning routine since he'd gotten there.
"Ari's here," Suzanne continued. "She's wondering if you want to come out with her and some friends. She said something about cake, so maybe there's a party."
Michael swallowed. He wished he could go, especially since he hadn't really gotten to know Calum and Luke that well yet - he assumed they were the cake Suzanne was talking about - but he knew that he couldn't. He just couldn't be around Ari for more time than he had to.
"Actually - " Michael made a big show of coughing. " - I'm not feeling too well this morning. Could you tell her I'm sick?"
"You're sick?" Suzanne opened the door a crack and stuck her head in. "Well can I get you anything? Some Tylenol? A glass of water?"
"No, thanks," Michael replied. "I think I'll just rest for a while."
He gave her a meaningful look, knowing it would soon be obvious that he wasn't actually sick, and hoping she would understand his reason for lying.
"Michael, are you and Ari fighting?" Suzanne asked, obviously misreading his signals.
"No!" Michael forced a laugh, as if to say, "What? You're crazy!"
Suzanne's eyebrows furrowed, and then she seemed to suddenly understand. She sighed, and Michael could tell she was one step away from rolling her eyes at him. "I swear, I'll never understand you men. I was married to one for years, and I never once understood him."
Michael could feel his cheeks tinging pink with every word he spoke.
"Okay, well, I'll leave you to rest." She winked, moving to shut the door, and Michael rolled his eyes as soon as it clicked shut.
He silenced his breathing and listened for a moment. He could hear Suzanne clomp down the stairs, and then say something to someone. Michael assumed it was Ari, but the voices were so muffled by layers of carpeting and floorboards that it was impossible to tell for sure.
Michael hurried to the window and pulled the curtains back just in time to see Ari heading across the lawn, Calum and Luke close behind. Ashton and Wolfgang stood at the sidewalk, and Ari was halfway to joining them when she stopped and turned around, looking up at Michael's bedroom.
Michael wanted to duck out of her line of sight, but it was too late. She'd seen him.
She smiled, waved, and made a sliding motion with her hands, gesturing for him to open his window.
He wasted a moment wondering how rude it would be if he just stepped away from the window and ignored her, but then decided there was no avoiding it. He slowly opened the window and waved to Ari.
"You're sick?" Ari called up at him, looking concerned.
"Um...yeah," Michael nodded, feeling a stab of guilt for lying to her. "just a bit of a...stomach ache."
"Oh," Ari frowned. "well, I hope you feel better soon."
"Thanks." Michael smiled.
Ari had him a farewell wave and then joined her friends on the sidewalk. Michael almost slid the window shut, but then realized how stupid he was being. He couldn't avoid Ari forever, and maybe if he hung out with her for a while longer, he could get on better terms with her before the dinner next Friday.
"Wait!" Michael called, and Ari turned around, a questioning look on her face.
"Uh...I'm actually feeling a lot better now?" He continued. "Would you guys mind if I tagged along after all?"
"No, not at all!" Ari said, a relieved smile on her face.
Michael nodded and then slid the window shut, hoping he wouldn't regret what he had just done.
Oops sorry for the long wait.
Loser_Luke
