Feather

Four

Michael and his mother weren't exactly what you would call close. After he decided that he wasn't going to touch anymore, he had cut himself off from a lot of people, and moved out of his parents house, tying to leave that part of his life in the past and start fresh.

He obviously kept in contact with his family, calling them once in a while, and visiting them at Christmas but apart from that, he'd pretty much kept to himself. So when he opened the front door, and saw his mother standing in front of him, it wasn't a surprise to anyone at the shocked look on his face.

"Mum?" He said, a look of confusion washing over his features.

"Hello, sweetheart." She smiled sweetly.

Michael took in the scene in front of him. His mum looked good, healthy, with a happy glow about her. She was dressed in her usual smart like clothing, making Michael smile lightly at the recognition of it all. He glanced at her hands, noticing the large shopping bags, and without hesitation reached forward, taking them from her.

"Oh, yes, these are for you," She grinned, happily handing over the bags, "I was running some errands and thought, 'I haven't seen Michael in a while', so here I am. The shopping was just a mother's worry that you're not eating like you should be." She laughed lightly.

"Mum," Michael rolled his eyes playfully, "I eat just fine. Come in, I'll show you what I have while I put everything away."

Michael's mum closed the door behind her, and followed her son into the kitchen, taking in his presence that she hadn't been in for almost half a year. He seemed different somehow. It was as if he had grown, was taller almost, in the way that he walked and carried himself. A confidence about him that he didn't have before, he looked extremely happy, and she hadn't seen Michael like that for as long as she can remember.

"You look different," She sighed in contentment, "lighter, it's good."

"As in I've lost weight?" Michael questions, putting the shopping away where it needs to be.

"No, I mean in general, like in yourself," Michael stays quiet, not really knowing how to respond to the statement, "I thought you said you were eating well?" She asks, looking inside the fridge as he opens it to put the juice away.

"What's wrong with what I eat?" Michael glances at her with a frown and then back to the food.

"I don't see a single piece of fruit or any vegetables in there."

"Aren't potatoes a vegetable? And there are bananas next to you." He points to the hook beside her.

"Okay, okay," she smiles, "I won't say any more."

"Michael, I can't find my tshirt." Peyton called out before walking into the kitchen.

When she looked up from fastening the button on her skinny jeans, she froze, eyes locking with the lady sitting at Michael's counter. "Hello." Michael's mum said politely. Peyton instantly folded her arms over her chest to cover her exposed bra, her damp hair hanging over her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you had company," her eyes moved to Michael's, "I'll just go."

She left the kitchen quickly, and Michael turned to his mother with wide eyes. He had forgotten that Peyton was in the shower, he was so used to her being around that it wasn't a big thing to him, and seeing his mum randomly out of no where had taken his mind off her completely, "Michael?" His mum waved her hand in front of him, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Mum, she's just..."

"I don't care what she is, don't let her leave, I want to meet her." She smiled, and he nodded running out of the kitchen in the direction the girl had gone, leaving her to giggle quietly to herself.

"Peyton," Michael called out, "Peyton, wait, you don't have to go." He said walking into his bedroom as she was pulling on one of his plain black sweaters, he smiled at how good it looked on her.

"No, no it's okay. I should go home anyway, I probably have letters and bills and stuff waiting."

He watched as she frantically moved around the room, trying to pack all her things into her weekend bag quickly, but still attempting to fold every piece. Michael liked that about her, the way she always managed have a certain way of doing things, no matter what the situation. He watched as she stood up straight, grabbing her hair tie, and putting her hair into a ponytail.

"I want you to meet her." He said, making her stop in her tracks.

"Who is she?" Peyton asks, keeping her back to him.

"My mum." He replies quietly, and she turned instantly to face him.

"Your mum? Michael, I can't meet her."

"Why not?" He chuckles.

"She saw me..." Peyton takes a breath, lowering her voice, "she saw me in my bra. Do you know how embarrassing that is?"

"Why?" Michael shrugs, moving closer to her, "it's a very nice bra." He grins wrapping his arms around her.

"It's not funny," she hid her face in his chest, "I'm so embarrassed."

Michael stayed quiet and just led her slowly back into the kitchen. He smiled as he introduced them to each other, and they shook hands. He didn't miss the look his mum gave him when she saw how Michael had his arm so casually around Peyton's waist, and Peyton apologised profusely about the incident from a few moments before.

After some awkward conversation, until Peyton finally felt more comfortable, and several cups of coffee later, it was time for Karen, which Peyton learnt was Michael's mum's name, to leave. She gave Peyton a small hug and a smile before Michael walked her to the door, surprising her with a hug also.

"Michael?" She looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Just enjoy it, please." He was back to his shy self, hands clasped together in front of him, looking at the ground.

"It's because of Peyton isn't it?" She smiles softly, pushing his chin up tentatively so he looks at her, and he nods, "she's very sweet. Very polite. I like her."

"Me too." He says happily.

"So are you together?" She seemed excited about the idea Michael noticed.

"No, mum, we're just friends," Karen went to say something but Michael stopped her, "just friends, mum, okay?"

With that Karen nodded and bid goodbye to her son. He slowly closed the door after her and went back to sit with Peyton. It was quiet for a while until she smiled at him, saying that she thought Karen was a lovely lady, and understood where Michael got his sweetness from. They spent the rest of the day just talking, not bothering to even turn on the television.

They ordered a pizza, and Michael would smile as he rubbed the material of his own sweater that lay against Peyton's skin. The food did arrive eventually but neither of them were all that hungry anymore, too caught up in touching and being touched. It wasn't that big of a deal though, who doesn't like cold pizza after working up a sweat and a nice power nap?