Feather

Six

As Michael and Peyton walked up the path to his mum's front door, he saw how she couldn't stop fidgeting, constantly fixing her hair, and patting down her clothes. He looked down at his black skinny jeans and Harley Davidson tshirt and thought he looked okay, so he asked Peyton as she rang the doorbell, "why are you wearing a dress today?"

"Easy access." She said quickly, smiling widely as Karen opened the door.

Michael's breath caught so fast in his throat he began to cough loudly, "Michael, are you okay?" His mum asked in concern, and he nodded.

"I think he may have swallowed a fly," Peyton laughed lightly, "it's nice to see you again, Mrs. Clifford."

"Please, call me Karen," she smiled, "now come inside, we'll get you some water, Michael." She moved back, letting both of them enter before closing the door, and leading them to the kitchen.

All in all, the barbecue was pretty standard. Peyton got to meet Michael's father, Darryl, and she couldn't quite get over just how much Michael looked like him. He was sweet, and funny, and she could really understand how Michael had come to be that way too. His parents were truly wonderful people.

Michael got to catch up and talk to his cousins, and a few aunts and uncles he hadn't seen for a while, introducing Peyton to them all, and then telling her, as they walked away from them, how much he didn't like them because they would make fun of him when he was younger.

Peyton didn't like that, frowning as he explained how they would always comment on him being the smallest of them all, and laughing at him when his mum would tell him off for always being next to her, and holding onto her. She decided that she didn't really like those people either, telling Michael so, and making him smile shyly.

As the party went on throughout the day, and the sky became darker, more drinks began to flow. Music was put on, which had everyone dancing happily. Peyton and Michael in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, laughing and joking and just having a good time. Michael was hesitant at first, he hadn't been around this many people in a while, but Peyton just put her arms loosely around his neck and had him focus on her.

They didn't notice how Darryl and Karen watched them with smiles on their faces. They hadn't seen their son this happy, probably ever, and it made them happy. Both knew the couple only thought of themselves as friends but Karen could see something more, and Darryl was just so glad to see Michael not worried about what others thought of him.

"Do you think they know?" Karen smiled up at her husband.

"Not a chance." He chuckled slightly, looking down at her.

"I like her, she's nice." She wrapped her arms around his waist resting her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah," Darryl sighed in contentment, holding Karen close, "I like her too."

It was close to midnight when Peyton had to go inside to use the bathroom, Michael walked her to the doors, and directed her upstairs as she told him to stay back with his parents while she was gone. After washing her hands and making sure her make-up still looked okay, she began to make her way back to the party but she noticed something as she got to the top of the stairs.

At the end of the hallway was a door with Michael's name on, and she knew straight away it was his old room. Hearing the party in full swing, Peyton took a chance and made her way to the door, opening it slowly, and turning on the light. She smiled as she looked around, the room was very Michael, seeming like he hadn't really changed much at all in his years alone. That was nice.

Peyton walked inside, closing the door behind her, leaving a small crack open, and slowly sat down on the bed. She could tell that he was kind of lonely when he was younger by how 'lived in' the room looked. It had everything you could dream of if you didn't need to go out. Games consoles, TV, computers, two of them, she noticed, that must have been when he was playing online. She knew he was into W.o.W and League of Legends.

She doesn't know how long she sat in the silence but then there was a soft knock on the door, looking up she saw Michael, a shy smile on his lips, "you found my sanctuary," he said, closing the door, making sure it was closed before sitting next to her. Peyton nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, moving closer.

"I think it's cool. I didn't really have a lot of things that made my room feel like it was mine. This is cosy." She smiled.

"You said your parents, that they didn't really show you affection much, why is that?"

"They're just not good at showing emotions. It's okay though, I always felt loved, just not in a touchy feely way." She shrugged.

"Well, you have me for that now."

"Yeah."

"Hey, my parents wondered if you wanted to stay here tonight, since it's late." He nudged her so she would look at him.

"Would we sleep in here?" Peyton asked excitedly.

"It is my room." Michael laughed.

"Hell yes I want to stay." She kicked off her shoes, and lay down, getting comfortable on the bed.

"We didn't even say goodnight to my parents." He laughs, laying on his back beside her.

"I'm sure they'll understand. We'll just tell them we fell asleep in the morning." She smiled, curling in close to him, her head on his chest, his arm automatically wrapping around her shoulders, and her leg going to its usual place in between his.

"My parents go to church on Sunday morning." He told her.

"Do we have to go?" She asked.

"No, we don't." Michael laughed lightly.

"Good to know."

After that they continued to speak quietly, sharing their thoughts on the party and the food, with Peyton telling him just how much she liked his parents, Michael thanking her for getting him onto the dance floor, and just helping him forget for a while.

Then it was quiet again, both noticing how the noise downstairs had stopped and the front door opened and closed as people left. Suddenly, Michael began to giggle. "What's so funny?" Peyton asked, looking up at him.

"You wore this dress and we didn't even do anything." He said, playing with the skirt.

"Good things come to those who wait, Clifford," She smirked before giving him a kiss on the lips, "goodnight, Michael."

"Goodnight, Peyton."