Rejects | m.c

chapter 11: Better This Way

Song: Better This Way by Cherri Bomb

Our parents all let us stay off school, simply because they knew we wouldn't be able to concentrate with our work. The doctors say he's close to waking up any day now. But I heard one of them talking about how they only kept Michael in overnight to make sure he was okay. Of course it's Michael that is okay, it's always the one that does the damage that gets out easily. Him and Ashton used to be really close. I know this because Ashton used to tell me about things him and Michael did when they were kids, when he wasn't a monster. How he could even think of doing this to someone who is supposed to mean something to him, I will never know.

Here I was, lying in bed once again. My mum had tried to get me to come down but I honestly wouldn't be much better even if I could find the strength to pull the covers off of my weak body. Not only Michael has changed, but I have changed too. I knew I had to go to school tomorrow. I knew that staying off school is exactly what Ashton would tell me not to do. He'd force me to go, to face my fears. I'm not scared of going to school, I'm scared that if I go to school Ashton could wake up and I wouldn't be there.

My mum called me down. I pretended I didn't hear her, so when I heard her footsteps come up the stairs I quickly shut my eyes to give her the impression I was sleeping.

''Wake up sweetie!'' She gave me a toothy grin, and I was highly suspicious. I haven't seen her smile that big since before my dad left us. Which was three months ago now.

She left the room, giggling. My own mother, giggling. I have never heard her actually giggle. I've heard her laugh, but this is completely different. She closed the door behind her. I sighed, pulling the covers off my body. I didn't even bother to fix myself up. Whoever it was, they will just have to deal with my sleeping zombie attire.

I rolled my eyes as I stomped my way down the stairs. But my attitude completely flipped when I seen who was standing there in the doorway.

''Hey Blaze,'' He grinned at me, showing his teeth.

''Ashton?! What the hell! I thought.. you.. hospital..what?!'' I was so confused and happy at the same time.

''Yeah, I'll explain everything once we sit down and actually talk.'' My mum went to the living room to give us some space. We walked through the kitchen and out the back where my hammock was hung up. We both managed to lie down in the hammock, Ashton's arm round my shoulder as I rested my head on his chest, hugging his waist.

''I wanted to tell you that I woke up once my mum explained everything to me. But then I thought surprising you would be a much better idea.''

''It definitely was. So did your mum tell you how..''

''She told me everything Blaze..how Michael is the one that beat me up and caused me to fall in to a coma. Now I hate him even more than I did before.'' I stayed silent. I didn't even want to think about Michael and how he caused this.

''How did the fight even happened Ash?'' I finally blurted out the question I've been wanting to know.

''Oh god, I was hoping you wouldn't ask.. But I know you deserve to know.''

Michael and I were hanging out just like we used to, playing Call of Duty. Then I brought up the subject I knew I should have just left alone.

"Why do you hurt her?"

"Who?" He was playing dumb. He knew exactly who I meant.

"You know Michael. Blaze. Why do you hurt her? She's done nothing to you, you really break her."

"That's not my problem, she can't hack the truth." His words slipped out as his face was concentrated on the game.

"You know that's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard coming from you! I know you secretly care about her, but it's not my problem that you can't control that and so you act out and hurt the ones closest to you Michael."