CHAPTER FIVE
MICHAEL STUMBLED OFF THE PLANE AND INTO A TAXI.
he proceeded to stumble all the way across town, into his house and then into the big bed that had remained empty for the past century, probably. the whole house was stuffy and he cracked open all the windows before he settled himself into bed, planning to nap for maybe the rest of the day.
unfortunatly, with the out-of-whack timezones and his eternally fucked up body clock, Michael didn't have much say when his body decided to wake him up at ten in the morning with a splitting headache and a craving for mango. normally Michael could ignore this but he'd just returned on a year-long flight, his fridge was completely empty and his whole brain NEEDED aspirin or caffeine.
his house- a simple (massive) home with a lot of cool gadgets and glass stairs- was stony and silent as he left in his car and drove the whole five minutes to the grocery store. doing that loop was something so familier to Michael it felt like he'd never left.
his dash clock read 10:50, but already people were out and about. he felt a surge of affection and love towards everyone in the town- he felt a massive surge of love towards the sunny weather and cloudless sky- he felt a massive surge of sweetness to everyone he passed on his way to the beauty/health isle.
it felt good- really, really good- to be back home. and maybe it wasn't mela he'd missed, so much as everything. being back reminded him of every single thing he'd forgotten and it felt good to have his brain clogged up with the woes and conundrums of mild life. it felt good to breathe the nice air. it felt good to be free of pressure.
michael felt like he could breathe again.
****
MELA WAS UP AND BUSTLING WHILE HAYLEY CURSED A SERIOUS HANGOVER.
she'd been up for hours, giving the baby breakfast and fixing stuff up for the day. Hayley, drunk and smelling gross on her bed, was a distraction, a blimp on her perfect day.
Mela had woke up smiling. feeling insanely good. she'd jumped out of bed and had a shower and gotten dressed in her favourite light-wash jeans and packed her pretty blue backpack and Ali hadn't grumbled or spit up on Mela's new shirt. it was something to do with the winds, or the ocean. a sea change. something blowing in for the better.
but now Hayley was awake and complaining and Mela couldn't just ignore her best friends complaints so there she was, hooking Ali into her car seat with her keys jingling in her hand. Ali chose now to begin grumbling, first quietly and then, the closer they got to the shops, louder and louder. Mela would've left her with Hayley, but Hayley was NOT in the mood for a baby clinging to her day-old frame, and Mela liked having company (even when the company was grumbling) when she shopped.
she parked in the 'mothers with prams' spot, even though she technically wasn't going to use the pram. she figured it was legal. she checked her watch. just ticking towards 10:50.
balancing Ali on one hip and a red basket on the other Mela stalked into the grocery store to pick up some asprin for Hayles 'mothertrucking demon headache' (Hayley had to replace swear words as a result of Mela not wanting Ali to pick up on anything).
Ali was getting increasingly grumbly, though she'd calmed a little in Mela's arms. they were both inspecting the rows of next, over the counter boxes, oblivious to the noises and humdrum of the shopping centre, until Mela began to get the odd feeling someone was looking at her- and Ali.
she glanced up and then she saw him. there. at the end of the isle. red basket dropped to his side, like he'd forgotten it was there, staring at her with his mouth a little open like he was completely surprised to see her there, see her where he'd left her all those months ago. he didn't seem to be making a move any time soon and this was getting so awkward. he looked good and Mela hated admitting it but it was the truth. he looked really good, hair all messy like he'd just rolled out of bed, probably only able to use his adorable, gruff morning voice.
Ali didn't let the moment go on for too long. she banged her tiny fists against Mela's chest and squirmed in her arms, moving around to draw Mela's attention back to her. "Mama." she mumbled in her little, angelic voice.
Michael's mouth stayed open. so did Mela's.
"I- um, I.." Michael swallowed. "hey.."
****
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ya feel???!?!??!
i felt kind so i updated also I'm in an amazing mood bc I SAW TAYLOR SWIFT LAST NIGHT OMG IT KILLED ME I'M A GHOST
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