Rebel: Michael Clifford

Chapter 12

I wake to the realization that I never changed out of my clothes from yesterday. Then, since I was thinking about yesterday I remembered Michael's little hookup and how I'm not supposed to be seen by Chelsea. I shoot Michael a text asking if she left yet but it takes him almost fifteen minutes to reply, which really sucks because I'm starving. And he replies with a no but promises he'll try to get rid of her as soon as possible. I let out a little groan of irritation. I did not sign up for this.

It takes a while but he finally gets rid of her. I walk downstairs all disgruntled.

"Good morning sunshine!" Michael sings cheerily.

"What's so good about it?" I glare at him. "I had to wait almost half an hour to come get breakfast."

"Oh come on," Michael whines. "if you had a guy over I would do the same thing for you."

"Well, I would never have a guy over." I say. "I'm not that type of person." I don't look at him because I don't want him to see how embarrassed I am.

"I wouldn't judge you." Michael defends himself. "everyone does it. it's completely normal to have sex."

"Not for me." I say, then quickly cover my hand with my mouth. I didn't mean to let that one slip.

"You're a virgin?" Michael asks amazed.

I nod shyly. "why would that surprise you?" I'm ugly and fat, and lets not mention awkward. Not really sexy.

"I don't know, I guess after that make out session we has I thought you were so good that I assumed you were more experienced." he shrugs, causing my whole face to go red. "wait, you're not one of those condescending church people, are you?"

"No," I laugh. "of course not. you can do whatever and whoever the hell you want."

"That's good, for a second there I thought I might have to kick you out of my house." he jokes.

I laugh, but it's a little fake chuckle. I imagine Michael saying that the only girl he wants is me. I mentally slap remind myself that Michael and I are just friends, nothing more. "I mean, I do go to church but I'm not all about saving myself for marriage. You gotta sample the product before you buy it." I say, causing Michael to laugh really hard.

"Says the virgin." Michael manages in between fits of laughter.

"Who said I was a virgin by choice?" I joke.

"Lets be honest here." Michael says seriously. "almost every guy in our school thing you are hot, but they never say anything because you are so intimidating."

"Intimidating?" I question.

"You've got the whole package." Michael explains. "you're pretty, smart, nice, and feisty."

"I fail to see how that makes me unapproachable."

"Well, every guy would be lucky to have you but you're so intimidating because you have all the qualities of a totally fuckable person, but you're too smart to ever get played. and all high school guys want is sex."

"That's the most stupid thing I've heard in my entire life." I roll my eyes. "I refuse to believe you. Except about the part whets guys only wang sex because, lets be real, that's no secret."

Michael shrugs. "Fine, don't believe me. Just know one thing. You are a beautiful girl, Carmen Rose, and just because you don't get any attention from guys that doesn't mean that you should feel bad about yourself." I look at him as my heart melts. I can't remember the last time someone had called me beautiful.

*~*

"Lets go do something." Michael says, pulling me off of the couch. we had been netflixing for pretty much the whole day and I have to admit that it was really nice to just sit here and enjoy being a lazy ass with a fellow lazy ass.

"No." I whine. "pop some popcorn and lets start a new show."

"Jokes on you." Michael says. " because we're out of popcorn, so if you want some, we have to go to the store."

"I don't wanna be an adult." I admit. "responsibilities suck." but I pull on some shoes anyway and follow Michael out the door. "why do we even have to go together.''

"Because grocery shopping isn't fun unless you have someone to fool around with." Michael informs me.

"Ugh." I groan. "you're so weird."

"Yeah, but you love it."

"No." yes.

"You can't deny it forever.

"I'm not denying it." I'm totally denying it.

"Whatever." he laughs.

"Whatever." I say stubbornly.

We pull up to the store and head in. At first it's just a normal boring old shopping trip. Just quietly getting what you need and trying to avoid eye contact with other customers. And then, out of the corner of my eye I see a familiar looking figure. My heart starts beating rapidly. I slowly turn to look at the figure and my feats are confirmed.

My father is here.

Without thinking, I reach for Michael's hand he's stunned at first, but then he notices me staring at my father and gives my hand a supportive squeeze.

Just as I am about to walk away, my father noticed me. He slowly walks past and gives us the nastiest sneer he's ever given anyone. "rotten, good for nothing, young girls these days." he mutters just loud enough for me to hear.

Michael opens his mouth to say something, but I stop him before can. "I-it's okay."

"You don't actually believe that." Michael looks at me with concern. "I've never seen someone tremble as hard as you are right now."

At this point I'm fighting so hard to hold back my tears. "lets just go." I say quietly. Michael, still holding my hand, leads me to the check-out isles. Luckily there are no lines so we can leave right away. As soon as we get in his car, though, I completely loose it. I ball my eyes out all the way home. Once he parks the car he runs over to my door and pulls it open. He holds out his hand for me and I willingly take it. I am pulled out of the car and into a tight hug. "don't you ever believe a those words he said to you." he says into my hair. "you are an amazing person."

His words calm me a little and I pull away slightly so I can look at him. "thank you." I say honestly. "I don't know why you are so kind to me but I really appreciate it."

"I'm kind to you because I like you."