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Chapter Thirteen

Kinda feel like I'm on a roll.

Probably only 'cause I have a couple of story ideas, but I want to finish this one first before I publish anything else.

Anyway, drama starting in this chapter, so enjoy.

***

Michael was excited. Next week was the deadline for their Music project, and he couldn't wait for the teacher to hear what his group had done.

They had finished it yesterday, and they were going to practise the song all week. Usually Michael was shy, but music really brought him out of his shell. Not to mention actually having friends helped too. Michael smiled. He was really loving life right now.

He had also been told great news; tomorrow, on Sunday, his dad was going on a business trip, and his mum was going with him. That meant he was going to have a whole week by himself! He felt like he was floating on air right now as he made his way to Ashton's house for practise, his guitar case strapped to his back.

***

Practise had gone well, and Michael was happy.

They were now watching a movie (Camp Rock, because Michael got to choose and they had decided they wanted to watch a Disney film), and Michael was snuggled into Ashton's side, almost falling asleep. Well, until the movie ended way too soon (in Michael's opinion; he was just getting comfortable for a nap).

Ashton stood up first to stretch, almost making Michael whine at the loss of warmth and prompting him to sit up from his slouching position.

"Aw, did Mikey wake up grumpy?" Calum teased, tugging gently on the blonde's hair.

Michael shot him a look as he waved his hand away from his hair. "Didn't even sleep," he grumbled.

"Looks like kitten needs a nap." Luke said, amusement in his eyes.

And fuck if that nickname didn't make Michael's stomach flip and his heart momentarily stop. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Kitten needs to go home." Michael managed to retort, wishing he could stop the redness he could feel seeping into his cheeks, and it was times like these when he wishes he didn't have pale skin.

"Wonder if you purr like a kitten." Ashton commented as he grinned.

Michael stood up. "Fuck off," he said, without actually putting any heat into it because he just wanted to grab his guitar and high tail it out of there before they switched the lights back on and see his flushed face.

Which is actually what he did, throwing a quick "see you" over his shoulder as he walked out the door before Calum and Luke was up off the couch and Ashton had switched the lights on.

Michael groaned as he walked with his hands in his pockets and face slightly tilted up to the darkening sky. Why was he so awkward? Why couldn't he just laugh and brush off pet names like everyone else seemed to be able to do? Because they were his bloody weakness, that's why.

Michael sighed as he ran a hand down his cooling face and hoped none of the boys would figure it out. He would never hear the end of it.

***

Michael couldn't wait for his parents to leave.

Don't get him wrong, he loves his parents to pieces, but they were going to miss their flight if they fussed over him any longer. Also, he wanted to get ready to go to Calum's for practise as soon as possible.

"Mum, I'll be fine, seriously." He huffed, exasperated.

"Don't you use that tone with me." Karen said sternly.

Michael pouted until she gave in and hugged him tightly before kissing his forehead and hurrying out of the door and into the car, where his dad was waiting. He waved at the both of them before shutting the door and locking it, because he didn't want someone to creep into the house while he was naked and in the shower and murder him.

He rushed upstairs and into his room, wanting to be out of the house and on his way to Calum's as fast as possible. And, well, maybe if he hadn't been so eager, things may not have turned out as they did and gone to shit.

***

Michael was just locking the door when he heard him.

"Michael?"

Ashton.

Shit.

He gulped, not wanting to turn around but knowing he had to. He's been caught after all, there was no way out of this. Maybe if he explained everything now...

He slowly turned and the words died in his throat because Luke fucking Hemmings was with him, holding his hand and glaring at Michael.

"Um... I can explain?" He offered weakly.

"Oh, there's no need. You're clearly not who you made yourself out to be." Luke sneered.

"No, I... I do have an explanation. Please, I don't want to lose you guys." Michael said desperately.

"You already did the moment you lied to us. C'mon Ash, lets go."

Michael grabbed Ashton's wrist before immediately panicking because he hadn't meant to do that, and what was he supposed to do now?

"Just listen!" He pleaded, mostly to Ashton because he had always been the one to listen to him.

Except this time, it didn't look like he was going to at all. The eldest gently shook Michael off him before continuing to walk, not even looking at the smaller lad.

"Don't come to practise anymore." Luke said coldly.

"What? But it's a group project!"

"You're not in the group anymore."

Before Michael could say anything else, Luke rushed off to catch up with Ashton. He could hear the tall blonde saying, "Michael Clifford. I fucking knew it!" but all he could do was watch as two of his best friends walked away from him.

Michael stormed back into the house and up to his room, throwing his guitar onto his bed as he tried to stop the tears streaming down his face.

He was angry at his childhood 'friends' for maiking him insecure, he was angry at Luke and Ashton for not listening and letting him explain, but most of all, he was angry at himself for not telling them the truth right from the beginning.