Pictures of You [M. C.]

12

(Song for this chapter: "Never Be Alone" by: Shawn Mendes)

We make it home that night in one piece and I'm ready to just relax. Today has been a long day and I'm tired now. We walk into the house and I head to the kitchen to make hot tea.

"Michael, want anything?" I call from the kitchen.

"What ever you're making, I'll have one too," he says leaning against the counter next to me. "I had fun today," he smiles.

"I did too." I reach into the cabinet above my head and pull down two mugs then place a tea bag in each. Once the water is heated, I fill the mugs and hand one to Michael. "Come on," I whisper. Michael follows me up stairs and into my room, but I don't stop there. I unlock my balcony door and walk out, taking a seat on the bench I have out here.

"I didn't know you had this," Michael says looking around. He leans against the railing and looks at the sky. A billion stars dot the blackness, making it glow. "Do you come out here often?" His voice is low and soft.

"Sometimes. Not as much as I used to." Michael turns around and finally joins me on the bench. As soon as he sits down, I waste no time in moving closer to him so I can lean my head on his shoulder. He places his arm around my back and presses his lips to the side of my head.

We stay like this for hours, long after our tea is gone. Most of the time is spent in silence, only a few words exchanged. The night is cool but Michael is impossibly warm.

"What time is it?" I speak up.

"A little after midnight. We should go to bed," Michael says getting up. I follow him back inside and lock the door behind us. While Michael is changing in the bathroom, I slip out of my jeans and leave on my shirt, putting on a pair of sleep shorts. Then I crawl into bed and wait for Michael. He comes in a few minutes later and gets in next to me, pulling me close. We both say goodnight and I immediately fall into a deep sleep.

***

The next morning, I wake up to an empty bed. Muted light comes through the window, warming my room. Dazed, I look around, Michael being nowhere. Just as I'm about to get out of bed, he comes into the room, his hair damp. I realize then he must've been taking a shower. That also means it has to be pretty late in the morning. I glance at my clock to see that I'm right; it's almost noon. I think this is the latest I've slept in years.

"Well, good morning," Michael says sitting on the bed next to me. "For a while there, I didn't think you were going to wake up."

"I guess I was just tired," I say sitting up and stretching. I actually feel very rested, ready to have another good day with Michael. "I'm going to take a shower." Michael nods and lies back down on the bed as I pick out clothes to wear. I decide on blue jeans along with a tan sweater and I make sure to also grab a pair of underwear and a bra.

Once the water is heated, I step into the shower. The warm water runs over my body, washing the sleep away. I quickly wash my hair then add conditioner and let it sit as I run soap over my body. After I'm clean, I rinse out the conditioner, leaving my hair soft. I turn off the water then grab a towel and step out then dry off my body. I then put my clothes on and get ready to head back to my room. But I forget about the bra sitting on the ground. My foot slips on it, causing me to lose my balance. I fall to the ground, but only after banging my head on the corner of the counter top.

I end up on my knees on the floor dazed, my forehead stinging. Then I see the blood; a lot of blood. It's all over the floor, the counter, and me. I've never been one to be squeamish at the sight of blood but I feel like I'm going to pass out. I can feel the metallic liquid stream from my wound, only adding to the situation.