5sos Shorts

"California" m.c.

Maisie POV:

"You still haven't heard from Michael?" Luke asked, scooting closer to me on the couch and wrapping his arm around my waist to pull me into him. I nodded, resting against him and pushing my palms into my eyes as I tried to stop the tears from flowing.

"Don't act like you give a shit." I spat bitterly. "You never liked him anyways."

"Don't say shit like that. I know when you're upset like this pushing people away is how you try to defend yourself against further hurt, but even if I didn't care for Michael I know you did, and I definitely care for you." Luke spoke softly, leaning into my hunched over form and rubbing my back.

"It's been two months, Luke!" I sobbed quietly, my voice breaking as I tried choking the words out. "He never even said goodbye... I wouldn't even know where he went if Katie hadn't seen him by chance on her way to work and told me about it!"

"He was an idiot, Maisie." Luke stated, and when he went quiet I looked up at him. He obviously had more to say on the matter, but he was holding himself back. I don't know why that made me so mad, but it did. I pushed away from Luke forcefully and stood facing him, my chest heaving and fists clenched so tightly at my sides I thought I might break the skin of my palms.

"WHAT, LUKE?" I demanded with a shout, startling my poor roommate. "I KNOW WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO NOT SAY THINGS. I KNOW YOU. SO JUST SAY IT, OKAY? SAY WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND!"

"Maise, calm down!" Luke spoke hurriedly, looking at me with worry etched into his expression.

"Tell me." I stated, quieter this time, but more viciously than before. I felt dead as I stared at him, finally finding myself as numb as I used to be, waiting for him to speak.

"You have to have expected this from him. You knew what you were getting into when you met Michael." Luke finally told me quietly. I stayed still where I was, glaring at him.

"I always expect this. I just thought he might be different." I admit, sounding emotionless despite the hurricane of conflicted feelings stirring in my chest.

"Let's put you to bed, okay? You've had a rough couple of months and you're not sleeping. I'll get you some melatonin or something." Luke decided, going to the kitchen.

I don't think I made the decision consciously. I'd never have purposely hurt Luke, but before I finally came back to reality I was two streets down with only my wallet tucked into my jacket pocket and my phone clutched in my hand. I had no idea where to go.

Michael POV:

Running away had been so easy before Maisie. It was a knee jerk reaction to get on that fucking plane two months ago, and I'd been neck deep in regret ever since I'd landed in California.

"You doing alright, mate?" Harry asked me as he turned the corner from the hallway to the living room.

"O'course I am." I responded in a mumble. Harry looked at me, unconvinced, before plopping down next to me on the couch.

"You need to go back, Michael." Harry told me seriously and I lifted my eyes to meet his. They were an angry green, his brows furrowed as he stared me down.

"I'm fine, Harry." I told him again.

"Great. Be fine somewhere else." Harry spoke firmly.

"What the hell? You know I don't have anywhere else to go here." I reminded him angrily.

"Then go back home." Harry concluded, pushing himself off the couch and going to the kitchen. "If you're not gone by the evening I'll put your stuff out front."

A pretty girl with bright blue hair and skin as pale as death walked into the room quietly, her sharp features turned to Harry as she gave him a lusty once-over before turning to me. She walked in front of me and slapped me across the face before walking out without speaking. Harry let out a bellowing laugh as I rubbed my stinging cheek.

"I like her."

"Shut the fuck up." I snapped at him. I couldn't tell you what I'd done to deserve that, but with disgust I acknowledge that I probably deserved worse than what she gave. My nights had become blurred by alcohol and I usually ended up blacking out and waking up in some dark bedroom next to pretty strangers.

I sighed in frustration and ignored it when I heard knocking at the front door. Harry called out for me to get it and I ignored him, too. After a few minutes the knocking still hadn't stopped and Harry stomped back into the living room, shooting me an annoyed glare before he went to get the door.

"Ehm... Mikey? It's for you." Harry told me as he rounded the corner with a troubled look. I furrowed my brows, confused.

"Who the fuck is asking for me? You're the only person from California I know." I reminded him.

"Yeah... She doesn't look like she's from around here." Harry said with a look of intrigue, peeking back around the corner and motioning for the girl at the door to come in before heading away from the room. "I'll be in my room; this looks like it might be personal."

Harry left down the hall to his room and I caught my breath as Maisie came into sight. I'd been so careful keeping her out of my mind until now. God, I'd missed her. Her dark hair hung in tight, frizzy strands of waves all around her pale and freckled face. She looked cold and dead and sick. She was so fucking beautiful, though.

"Maisie." Her name passed my lips without permission and it stung when she didn't so much as blink an eye at me.

AN: I will update this later, but I just wanted to update and give you guys something while I wait for my new computer to arrive. Sorry for the lack of anything but this likely very crappy start should attest to the fact that I can't write on mobile x.x
Much love, MoiraDarling :)