Best Friends With Benefits (Muke)

Chapter 5

MICHAEL'S POV

We pull up to the building that the interview is being held in, and I see Ashton's car pull up behind us. Luke gets out of the passenger side, and I cringe when I see little droplets of water on his hair. He must've just gotten out of the shower.

He half-smiles at me, doing a little wave and falling into step next to Calum. "So, boys." Calum says, shooting a glance at Ashton and shoving his phone in his pocket. "Can we talk before the interview?"

Teenage girls are starting to gather around the doors, peering at us with faces torn between excitement and confusion.

"What about?"

"Muke." Ashton blurts, looking between Luke and I.

I automatically blush, then hide my face.

"Michael, do you have anything you'd like to say to Luke?"

"Uh. Well."

Luke is looking at me, half amused, and half hanging on to every word.

"Kay? Luke.. I've loved you for like.. 2 years... I know you're not.. I know you're with Arzaylea and you're in love with her or whatever but.. Luke I love you, I love everything about you. The way you walk, the way your lip ring stretches when you smile, the way you close your eyes when you sing, just.. I'm sorry. I'm done now."

I scuff my feet on the ground, refusing to look up and see his reaction.

Just as I'm looking up cautiously, I feel a fist collide with the side of my face, and then the stinging, aching pain registers and I cry out, cupping my cheek with my hand. Ashton is holding Luke back, his muscles bulging.

"You have no right to say those things about me. You can't.. Mike, you have no right to make me feel this way. No right." he says gruffly, looking down at his still clenched fist.

"Hey, Lukey?" Ashton ventures, after looking at me for a moment.

"Yeah?"

"You're an ass."

Luke looks offended. "Me? I'm an ass?"

"Yeah. Michael just told you something personal and from the heart that probably took him a lot of courage to say. Instead of telling him that you love him back, which I know you do (because you told me) and kissing him or something, you punch him in the face and shoot him down (and lie). You're an ass."

Luke looks at me for a minute, and then turns on his heel and walks back to the limo.

"Luke, you can't just leave." Calum calls after him, shooting a concerned look at me. I'm afraid that if I open my mouth, I'll make a sound that isn't human and crumble into about a million pieces.

"I can, I will, and I am." he says, flipping us off and sliding into the seat, slamming the door behind him.

I walk stiffly inside, taking deep breaths and turning into the bathroom before one of the other boys can try and talk to me.

This is what comes from having hope.

I almost don't hear my phone ringing as I sink down onto the floor, tugging slightly on my blue hair. Then I feel it, and notice that it's Luke.

No, Mike, don't. Like Ash said - He's an ass.

My thumb hovers over the 'answer call' button, and I finally click it.

"H-hello? Luke?"

"Hey. Mike."

"What.. what was that out there?" I ask, steadying my breath.