Broken||M.C

*Thirty-Seven*

//How can one person make you so happy??\\

Avery

I just stared at him. I didn't move or anything. I just stood there, in shock. I couldn't believe that he was here. He smiled at me and that made me almost pass out. When I finally moved, I wrapped my arms around his neck and just hugged him, harder than I ever had before.

I felt his arms wrap around my waist. I buried my neck in his chest. Tears came and I just felt safe, for the first time in almost four months. Just being engulfed in his arms. We finally let go of each other, and I found the words to speak.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"To see you, duh." He said, smiling.

"But....why?"

"Luke told me about your dad leaving, but before you get mad at him, let me explain. I overheard his conversation with you and asked about it, and that's when he told me."

"Oh, okay. I'm glad you told me that, because I was about ready to punch Luke."

Michael chuckled, but I was being serious. We walked into the house and sat down on the couch.

"Ragan! Get in here!" I yelled.

"Who the heck was at the....Holy crap what are you doing here?"

We both laughed at her reaction. She walked in and sat down in the chair, just pointing at us.

"Why is he here?" She asked.

"He came to see me." I said.

"Okay, and why?"

"I don't know." I said. "He was about to explain that."

"Okay, well I'll go so you two can talk." She said, standing up.

"Well you can stay." He said.

"Nah, you two need time. I'll get it all from Avery later. Bye."

And just like that, she walked out the door and got in her car, driving off.

"She's still just as crazy as I remember." Michael said.

"Yeah, almost as crazy as you."

"Hey, no one is at my level of crazy."

I nodded my head. "Yeah, that's true."

He smiled again and I really wanted him to stop because my heart had already taken enough damage, him laughing wasn't helping at all.

"So, the reason I'm here." He said. "I've been a wreck without you, Avery. I've tried to play it off, but deep down, I'm a total wreck. I haven't been eating like I should and everything is a mess."

I looked at him, he did look skinnier and he had the same bags under his eyes that I had. Luke kept telling me he was fine. I believed that he was, but it couldn't have been further from the truth. He was hurting just as much as I was.

"They told me you were fine." I said. "That you were moving on."

"I wanted them to tell you that. I didn't want you to worry about me. I'm sorry I left, I only did it to protect you and your family."

"I know you did. I understand why you left. Didn't make it any easier, though." I said.

"It wasn't easy for me either. As soon as I left that day, I almost came back. The only thing keeping me away was the fact that you might die, and that hurt me more than leaving you."

"Okay, well you're back now. Why? I thought you had a girlfriend."

"It's only for publicity and we broke up last week. We weren't even together, really. She liked some guy back home or something, I don't know. All I know is that I want you back. I've been in pain long enough. That is, if you want me back."