Michael's POV
"Ash, I need your help." I state quietly as I walk into his room. He looks up from the book he started reading after dinner and sighs.
"What is it, Michael?"
"How do you get a girl to like you when you've been nothing but awful to her the entire time you've known her?" I ask sitting on his bed. He raises his eyebrows at me and sets his book down on the nightstand.
"Please tell me we're not talking about Angela." He glares and I feel my cheeks heat up instantly. "Seriously? Michael! No! You can't like her!" He lectures between gritted teeth.
"And why not Ashton?" I question, getting slightly defensive.
"Because she's your doctor. Plus, you probably don't even like her, it's probably just the lack of options here." He practically spits.
"And how would you know that, huh? What if I actually like her? What if we have a lot in common and I relate to her and connect with her like I've never connected with anyone before? What does that mean then?" I question.
"Michael, it's her job to connect and relate with you. She did it with me and Luke and Cal and every other person she's worked with. Don't take it personal. It's really not about you." He says a little more gently this time. I look away to hide the tears in my eyes.
"Fine. Whatever. I should've asked Cal." I answer and walk out.
After I'm sure everyone is asleep, I decide to go for a walk outside. It tends to get really stuffy in here and it makes me panic. As I'm putting my jacket on I hear the front door open and close. It's probably Angela. She always seems to be up this time of night, which I think is strange. I think it might have something to do with the nightmares I've heard her talking to Jake about. Either way, I decide to go out the back door. Hopefully I won't run into her.
Angela's POV
After everyone goes to bed, I head downstairs and make another pot of coffee, pouring my cup before heading out to my office. I need to email the boys families and give a progress report. Michael's doing a lot better, but I still think he needs at least three more months of this intensive therapy before he heads out into the real world again and considering summers halfway over, I'm afraid they'll be staying into the fall. Unless of course Michael flips a switch and decides to cooperate fully with me.
Honestly, I'm afraid of all the boys' reaction to this news. They were really hoping I'd be able to perform a miracle with him but I just can't. I wish I could.
By the time my computer is on I have a headache, which I know is probably from overdosing on caffeine and not getting enough sleep. I just can't sleep. The nightmares have been awful lately. I just keep replaying the things I did. They usually include details about my mom's death too. Sighing I start the email to Michael's parents.
About ten minutes later I hear a knock on my door. I look at the clock that reads '12:45' and then up at the person knocking at my office door at this ungodly hour.
"Michael? Are you ok?" I ask startled to see the red haired boy standing in front of me. He nods.
"Couldn't sleep." Is his simple response.
"I see, come in. Don't just stand there all awkward." I say with a chuckle. He smiles and sits down across from me. "You wanna tell me what's got you up this late?" He sighs.
"My thoughts." He says, hardy above a whisper. I smile gently.
"I could've guess that. Wanna elaborate on that?" He looks down and shakes his head. I sigh. "Michael, I want to help you. I really do. I also want to be able to tell your family you can go home at the end of the summer but right now, I can't." His head shoots up at this information.
"What do you mean? I've done everything you've asked. I rode a freaking horse for crying out loud!" He states getting angrier with every word.
"You have and I'm very thankful for that. You've made a lot of progress in the group activities. However, our sessions aren't going well. Michael you wont talk to me. You shut down every time I try and talk to you. And as long as you do that I can't diagnose you, I can't give you the tools to deal with what's going on inside your head. And if I can't do those things I can't trust that you'd be safe out in the real world by yourself." At that he stands up from his chair with a frustrated groan and walks out of my office. Of course, I follow him. His back is facing me as he looks into one of the horses stalls.
"Michael? Calm down. I'm not mad at you, I just want to help." He laughs, but doesn't turn around.
"Help me? You know, you keep saying that. But you have absolutely no idea that you're my problem." He starts out sarcastic and condescending, but that last sentence is hardly above a whisper. I step back, shocked.
"What do you mean? How am I your problem?" He sighs, hesitating for a second before he turns around and closes the distance between us in less than two strides, I instinctively reach my hands out and push them against his chest but that only makes him lean into me harder. His hands instantly find my hips and we just stare at each other for a moment before he speaks.
"You're my problem, Angela. Whenever I think I start to relax here I see you and get all clammed up again. I don't talk to you because I like you and it's extremely embarrassing having the girl you like know every single insecurity you have, to know every flaw like that. I want to, I really do. But I can't think clearly when I'm with you." He breathes out. We're still standing in the same position as we were before he spoke. I take all this in and I start to panic. This can't be happening. I'm trying to think of what to say when he interrupts my thoughts by cupping my face in his hands and pressing his lips to mine.
My hands instantly grip his shirt as I melt into his kiss. After a few seconds I pull away. He looks at me with a look so full of hope and vulnerability it nearly breaks my heart.
"Michael, I'm so sorry. I- we can't do this. " I choke out as the tears pooling in my eyes threaten to spill over. His face drops almost instantly and he stands there a moment before turning on his heels and walking out. I don't even attempt to follow him.
Jake's POV
"Michael, I'm so sorry. I- we can't do this." I hear Angela's voice crack. I stop in my tracks. I knew se was out here, she almost always is this time of night. But I didn't know Michael was out here. A few moments later I see Michael storm out of the barn. What did she do?
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A/N Sooooo a little more action? Yesterdays chapter was just a little 'prologue' for this one. What's you guys think?? Do you ship them?? Comment what you think!
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Wittshome Ranch
Fanfiction****ON HOLD***** I'm currently writing a Stranger Things Fanfic called 'Just Be Held', so please go read that! Until that is finished this book will be on hold! "How do you destroy your demons without destroying yourself?" Pain. That's all Michael s...
