Let's Forget Everything (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 28

"Sorry again for puking on you," I sighed, getting out of Luke's car.

"For the millionth time, I promise it's okay," he reassured me, following me out of his car.

"You believe me, don't you?" I asked, walking up to my front door.

"Of course I do," Luke nodded and I instantly knew he was telling the truth.

"It just, looks bad," he added quietly. I nodded and looked down to hide my quivering lip.

"Thanks for letting me cry to you for an hour," I tried laughing but I couldn't, I felt numb.

"Jess are you sure you're okay? I could call Callie and Sam and stay with you until they get here? And Calum too?" Luke asked sweetly, following me up my front steps.

"I just want to be alone right now," I said quietly, trying my best not to cry in front of Luke, again.

"You sure?" Luke asked, looking genuinely concerned.

I nodded, not wanting to speak because of the lump that was slowly growing in my throat.

Luke didn't say anything, instead he shyly pulled me in for a hug and rested his chin on my head. He's taller than Michael, and his shoulders are so broad, I didn't know how to hug him back at first. I finally settled into it and put my arms around his waist, allowing a couple more tears to fall. After a couple moments, he pulled away and gave me a shy smile.

I gave him a small wave as he turned around and got into his car.

I was anxious to talk to Michael, I needed to tell him my side of the story. I was scared to tell him when Bradley called me before because I didn't want to lose him, but me not telling him is what made me lose him.

Luke explained everything to me; what Angela and Bradley were claiming to be true, Calum believing everything that Angela said, Michael confronting Bradley, everything. I was so angry at myself, why did I have to get drunk out of my mind that night? The night Michael needed answers and instead was getting fed lies. The one night I needed to stick up for myself and I made the stupid decision to get drunk.

It never even dawned on me that yesterday was my birthday. It almost felt like my birthday didn't happen this year.

Luke told me to give Michael some space today and then try to talk to him tomorrow, but I can't do that. I can't let him walk around believing this lie. I can't let him walk around believing that we're over.

I waited until Luke turned down the street and out of view before getting in my car in search of Michael.

Luke didn't know where he went, so I had no clue where I was going. But I couldn't sit at home and do nothing, and I couldn't just simply call him. I needed to see him. He probably wouldn't answer my call anyway. So I drove to the first place I could think of, the old folks home.

I know he can't sign in to see his grandma, unless he talks to his parents first, but he always goes and just sits outside of the building. He doesn't know that I know he does it, Luke told me a while ago.

I parked and hopped out of the car, thankful it was summer and my parents were gone all day otherwise they wouldn't let me use up gas like this.

I walked around the whole building, but there was no sign of Michael.

I sighed, hopping back into the driver's seat. I could feel the lump in my throat grow as I looked down and saw the bracelet Michael gave me the other day. I lightly touched the charms, feeling a tug on my heart.

I drove everywhere I could think of, even embarrassing myself in the process. I stopped at Calums house and a shirtless Calum answered with Angela hanging on his arm. It took everything in my power to not confront Angela, I really didn't want to give in to what she wanted, feed into the lie.