Stationed! (A Michael Clifford fanfic)

Chapter Three

Michael and Bella arrived at the house, Michael unlocked the door and went in.

'Hey Cuz' Calum Greeted.

'Hey Cal, are you lot ready to go?' Bella asked, while giving her cousin a hug.

'I think so, but first I think Michael has something to say to Luke?' he questioned and gestured towards the living room where Ashton and Luke were sat watching TV. Michael followed the direction Calum had gestured in.

'Hey guys, um listen.. Luke I'm really sorry about this morning I really don't know what came over me. Whatever it was there is no excuse good enough, it shouldn't have happened. Of course to Calum and Ashton also I'm sorry for the state I was in this morning' Michael said sincerely looking guilty.

Luke stood up and pulled Michael into him giving him a hug. 'It's okay mate, you're forgiven. Just don't do it again, I don't want to be responsible for what comes of it.' Luke warned, jokingly.

'It won't mate, honestly. I think my heads just all over the place at the moment' Michael explained.

'You know you can speak to us right? Whatever it is we aren't going to judge' Calum interrupted.

'It doesn't matter, its fine. I feel much better now. Anyway I'm just going to go and change and then we can get going' Michael said, as he left the living room.

'So, did you guys get anything done this morning at all' Bella asked curiously.

'Nope! Michael was drunk as you have obviously heard and there was an argument and he lunged for Luke, so we left him to calm down' Ashton explained. 

'Luke was fuming and it took him a while to calm down, but I think..' turning to Luke 'you understand that he wouldn't do it unless something was wrong and if he wasn't drunk'.

Luke nodded in agreement. 'Yeah but what is it that is bothering him that much?' he questioned.

'You two are alright? I mean you haven't hit a rough patch or anything' Calum asked turning to Bella.

'No we're fine, I found him at the studio in complete darkness, where I thought I was meeting all of you, and we walked back together. Everything was fine he didn't mention anything bothering him.' Bella replied, a little snappily.

'I'm sorry, I should've text sooner' Calum admitted

'Don't worry about that, I wonder what it is that is making him behave so bizarrely' Bella wondered aloud.

'I wouldn't worry too much; I'm sure when the time is right he will tell us all. Meantime, whatever it is he'll get through it. He's strong is our Michael, just make sure he knows you are there for him no matter what.' Ashton soothed.

'Something similar happened a few years ago when...' He trailed off when he realised he had said too much.

'Actually I remember it was about two years ago. Michael kept acting really weirdly for about a month. But I never actually found out what was wrong. What happened Ash?' Calum quizzed.

'Never mind, I said too much. I promised him I'd never say anything. Plus it's not my place to say' Ashton said insistently. 

'I'm going to go and see where Michael has got too'. With that he walked out the room.

'You guys wait here, I'm going to talk to Ash' Bella explained following after Ashton.

'Ash wait up' she called, catching him in the hallway before he could run up the stairs. 'What happened with Michael, please tell me I need to know' Bella pleaded.

He stared at her, seeing longing in her face and her eyes filled up with tears. Ashton could see how much Bella really cared for Michael, and how much she hated seeing him so low.

'Please' Bella mouthed.

'Okay.. but I did promise' he took a deep breath.