Stationed! (A Michael Clifford fanfic)

Chapter Four

'Two years ago... Michael's dad decided he wanted to go and fight' Ashton said slowly.

'Fight?' Bella asked.

'His dad is stationed in Afghanistan. It hit the whole family really hard but especially Mikey' Ashton finished.

He watched Bella closely, another tear was rolling down her face.

'His whole reaction was made worse by the fact that a few weeks before that, his cousin had been killed in battle. I think that was when his dad made the decision' Ashton explained as Bella listened in silence.

'I only know this because I walked in on Michael trashing his room and crying. I demanded he tell me what was going on otherwise I would tell Luke and Calum what i'd seen. He then swore me to secrecy' Ashton continued.

Bella had been silent for a while now, she was letting all the information soak in. She realised her make up was running where she had been crying. Suddenly she heard Michael's bedroom door slam from upstairs and footsteps coming in their direction. She quickly pushed Ashton into the downstairs toilets and locked the door.

'What are you doing?' Ashton quizzed.

'I'm sorry I can't let Mikey see me like this, he'll want to know why i'm crying. I can't believe he never said anything. Do you think whatever he is going through now is to do with the same thing?' she whispered.

'I'm not sure, but as we all said before whatever it is, when the time is right he will tell us' Ashton reassured.

Bella grabbed some toilet paper, looked in the mirror and started to wipe her face. They heard Michael come down the stairs and go into the living room.

'I think we are safe, I'll go through before they start to get suspicious' Ashton said unlocking the door.

'Ash... Thanks' Bella said.

'For what?' Ashton replied.

'For telling me, I know Michael swore you to secrecy but it means alot.' Bella explained.

Ashton nodded and left Bella to sort herself out.