social casualties | 5sos au

Chapter 27 {By Ramey}

I went through the attic to the roof and pulled out a cigarette. I lit it and began to smoke.

"Rylie!" Someone calls. I look around to see Michael in my front yard.

"Shit." I mutter and put out the cigarette. I pop a mint into my mouth and pray that he doesn't smell the smoke in my breath.

"Come down here." He whispers. I sigh and go downstairs with Blake's hoodie on.

Michael's POV

Rylie had on this oversized maroon colored sweatshirt and something stuck out from one of her pockets.

"Are those cigarettes?" I ask.

Her face goes pale and she looks down, tucking it inside her pocket, "Uh, no..." She says quickly.

I reach in her pocket and pull it out, "These are cigarettes." I state.

"They're Blake's." she mumbles, looking at the ground.

"Blake..." I sigh.

"What about him?" She asks, getting defensive.

"He's a bad influence on you." I insist.

"No he's not." She argues.

"Listen, I'm not here to argue with you. I just wanna tell you something." I sigh.

"What is it?" She asks.

"I'm...I'm in love with you, Rylie." I say and stare at the ground.

"No you're not." She says.

What? What does she mean no I'm not.

"What?" I ask.

"You're not in love with me. You just think you're in love with me." She says.

"How would you know? It's my feelings, not yours." I say.

"Michael...I know you mean well and it's flattering that you like me but you're not in love with me. I'm...me. And you're not in love. You're just in love with the fact that you think you're in love." She says.

I say nothing.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward. Maybe I should go." She sighs.

"No wait...there's something else." I say.

"Which is?" She asks.

"One Direction noticed us and they want us to go on tour with them." I say.

"Oh my god...you're kidding?" She laughs. But not like a 'you're ridiculous' laugh. More like a laugh that told she was happy for me.

I shake my head no.

"Oh my god that's...that's fucking great!" She exclaims.

I smile, "But...we'll be leaving you and Neptune for a few months...possibly longer." I sigh.

"I know." She says, "And that's okay. Of course, I'll miss you guys but I've never been more proud of you guys. Don't let me hold you back. You're living your dream."

A light in her house turns on.

"Gotta go. Bye Michael, I'll see you later." She kisses me on the cheek and heads inside quietly.

I better start packing.