thunder -- michael clifford

chapter four

>> four.

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and put the black framed glasses on the bedside table on my face before looking at the clock. 11:30am. Maybe it was time for me to get up. I rolled out of bed in my big Pearl Jam t-shirt I had slept in and staggered downstairs.

I didn't see Beau in his room, so I figured he and Anna already went down to the studio without me, which didn't bother me that much. I could always get a cab later on. I started to go into the kitchen to find something to eat for breakfast, but a voice startled me and stopped me.

"Mornin', love!" 

"Holy shit!" I screamed, jumping nearly out of my skin.

The voice from the couch giggled. "I didn't mean to scare you!"

"Michael, what are you doing here?"

"I was supposed to help you unpack.. Anna said it'd be fine if I just stayed here and waited for you to wake. Is that okay? I mean, I can leave if you want."

That was the last thing I wanted. "No!" I shouted a little too eagerly, causing him to chuckle. "I mean, no, it's fine. Just let me get some breakfast first."

"Oh, uh.. I was hoping maybe you'd let me take you out for breakfast?" He came around the couch and was now standing in front of me with hopeful eyes.

I smiled. "Of course. Just, uh, let me get some clothes on, okay?"

"Alright." He grinned.

I scurried back up the stairs and back into my room to pick out something to wear. I pulled a plain white, loose tank top out of my bag with a pair of simple jean shorts. Seemed simple enough. My makeup remained light, just foundation and mascara. I slipped on a pair of black Vans and trotted back down.

"You look lovely." Michael said softly. Once again, I blushed like a maniac.

"You always look good. Now, can we go? I'm hungry." I wailed with a fake pout on my pale face. Michael laughed at me, so I grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the car parked in front.

"So where do you wanna go?" He asked when we piled in.

"Anywhere. Just take me to get food."

He shook his head playfully. "Okay, I can do that."

The beginning of the car ride was nothing but silence, so I decided to take a risk and turn up the radio. I didn't know if he was one of those guys that would cut your hand off if you touched their stereo, so I was a bit nervous, but when he didn't say anything, I began flipping through the stations. I finally found a classic rock station that happened to be playing Come As You Are by Nirvana when I crossed it.

"Holy fuck, I love this song!" I cried, turning the volume up even more.

"You do?" Michael asked, almost shocked.

"I love Nirvana. The 90s grunge sort of music is my absolute favorite. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, which really isn't grunge, but whatever. Uh, let's see.. Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, Candlebox. And then I really love The Cranberries and Sublime, but again, not really grungey. What kind of music are you into?"

He pointed down to his shirt, which was a Def Leppard tank top. "Shit like this. Classic rock really. And then I'm into pop punk bands like All Time Low and Blink-182."

"Beau likes all of that pop punk, and don't get me wrong, I love Blink, but it isn't really my style, you know?"

"Then you'd hate our band!"

I slapped his shoulder softly. "I couldn't hate it! I mean, you're in it. It just might not be my type of music."

"Well, that makes me feel better. We don't suck in general, just to you." He answered sarcastically.

"Not what I meant!" I tried to protest, but I didn't know how.

"It's fine, it's fine, Lia! I'm joking. Hey! Here's iHop! Sound good?"

I nodded quickly. "I fucking love iHop. Red velvet pancakes are my favorite." I grinned.

"Well, good. Let's go."

Michael and I got out of the car and walked toward the door, but first, he was stopped by two teenage girls.

"Oh my god! Michael Clifford! I love you so much! Can you get a picture with us?!" One shouted. Michael, of course, didn't say no, so I took the picture for them.

"Who's this?" The other one said, in an almost disgusted voice, while pointing to me.

"This is my beautiful friend, Lia." Michael responded, taking his place at my side once again.

"So she isn't your girlfriend?!" The first girl yelled excitedly.

He chuckled. "No, she isn't my girlfriend."

I felt my heart sink a little at this. I mean, I know I didn't want any relationships, and we hadn't even known each other for more than two days, but I just wanted so badly to be something more to him, I guess.

"Good. You could do so much better, Mikey." The second girl spoke once again.

I tried my hardest not to let it bother me, but I felt the tears pricking my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but it was hard. "Um, Michael, I'll, uh, I'll pass on breakfast, I think. I'll meet you back at the car." I choked out. Before he could protest, I was running off toward his vehicle.

Even from there, however, I heard his raised voice speaking to the girls. "I thought you girls were fans of the band. No fan of mine would ever insult anyone like that. She may not be my girlfriend, but Lia is special to me. I'm ashamed in you two. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go try and cheer up the girl you two just hurt with your unnecessary and completely untrue comments."

I felt a small smile curl onto my lips through my tears when I heard him. 

"Hey, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Michael's voice soothed as his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"I.. uh.. Truthfully? No. But, I mean, they're right."

"Hey, hey, hey. In no universe would that ever be true." Michael pulled me into his chest for a hug. "Please don't listen to them because they're way out of line."

"But, I mean, you're this huge rockstar, or whatever, and I'm some wannabe hippie from Indiana!" I cried.

"You're the most incredible girl I've ever met, Lia. I don't care if you're some 'wannabe hippie' from Indiana. You could be a farm girl from Nebraska, and I'd still think you were amazing because you're you, and I think that's pretty fantastic." He looked down at me with a huge smile, causing me to return it. "Now," he began again, "do you still want those red velvet pancakes? I'm buying."

I sighed. I couldn't pass up red velvet pancakes. "Fine."

"Okay, good. Come on."