Chapter 25 :
Stephanie's POV
I sat in my living room, social studies book on my lap as I tried to study for the test that was on Wednesday. Social studies was probably my best subject, as I found most of the stuff interesting, but still, it was school-related so I hated it.
"Mom! What are we-" I was cut off by a knocking on the front door.
"I'll get it!" I yelled. I got up and walked over to the door, opening it slowly.
What I saw shocked me.
"Michael?!" I whispered in a shocked tone. I pulled the sweater I was wearing tighter around my body, then went outside, shutting the front door behind me.
"What're you doing here?" I asked, very confused.
"Can I stay here for a little bit?" Michael croaked, and by his voice, I could tell he was crying before. His face didn't show signs of crying, so he probably cried before he came here so that he didn't have to cry in front of me.
"You can't, I'm grounded. And there's no way I can sneak you in, I have school tomorrow!"
I thought I saw Michael's lip start trembling, but then he just shut his eyes tightly, "Can you just please find a way to let me stay over? I can't go back to the LA house."
Looking at Michael made me sad, his big, white sweater looked dirty and his face looked stressed. I could tell he had been running his hands through his hair, becuase it was all messy. He only did that when he was sad or angry, so something is definitely wrong.
"I'll try. Come inside, it's late." I said, opening my front door again, leading the sad boy inside.
"Thank you." Michael said quietly.
"No problem, now stay here, don't leave this spot please." I warned him, then walked into my kitchen quickly. I had to get my parents onboard with the idea of Michael staying over.
"Mom?" I said, walking up to my mother who was cooking some type of soup over the stove.
"Yes, Stephanie?" She asked, glancing at me.
"Okay, I know I'm grounded, but this is important. Can Michael stay over here for a little while, I'm not sure how long, but can he? Please?" I asked.
"No, you're grounded and I said no friends." My mother said sternly, anger appearing on her face at the mention of Michael.
"Please? He's having problems at his house, he just needs a place to stay. It's not like we're going to be playing games, he's probably just gonna sleep the entire time!" I begged.
My mom's face softened when she heard the house-problems part, and sighed, "I guess. If he really is having problems, even thought I don't like him, I want him to be safe."
I'm pretty sure my mom still thought that Michael lived here with his parents, so she probably thought his parents were being abusive. Thank god she doesn't understand the fact that only his band was here.
"Thanks mom!" I said, turning away on my heel, but my mom stopped me again.
"Hold on there. What're you gonna do about school? You're definitely not skipping school. And Michael isn't, either!" My mom said. Wow, she seriously thought he lived here and went to school.
"Yeah I'll go. We'll go together, promise." I gave my mom a sincere look, then walked back to the front door where Michael stood.
"Can I stay?" He asked, clearing his throat.
