Something Great

Chapter 12

Michael had expected the remaining three to watch their movies and collectively express a parental distaste about how their friends just couldn't get along and maybe sing fucking Kumbaya too.

So he was surprised when Luke barged into the game room, demanding that Michael set him up to play Call of Duty.

"What's crawled up your arse," Michael questioned, tossing Luke a controller.

"Third wheeling," Luke replied shortly, tapping his foot impatiently as Michael set up the game.

Michael allowed the room to fall into silence as they began to play. The only noises came from the game or their mouths when something didn't go quite right.

Michael didn't understand Luke's infatuation with Ralley. He thought she was a cool, attractive girl who definitely had talent, but he didn't see any reason to pine after her. Michael could tell Ralley and Luke wouldn't work out 1) because she and Calum were crazy about each other and 2) Ralley and Luke were practically the same person. It was a general rule of the universe that if people had nearly everything in common, it just wouldn't work out. They were better off as friends, in Michael's opinion.

He breathed a laugh. It was only meant for himself, but Luke heard it.

"What?"

"You know, this has so much potential to go wrong right? Ralley and Calum's relationship would get fucked up, you and Cal would fuck up the band, and it probably wouldn't work out between you and Ralley anyway."

Luke's fingers stilled on the controller, and he turned to Michael with narrowed eyes. Malice was practically spilling out of them.

"What the fuck?"

Michael rolled his eyes. "You really need to just pick your balls up off the floor and go find your own girl, Luke."

"Are you fucking serious right now," Luke laughed dryly, tossing his controller towards the television. Michael nodded, still focused on the game.

"You hardly have room to speak, Michael," Luke continued. "What about Ava? You and Ash are already at each other's throats! What have you got to say about that?"

"That's different," Michael said firmly. He refused to look at Luke.

"To hell, it's different!" Luke shouted. "You look at her like a lovesick puppy! I can't believe you're telling me to find 'my own girl' when you're sat here in the same situation!"

"IT'S NOT THE SAME FUCKING SITUATION," Michael shouted back, slamming his controller down against the edge of the couch.

"Ava made out with me, and you hardly got a kiss on the cheek! I'm done with your bullshit because yes, I have feelings for Ava and yes, I've gotten into fights with Ash about it, but at least I don't go around whining about how she won't love me like I'm a thirteen year old girl!"

"Fuck you," Luke said coldly before storming out of the room.

Michael put his head in his hands, letting his character die. It had already blown up in their faces. Not even three weeks and it had blown up in their faces.

Girls in bands were never a good idea.

-

Luke shut the door harder than normal behind him as he left the game room.

"Shhh," Calum whispered to him, taking his eyes off the television. "She's asleep."

Luke peered over the back of the couch to see Ralley curled up, her head resting in Calum's lap.