Shaded // 5SOS {mgc}

Seven

[Allie]

Mentally, my head was still on Michael's lap. I felt safe with his body heat warming me up.

Physically, I was seated shotgun in Ella's bright fire beetle, racing down the freeway to the suburbs of eastern Australia. My elbow is propped up on the edge of the window, my head resting upon it leisurely. I felt so drained from my previous, near panic attack.

The sun was blinding. I squint my eyes and flick the visor down. There's a mirror. I probably look like shit. The mirror had a cover, which made me feel slightly better. I didn't have to constantly look at my tearstained cheeks on this drive. Fuck it. I flip the cover up, revealing my complexion.

My hair was a mess, my eyelids still a bit puffy, the redness in my eyes began to fade. I no longer had wet stains on my cheeks, they faded as the time went on. My ivory skin was flushed a deep red. My eyes flick up, catching Michael's in the mirror. He looks away quickly, embarrassed to be staring at me judging myself. My eyes stay on him. A faint smile on his face as he bites his lip slowly. I wink to him in the mirror. His smile grows larger and winks back.

"Mike, why did you sit in the middle? I can't see out the back window with your big ass head in the way," Ella groaned. I smirked in the mirror.

"I feel like a child in this seat, Ella. Let me have a childhood!" He threw his hands up in exasperation.

We share a chuckle. Well, everyone except Calum. He groans. "He may be experiencing childhood, while I'm experiencing no blood circulation to my left calf. Mike, close your legs a bit and let me have my leg back!" He sounded agitated. Michael's expression was childish as he stuck out the tip of his scarlet tongue and moved his legs closer together to give Calum more space.

He sat there chuckling to himself. His expression faltered when he looked to the front and saw me watching him be a child in the mirror. A crimson shadow crawled across his cheeks and he hung his head down. His blonde locks falling forward. They've gotta be at least 5 inches long now. They're a pain in the ass for him to manage but they made him look innocent and adorable.

I let out a soft laugh and flicked the cover back down. It was about two in the afternoon. I had no energy. I felt cold and moderately uncomfortable although the weather was warm. Ella was still pissed off. I swore I could see steam rising from her pale skin, leaving a fog of condensation on the window next to her.

When Ella was mad, everyone knew. She couldn't hide it. Her hands were tightly bound in fists, knuckles a vague white in contrast to her reddened fingertips. Her facials stayed neutral, her lips stay a tight, thin line. Even I can't make her laugh. Irritated Ella, is one of my favourite forms of Ella.

"Babe?" My voice sounded unnatural to me.

Ella didn't respond in words. She let out a "hmm" sort of sound. Indicator number one of how pissed she really was.

"How do you know where Emily lives?" I was genuinely curious.

She quickly switched her eyes from the road to me. She let out a breath as if she'd been holding it. Ella shrugged, "It's easy honestly. She has it on her Facebook page for some unknown reason. But," she paused. "It sure made our job easier today." She sent a soft smile towards me. I sent one back.

The highway soon revealed buildings. Numerous gas stations flew by. About 10 more minutes pass and we're in the new development of the city. "Cal, what's her address again?" Her head swivels left and right reading all the house numbers.

"House number, 268 on King Street. So just around the corner I believe." He peered out the window. Ella nodded. I felt a pain in my chest. I sucked in a breath quickly.