Tomorrow Never Dies

Chapter 64 - "I can't stand it any more"

"Flora," Michael said as I approached him. He got up from the plastic chair and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace, laying a gentle kiss on my head. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry Mikey," I whispered, and he helped me into the seat opposite his.

"What for?"

"For breaking up with you."

"I completely understand, baby, you don't need to be sorry."

"Can we do us again?" I asked, and he nodded instantly. He pulled out his wallet and laid the promise ring on the table.

"Do you want to put this on, or are you not ready?"

"I'm ready, I was being silly." He took my hand and slipped the ring onto my finger. He kissed my knucled gently and placed my hand softly on the table.

"So, what's it like here?"

"Not enjoyable," I sighed. "It's dull, group therapy makes me more panicky, and every meal is beige."

"When can you leave?"

"Next week. I wish I'd never come in the first place, it's not helped. Anyway, how's life on the outside?" Michael shifted his gaze to avoid looking at me. "What?"

"Flora, something has happened and you're not going to like it."

"Tell me," I demanded.

"Grace cheated on Ashton with Kyle."

"What the fuck?" My head started spinning. My best friend for years would not cheat on her boyfriend, one of the people who'd supported me for so long. Much less with Kyle, her abusive ex who leaked her nudes. "No."

"She did, and she hates me because apparently I hurt you and you were in a good, stable place before you met me."

"I was, but-" I hesitated. "It's not because of you that I'm like this. My mental health swings like a pendulum, sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad, you had nothing to do with it."

"That's what I hoped for," he said, smiling nervously. "But Grace isn't having any of it. She genuinely believes it's all my fault, and she blames 'the stress of Flora being in rehab' for sleeping with Kyle."

"I'm checking out of here today, I need to talk to her. I'm fuming, that's awful!"

"I thought you said you couldn't get out for a week?"

"If I leave today, I'll have to get another new therapist. That's all, but I was getting on with the one-on-one psychiatrist."

"Oh," he nodded. "Maybe you want to stick around for a bit longer, then, if it's going well?"

"Only with one, the rest of this whole programme is shitty. I'm going to pack, hang around for me." He nodded, and I stormed off. Upon reaching my room, I flung all my stuff into my suitcase before making my way towards the reception. On the way, Chrissy stopped me.

"Where are you going?" she asked, frowing.

"Home. I can't stand it any more, leave me alone." I stalked past her, not wanting to see her as a reminder of the kiss, and got to reception. "I'd like to discharge myself." I was handed a form and my meds, and as soon as I provided my signature I was let out. I spotted Michael with one hand on his car, and I ran straight for him. We loaded my suitcase into the boot, and he kissed me, the kiss a perfect mixture of rough and soft, sending sparks through my body the way the kiss with Chrissy hadn't. His hands crept down my back towards my bum and I pulled away gently. "Not in a car park babe." He nodded, and, after he had helped me into the car, we drove home, and as soon as we arrived, we ran into the flat and straight into the bedroom.

***
"I've missed you," Michael grinned, trailing his hands over my body. "That was amazing."

"Incredible," I agreed, kissing his nose. "Let's do that more often." He nodded, watching as I got up and put on one of his hoodies and a pair of jeans. "Anyway, I need to go and talk to Grace."

"Alright baby. Text me when you're on the way home, I'll order Chinese in."

"Perfect." I left the apartment, drove carefully to Grace's flat, and knocked on her door when I arrived.

"Flora?" I nodded. "I've missed you so much!" She flung her arms around me, but I stood stoic and breathed deeply. "What?"

"Why would you cheat on Ashton?" I demanded, storming into her lounge.

"Wait, what?"

"Michael told me what happened, you blamed it on the stress of me being in there? How do you fucking think me and Michael felt? He didn't even kiss anyone while I was in there! I was gone for weeks! This girl tried to kiss me and I fucking fled!"

"Flora, I'm sorry."

"It's not me you need to apologise to, is it?"

"No," she said, looking at the floor.

"Ashton didn't deserve that, he's the most amazing boy in the world! He's so supportive and lovely and you couldn't stay loyal to him?"

"Flora, just get out. I'm already feeling guilty enough."

"Right, okay. Goodbye, Grace." I turned and left, shaking with rage. I slammed the door of the car and sped back home, running reds and praying to god that no cops saw me. I got back, flinging myself onto the sofa next to Michael and snuggling into his arms.

"You okay?"

"I'm just furious," I sighed. "Imagine cheating on Ashton, it's awful."

"I know."

"Mikey?"

"Yeah?"

"Something happened."

"What did?"

"A girl kissed me in rehab."

"That's okay baby, as long as you didn't kiss back."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

*****
me and grace are singing galway girl except shes behind because shes on the phone and its weird also she shouted at me for moving my phone

song of the chapter: carolina by harry styles