On My Own (disc.)

Dad? (4) **

LUKE

Michael had started to open up about how he and Calum met, now that we've settled the dispute.

They met in their freshman English class, and that teacher was a total bitch. The first day of school, she forced Michael to go up and speak to the class, even though he was clearly uncomfortable and scared to do so. He ended up having a panic attack because she was getting in his face, and had to run out of the classroom. Calum told her off and then ran after Michael, and calmed him down. They've been inseparable since.

It was a nice story - Calum really was a good friend. He stood up for Michael constantly, and even escorted him to their next class. It was something I had never experienced - I was bullied at my old middle school, then I hit puberty over the summer before freshman year. It wasn't something I exactly talked about publicly, and I'd like to keep it that way.

"Luke, do you ever wonder what a squirrel thinks about?"

I jumped back before Michael even finished talking, not expecting his voice loud in my ear, and stumbled, landing on my ass. He and Ashton were laughing, and Calum walked by, before back-pedalling and grinning, too.

"Fuck you, fuck you even more, and especially fuck you and your squirrels." I said, pointing at Calum, Ashton and Michael. Michael was doubled over laughing, and Calum helped me up.

"Oh, that was great." Michael giggled. I bit my cheeks to keep from smiling at the sound, and narrowed my eyes.

"You're an ass. A sassy, cruel, and strange ass." I said, holding back a grin. People walking by were staring or laughing, and I shook my head. "Now my ass hurts."

"Oh, I damaged the golden buns, I'm so sorry." Michael 'apologized,' sarcasm seeping from his words. Ashton giggled, and Calum smiled, letting out a chuckle at his retort.

"When did you even start caring about what squirrels think?" I asked, moving on from the topic and grabbing my binders and books. Michael shrugged.

"I don't know. I thought of something weird and decided to shout it in your ear."

"Well that's nice." I stated. "You're such a good friend, Mikey."

"Don't call me Mikey, it makes me sound --"

"Cute." I finished for him.

"Exactly. I'm not cute. I'm a badass."

Calum laughed at that, and I grinned, along with Ashton.

"What? I am!" Michael insisted, and I let out a chuckle at that.

Calum wiped away a fake tear as he calmed down and said, "Oh, Michael. You're hardly a badass." Michael crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Calum, huffing and walking to his locker. I smiled and followed him as Calum and Ashton went to their classes. We had the same class anyway.

"Mikey." I teased.

"Nope." He didn't turn to look at me, and stayed focused on his locker.

"Michael the cutest."

"I'm murdering you in my head."

"Michael the so-called badass."

"Better." He turned around and closed his locker, looking at me. "What now?"

"What, don't you just love looking at my face?" Michael rolled his eyes, turning around and walking to English. I grinned and jogged to catch up with him. "You never denied that, so I'll take that as a yes."