Bleeding Colors |Michael Clifford|

Chapter 1

"Okay class, today we are starting a group project." My teacher boomed from the front of the class.

I sit in the middle of the class room with my "friend" Olivia. We only really talk in this class so I don't consider her, or anyone else I talk to during school a friend.

"You will be able to pick your partners. And there is an even number of students in this class is it will work out perfectly."

He was way too excited for this project. It made me want to throw up. I hated group projects. You know those "friends" I was talking about, well they never wanted me as a partner unless they just wanted a good grade because I was smart.

Olivia didn't pick me as her partner and I didn't expect her to either so I just sat there and waited for everyone to pick their partners until it was just me and my partner.

A boy with hot pink hair came up to me and sat down beside me.

He just sat there and didn't say anything.

I broke the silence, "Well, I guess we are partners."

He looked up from his notebook that he was doodling in and just nodded his head and went back to his drawing. Well this is gonna be fun.

"Your Mitchell, right?"

"Michael." He said irritated.

"I'm.."

"I know who you are. Doesn't everybody?" he cut me off.

He looked at me irritably and I shrugged my shoulders. "Sorry, I'm not trying to be annoying, I just don't know anything about you."

"It's better that way." Michael said still looking down at his drawing.

It appeared he was drawing a teddy bear with a knife stabbed through it and blood all over the paper. Okay... not creepy.

"You are a really good artist." I tried to get a conversation going.

"Thanks." And just like that he cut off the conversation.

The bell rang and signaled the end of the day. I gathered my things and went to leave and noticed Michael had just dropped his book full of papers.

My conscience got the best of me and I turned around to help him because no one else was obviously going to. It wasn't like I was going to miss the bus because I walk home.

He had the majority of the mess picked up when I got there, but I helped with a few papers and handed them to him. He took them from my hand nodded at me. I smiled at him and noticed he was holding one back.

"You know you can smile, right? I'm not gonna judge." I said laughing.

He finally let a smile creep on his face.

We walked out of the room together but turned in opposite directions.

"See ya tomorrow!" why am I even trying?

He gave me a small wave and with that I was headed home.

It takes me about 5 minutes to walk home. I live in an apartment complex with my brother, Tyler. He is only 18 and kinda got stuck with me.

"Hey!" I announced as I plopped down on the couch next to him.

He was watching an alien show that I hated, but I didn't say anything because he always got annoyed when I did.

"How was school?" Tyler asked not looking away from the screen.

"Good. We got assigned this science project with partners."

"That's cool. Who is your partner?"

"His name is Michael."

"Don't be getting to comfortable with him. I know how guys are. Just want to get in your pants."

"Tyler!" I yelled, "It's not like that. I don't even know him and he barely even talks to me."

"Well, okay. But no funny business. I mean it."

"You aren't my dad." I immediately regretted saying that.

He paused his show and turned to me his lips in a thin line,"Well you know what. I'm the closest thing you have to a parent. I might be your brother but do you see anyone else around here taking care of you?"

I didn't respond. I just stood up and walked down the hallway to my room and slammed the door. I heard Tyler throw something at the wall. This was an almost daily occurrence. I know he tries his best, and I stress him out, but I need parents. And I need my brother to be my brother. Those two things don't mix. Brothers are supposed to be the ones that mess with you and annoy you and that you can talk to about anything. Brothers aren't supposed to be supporting you and paying for your shit and controlling your life. But he tries his best. And that's all I can ask for.

I decide to let it go and start on my homework. I tried to concentrate on my homework but my mind kept wandering. From any topic. From volleyball, to my brother, to the project, and eventually to Michael.

I had always had interest in Michael because he seemed kinda like me. He talked to some people during class but he never seemed to go out or talk to anyone outside of school. He sat in the back of the room in all of the classes I had with him and he always had that notebook with his doodles in it. I mean it wasn't like a crush or anything I just was interested in him and wanted to get to know him.

My brother called down the hall and told me that supper was ready. My brother was a good cook, but only with a few things. So we had a lot of the same things.

I put my homework away and took my phone off the charger, making my way to the kitchenette to grab my plate and food. He had made pork chops and macaroni. A weekly thing here. I opened the mini fridge and pulled out a Dr. Pepper. I sat down in the couch since we didn't have a dining room and turned on the tv.

I flipped through the channels and stopped on Spongebob. Even though my brother was 18 and I was 17 Spongebob was still both of our favorite shows.

This was the campfire song episode and Tyler and I sang along to it. I finished my macaroni and washed my plate and placed it in the cabinet.

I made my way back to the couch and sat down. Tyler was just finishing up his supper and sat his plate down not the coffee table.

It was almost 8 so I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower and get ready for bed. I plugged my phone into the amp and turned on my music and my favorite song, Demons by Imagine Dragons came on. I hopped in the shower and started singing to the music. My brother had gotten used to this routine. I quickly washed my hair and body and then turned the water off.

I wrapped the towel around my body and twisted it so I could use both my arms. I opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed my contacts case and my toothbrush. I took my contacts out one at a time and brushed my teeth followed by my hair. I didn't blow dry my hair because I had planned on straightening it in the morning.

I walked across the hall to my room and grabbed my sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. I went back into the bathroom and washed my face. I didn't wear make up because I thought I looked better without it. And I walked back down the hall to the living room and told Tyler good night and gave him a hug.

I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling trying to fall asleep but one thing kept running through the back of my mind.

What was I going to talk to Michael about tomorrow?