Blue Jeans (Michael Clifford)

09

Luke’s POV

“Why is she always with him?” Michael asked. “Maybe because we’re not with her. I mean it’s kind of bugging me. The last time Carrie and I had a fight was like in the first grade.” I leaned against the school fence. “Something just isn’t right with that Ashton dude. I’m so skeptical of him and what he wants.” I folded my arms. “What do you mean by ‘what he wants’?” I looked over to Michael. “I mean, hasn’t he been in your class for months and then just one random damn day of the year he wants to be talking to her. He’s not right.” Michael finished. “I may be new to this school, but I’m not new to this world.” Michael stared down to the bus stop where Ashton and Carrie were standing.

“Dude I can’t stand this. I need to talk to her.” I pleaded. “Yeah me to. Let’s just drop this whole thing.” Michael shrugged his shoulders and began to walk off.

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We drove all the way to her house and found no sign of her there. We knocked on her door and her mom answered, saying “Carrie hasn’t come home yet. I think she left with Ashton.” Which caused Michael to grow angrier.

So we finally gave up and went to the frozen yogurt shop across the street from my house. Michael told me he had never tasted frozen yogurt before, so I took the opportunity to show my new friend the best place in the world.

I ordered a strawberry flavor and topped it with chocolate chips. Michael decided to order a plain vanilla. “Wow, go crazy!” I mocked Michael for choosing such a bland order. We found our seats in the back corner of the shop. “Hey, you remember that time Carrie read your diary?” I asked. Michael hesitated to answer, “You mean my journal of thoughts.” “Yeah your journal of thoughts. She said you were always writing about this girl; who is she.” I questioned.

Michael stopped eating and froze, trying to think of something to say. “She was my girlfriend.” He finished. “Why? What happened? Why don’t you tell her how much you miss her?” I was amused by how he had admitted that to me. “I do. Every single day, but she doesn’t seem to miss me.” Michael continued eating just staring past me. “C’mon, I mean I know I’m not some love expert, but I could help you get her back. Michael laughed. “I’m sure you can’t, Luke. Just please promise me you won’t talk about this to anyone, not even Carrie. Just let this be between you and me.” I nodded my head.

“Say why don’t I take you to visit one of my friends?” Michael put the last bit of yogurt into his mouth and gnawed on the spoon. “Sure, what’s his name?” I threw my bowl away as well. “Just follow me.” Michael pulled me out of my chair and told me to walk on.

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We were around Michael’s house and he told me to make a few turns here and there and we were finally in front of an apartment building. It was two stories high and was coated with a light blue, and I noticed how the paint was chipping away.

“Does he know you’re coming?” I asked. “No but he won’t mind.” We stepped out of the car and walked to the porch. Michael peaked into the screen window which seemed to be open. “Yup, he’s home.” Michael knocked on the door shouting, “Calum it’s me!” and after the second time of saying that, a tall dark haired boy emerged from the door. He shook hands with Michael, and finally noticed me standing there awkwardly. “Hey dude what’s up?” I noticed that he also sounded Australian. “Not much.” I shook his hand as well, and he sat down on the concrete steps.

“So Michael how’s the new school?” he asked. “It’s alright, I met Luke there.” He nudged me. “So you guys are from Australia, I see.” I finally spoke. “Yeah we moved here together. We’ve been mates since grade four.” Calum counted four fingers. “Eight years for you Americans.” Michael and Calum laughed simultaneously, and it made me feel awkward.

We spent about half an hour just sitting on Calums porch, until I heard who I believe was Calum’s mother telling him “It’s getting late. Come inside.” So Calum stood up. “It was nice meeting you, lanky boy Luke. And nice seeing you again Michael, goodnight.” With that he exited and Michael and I walked back to the car.

“You don’t have to drop me off home. I can walk back there by myself, because I feel like I need some fresh air.” Michael said. I looked up the sky that looked of a dark purple, and wondered if he’d be okay by himself. “I’ll be okay on my own, Hemmings.” He shut the passenger door and walked onto the sidewalk. I looked at the clock in my car which read 7:47 p.m. and I drove away.

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Carrie’s POV

I finally made it home, and felt so relieved. It was a school night and I hated the feeling of going out and knowing I had school the next day. I dashed through the doors and hopped straight into the shower and turned on Pandora, blasting Miley. I sang along to about five songs, before realizing I had to finish my homework.

After I got ready, I laid my homework out on the bed and started my Calculus homework. My dad knocked on my door and stepped inside. He was still wearing his work clothes so I figured he had just arrived home. “Hey dad.” I looked up and back to my book. “Hey sweetheart what are ya doing there?” He pointed to my book. “A new read I see.” He laughed at his terrible joke. I laughed along so he wouldn’t feel so bad. “Yeah, AP Calculus is the best!” I replied with sarcasm.

“Listen honey, you know how- well lately I’ve been-“He couldn’t find the words to say what he wanted. “What happened dad?” I was concerned. “I’m going on a business trip in two days. “He let the words out. “You always go on business trips though. I don’t see what the big deal is.” I continued to solve the next problem in the work book. “This one’s for one month.” He fiddled with his fingers. I dropped my pencil onto the bed and sat up. “What?”