Pathway || m.c

Part 8.

By the time we got in the car and began driving, it was 12.43, which I was quite surprised with. I was usually the friend that showed up an hour late.

I plugged my phone into the aux and hit shuffle on All Time Low playlist. Whilst listening to the sweet sound of Alex Gaskarth's voice, I found myself enjoying Michael's company. He was softly humming along to Take Cover, a sound I could get used to.

We stopped at a service station before we left town.

"Did you want a drink or food for the road?" He asked me, stepping out before fuelling up. "I'll grab it while I'm in there."

"No, that's okay. I'll run in now and grab myself something," I told him but he immediately declined, saying it was his treat. "No, I couldn't do that. You're already taking me all the way to Sydney, I couldn't ask for anything more."

I stepped out of the car to stand and the bowser with him to argue my point. "I wanted you to come with me. It's only fair. I'll feel bad if you pay."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the logic in that. "You are literally paying for fuel all the way there, accommodation and if I pay for my own food, you'll feel bad. Do you not think I feel bad for you paying for everything else?"

Michael continued to argue the point that it was only fair for him to pay until he finally caved, letting me buy my own things.

We entered the shop and he went straight to the counter, beginning to chat with the lady serving while I went off in search of food.

I picked up a bag of Skittles; something I had been craving over the last few days of my period. I also grabbed an iced tea out of the fridge before heading to the counter. Michael and the lady were still talking and I figured he was probably flirting.

I placed my items on the counter before searching for my purse in my bag. By the time I looked up, Michael was swiping his card with the total reading more than what I knew the amount of fuel was. That little bastard.

We walked out together and I held back the urge to belt him up the side of the head.

"I win," he commented as we climbed back in the car, earning a death glare from me. I didn't like that. I knew that I could complain as much as I wanted and Michael wouldn't even budge or continue arguing with me.

We continued on down the road in the direction that Sydney was, listening to the music on my playlist. Though we sat in silence, I could feel myself becoming comfortable around Michael. Things weren't awkward at all, which I liked.

"How much were tickets?" I asked him, reaching for my purse. Every ounce of me hoped that he we actually let me pay for this.

"You don't have to," he declined, picking up his speed as we reached a 100 sign. "I didn't even buy these. Mum did for me and a friend but they didn't want to go. You don't owe me anything."

As much as I felt like that was his excuse to cover up the fact that he did buy them, I dismissed it and went back to enjoying the scenery around me. I hardly ever had the opportunity to travel to Sydney, so I was quite excited. I think I had only done it once. 

Missing You came on and I felt myself getting lost in the word, tapping my hand on my thigh through my jeans. I had never really realised what this song was about until now; once I finally listened to it.

I began lip syncing along to it and Michael looked over at me, laughing, yet joined in. 

My favourite part was coming up and I knew I had to belt it out. Luckily, Michael had the same idea. "Grit you teeth, pull your hair. Paint the walls black and scream, 'Fuck the world cause it's my life, I'm going to take it back!"