To the moon ♡ muke

9 - burning in a place we set afire ☽

At first, Michael was the one to take the lead but since Luke knew the place better he took them to a place where they could talk.

Before the observatory was built the universe classes were taught on the roof. The access was limited and the entrance protected but Luke liked to paint there so he had the power to open them.

"It's beautiful here." Michael turned around and admired the school property.

There were lakes and fields for practising the elements and you could even see the beach. The forest was colored in autumn colors and overall the view was stunning.

Even here they could hear the bell that went on to announce the end of the previous class.

"Oh shit," Michael cursed. "I totally forgot we had class. I don't want to make you skip, we can totally talk after school."

Luke who just took a seat on a bench shook his head. "Calm down. We have art now. I'll just tell Mrs Stillwater I showed you the view for one of your paintings. If you don't want to skip we can of course return-"

"It's fine." Michael sat down as well. "I just don't want to get you into trouble. I'm not sure your parents would be delighted to hear you skipped class with a Clifford."

The younger boy laughed and rolled his eyes. Michael wasn't wrong.

"Will you tell me now?"

He looked at Michael with wide eyes. He once told Luke he knew the family secrets but he never asked because at first, he didn't want to know. Plus he didn't think it was polite to ask a Clifford about it. Now he trusted Michael and he knew if he'd lie his mum would tell him the truth.

"Sure. If that's what you really want?" Once Luke nodded the red-haired boy continued. "Now I only know what I've been told but normally in our family, we don't lie, we just avoid answering the question."

Luke remembered how he still didn't see or knew what Michael's tattoo was but he quickly brushed the thought away. That was a story for another day.

"Before I came to this school I knew we played as kids so in different circumstances it'd be logical for us to be friends. Also, our mums were friends before either of them were married and in addition out grandparents were best friends as well. As you know there's where the story you want to know really begins."

Michael ignored the surprised look on Luke's face and moved his gate to one of many lakes.

"As professor Reina explained our grandparents were born right after the war. My grandpa was born with a little star on his skin and yours didn't get one even when he turned fourteen. Kids without tattoos were often picked on by the ones with them and my granddad got close friends with your so he could protect him from the bullies."

Now, this is a story about love, money and jealousy so of course there has to be a girl in it as well. Her name was Marie and in their third year in this very same school, they both fell in love with her. Since they were friends they've made a pact that none of them would hit on her. If she'd be their soulmate the fate would get them together anyway."

Michael talked slowly and Luke listened with wide eyes and mouth opened. It was like listening to a good night story but there was no way one could go to sleep after hearing it.

"An accident happened at the school a few months later and the three of them plus some other kids got trapped in the gym while there was a huge storm outside. Water got into the gym and my granddad tried to help some to get to the dry area. There was no one with water magic in the group so they were stuck. At the end of the night when the school staff came and saved them my granddad noticed his tattoo had colors."

Putting the pieces together Luke realized the implied. "So Marie is your grandmother?"

Michael chuckled. "I guess that's the logic of your family. Your granddad thought that as well and he got mad at mine. He felt betrayed because he still loved Marie and refused to talk to his best friend.

"Now I've mentioned money so I need to tell you about that as well. Since your grandpa didn't have any powers he was an easy target for bullies. In one of the classes, they've decided on experimenting with power resistant elements and materials. They made an entire plan which they wanted to make alive once they would finish school. In anger, your granddad destroyed those plans making mine upset.

"It was months later when your grandfather realized that Marie wasn't the soulmate of his best friend but some other girl was. It was too late and neither ever apologized for it so they remained distant."

It was a lot to take in so Luke needed a moment. "So that's why we shouldn't be friends? Just because of some stupid teenage drama."

"Well, it doesn't end there. After they've graduated your grandfather met his soulmate and got both his tattoo and his colors. He married wealthy and decided to use the resources he gained to build a company that worked with magic resistant protection for the home. My dad, on the other hand, managed to find a few donators who helped him with his business which is magic resistant clothing. They've been each other's competition since."

Luke got quiet once more so Michael nudged him with his elbow. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just thinking. It's a lot to take in." Luke sighed. "Like I understand a lot more now but I still think it's incredibly stupid. I know my grandparents aren't the best people and I knew my grandmother was just spoiled and still gets everything she wants. On the other hand, I feel bad for my granddad but he made some really stupid choices. I think everything is stupid overall but it also makes sense."

They've just sat there for a while asking each other questions for a while before the bell rang again.

☽☽☽

So here's the truth! Love, jealousy and money. How classy.

Thoughts and opinions?

Not only their mums but also granddads being friends?

All the love to calmxmuke, babybearmuke, mellovesmichaelc and pastelpunkmuke for leaving feedback on the last chapter! It really helps me with writing so thank you (:

Love, Lucija ♡