FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEART.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

It wasn't easy. And Mike couldn't understand why.

  He wasn't going out anymore. Infact he had almost cut all the girls off. He looked more in thought that in the bad boy attitude.

  And it got to a point that he couldn't stand around girls anymore without getting a headache.

  So Fred decided they'll go out to a small place one night for a drink. Typical sober drinking and all that and as they sat Fred began to question him. "Is everything alright, mate? You've been looking like you have a lot on your mind lately. You sure you don't want to talk about it?"

  Mike sighed and pulled his hair back as he stared at the shot glass infront of him. "I would have told you about it, Fred. I would like to tell everyone infact...but even I don't understand what's going on with me."

  Fred frowned. He didn't like Mike in this mood. When he was like this it was most likely of a bad case.

  He wanted to speak again but his phone suddenly began to ring again.

  He answered it and after the call he sighed with a little curse "I gotta go, man, guess Sarah just came out to my parents so I'm going to have to be there. You'll be good right?"

  Mike nodded and Fred left.

  Minutes later soft palms began to caress his neck and he looked up to see Sidney smiling down at him. "Hey there, Roland, couldn't help but notice you over there all alone. Want to talk?"

  Talking was the last thing he wanted to do but he shrugged and she sat opposite him. "So what's on your mind? I know I've been happy ever since my birthday."

  Mike turned away hoping none of his multiple girls had heard that or were here. "Yeah." He said facing her again "Me too, I guess."

  "So why the long face?" She asked "it's unlikely of you. I mean you've been grinning since then but last week it's like you're making a life changing decision."

  It definitely feels like it...

  "It's nothing, Sidney." He told her leaning back into the chair "It's just some...home thoughts. Like what I'm going to buy for Halls and stuff."

  She squelled. "I haven't seen him in such a long time...why don't we go home and see him?" Her hand rolled up his arm slowly and although Mike was not turned on by it he decided it was something that could get his mind off the problem at hand.

  So as they got to the house and thry discovered Halls was asleep Sidney decided to move to her real reason of coming.

  So she pushed him to the bed and climbed on top giving him kisses on his neck as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt but as she did this Mike just stared at the ceiling motionlessly then he realized...he couldn't do this.

  He pushed Sidney off him. "Sidney, you have to go."

  She was shocked by his statement. "What? But why?"

  Mike couldn't answer her. He too couldn't bring himself to understand this. But he knew he wasn't going to be able to go through with it.

  I'm sorry, Sidney, I can't tell you. But you have to leave. I'll call a taxi and you'll-."

  "Don't." She said getting off him and putting her shoes back on "If you don't want to talk to me fine. Just figure your shit out before we meet again." She slammed the door and Mike heard her footsteps slowly fade away.

  "FUCK!!" he knocked his lamp over "Fuck!" He laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Why was he doing this? Wasn't there normally a good reason for all this shit? Why doesn't he just stop it and call her back?

  The door open and he was silent as Wills walked in. He adjusted his glasses and leaned against the wall opposite the bed.

  His gaze was something Mike didn't want to meet. He had a feeling he knew about everything already and he was right.

  "I know what you've been up to, Mike" he said folding his arms across his chest "And I'll be straight. It's fucking stupid."

  Mike sat up to look the blonde in the eyes "What's to it?"

  Wills rose a brow. "You might fool the others but I'm too smart for your games. I know you've been running away from something. You think the sex helps? You're as bad as your previous self and I don't understand why you'll be doing this again. With Sidney? You've stooped to that level?"

  Mike looked away. "I'll do what I want, Wills, you worrying yourself isn't helpful."

  Wills adjusted his glasses. "What you're doing isn't helpful, Roland. I don't know why you'll be at this all because Anna told you-."

  "This isn't for her!" Mike roared slamming the table and that caused an long silence.

  Wills sighed and stood straight. "Hiding behind the mask of Fiesta Roland will never help you, Mike. If she can save you I think it's best you go to her. But doing this doesn't do anything but cause trouble. Sidney isn't someone you should rely on."

  He opened the door "I hope you understand that anything I do is to help you. Whether you like it or not."

  As the door shut Mike stared at the wall.

  Hiding behind a mask...

  He laid back on the bed and then looked at his phone. Marnie had sent a text. She wanted to meet at the bar later tomorrow.

  As Mike entered the bar the next day he looked around for her and then saw her with her hands in her ex's hand with a wide smile on her face.

  At first the two didn't notice him until he let out a small cough for attention.

  "Oh," she said looking up at him "you came." She turned to Nathan "Nathan, remember Mike?" Nathan nodded, his grey eyes meeting Mike's green ones. "How can I forget? He took care of you while I was being a dick."

  Mike put his hand out. "By what I'm seeing you've learned the truth of your mistake."

  Nathan shook his hand. "You bet. She wants to talk to you for a second so I'll go grab a drink." He got up and left them allowing Mike to sit down. "He doesn't look like he's lying over missing you."

  Marnie blushed. "He just told me the other day about it. He literally jumped my fence to come over to my window. It felt like a nice romantic movie scene."

  Mike nodded looking over at him. "I'm guessing so. But why you call me?"

  The smile disappeared and she looked down. "Wills told me everything...especially the Sidney part."

  Mike muttered a curse before turning back to her. "Why did he put tha-."

  "I forced him to." Marnie cut in "I knew there was something wrong with you after a while. I could feel that arua of sadness around you. You were hiding...like your old self."

  "I never hid, Marnie." Mike said "And I'm perfectly fine."

  "Are you?" She said "Maybe if you were at it with Venus but going to Sidney? That's crazy."

  It is...

  Mike turned away not being able to say another word and she sighed. "Mike...remember what I said? I'm happy you're getting emotional and caring but doing this to try and run away isn't right. Please."

  Mike still didn't speak. What could he say now?

  Hiding behind the mask...

  He sighed and faced her. "I only have one question?"
She frowned. "And what's that?"

  He didn't believe he was about to ask.

  "How...do you plan a romantic date?"

Author's note: Due to recent situations my chapters are going to be coming in a random. But I'm still going to update and hopefully finish this book. Please vote and put comments or tell your friends because I just really want people to enjoy the book for what it is.
Walrus A.