broken pieces 》 muke/cashton

two

Michael visited the hill more frequently than usual, in hopes that he might see Fries again. But he never came and it bothered Michael so much that he didn't even know his real name. All he had was a cartoon drawing of him, a mental picture and a stupid nickname which was admittedly just a joke. Michael sighed as he watched his third sunset of the week. This sunset had more blue in it compared to when he met Fries (he internally punched himself every time he was forced to call him Fries because it sounded so stupid) The sky was mostly blue and purple with hints of orange here and there. Michael told himself that he would appreciate it so much more if Fries was next to him, before he gathered his beloved sketchpad and coloured pencils and placed them in his bag to leave.

He wore his black backpack over his shoulders and climbed down the hill, greeting his black and red, locked-up bicycle. He undid the lock before swinging his right leg over the vehicle and pushing himself, finding his balance as he cycled his way back home. 

Michael parked his bike in the garage before heading into the house. He heard murmuring in the kitchen so he headed there first, just to make sure that it wasnt burglars or something along those lines, because although he was sure that one of the voices matched his mother's, he needed to be reassured.

Sure enough, he found his mother chatting to Ashton, his best friend, who sat at the breakfast bar. "Speak of the devil," his mother said upon seeing Michael.

"Why was the devil being spoken about?" Michael asked, opening the refrigerator door in search of something to eat.

"I was just telling Ashton about you being home alone for a few hours," Mrs Clifford responded.

"Really?" Michael asked, taking a cup of strawberry yoghurt out and closing the door with his leg. "Why?"

"I've got a date tonight," she smiled, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Oh, in that case, want to stay over for an insane night of video games and alc- diet coke?" Michael asked Ashton, stopping mid-sentence to correct himself because he knew his mother would disapprove of drinking.

"Sure-"

"No insane nights. Just video games and snacks till 1 am then it's sleep for you two. School will be reopening in three days, you need to start easing into better sleep schedules," Mrs Clifford interrupted Ashton. "And don't have too much sugar Michael, you know how hyper you get."

Michael groaned at his mother's orders as he dug into his yoghurt. "Fine, whatever."

"And I'll be back by midnight so don't think you'll be able to get away with too much."

"Geez, mum calm down, I'm not gonna throw a party if that's what you're thinking, I lack the friends for those kinds of things," Michael said, earning a small giggle from the curly haired boy with the glasses.

"Aw, don't worry Mikey, it's always quality over quantity, remember?" Mrs Clifford said pitifully, rubbing Michael's back. "Well, I better start getting ready then, it's nearly 7," she said as she rushed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"In all seriousness though, no alcohol, I just can't be bothered to deal with a migraine tomorrow morning," Ashton said.

"Yeah, let's just stick to Diet Coke," Michael nodded in agreement, taking a seat next to Ashton at the breakfast bar.

"So, any luck finding Friesella?"

"Friesella?"

"Yeah, like a mix of Fries and Cinderella- Friesella."

"No glass slippers left behind though," Michael said.

"But he did leave behind a little boy's broken heart and a drawing."