In Real Life Imagines

Delusions (Michael Imagine)

I lean against the cold, plain wall outside my English classroom, the light above the door dark creating an eerie aura in the hallway. My eyes are cast down on my phone as I scroll through Instagram, laughing silently at all the girls with golden skin glittering in the sun-all of which are staged photos of course.

"You were at Firehouse that one time, weren't you?" I hear a high-pitched voice ask. That was really vague. I look up in confusion, wondering who possibly remembers me. I only ever go to Firehouse with friends. A tall, thin girl with short brown hair and dark eyes is staring back at me. She looks familiar and it takes me a moment to place where I remember her from.

"Oh. You're Lana, right?" I recall. "You're Sergio's friend." She smiles a perfectly straight-toothed, friendly smile.

"That's right." She confirms in an all-too-cheery voice. God she's annoying. "Are you in this class?"

I nod and put on a tight-lipped, fake smile. Michael told me all about you and how manipulative and calculating you are. "I am. What are you doing here?"

"I'm giving a presentation for my RSO. Your professor is involved and asked me to come speak to the class about all the reasons why you should join," Lana responds, seemingly unaware of my disinterest in her. She leans against the wall beside me, studying my face curiously. What is she doing? Why is she staring at me like that?

A tall shadow looms over her, engulfing her small figure in darkness. Her expression changes to a look of shock and rage, and I look over my shoulder, wondering who has that effect on her. Michael is standing there in a button-up shirt and skinny jeans--different from his usual sweatshirt and Jordan's. He glances between Lana and me for a moment, his brow furrowed. I can't tell if he's just confused or if there's still a bit of resentment in his heart from how she played him—poking and prodding at him until he burst from all the pent-up pressure.

"Michael, what are you doing here?" Lana asks, a smirk playing at her lips.

I watch as his eye twitches, and gently place my hand on his arm. He glances down at me, and his shoulders visibly relax. I wasn't expecting to have that effect on him. He turns his attention back to Lana and returns her smug smirk.

"I'm doing some observations in this class today," he quips quietly, his words smooth and calm.

"You are?" Lana and I ask at the same time. Michael simply shrugs his shoulders, and heads into the classroom. I ignore Lana's eyes on me as I follow after him, sitting in the seat beside him at the long table. Even the lights in the room are off, leaving it dimly lit by the tiny amount of light coming through the one window on the far side of the room.

"Since when do you have observations in this class?" I question, turning to face him.

"Since now. I'll be observing for the next two weeks," He looks up from his phone, his eyes locking on mine. "I didn't know you were in this class."

"It's one of my electives. You look nice by the way," I respond softly.

There's some rustling at the front of the classroom as more students walk in and we both watch as Lana struts over to the computer to set up for her presentation. Michael grumbles something incoherent and I look back at him.

"Are you okay?" I ask. "I'm sure this isn't easy."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about it, okay?" He looks at me again, giving me a subtle, devious smile. Oh no. What is he thinking? Before I can even react, he pokes me just below the ribcage, right where I'm most ticklish. I gasp, my body lurching away from him slightly. I hear him chuckle as he pokes me again. This time, I grab his hand attempting to push him away from me, but he's much stronger than me and easily overpowers me. He tries to poke me again, but I push back harder and quickly grab his other hand before he can use it to tickle me. He laughs, and I can't help but smile, shaking my head.