Torn In Three | Malum, Muke, Mashton

Chapter Thirteen

-Michael's point of view-

Calum. Calum is the one I want, I've always had a soft spot for the boy. Who wouldn't? He's irresistible. The struggle now, however, is to be forgiven by Calum and push Luke away. Given the previous encounter I had with Ashton, it's safe to say he won't want me back.

Do I even deserve Calum back?

Looking to the left, I watched Calum sleep peacefully to my side: the morning light was soft on his olive skin; I could tell he was having a pleasant dream just by the way his mouth curved into a smile. I kissed his cheek softly then maneuvered myself off of his bed and out into the main part of the the band's hotel. I decided on making breakfast for the band, it's the least I can do when cheating on them and all. Also, I couldn't sleep.

"Michael Clifford? Awake at nine in the morning?"

"Luke Hemmings? Bugging Michael Clifford at nine in the morning?"

"I'm not bugging you" the blonde pouted and slithered his hands around my waist from behind me.

"Yes, you are. I'm trying to make breakfast for my boy-" my tongue slipped, "friend"

"I thought I was your boyfriend" Luke's raspy morning voice didn't fail to make my body melt, even at this hour.

"You're too clingy to be my boyfriend, twat" I swatted Luke's bum with my spatula.

"Ouch-" I cut Luke off by pushing him a safe distance away and turning back to the cold stove. The noise of Ashton coming out of his bedroom was only too risky - he couldn't see me flirting with Luke.

"Good morning, Luke." Ashton seemed oblivious to the conversation from only seconds ago, and also from what I could guess, my existence.

"Ash?" I asked cautiously. No reply. "Ashton?" Ashton blanked me, something he was getting quite good at now, and walked over to the living room.

"Ash," Luke spoke for me. Instantly, the golden haired boy turned to the sound of his name.

"What is it Luke?" Ashton's voice was chirpy, despite the time of morning.

"Erm," Luke trailed off and pointed in my direction, which was followed by a sigh from Ashton.

"Do you want breakfast?" I managed not to stutter on my words.

"Yes, I do. Humans need breakfast"

"I meant," I replied impatiently, "shall I make you some?"

"Just as long as you're not crap at it like maintaining relationships"

I dropped my spatula and moved towards where Ashton sat: this boy could easily set me off.

"Shut it, I was trying to be nice." I raised my voice towards him in attempt to sound as intimidating as possible. It worked, since Ashton jumped at my words.

He quickly, however, conjured up back his confidence as he stood up to lock eyes with mine. "You're trying to be nice? I didn't think you were capable."

"I'm capable of a lot of things, Ashton." I broke out eye contact and looked down at the large scar I created on his arm. "Don't you think I'm not." I looked into his eyes for one last time before swiftly and smoothy bashing my shoulders against Ashton's and making my way back to the stove where a terrified Luke stood.

I took a steady breath. "Who wants a fry up?"

**

Breakfast was awkward: the four of us sat around a tiny table eating the remains of my burnt fry up. Ashton was right, I am crap.

Calum and I exchanged smiles throughout the entire meal, which gave me butterflies. I missed him. However, after every smile, followed a frown from Luke. He was jealous; the need to comfort the boy was tearing me apart as I knew that wasn't possible if I wanted Calum.

Ashton's head was down the entire time, focusing on not making any physical contact with me. He seemed perfectly fine with Calum, and I was excited to find out how different he would be to him if, or when, he found out what we did the previous night. The same goes with Luke: I'm sure he had no idea about what I was continuing to do with him. Ashton was alone. He was the only boy left in the band yet to get back into my pants, but do I want him back? A small part of me enjoyed the thrill of getting him scared, making him regret leaving me.

"I'm in need of a shower, bye." dragged my chair against the hard wooden floor and made a loud noise as I stood up from the still awkward table. Just as I turned the corner, I heard my name: they were all talking about me.

"Michael has become such a jerk lately" I recognised Ashton's voice.

"I know." Calum spoke. How could he agree? "It would be nice to have a normal day as a band again, but Michael just ruins it"

"He threatened to hurt me earlier,"  Ashton replied. Lies: I only looked at his arm. "The cheating has gotten to his head, he just thinks he can do anything and get away with it. I want the old Michael back, the one who cared." Ashton was right. I can get what I want - that did not mean that I didn't care though.

I decided to remain in my spot and listen to the three bitch about me.

"When we were together he was so considerate of me - of us. Never in a million years would I have expected him to do such a bad thing, that's probably the reason why I took it so badly" Calum spoke again, pain in the tone of his voice.

"He dated you too?" Ashton said in shock.

"I thought you knew he cheated on me and, from what I assume, Luke"

"You know he dated me too, right?"

A long pause followed: I heard the same agonising noise escape the chair from when I stood up, followed by three fast footsteps.

"Out of all people, you?" Calum was beyond angry at this point; it all showed in his voice.

"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not good enough compared to the mighty Calum? Newsflash, he got bored of you first" Ashton replied. I could see where Luke was coming from, an angry boy is quite attractive.

"I meant as in he's cheating on his band members, but okay. Newsflash number two: we fucked last night, and you didn't. Now who wants me?"

A soft snicker escaped Luke's mouth, who was obviously enjoying this. I was too - two boys fighting over little old me.

"Go back and fuck him, I could do much better than that idiot."

"You guys sound jealous" Luke sounded amused.

"He was mine. How am I not supposed to be jealous?" Calum asked, raging.

"He's a cheating dick who fucks a different band member every night. What's to be jealous of?" Luke spoke nonchalantly, as if my problems were the most normal things in the world. To him, they may be. They are all qualities he seems to like.

"Because," Calum's voice finally softened, "I love him."