Runaway: a Michael Clifford fan-fiction

Chapter 2

"Don't cry. I'm not going to hurt you. Can you please just open your eyes and tell me why you're here?" he says.

"You're lying. You're going to hurt me, you always do," I tell him through hiccuping sobs. He grabs me. "STOP!" I screech. 

"Shhhh... you're going to be alright." he tells me as he pulls me into his lap. Why is he doing this? Why is he tormenting me? I know he hasn't changed. 

We stayed like this for a few minutes. Neither him, nor I saying a word. Finally, I crack open my eyelids. As I peer through the tiny cracks, I see a man who looks to be about 18 or 19 years of age. He has strikingly green hair. I realize this is not my father at all. Who is this man, though? And why is he here, in an abandoned cottage in the middle of the woods? 

I opened my eyes completely, to find him staring at me intensely. Neither one of us attempted to move. Finally, I spoke up. "Why are you here," I mumbled, hardly audible. 

"I could ask you the same," he slyly replied with a smirk. "Why were you so upset?" 

"It's complicated. Okay? I don't even know you. So why on earth would I tell you what is wrong with me?" I snapped.

"Suite yourself, babe. But, a beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying. I'm Michael, by the way." 

"Thanks," I reluctantly reply. Did he just call me beautiful? I don't need to see myself to know how awful I look. I've slept in the wilderness for Christ's sake. I haven't showered or brushed my hair in what feels like forever. Oh, god. I can't even imagine how my breath smells. He couldn't have meant it, could he? He had to just be joking. He just complimented me, and here I am feeling self-conscious. 

"But really," I say bringing the topic back up, "why are you here?"

He ponders the question for a moment. "Hmm... It's because it's peaceful out here. Sometimes you just need to get away. I'll tell you one thing, though. I sure as hell didn't come out here to find a girl hijacking my hangout." I chose not to reply. He doesn't necessarily sound upset, but I can't entirely tell. Besides the point, he doesn't seem like the outdoors type. He's dressed in black skinny jeans and a muscle tank that looked looked as though it were mauled by a bear. He is definitely not out here to admire the beauty of the nature.

"You never told me your name," he points out , breaking the silence. 

"Why do you even care? I thought I was 'hijacking your hangout,'" I mocked, rolling my eyes.

He laughs. "If I didn't care, I wouldn't have asked. Try thinking a little bit about your words before you speak. And you are very much hijacking my hangout." If he wanted me to leave he could've just said so. I would have gladly obliged.

In fact, I am leaving now. I stand up, extending my arms and stretch my aching body. "I guess this is goodbye, then. Because I'd hate to disturb your peace, Maxwell." 

As I headed towards the door he grabbed a hold of my wrist. "Wait..." he tells me. 

I turn towards him, shooting him daggers. "What could you possibly want?" 

"Umm... My names Michael, not Maxwell," he states. 

My eyes light up with false amusement. "Really? Because that is just so wonderful. I can't believe I forgot a name that great. It's an absolute honor to meet you, Michael." I yank from his grasp and head out of the entryway.  He follows me. "What on Earth do you think you're doing?" I ask him. 

"Following you," he easily responds. 

"And why the hell are you doing that, exactly?" I question him. 

He shrugs before explaining himself. "Well, one reason is because you have no clue where you are going, and doesn't seem like you have anywhere to go. And, secondly, I like your attitude."

I really didn't plan on having a tag-a-long, but I'm sure it won't be that bad. 

* * *

I ended up being the one tagging along, as he lead me back to the main road.

I really don't want to be on the main road in visible sight. But, Maxwell seems to know what he's doing. There's a little voice in the back of my head telling me to ditch him while I still can. I'm honestly debating it. If I just ditched him i wouldn't have to deal with him later on down the road. But, as much as I would like to... It just wouldn't seem right. I'd feel terribly guilty, here's this nice guy trying to help me and all I can think about it leaving him on the side of the road without any recollection of where I've went.

"Are you ever going to tell me your name?" he asks with a sigh. "Really, I'd like to know."

I shoot him a glare. "Fine," I groan unhappily. "Karena. My name is Karena."

He flashes me a smile. "Wow," he says. "That name matches you perfectly."

"What do you mean?" I ask, waiting for a snide comment.

"Karena, a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." His cheeks slightly darken to a rosy pink. 

"Thanks Maxwell," I reply casually. 

"Michael," he corrects me. His lips becoming a thin, tight line. He seemed really upset that I didn't remember his name.

We walk several miles down the road. I'm getting impatient, and my feet are killing me. Not to mention my stomach had been rumbling since an hour ago.

Michael and I haven't spoken since I had forgotten his name. Well, other than the occasional, "Watch your step" when there were mud puddles or deep holes in the ground. But I can't walk much longer. I feel like I was on the verge of death. Okay, maybe that is a little too over-exaggerated. But, still I feel awful. 

I turn to Michael, "Mikey? How much longer will it be? My feet are throbbing and I'm practically starving." He looks over at me. Blinks. Then, faces forward again, continuing on.

"Michael," I said overcome with furry. "I asked you how long it would be? Don't ignore me. This was your stupid idea!" 

He comes to a sudden abrupt stop, causing me to collide into him. "Michael," I started screaming. He covered my mouth with his hand. 

"Karena. I didn't answer because we're here," he says as he removes his hand from my mouth and let it drop to his side. 

"We are nowhere!" I say exasperatedly. "You took me and walked miles down some stupid road to just stop in the middle of nowhere!"

He grabs me firmly on the shoulders and spins me around. My mouth drops instantly. So this is where he was taking me...