After Michael left, Ashton, Calum, and I cleaned up the bus. I couldnt seem to stop crying. Michael was always so strong, so I couldnt stand seeing him do this. Just as we finished cleaning, Michael burst into the door. "Michael youre back! We were so worried." Ashton yelled. "Yeah man, are you okay?" Calum said. "Brooke, we need to talk. Alone." He said through gritted teeth. "Uh.. yeah, okay."
He started heading to the back of the bus and I followed. We sat down on the couch and he immediately grabbed my arms. I watched his eyes widen, while he scans up and down my arms. there is not a bit of skin without a scar on it. I feel a tear drop onto my arms, and I look up at him to see him crying. My brother Michael. Is crying. I have never seen him cry before in my life.
"Michael..." I start.
"Why didnt you tell me?" He sounds offended. "Because Michael, you help me through so much and I didnt want to put you through that..." I start crying. "You didnt want to put me through it?? Brooke, you need help! Youre going home." He says in a shaky voice. "What?? Michael! But being here makes me happy! I cant stand being home. Theres too many bad memories there..."
"Ill do what I have to, to protect you." He tells me. "And you think more pills will help me? More therapists? More worrying? Cause it wont." I say half shouting. He lets out a big sigh and pulls out his phone to call our mom, when I smack it to the floor. "No Michael! Im not going back! If you want to protect me, let me stay!"
"Im sorry Brooke.." he says, still crying. He picks up his phone and leaves the room, while im left on the couch, crying uncontrollably. Luke walks in and sits next to me. "What happened?" He asks, worried. "I have to go home, Luke" I say in a shaky voice. "What!? You cant go!" He yells at me. "I have to.. Michael is calling our mom right now. Did you tell him about my arms?" I ask. "Im so sorry, I thought he already knew!" He says, sounding worried. "Its okay Luke. I need my pills anyway.." I quickly leave the room before he can say anything else and bump into Michael. "Your flight leaves right after our concert. Its only a one hour flight." He sits down on his bunk and lets out a long shaky sigh. "I knew I shouldn't have brought you. This is all my fault." It kills me to see him so mad at himself. I sit beside him. "Its not your fault Michael. Besides, its good that you brought me. I got to go outside, and see people, and interact. Like you said, it was good for me. I havent felt like this in a long time..." I pull my best smile and look up to him. "Woah, Brooke, you have dimples?" He asks out of nowhere. Im not suprised though. I rarely smile, because its ugly. My smile quickly fades and I look down. "No, theyre beautiful." He is so sweet. I dont say anything, I just thank him with a hug.
"Michael, Luke, our concert is in 10 minutes!" Calum yells in the bus door, then quickly runs out. "FUCK!" We hear from the back of the bus, as Luke runs out. Michael and I cant help but laugh, then we run after him.
*later*
The band has me sit backstage, knowing that being in the crowd will give me a panic attack. Its okay, though, I can still see all the boys on the stage. Throughout the concert, Luke keeps looking over at me. Especially on the songs, Beside You, Heartbreak Girl, Try Hard, and Kiss me Kiss me. Was he trying to tell me something? I couldnt help but get butterflies, and blush. Hes so cute.
The concerts over, and Michael quickly gets ready, because my flight leaves soon. Luke comes up to me and gives me a big hug. "Im gonna miss you so much." He whispers into my ear. "Im gonna miss you too." I say back. Michael interrupts us and takes me to the bus, to drive me to the airport, which wasnt far away. Lukes comes along with us. The ride is pretty quiet. Theres isnt really anything to say.
By the time we get to the airport, all 3 of us are crying. Its kind of strange, but I like it. I give Michael one last huh before I get on the plane, tell him I love him and that I will call him everyday. I give Luke a hug, and he gives me his number.
I step on the plane, give them one last little wave, and turn around.
Goodbye happiness.
