Chasing a Broken Butterfly

Chapter 16:

When I re-enter the room, pen and notebook in hand, I notice that Mikey has shifted himself so that he sits on the floor with his back up against the couch and his legs straight out in front. The bag of hot Cheetos,now empty of its content, has been crumbled onto the glass coffee table in the middle of the room and the coke rests on the floor beside him.

I take a seat down right next to him on the floor cross legged and open up my blue spiral notebook to the next available page.

"Ok...so first idea. Photos. Second idea... maybe I could record any phone calls...?" I look to Mikey for approval, but all he does is stare at my notebook as if he'd rather rip it up.

I'm about to ask if he's okay when suddenly his phone lights up on the floor next to him, indicating that he has a new text message.

He picks up the phone and responds to the text immediately.

"Earth to Mikey! I need you to help me with this, please!" I wave the notebook in the air to try to get his attention.

"Umm...yeah. Recording sounds good..." he says half attentively, going back to his texting.

"Are you even listening?" I groan.

"Yeah...sounds good..." he replies automatically. He's still focused on whatever the hell he's replying back to the recipient. There's no use right now, I've just got to wait.

I take a deep breath before I start doodling on my notepad, waiting for him to finish up his text conversation. I don't know how to feel about this because he's never had anyone else to text besides me, Nick and Brent. And when he texts the guys it's literally one word sentences. So I know it can't be them. But if it isn't them...then who?

I set my pen down when I realize what I should've noticed from the start. He's probably talking to a girl!! I stifle a laugh, which only garners his attention.

"Why are you laughing?" Mikey demands. His stare is intense enough to cut my giggling completely. I couldn't possibly link my best friend with a girl in a relationship of any kind. Too many moldy pizzas stuffed under his bed and smelly socks void any kind of successful and possible relationships. Regardless, it would be nice to see him happy.

"Nothing...just umm..." I search my brain for an excuse. "Just this stupid fish I drew...it looks like a duck, so then I thought 'duck-fish' and laughed."

I'll admit that was a really horrible explanation, but surprisingly he bought it. Which is a relief because I don't want to ruin any good moments that he possibly might've just had with this girl.

"You're weird..." he puts his phone down and then readjusts himself so that he sits cross legged like me. He starts picking at the hem of his shirt before looking at me. "You know, Elle, if you don't want to go to The Diner later today, you don't have to."

What the hell? I know I didn't want to go, but I don't think I ever gave the impression that I didn't. I know he's probably thinking about Kylie and how I'd do anything to not be in the same room as her, but if Mikey's involved I'll be there to help. He has to know that.

"What are you talking about? Of course I want to go. I mean sure, Kylie and I aren't necessarily buddies, but I'm not going to strangle her right in the middle of the restaurant. I have enough dignity to restrain myself."

"I'm not talking about Kylie..." he says slowly. "I'm talking about Nathan..."

"What do you mean? Nathan and I get along just fine...so far at least." This is weird. First I'm thinking about his possibly having a girlfriend via text and now we're talking about me being weird around Nathan. Maybe we're on two totally different pages.

Mikey runs his hands through his hair, leaving it a floppy mess. It's getting a little too long now...well below his ears. He sighs before explaining, "Well, it's just I've noticed that you two kind of seem awkward around each other. And I know that you're probably thinking that ever since he moved into town and met you, that things started happening at your place..."

"Wait, what?" I interrupt him.

"I'm saying that you're probably associating Nathan with the events that are happening at home...when it probably isn't him." Mikey peers up at me through his eyelashes, as if embracing himself for my response.

Honestly, I never put two and two together. Maybe it is Nathan...the events do line up...the weird feelings and open windows and doors started happening shortly after I met him. Then again it could also be pure coincidence.

"No... I never thought that. I mean..i guess it could possibly be true...what I mean is, it would make sense..." I'm stumbling on my words. As much as it would make sense that Nathan is the one that could possibly be behind all this, I don't want to believe it. I was almost, sort of taking a liking to him... and if this possibility is true..then it would shatter the image I have painted of him. And I really don't want that. Then again he is with Kylie...i guess you'd have to be like minded with your partner...which means he must be secretly a horrible person inside.

"Oh...well...if the idea of that has changed your mind on going to The Diner, I would totally understand."

If I didn't know any better, I would think that he is trying to persuade me to not go with him, but I'm sure that's not what he's intending. He's Mikey...of course he wants me there. I have no idea why the hell he would want to grab a bite with them, but I'm sure he has a reason.

"No, it hasn't changed my mind. I'm going with you and that's final. I'm not going to leave my best friend alone in the claws of the devil herself. I'd even go on a double date with you so that you're comfortable. You know that." I give him the biggest and warmest smile I can in order to reassure him.

After a few seconds, a smirk escapes from his lips. "Kylie is the devil isn't she?"

"Yes...all she's missing is the pointy ears and pitchfork," I giggle.

I can see that Mikey let out a laugh from the way his smile widens and his stomach contracts a bit. I wish I could've heard it though. I'm sure it sounded nice, especially after such a gloomy day like the way mine was spent today.

It seems that the argument about whether I want to go to The Diner, as silly as it seems, is temporarily forgotten. And I'm glad.