Beginnings • c.h

Chapter Sixteen

Gif is Megan and Ashton. Also dedication to @KatieMalikHood since she is an awesome motherducka for voting on almost every single chapter. Thanks!!

Chapter Sixteen

"You don't know how much shit he has actually gone through, and I don't think you will. Ever."

And with those final words, I turn on my heel and walk away from Mikey, and away from the pizza parlour, beginning to make the forty-five minute walk back to my house. I can only think that if our argument was a boxing match, I had just delivered the knock-out punch.

Anni POV

"What could they be possibly talking about that could take that long?" I mumble, directing my hushed question to Aimee, who was seated next to me. She simply shrugs and attempts to re-engage in the conversation between Grace and Luke whom were chatting about the gig tomorrow.

I attempt to distract myself by starting up a conversation with Ashton whom looked a bit lonely since Megan had left to talk to Mikey, which was twenty minutes ago might I add. I tried to ignore Calum subtly trying to shuffle him out of the conversation by giving him my shoulder as I focused on the drummer across from me.

But Calum didn't seem to be getting the hints and had now, several times, tried to enter the conversation. It wasn't like I didn't want to talk to him, it's just been a little...awkward lately, since our, ahem, "encounter" the other day. Okay so I was avoiding him, or at least trying to, but it seemed as if Mother Nature simply hated me, because I was forced next to him, unwillingly, when we sat down.

Or maybe it wasn't Mother Nature and my friends were just being annoying little shits. Either way, I was annoyed about it.

After successfully dismissing Calum from our conversation for the fourth time, he finally seemed to get the point and sat back looking defeated. I smirked triumphantly.

The annoying ding of the bell on the door was enough to snap me out of my smug thoughts. As I glanced at the door expecting to see Megan bounding through followed by Mikey but I was unpleasantly surprised to see only Mikey trudging back to our table.

After seeing my attention had been diverted from him, Ashton turned round and followed my gaze to his band mate. After turning around and leaning forward he asks the question which was on the tip of my tongue,

"Where's Megan?"

This seemed to capture the attention of the rest of the group since Aimee, Grace and Luke all fell silent and Calum came out of his slouched position next to me. Everyone stayed silent until Mikey finally reached the awkwardly silent table.

"Where's Megan?" I demanded, immediately glaring at Mikey, but he wasn't looking at me he was staring at his shoes in a seemingly ashamed manner. I repeated my question and Mikey finally looks up at me and mumbles something incoherently.

I grit my teeth, trying not to get angry at Michael. I think Aimee must have sensed my mounting anger as she grabbed my hand underneath the table and squeezed it in warning. While I tried to control my breathing Aimee speaks for me,

"Sorry Michael I didn't catch that. Where's Megan?"

Michael must have noticed the change in tone as he speaks slightly louder.

"Don't know."

Aimee tilts her head in confusion and gives me a look of bewilderment.

"What the hell do you mean you 'don't know'? You were with her just seconds ago, you dipshit!" I hiss angrily, my hands balling up into fists in my lap. Mikey shifts uncomfortably under my gaze and he shuffles his feet again as he replies.