ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ꜰɪɴᴇ // 𝐦𝐠𝐜 - 𝐚𝐟𝐢

CiGARETTE 18

CIGARETTE 18

Once again, I'm left alone on a Friday night. My three assignments due next week are above the party Ashton invited me to. And let's be honest, me and parties don't go along. To avoid what happened the last party I went to and, also to not fail at three classes, I'm home writing on of those three assignments.

I admit it's my fault that now I have so many things to do. I spent every afternoon after my classes in Michael's studio with him for the past week. Although my presence wasn't really needed for Michael's painting anymore. He took a photo of me, so we would be easier for both of us. You can call that cheating. I kept spending that time with him, listening to his playlists and chatting.

In the past week, I learnt a lot about Michael. He's such an interesting person. Every time he tells me something about himself, I want to know more. Not in a creepy way.

My laptop sends a warning it only has 10% of battery left and the screen dims. I set up from the couch to look for the charger.

Panic start to install when I can't find it anywhere and I also can't borrow Ashton's charger because is different. I know Ash won't mind if I use his laptop to finish my assignment.

With his laptop on the coffee table, I type his password that has been the same for the last year.

In two seconds, my world stops. The picture on the screen punching me. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes already and it's hard to breath.

On the screen, is a photo of a half-naked blond girl. She's on her knees, lacy panties and lacy socks up her midthigh, strapped to her underwear and her arm covering her breast.

But there's more. A folder full of photos of this blonde, in different poses. The look so intimate. Too intimate to call it a professional photoshoot.

I crash in tears. Anxiety heavy on my chest and it's just too hard to breathe.

I shut down the laptop as I set up, tears still running down my cheeks.

The only thought I have screaming in my mind, while I pace around the living room is, 'Ashton is cheating on me'.

My phone is held by my trembling hands as I dial Elle's number, who doesn't answer. After four tries, I call the one person I never thought I would call in this situation.

The wait seems like an infinity until the moment I hear his raspy voice.

"Madi?"

"Michael." I choke out. The tears don't stop falling and the sobs are getting louder. "Can we meet somewhere?"

"Sure, but I'll pick you up. Where are you?"

"I'm home."

"Text me your address. I'll be there as soon as I can"

The phone line dies. The device hot, still against my cheek. Countless tears fall down.

The perception of time gets into an endless hole. My body can't move, yet it doesn't stop shaking. No sound is heard in the empty house.

I just wait. Back pressed against the apartment's door, my arms wrapped around my bare legs and knees up to my chest. I just wait for Michael to text me he's here.

Until, it finally comes after an endless time.

I leave the house without much but myself, my phone and my keys.

In front of the building is parked a Range Rover with the lights on. Michael's is inside. I walk to the black car without much will, my feet dragging, and I open the door slowly.

"Hey." The small smile on his soft face soon disappears when his eyes land on me.

I just get inside silently. No words are shared between us two. Indie music plays throughout the speakers softly. The atmosphere a bit less depressing although the music is very sad.

The car studently stops and I look around, the street around us familiar.

"Look-" The engine dies and I look at him, green eyes already staring at me. "You don't need to tell me what happened. Just know, I'm here for you."

I only give him a nod and we both get out of the car. The breeze hitting my legs gives me shivers.

Once again, the silence is around, swallowing us both. This depressive atmosphere that we can't escape from.

Nobody says a word until we get inside his apartment. Inside, in the living room is Luke and a girl with black hair and pale skin beside him.

The blond and his girl look at us as we step in. Blue and brown eyes on me makes my anxiety rise. The fact that I have swollen red eyes, trails of tear on my pink cheeks and I'm only wearing some shorts and an old t-shirt is not helping either.

"Let's go to my room." I hear Michael whispering in my ear. I remain silent, following his order and get inside the room once I woke up in.

The purple-haired suggests for us to watch a movie and I agree. We both sat down in his bed, back pressed against the wall and the laptop on Mike's lap.

We don't talk about the reason I called him crying at one in the morning, we just watch a random movie from Netflix's comedian section.

And all my mind can think about is what am I going to do?