Colors//m.c

Thirty Four

11:49

    "This a good song." Michael says as he fiddled with the knobs to the radio, turning up the song that was playing. Wonderwall by Oasis.

I nod in agreement, peering out the open window and into the dark night. We passed a convenience store, and then a bar, and then a library. On we went.  And as we drove on, I was left alone with my thoughts. I couldn't believe how I didn't want to move here.

The song continued playing, as Michael tapped the steering wheel to the beat happily.

"So, how was finals?" I finally speak up. I hadn't had a chance to ask Michael this yet. This whole week has been crazy. Hectic, crazy, tiring, call it whatever. But it was too busy for us to talk much.

Michael keeps his eyes on the abandoned road, a smile on his lips.

"Horrible." He laughs softly.

"How?" I leaned on his shoulder, which was probably not the best thing to do while he was driving.

"I just don't think I did very well." He shrugs. "I'm not that smart. I don't have much going for me. But its alright."

I furrowed my  eyebrows.  What did he mean?

"Michael, please don't say that." I pause. "And what do you mean? By its alright? What are you going to do?"

His eyes don't leave the road, as he pulls into a dimly light drive way.  He parks on the side, then looks at me. A hand moves upward to stroke my hair.

"You know how I kept saying 'One last night'? I meant that in so many ways. One last night of fun before you officially grow up. Before you leave school.  But i'm leaving soon."

That was unexpected.

"Wha-"

"And I feel like such shit!" He suddenly says, louder now. "I haven't even taken you on an official date. I told you I loved you. Now i'm leaving you! Congratulations, I officially suck!"

He flings open his door, and walks out without another word, leaving me to wonder what the heck just happened. Instead of going to knock on the door, he comes to my side to let me out.

"I'm so sorry." He whispers as he opens the truck door, looking pained. I hand him the dress bag, and follow him out.

I was at a loss of words. How could I answer this? Was I supposed to make him feel better? Tell him how upset I was?  Once again, I didn't know.

"Michael." I whispered, my hand stretched out in hopes that his would find mine. As it usually did. Nothing happened, as he sighed and continued up the walkway.

"Michael." I say again. He knocks on the door quickly, before turning to look at me.

"Wait to talk about this until we get back in the truck." Was all he said, his eyes shining in the dim light.

I nodded, my throat feeling suddenly dry. Michael was leaving. Truth be told, I may have been leaving myself but it felt more harsh this way. And I had no idea what Michael meant by leaving, which was what hurt the most.

The door swung open to reveal a girl, her face masked in white goo, and a towel wrapped around her damp hair. It was far too late to be preparing for prom night. Hadn't anyone told her beauty sleep was also needed?

"My dress." She grabs the bag from Michael's hand. "Thank you. Tell your boss that the money will be in the bank account. Have a nice night." As sudden as it was, the door was already shut in Michael's face.

"Well. That was welcoming." I remark, stepping closer to Michael .

"I'm used to it."

We walk back down the pathway. Michael appeared to be deep in thought. I was just confused.

"So," I start, opening up the clunky car door. "Where are you going?" I didn't feel like commenting on Michael's outburst. Of course, I had to be supportive.

"My Mom's." If anything, his voice seemed even more soft and willow-like than before. He climbs into his seat, and as if finally sensing me, he takes my hand.

I loved holding Michael's hand. It always seemed so comforting. Something that pulled me back into reality, maybe. A reminder that I was with,quite possibly, one of the most perfect human beings on the planet.

"It just." He pauses, leaning back into the leather-y seat. "Everything here was so hard. So complicated. I'm hoping maybe everything will get better once i'm there. The only thing that made up my mind, was once I knew you were going to college."

"That's not positive." I shake my head stubbornly. I doubted I was going to make it. I tried, and at the time it was hopeful, but each time I looked back at my test scores, and my lack of enthusiasm earlier in the year, all hope was gone.

"You are going. Your smart, and i'm positive your going Macey." He shakes his head. "I love you.   I guess it seems stupid to tell you now. It took so long to tell you. And its unfair to tell you, especially when we have never gone on a date."

All of a sudden, Michael seemed to noticed we were parked in the driveway of some girls house. At almost midnight. So, he starts his truck, the engine buzzing back to life with a flick of his wrist.

He waits for me to answer, as he drove silently. This was not how I wanted prom night to be. Not exactly how I expected, I mean. But it's not bad. A little surprising, maybe.

I contemplate my next words.

"But we have gone on dates. Sort of. It doesn't matter. Were both really busy. But once again, it doesn't matter." I didn't want to sound cliche, but I said the next sentence anyways. "Let's just live in tonight. Right now."

Michael peeks over at me, his hands nervously tapping at the steering wheel. "That sounds good."

"And Michael?"

"What?"

He was driving, and I know this was a hazard, or something like that but I didn't really care right now. I leaned closer to his frigid body,  wrapped my arms around his figure, and squeezed.

I then leaned up a bit, to whisper in his ear. This seemed like something that needed to be said a little quieter. Even though we were alone. It felt right.

"I love you too."

The smile that broke out on his face was contagious. Maybe the fact that someone actually loved you, was finally breaking in. That's how I felt. And it took that for me to finally realize it. Dave, Michael, Myrcella. Maybe even Luke, Ashton, And Calum. Maybe. And believe it or not, my mom.  They loved me. And surprisingly, I only just realized I did need other people in my black and white life. I needed more color. And in all of those blinding characters, Michael was what I needed most.

"You said you're dad wasn't going to be home?" I asked, my voice coming out muffled as my face was tucked into his shoulder. Michael nods.

"Let's go there, then."

"Are you sure?"

I whip out my old phone, one of the only things I had left from my old house, and hurriedly texted Myrcella that I wouldn't be home tonight.

"I'm sure."

-

There will only be one more chapter of this story. And an epilogue.

okay so favorite member of 5sos?? like ik we love them all but who do you love omg