Fixing Our Problems || m.c. au

\viii/

"I love you," Michael murmurs randomly while the two of them are sat on the couch, watching 17 Again.

"That was random," Liane giggles, "but I love you." She leans forward to gently press her lips to his cheek. She was sitting against the armrest of the couch and had her legs thrown across his own legs, while he had one of his arms wrapped around her waist and she had her arm over his shoulders.

Before anyone could say anything else, Liane's phone goes off. She slides the answer button and presses the phone to her ear. "Hello, Ashlyn," she sings happily.

"I hear you're feeling better," Ashlyn laughs into the phone. "I feel a certain lilac-haired boy had something to do with it."

"Lilac, huh?" She reaches her hand up and runs it through Michael's hair a few times, making him turn his head to look at her. "Yeah, I guess it is a bit more on the lilac side." Michael laughs quietly before turning back to face the television. "And, yeah, I guess he has a lot to do with it."

"You guys are so cute, aw," she coos.

"Anyway, how did your little not-a-date thing go with Ashton?" Liane asks, changing the subject.

"It went great," she beams. "He told me he was really into me." Liane could just picture the big smile on her face.

"Well, as your first friend in Australia - I think - I need to meet him as soon as possible."

"Of course," she laughs quietly. "Anyways, I was calling to ask if you wanted to go get dinner with me and my step sister. You can bring Michael if you want." Liane thinks it over; she needs more friends than Michael - if he was even considered a friend - and kind of Calum.

"Sure, when?"

"An hour, I guess?" She mumbles unsurely. "I call you, yeah? Or text."

"Yeah, that's fine, I'll see you then?" After the two of them bid their goodbyes, Liane tosses her phone over Michael's body and leans her head on his shoulder.

"Are you going somewhere?" He asks after a few moments.

"Yeah, Ashlyn invited me to go to dinner with her and her stepsister later," she mumbles. "You can come if you want."

"Nah, I'm fine, you go have fun." He leans his head on hers after lightly kissing her head.

...

"Oh, yay, you're here," Ashlyn beams once Liane walks into the dorm.

"Hey," she grins up at her. "Are we leaving now?" Before she could answer, a redhead - actual bright red hair - comes out of the bathroom, smiling once she noticed Liane.

"Hi," the girl chirps, "I'm Ashlyn's stepsister, Elena." Liane returns the smile, ignoring the uneasy feeling she got when she heard the familiar name.

"I'm Liane, her roommate."

"Can we go?" Ashlyn whines, making both girls turn their attention to her, "I'm really hungry." Elena laughs, rolling her eyes at her stepsister before following Liane out.

Once they got to where they were eating - some burger place - they decided on eating at one of the outside tables. "So, when did you two become stepsisters?" Liane questions after taking a sip from her coke.

"My dad married her mum last year," Elena answers, grinning at Ashlyn.

"At least you two get along," Liane jokes.