In Due Time | m.c.

// Chapter Thirteen //

Seth left Sunday evening to go home. What I thought was going to be a terrible experience, turned out to be a great memory I shared with an old friend.

I didn't see Michael for a few days. Mostly because deep down inside, I knew he would be leaving soon. It would only hurt more to spend time with him, knowing it would all whither away.

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Tonight was the last night Michael would be performing with 5 Seconds Of Summer. As I rummaged through my closet, I searched for the perfect outfit. The gig would be in a local bar so I dressed casual in a pair of shorts and the shirt Michael let me keep from our All Time Low concert.

When I got to the bar, there were a few teenagers scattered amongst the many bar flies. There was a stool at an empty table with a perfect view of the guys. They were all setting up their instruments, getting ready to play.

Michael caught me staring at him so I waved. He threw me a wink, causing my cheeks to flush. Soon, a bartender walked onto the makeshift stage and took Luke's mic. "It's a rare thing to have a band with as much talent as these young men walk through our doors. Tonight, I would like to welcome 5 Seconds Of Summer."

The bar erupted with cheering and whistling. The guys thanked everyone for coming before they played. It mean't a lot to them that people were giving their music a shot.

The spacious room was filled with music when they started to play. They started off the night with Unpredictable. Michael was so incredible on stage. When he was singing, I could practically forget everything.

That we only had forty-eight hours left.

That I don't know what comes next.

That I can't live without him.

They played a few more songs before it came to their last one. Luke, Ashton, and Calum were about to start the song, but Michael stopped them. "Before we finish this last song. There's something I need to say." I felt utterly confused and I didn't know what was going on. "Piper. I know we haven't been together that long, but I love you. I want to dedicate this song to you." He adjusted the strap on his guitar. "This is The Only Reason."

He started to sing the words to a song that they never performed before. Or at least I never heard them play it.

"Don't talk, let me think it over.

How we gonna fix this?

How we gonna undo all the pain?

Tell me, is it even worth it?

Looking for a straight line.

Taking back the time we can't replace."

As I continued to listen to their song, the words ran through my head and I put the pieces together. Michael wrote the song about us. This was the song he was writing in his room the day I recieved my acceptance letter. He dedicated it to me, and I couldn't take it.

After the song finished, I ran out of the bar and was on the curb in the alley sobbing til my ribs hurt.

I would follow him anywhere, but I can't. Not where he's going.

The clouds in the night sky started to trickle rain and the bar flies were pouring out of the bar. After a long time, Michael found me. He sat down next to me on the curb and took off his jacket, placing it on my shoulders. He took one of my hands in his. "I'm sorry." I rested my head against his shoulder as the rain fell on us. Michael sighed heavily before he continued. "I wish things could be different. I just wanted to make you happy." He started to rub his thumb up and down.

Tears ran down my cheeks before I said the words I never thought would leave my mouth. "I don't think you can anymore."

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We agreed our last night together would be our happiest ever. And we would forget that tomorrow was going to come at all. It worked for a while.

Michael was spending the night at my house and we decided to go up to the attic. We were  looking through old polaroids to find one he could take with him.

There were polaroids of Michael's pink hair, his trip to Costa Rica, everything. Looking at them, I realized they were all in the past. And there wouldn't be anymore.

I didn't know what I was going to do without Michael. My eyes became blurry with tears. He held me in his arms. "I know it's hard, but life will move on." A piece of hair was tucked behind my ear by one of his fingers.

"I don't want my life to keep moving without you." That's when I saw a tear roll down Michael's cheek.

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I was so exhausted. I must've fallen asleep like that; in his arms.

In the morning I woke up in my bed, and I was finally alone. Michael must have carried me down. There was a note on my nightstand and I opened it. Michael's handwriting was on the page.

Piper-

I'll always remember what we had. Stay strong and kick ass.

              Love, Michael

The sun setting light in this house was the most wretched thing I had ever seen. All I wanted to do was to sleep. While sitting up in bed, it almost felt like Michael could still be here. As if he was just downstairs getting us some lemonade, and I was waiting for him to come running up the stairs so I could pull down the latch and climb the ladder to the attic.

Maybe I'll go up to the attic and wait.