This Year's Love // Michael Clifford

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Michael Clifford

This occurs a few weeks before the last chapter.

"No, you're the cutest," Ashton giggles.

"No, you are," his girlfriend replies, booping his nose.

Gross. Did I just use the term booping? Disgusting. In fact, this whole scene before me is disgusting.

"I hate you all," I grumble, getting up from my seat on the tour bus.

"You're just pissed because Amanda and I are so cute and you can't be that way with Brittany because you freaked out on-"

Calum glares at Ashton, possibly saving him from being punched. I was seriously thinking about it. He's pissing me off; being all lovey-dovey and shit with his new, famous girlfriend. Kill me.

"I'm going out," I announce, grabbing my jacket (it's windy in Chicago) and opening the tour bus door.

"Dude, be back for soundcheck," Luke informs me.

"Maybe."

I close the door behind me, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I walk down the quiet street. It's about eleven in the morning, a school or work day for most, so the streets are pretty vacant. I catch the eye of a few strangers, but luckily none of them recognize me.

I enter a small bar in hopes of drinking a beer or two in peace. I was thankfully served, and so I just sat and watched the TV that played some gossip show on Fox (What kind of bar is this anyway? Where are the sports?).

"Up next we have the next big thing to catch the media's eye. Some of you may know her as Evan Peter's most recent girlfriend, but she's making a name for herself. Recently this week, she released information regarding her going on tour with indie vocalist Amanda Ray."

My eyes shoot up from my glass of beer, meeting the TV. You have got to be fucking kidding me.

"What's odd about this occurrence is that Amanda Ray is girlfriend to Ashton Irwin, drummer for pop-punk band 5 Seconds of Summer. To our knowledge, Brittany used to be close friends with their lead guitarist, Michael Clifford. It's unknown as to why..."

I don't hear the rest of the words the woman speaks as I throw down a ten on the bar and gulp the rest of my beer. I scurry from the bar, angrily making my way back to the tour bus.

Once there, I swing open the door. Everyone is where they were when I left, although slightly askew. They all jump upon my abrupt entrance.

"Why the fuck didn't any of you tell me?" I ask. "Amanda, why-"

"We didn't want to hurt you, Mike," Ashton sighs.

"I am hurt!" I shout. "The girl I love-"

"It's your own fucking fault for pushing her away!" Calum exclaims.

"She chose someone else, okay? That fucking kills," I yell, feeling my eyes begin to water.

"I know, man. I know it fucking kills, okay? But don't beat yourself up," Calum says softly.

"I just-" I pull at my hair. "I love her so much." Tears streak down my cheeks. "So fucking much."

"Michael," Luke sighs. "Why don't you just win her back? You might not be a couple, but you can try as friends again."

I shake my head, angrily rubbing at my wet eyes. "She hates me."

"Don't say that, Michael," Amanda softly speaks up.

"Why didn't you tell me she is touring with us?" I cry, sinking into the bus floor.

"We didn't know how to."

"This is so shitty," I sob, burying my face in my hands. "So fucking shitty. I love her so much but she's dating some thirty-nine year old actor."

"Twenty-seven," Calum quietly whispers.

I manage out a chuckle. "Shut up."

"Get up, dude," Luke says. "Let's just go to soundcheck. We can talk about this later."

I willingly get up from my floor, allowing my bandmates to give me an awkward group hug.

I can't help but wonder if Brittany knows who else she's touring with.

//////

That's all I could muster up for you guys! Sorry.

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