Stay Together For The Kids - Michael Clifford Fanfiction

Alcohol

The sun has already settled when I finally take a step into a bar. It's a nice, upperclass Inner Sydney one. Not like the last one I had been too.

The place isn't overly packed or busy, but it has the right amount of people so I don't feel unsafe.

I sit down at the bar, and ask the bartender to get me a Vodka and Apple Juice. My speciality.

Before I know it, I've knocked back my fourth, and I'm paying for them on my credit card.

I haven't drawn many heads here, I am wearing my clothes still from court, only slightly more dressed up then everyone else.

I try to distract myself, wondering what everyone's story is around. Watching people intently and hoping I don't look like a stalker. But I can't stop thinking of today. I really thought I was going to win. What if Michael took Ruby again? What if this time, she actually does get hurt? The lurching fear in my stomach boils up, and I ask the bartender for another.

He is just handing back my credit card when I hear a familiar voice.

"Surprised to see you here."

I turn on my stool and hold my breath.

Michael, still in his court attire too, receding blonde hair slicked back, hanging his head an barely making eye contact with me.

"Michael, I don't think it's a good idea for us to be talking to each other." I say swiftly.

Michael looks almost, ashamed?

"I just wanted to apologise, for everything." He stammers out. He makes eye contact with me and it looks like he has been crying. He swallows hard. "But, especially for doing that to Ruby. I know you would of been worried sick about her, and it was the stupidest thing I've probably ever done. And I'm sorry. I'll leave you to be now."

He turns to walk off, and I'm left shocked. But also a strong guilting sensation wanting me to pull him back.

Don't do this. Don't you dare.

"Wait." I call out. You did it.

Michael turns, waiting for me to say something accusatory, probably.

"I suppose a drink couldn't hurt." I say.

Michael looks as surprised as I feel at those words, but he doesn't argue.

He orders himself a bourbon, and sits silently. Neither of us apparently know what to say.

"I've lost her." Michael eventually blurts out. I don't really know what to say to him at this point. I decide with the truth.

"Yeah." Casual. Nice.

"How did this happen?" He croaks, looking down at his hands.

"You tell me. I wasn't there when you took any of your first drugs." I don't mean it to sound across so bitter, but I know it does.

Michael shakes his head. "I don't just mean cocaine, or alcohol, or whatever. I mean, with the band, with Ruby, with us." He says us and it makes my stomach clench for reasons I don't believe is the alcohol.

"I just, I fucked up." He puts his head in hands at this, something I had witnessed very few times. It was always a sign he was admitting defeat.

"Well I'm not going to disagree with you if that's what you want." It's sharp and direct and I realise exactly how mad I am still. But I don't want to be.

"No, I just want you to tell me where it started to go wrong." He says, taking a sip of his drink. More a skull, really.

I sigh. "I don't know, Michael. I haven't known you for a long time." I say, honestly.