psych ➳ muke

0.7

After lunch, we are allotted some free time to spend however we please. There is a group room in the main hall. It has a television, games, and books inside. Most of the kids spend their time in there and I want to, but Michael retreats back to our shared room, so I follow.

When I make it to the room, Michael is propped up on his bed. Legs crossed, book in hand. It's the same book from when I first saw him and he doesn't look too far into it. The book isn't very thick, so I assume he's a slow reader.

"What are you reading?" I question, padding across the room to my bed.

He glances in my direction before looking back to the book, "The Maze Runner. Mum sent it for me."

I've heard of the book, but I haven't read it. I'm a strong reader, I enjoy it. At home, I have a bookcase stacked with all sorts of books. But I've read them all.

"I'm shit at reading," Michael admits, "But it keeps me distracted, you know? This place is hell."

I nod my head in agreement. This place is hell, but it's meant to be good for us. It's meant to help us sort ourselves out. Learn to deal with our illnesses, or whatever. The nurses give us lectures everyday on how the program is meant to help us, but I barely listen. Its practically the same rant every time. I could probably recite it if I tried.

"I-i um, I could help you... read it, I mean. Not that you need me to! Cause you totally don't! But I, uh..." I'm rambling and I don't even understand the words escaping past my lips, but they are, and I can't stop them.

Michael offers a small laugh, a smile spreading across his lips.

"You'll read to me?"

And I suppose that's exactly what I had been saying. I offered to read to him, but I don't regret it. I would jump at the opportunity to spend time in close proximity to Michael.

"Yes."

He offers another toothy grin, his green eyes lighting up. He scoots over on the bed, his side pressed to the wall, and pats the empty space with his hand. He's asking me to sit with him. And my heart starts to race. Those pesky butterflies erupt in my stomach once again. But I find myself padding across the floor once more and situating myself down on the unfamiliar bed. The empty space is still warm from Michael's body heat. And I sigh contently, looking over at the pale boy beside me. He is even prettier up close. I could get lost in his emerald eyes. There are yellow swirls around the center.

Michael is beautiful.

"Here you go," Michael says suddenly, plopping the book down on my lap.

I smile, pick up the boom, and start to read. Michael is a good listener. He smiles at some parts, frowns at others. But he stays quiet, listening to the words as I go along. At times, he offers a small laugh or his eyes grow wide when things become intense.

He is very animated.

After a few chapters, Michael shifts closer to me, resting his head against my shoulder. I tense for a moment, the gesture unexpected, but I feels nice. And I like it, so I ignore it.

I read a few more chapters before Michael collapses against me, full body weight pressed to mine. He's fast asleep. Soft snores slipping past his pink lips.

Michael is beautiful.

• • • • • • • •

This is a filler chapter. The next chapter has a lot of drama in it, so its going to take some time to write it all out. Enjoy this though!

Looks like Michael and Luke are getting closer. But, things aren't always what they seem!

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