Don't Stop | Michael Clifford

Chapter 29

It had been about a month since we had come home from Miami, and honestly? Luke and Maddie could make you a bit sick, in a good way though. At Maddie's birthday, we had both stayed at the guys' place, having a huge brunch, Darren being able to make it, but also announcing that he was moving to Chicago. He had gotten an amazing job offer, and Chris was already living half there. Luke had taken Maddie out for a fancy dinner (I'm talking as in she dressed up fancy-fancy). They had come home late, all sick in love, and let's just say... I wished Michael's room wasn't right next to Luke's. It's not that they were that loud, but loud enough.

I had been to work today, surprisingly, my boss loved my purple tips, although she kind of got a bit mad that I hadn't talked to her about it, 'cause what if she didn't like it? She's kind of controlling, I'm actually surprised I wasn't shitting my pants when I went to work.

When I arrived just outside my door, Michael was sitting outside. I gave him a smile as he looks up at me, not returning it. "We need to talk," he says, letting out a sigh as he stands up. I stop my movement, looking at him. I hate those four words, although I haven't come across them that many times in my life. "I'm not breaking up with you, I... I just have some things I've been keeping in, and I need to get them out."

"O-okay," I say, my voice barely loud enough for us to hear. I open the door, holding it open for Michael. He walks in with large steps, his arms crossed over his chest. He stops in the middle of my living room, turning around to look at me. I can feel my heart beat hard against my chest as I slowly make my way over.

"Why... why haven't we had sex?" My eyes widen, is this what this is about? Is he serious?!

"What!?" I can't help but to let the word come out way louder than I intended it to. He groans, taking his hands up to his hair, tugging it slightly.

"It's not like I mind that much, I promise, but when I talk to Maddie, and she gets surprised we haven't had sex, I can't help but to think about it. When she says that you normally don't take sex as a big deal, that she's surprised we didn't do it within the first two weeks because it usually doesn't take that long in your former relationships, that's when I start thinking about why." I stand there, standing as he rambles on. I could feel tears at the back of my eyes, but I manage to keep them away. Michael's chest rises and falls fast as he looks at me, waiting for me to answer.

"And how did those relationships go?" is the only thing I say, making him look confused at me.

"What?"

"Have you thought about that I wanted to try something new? That I might this time want to wait and try and do it another way than I usually do, 'cause if I recall correctly, my last boyfriend cheated on me." Michael sighs, looking down at his feet, he clearly didn't see that one coming.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't think of that..."

"Well, you know now then..." He sighs, groaning a bit as he turns around, hiding his face in his hands. "But this is not about sex, you said you had held in the things for a while, I'm pretty sure you just talked to Maddie about that, and that was what made you come here."

"Of course it's not fucking about sex!" This time he actually yells, making me jump slightly back. But he doesn't stop to apologize, and I know it's because he's too focused on saying what's on his mind. "I have no idea where you are in this relationship, Eleanor. I haven't heard you say anything about how you feel towards me. When I told you I was in love with you, you decided to give me a chance, which I am grateful for, but you said you weren't sure how you felt, so you would give me a chance, and at the concert, I got the idea of Maddie saying that you were crazy about me, but that's months ago, Eleanor. And I have no idea what the hell is going on with your feelings towards me." I stand there frozen, looking at him. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes, he probably felt good for finally getting that off his chest.