Cherry Bomb (A Michael Fassbender Fanfic)

2: Raegan

I refused to let Michael carry me back downstairs and he refused to let me spend the rest of the evening alone in my room so we met in the middle and I hobbled my way back downstairs on my own. He walked in front of me with a hand out to help if I needed it.

He grabs my elbow and helps me to the couch where someone gets up to give me room. I hate the attention. I hate being fussed over. Now just leave me here and go get a beer.

The shattered ornaments have been swept up and my grandmother is arranging the surviving ones to cover the bare spot on the tree where the dead ones once resided. She glances over and smiles with a wink as she sees Michael. Oh dear god.

Michael clears his throat. "Can I get you anything? A drink? Some cookies?"

I shake my head. "No, really, I'm fine. Thank you. You don't have to babysit me," I attempt to smile sweetly so I don't come off as bitchy.

He cocks his head like he wants to say something but thinks better of it and gives me a curt smile before leaving my side. Instantly I wish I'd agreed to a drink. Then he would come back. God, what am I saying. No. He needs to stay away.

I'm sitting there with a fake smile plastered across my face, trying to get into the holiday spirit when the front door is thrown open and a gust of cold wind from outside flips my hair completely over my face. Everyone cheers and shouts holiday greetings to the new guest and as I impatiently pat my hair back down, I see it's Raegan with a man I'd never seen before behind her with a stack of beautifully wrapped gifts. We haven't exchanged gifts since I turned 21 so immediately my heart sinks when I realize there are gifts under the tree as well.

Before I can internally panic any more, I notice Michael as he sees Raegan and I watch their exchange. Raegan's smile drops and she gives him a nod. What Michael does makes me snicker quietly. He clicks his heels together once and salutes her before rolling his eyes and leaving the room. Ooh. Drama.

I watch as Michael walks away and he gives me a little smile before disappearing. I bring my eyes back to Raegan and see her looking directly at me in confusion. I drop my eyes and study my nails. My poor neglected cuticles. Still, Raegan stalks over, her servant man trailing right behind.

"Frankie, is that you? Weren't you here last year?" Raegan unwinds her scarf from around her neck and tosses it to the man. He wobbles trying to get ahold of it while balancing the presents.

Out of politeness, I push myself up off the couch, taking care to keep my weight off my bandaged foot. I give her a half hug, only one arm around her, as she keeps her hands to herself. "Hi Rae. Good to see you. Actually I had to skip last Christmas because I broke my knee and couldn't really travel. Who's your friend?" I motion to her companion and Raegan takes a second to acknowledge his presence.

"Oh, this is my fiancé Carl. Carl, this is my cousin Frankie. She's American, too."

I smile as poor Carl as he tries to stick out a hand for a handshake. "Pleased to meet you, Frankie!" He's sweet. What on earth is he doing with Raegan?

"Can I take some of these off your hands for you?" I grab several presents and move around Raegan to place them under the tree. She follows me with her piercing green eyes.

Raegan used to be beautiful. A real stunner. Girls wanted to be her friend and guys wanted to date her. From the outside, she's the total package. Her thick red mane cascades down her back in graceful layers with wispy fringe above her eyes. Her naturally red lips make her green eyes pop even more. Like I said, stunner. It isn't until you get to know her that you realize she's actually quite ugly. Her personality leaves a lot to be desired. She's a fake. One minute she's singing praises to your face, the next she's making fun of you behind your back. She gets off on being a gossip queen. This leaves me wondering just how long Carl has known her for. I place the packages at the base of the Christmas tree and turn to Carl to take the rest.