Damn, You're Cute (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 36

"Shit!" I heard Michael curse before gently shaking me. "Leah, wake up!"

I squeezed my eyes closed even more, a frown on my lips. I was still lying with my back to his chest and my head resting in the rounded part of his shoulder. My nose brushed his neck as I groaned, turning into his chest even more.

"Why?"

He kept his arms around me but persuaded me to open my eyes.

"We fell asleep here," he said groggily. He was just as tired as I was but this news made my eyes fly open.

"What?" I shrieked and looked around at the beach. Just as we left them, the waves were crashing on the shore. In those five minutes last night, we both drifted off to sleep in the lifeguard chair. Thankfully it was still dark out so we couldn't have slept that long. "What time is it?"

Michael pulled out his phone, squinting when the bright screen opened.

"Three in the morning," he sighed, shutting off his blinding phone.

Shit.

"We have school tomorrow!" I said worriedly, untangling myself from him. "Well, today in, like, five hours!"

"I know," he rubbed his tired eyes before standing as well. We were high up due to the lifeguard chair but that was the least of my worries. "I'll drive you to your house so you can get ready for school. It'll be okay,"

I nodded, climbing down the chair, barely able to see the steps in the darkness. It wouldn't be light outside for another two or more hours.

I suddenly remembered my parents deal of me gaining back their trust. I promised not to stay out again like I did at the party. I'll probably be grounded when I get back!

"My parents are going to kill me!" I told him, chewing on my lip nervously as he climbed down.

"I'm sorry, Leah. This is all my fault." Michael told me once he touched the sand.

"No, it's not," I comforted him and took his hand as we walked back to where we came from. I might have been upset about falling asleep, but being with Michael always made me happy. "I'll just have a curfew for a few days and probably won't be allowed out except for school."

"Maybe you'll get lucky," he shrugged hopefully, intertwining his fingers with mine. "Maybe they'll be easy on you."

I laughed dryly, resting my head against his arm as we walked.

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

We finally found where our bonfire was after a long stroll but it was just burned wood. The fire was out, the chairs were gone, and so were our friends.

I quickly checked my phone, seeing several messages. My mother had called me eight times. I also had texts from our friends.

From Luke:

Where are you?? Are you okay?

From Calum:

Are you with Michael? Come backkk

From Caroline:

I'm getting worried but we don't know what else to do. We're driving home. Please call me if you're okay.

"Michael," I sighed, putting my head in my hands.

"What's wrong?" he asked, pulling my hands away from my face.

"They took the car...the only car!" I told him, more frustrated than anything. "We have no way home!"

He threw back his head at the news, tugging at his hair. I had no idea what we were going to do. My parents were going to explode, school was going to be hell because I was so tired, and I just wanted to go back to sleep next to Michael.

"I'll call Caroline and see if she can pick us up," I sighed, beginning to dial her number. She'd probably be pissed that I was waking her up, but she did say to call her.

"No, don't wake her up. I could call Ashton." he said, his eyes drooping. I could tell he wanted to sleep just like me. "He'll be a dick this early in the morning but-"

"Luke won't." I cut him off and pulled up his contact number. "He'd come get us."

Michael didn't seem thrilled with this idea but was not in the mood to fight. I think he thought Luke had a special thing with me. He had a special place in my heart, yes, but nothing more.

After I dialed, Luke picked up the phone on the third ring.

"Hello?"

His voice was husky and deep because of being woken up.

"Luke? It's Leah,"

"Leah! God, I was so worried!" he whispered loudly so he didn't wake up his parents. I could imagine his blue eyes widening at my voice. "Where are you? Are you okay!?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry," I calmed him, keeping eye contact with Michael as I spoke.

"It's almost four a.m.! What's going on?"

I could hear Luke climb out of bed and move around with several shuffling noises in the background.

"Michael and I are still stuck at the beach. You guys took the car home so we have no way of getting back for school." I explained, feeling guilty that he had to get up and come get us. I just wanted him to do it because he was the most understanding.

"Shit, you're still there?" his voice cracked as he worried about us. "I'll come get you right now."

"Thanks!" I smiled and reminded him, "You're the best!"

He laughed on the other end before hanging up.

I turned to Michael with the same small smile. He was already watching me with the corner of his mouth turned down ever so slightly.

"Luke's gonna get us. He's leaving now," I told him before rubbing my eyes. "I'm just so tired," I complained like a child, but it was true. I was so comfortable a few minutes ago on the lifeguard chair in Michael's lap. What I would do to go back or continue.

Michael held out his arms knowingly and invited me into his chest. I wasted no time crashing into his front and closing my eyes as his arms wrapped around me tightly. He gave the best hugs out of anyone I've ever known.

"I don't want to go to school," I pouted, burying my nose in his shirt as we waited for Luke.

Michael rested his cheek on top of my head, running his hands up and down my back soothingly.

"Me neither, but when do I ever?" he chuckled, his chest vibrating against me. I hummed in response. "Do you maybe want to help me study after school?"

I couldn't help but laugh because that's what he was thinking about.

"Of course, if I can stay awake and my parents don't kill me before then,"

"Deal," he smiled in my hair and I closed my eyes, content in his arms until Luke showed up.