End Up Here (Michael Clifford a.u.)

Chapter 8

I think about it often, probably more than I should. It's been a week since the party, but all I can do is relive that moment over and over.

The feeling of Michael's lips on my skin and my own lips leaves me wanting more. I would totally make out with him any day. But since last weekend he seems a little distant. He comes up with pitiful excuses to not hangout. It's beginning to bother me.

The girls assure me he's fine. They won't say why they're so sure of it, but I still feel confused about it. We were fine with what we did. We just haven't talked about it or anything.

But like I said, I would gladly make out with him any day.

I decide to be one of the few people to stay in on a Friday night and watch chick flicks. As I finish the credits for the fifth movie I've watched since I got home from school, I check the time. It's 12:45 in the morning.

I turn off my TV and my lights. I cocoon myself under multiple blankets and close my eyes. Not even thirty seconds later my phone starts vibrating.

"Hello?" I answer quietly.

"Did I wake you?" Michael asks. I smile.

"No, actually, I was about to go to sleep."

"Oh."

"Why are you calling me? Do you even know what time it is?" I ask.

"I couldn't sleep, and I wanted to see you."

"We can hang out tomorrow?"

"No. I mean now."

"Well, I was about to go to sleep, Michael."

"No you're not. Grab a jacket and put on your shoes."

"Why?"

"Just do it please," he says.

I sigh and unwrap myself from the warm blankets. I slip on my chucks that are basically falling apart, but I still wear them regularly. I grab the nearest thing by my jackets which happens to be my favorite hoodie. I slip it on and put the phone back to my ear.

"Okay. Now what?" I ask.

"Go out your front door."

"What?"

"Don't question it."

I quietly open my bedroom door and walk through the house. I'm afraid to get caught or make any noise so it takes me what feels like twenty minutes to get to the door. I quietly turn the locks and open it, praying it won't squeak.

Michael is standing on my porch with his car in my driveway. We both hang up our phone.

"Are you on drugs?!" I ask in a loud whisper.

"No. I just wanted to see you."

"You could get me grounded for life!"

"It's just for a couple hours. Don't worry about it, Makenna," he says while laughing. He leans down and kisses me, still laughing. "Don't worry about it. Let's go."

I follow him to is car. We sit in absolute silence as he drives. I watch signs and trees and houses pass by, and I begin to wonder where he's taking me. I don't ask though. I like this silence.

I begin to recognize where we are. It's the road he took when we decided to stop and make out in the backseat. The memories flood my mind, and my cheeks heat up. I can't hide my smile.

He continues to drive past the trees that hid us until we're in a clearing. He stops and gets out. I follow him as he climbs on the hood of his car. I sit next to him, and he sighs.

"I miss you," he says.

"But we saw each other earlier today."

"That's not what I mean."

"Then tell me what you mean."

"I miss hanging out. I know I was being stupid about not coming over or whatever. I was thinking."

"About what?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you come over?" I ask. "What exactly were you thinking about?"

"It's hard to explain, Makenna. I was thinking about us. I was trying to figure out where we'll be."

"Oh."

"So are we gonna talk about what happened at the party?" he asks.

"What about it?"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes actually."

"It was pretty hot."

We both laugh, and I push him gently. He leans back over to me, not taking his eyes off the sky.

"It was though. I'm not gonna lie," I say, looking up as well.

He looks at me, drawing my eyes down to him. "Do you wanna do that again?"

I laugh. "God yes but not now."

"Me too."

I watch him for a moment. Even in the pale light I can see his nose and cheeks are red. Mine feel cold as well. I can see my breath, and I'm surprised it hasn't snowed yet. It feels cold enough to.

"I've been wanting to ask you something," he says. "I was thinking about what you said awhile back. When you talked about what you liked in a guy."

"Yeah?"

"You said you just needed someone to be there, someone who you could talk to about everything. You needed someone who didn't give a shit how messed up you were."

"What's this about, Michael?" I ask.

"Listen, Makenna. I may not be everything you want, but I'm everything you say you need."

"Really you're everything I've ever wanted or needed."

"So do you wanna be my girlfriend?"

I laugh quietly. "You're such a romantic," I reply sarcastically. "But yes. I'd love to be your girlfriend."

"Now what? I've never really been in a relationship." He laughs.

"We just act the way we were but with more cuddling and a lot more kissing."

"I have a question."

"Another one?" I groan. He laughs again. "I'm kidding. What is it?"

"It's a little personal and kinda sexual."

"Okay."

"In this very moment with the way we are, would you ride me?"

I start coughing and laughing. He laughs at me more than with me.

"Are you kidding me?" I ask. "I'd freeze my ass off! No!"

"It was worth a shot."

I punch his shoulder, and he grabs my wrist. He pulls me to him and kisses me. He leans back until he's flat against the hood of the car. I swing my leg over him, placing a knee on either of his hips.

We make out (again) like that for a few minutes. His cold fingers would find their way under my shirt, and I'd jump at the touch.

Eventually we just lie next to each other, staring at the stars and talking about everything.

I feel myself dozing off as Michael goes on and on about something unimportant. He's just talking because that's what he does. The soft sound of his voice lulls me to sleep. I feel his warm lips on my forehead before he carries me back to his car to drive me home.