End Up Here (Michael Clifford a.u.)

Chapter 9

With my family driving me crazy, Michael is my only sanity. He's tried for a week to calm me down when everyone was on my case. I'm just being constantly yelled at or picked on this week. I don't know what it is, but I'm running out of patience.

I sit on the couch trying to focus on Michael's comforting words more than my parents' nagging. It's really hard to block out the yelling.

"Makenna, do you hear me?" my mom asks. "You've got to start focusing on school more, and you need to start practicing a little before you play indoor soccer."

"I'm passing my classes, and they already gave me a guarantee on having a spot on the team," I mumble.

"Speak up."

"I'm fine," I reply angrily.

Of course I half lie about my grades. I have some considerably low grades. It's not my fault those classes bore me to death.

"You need to study more," she continues. "And you sure don't help me any around the house. All you do is sit around on your phone or listen to inappropriate music. You text too much."

"I'm sorry I can't please you."

"Don't get smart with me."

"She talks to that boy too much," my dad says.

"That boy's name is Michael," I reply bitterly.

"Whatever. You spend way too much time with him. He's an okay kid and all, but you're with him all the time."

"Do you even talk to your other friends?" mom asks.

"Yes," I mumble. "They think Michael's cool, and they're okay with me talking to him a lot."

"I think he's weird," my sister says as she leaves to seclude herself in her room.

I desperately wish I could do the same but I was forced to "socialize" with my family. All that's getting me is anger issues and insults.

"He might not be good for you, Makenna," mom continues in a fake apologetic tone.

"What has Michael done to deserve this?" I ask, standing to my feet. Everyone goes silent and stares at me. "What have I done? I mean, Michael is the best person I've ever met, and he actually cares about what he says to me unlike you guys who say what you want and expect no one will get hurt."

"Watch your tone," dad warns.

"No! I've tolerated you enough, haven't I? I'm tired of your shit!"

"Don't you swear in my house!"

"Don't insult my boyfriend!"

"Your boyfriend?!" mom yells. "When did you start dating?!"

"Why would you care?" I snap. "You don't like him."

"He's going to take advantage of you, Makenna. Look at him! He's a deadbeat! He's got nothing better to do than play nice girls like you!"

"Maybe I'm not as nice as you thought," I mumble, grabbing my jacket and keys.

"Where do you think you're going?" dad yells.

"Away from here."

I slam the door and get in my car. I drive a few minutes down the road before realizing Michael doesn't even know I'm headed to his house. He probably won't even care.

His car is the only one there so I assume his parents are gone. I knock on his door anyway. As I wait on the steps, hearing his footsteps approach closer, I look down and feel tears falling off my face. I feel awful for what I said, but I feel even worse they'd say such things about literally the most adorable, sensitive person on this planet.