Toxic // m.c.

chapter four.

“Michael?” I asked with wide eyes, trying to keep myself together. I wanted to get away from all his drama, that’s why I left.

“What the absolute hell are you doing here?” I asked trying to keep my voice from breaking.

He looks different since the last time I saw him. His hair is now a fire like red, not the old lilac that I helped him dye, and he has his eyebrow pierced. But his eyes are the still same green eyes I fell in love with three years ago, the eyes that I’m still in love with to this day, even though I refuse to admit that part out loud.

“There’s this thing people do when they get done whatever they have to do, and it’s called coming home. That’s what I’m doing.” He said with an eye roll. Well he’s still an asshole, nothing’s changed about that. I didn’t even know what to say back, I just stared at him in complete shock. He then made his way over to me and I felt my heart race pick up. He got in my face and closed my jaw with his hands that was hanging wide open, while I tried to ignore the electric feeling I still got when he touched me.

“Close your jaw. Get used to it, I’m not going anywhere. I was here first, neighbor.” He said with a cold smile, and I felt my skin crawl. What happened to the Michael I used to love? He then turned his back to me and started walking to the next door over, which I was assuming was his apartment.I never used to talk back when Michael first started acting like that about a year into our relationship, I was always too scared. But I would not let him have that control over me again. Finally gaining confidence, I spoke up.

“Ah, still an asshole. Nice to know nothing’s changed.” I said with a sweet grin I knew would piss him off. “Just don’t bother me, okay? We’ll have no problem.” I said with a clipped tone and now it was Michaels turn to have his jaw drop.

 “Oh honey, close your jaw. I’m not going anywhere.” I said, throwing his words back at him.

I put in my room key and brought my bags and boxes into my apartment and slammed the door behind me.

Well this was going to be interesting, I thought before I sank to the ground and put my head in my lap, trying to process what the hell just happened.

So this had been where Michael was hiding the past year. I honestly felt a little stupid for not thinking of it, he always had a thing for New York as well. It was one of the many things that drew me towards him, the way he got so passionate about the city. But even if I did think of it, I wouldn’t have expected to be his neighbor for Christ’s sake.

“Should I change floors? Should I just move out of this apartment in general?” I had all these questions shooting through my head it was becoming too much. This was supposed to be my escape, not another prison.

 I decided to try and skype Rae and see what she thought I should do. When she answered, Luke was with her. I didn’t mind, he was like a brother to me. He used to be Michaels best friend until he just disappeared out of Maryland, which I do feel a little guilty about. I explained everything that happened, the good about Ashton and the job to the bad, which was seeing Michael again. When I got done talking, they were both just staring at me with blank faces, obviously shocked so much happened in such little time.

“Maybe you should go over there? Talk it out? You don’t have to go running into his arms, but hating each other isn’t going to do any good.” Luke spoke up and Rae just slapped the back of his head.

“No! That’s a bad idea. He doesn’t deserve that, Luke.” And Luke just shrugged his shoulders.

But was it really? Maybe I should go over there, just call a truce between us both. I don’t want us holding this stupid grudge over each other if we were stuck living in the same building.

“Do you think I should just find a new building to live in?” I asked.

“No, I know how much you love that apartment Soph. You need to stand your ground, don’t let him walk over you again.” Rae said with Luke agreeing.

“Alright, but I think I’m going to take Luke’s advice on talking to Michael. Not tonight, tonight I need to unpack. Maybe tomorrow, or whenever I get the guts too.” I said with a small laugh.

“Just be careful, yeah? I don’t trust him and I don’t want you two getting back at it and you getting hurt. You two are toxic for each other.” Worry was evident in Rae’s voice.

“I know I know. I’ll call you tomorrow, love you both to the moon and back.” I said and blew a kiss at them, which they both caught and sent back my way. I then hung up skype and started unpacking until I was too tired to do anymore.

I set my alarm for 10 o’clock the next morning, which gave me 3 hours to get ready for my first day at work and to get there on time at 1 pm. I opened the curtains making a mental note that I needed to repaint the walls that weren’t windows, and stared out at the city slowly falling asleep, where my dreams were consumed by none other than Michael Clifford. 

A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY!!