Beside You

*Insert Guitar Emoji*

My blurred eyes blink sluggishly as it tries to take in my surroundings. I move to stretch my arm, but stop in my tracks when I realize it's under Michael's head, his sweeping red fringe meeting his long eyelashes, red lips parted, breathe tickling my collarbone...Blood rushes to my cheeks instantly and my palms grow clammy when I grasp the situation further: his face was not only snuggled into my neck, but his arm had somehow draped over my waist, hand tucked under my back, in a sort of hug that pulled our bodies even closer whenever he twitched or tensed up in his sleep. I did a quick search for witnesses, but everyone was still asleep; Ella behind me, Luke next to her, then Ash, and Calum behind Michael.

My sudden head movement awoke Michael and, being pinned down, all I could do was helplessly stare back into his green eyes, self-consciously analyzing what they might read. But, his calm demeanor and firm gaze wipes my mind blank, and in that moment we lost time. I barely notice--it almost seems natural--his hand move from my waist to softly trace a lock of hair away from my face.

Ashton interrupts the instant with a groggy announcement, thankfully half-asleep as he hadn't noticed us, "I'm going to make breakfast if any of you guys are hungry." He slips out the room and Michael snaps out of it, pulling the multiple blankets off and slapping his other bandmates awake.

He turns to me, "Are you...Please, come eat with us." He looks down at his hand, paused just before reaching mine, unsure if he should. I welcome his hand in mine, allowing him to pull me up into a hug, our necks interlocking and chests pressing the air out of my lungs. Could he feel my heart racing pass my shaking body? I huff once and my sorrow unleashes itself. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Luke sleepily joins Michael and leans against my back, petting my hair. Calum follows and gathers us all into his large arms, resting his cheek on my shoulder.

They release me as I choke my cries and wipe my tears away, touched by how much they care. "Thanks for coming here. How did I ever deserve you?"

"Oh, Kath. Shut up, you deserve so much more. Come let's fill you up, you haven't eaten in days," Michael stresses, furrowing his eyebrows. He leads the way to the kitchen where Ashton was cooking omelets, Mikey's palm to my side.

Ella leans over the island, apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Kath, for not coming to your side earlier. I called and called and when you didn't pick up, I got scared. I checked your place, but no one seemed to be home. I had no idea what was going on. I ran into your grandparents, later, and they told me everything that happened..." She came around to pat my shoulder and whimpers, "I'm sorry. So, sorry. But, your grandparents said you refused to leave the house and that's when I gathered the boys and came running to come see you. Kathleen," she grabs both shoulders now, "You can always come to us in times like these. Please, don't lock yourself up and let yourself suffer alone, especially for a whole week?! You're important to us. We want to be here for you," and she brought me into a hug.

We start to talk about where I'm planning on staying and what're my plans. "My grandparents know this place has all of my dad's memories in it, so they agreed to let me stay here and said they'd help me with my living. It's convenient, too, since it's closer to my school. So, I'll be staying here--" They let me know they'll come over as much as possible so that I'm not lonely and Michael brings up the guitar. "Yeah, it was what my dad gave me, before he..." I trailed off, "He always knew I loved music."

"Well, I can help break it in!" Luke chirps and gives a half grin.

"No, wait--Luke, you have all that...stuff to do, you wouldn't have time," Michael continues despite Luke's stammering, "I got plenty of time on my hands. I can help you," Michael smiles wide.

I chuckle, a little confused, and blush, "Okay. If you don't mind. I'm completely new to it, so I hope you have a lot of patience..."

Michael scoffs and swats the air, "My awesome skills will make you a musical genius in no time." Luke just shakes his head and says whatever and we pass the time talking the usual and goofing off until they had to go for promos.

When the boys left, Ella nudges me, raising her eyebrow, "So, you and Michael, huh?"

"What?! No, he's just really nice--what are you saying? Gosh, stop it!" And I whack her with a pillow, which starts a huge pillow fight and debate on whether or not we are 'soooo in love.' After Ella points out all my awkward behavior around Michael and blushing, I finally give in and tell her about waking up next to him, "I DON'T KNOW! I didn't know what to do and I can't stop thinking about it!" I slap my own face with the pillow and scream into it.

"No way. You guys are basically boyfriend and girlfriend right now. THAT'S WHY HE WANTED TO DO LESSONS WITH YOU! AH! You dog," She wiggles her eyebrows and cracks up laughing, "Oh my! I feel kinda bad about feeling glad--but, I thought you and Luke had something going on!"

"What!? NO! We're just really good friends! Wait...TELL ME ELLA! Oh my god, you like him?!" My mouth widens into a big O.

She sighs and pouts, "You're so lucky Michael is so forward with his feelings and is confident to make moves. LUKE on the other hand...I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HES THINKING! Sometimes he doesn't talk to me, other times I feel like he's hinting at something. He'll never come near me, like I'm a disease. Ugh! TELL ME YOUR SECRETS! He's always hanging around you!"

I laugh and deny the credit, "I don't know. We're just friends, is all I know. I'll ask him if you want?"

She freaks out, "Oh my god, oh my god. NO! Wait, what would you say?"

We shoot ideas back and forth, but I'm soon distracted by a ding from my phone.

Michael: Sooo see ya tomorrow? J *insert guitar emoji*

I look at Ella and bite my lip, "Oh man. Wish me luck." She squeezes my arm and beams.