As Red As It Gets (MichaelMellxReader)

Chapter Eight: White sweater

"Dude? What are you doing?"

"May I have this dance?"

My eyes shot wide open as I bolted awake. The bell ringing filled my ears that was the reason for my wakening. My book was still on my lap so I decided to place it on the desk instead. I rub my right eye as I yawned. Sleeping in class already, Katherine? I mean, it's not as bad as sneaking off of school.

I turn to Michael's seat to remember that he told me that he'd dash out as soon as possible and come back to meet me.

Students who were around me stood up quickly, yelling, and heading to the door. My brain couldn't process what was happening so I just sat there and stared for a few seconds. As the last group of students exit, I finally snapped out of my thoughts and packed my stuff up.

'What a weird dream' I thought. I was in a carnival but no one was around. It was just myself and this mysterious figure in front of me. Now this makes me feel more and more single. Not that I mind but at 17, you'd expect to have a boyfriend by this age.

An opened bag on my lap, I reached for the book on my table and placing it in carefully to not fold the ends.

"Red tattoo huh?" Looking at where the voice was without moving my head, I saw that there was a person in a white sweater and blue pants that leaned on side of a chair in front of me. By how the voice sounded, it was a guy.

I look up and saw a brunet. It wasn't gelled like Michael's or down like Jeremy's. It had this natural fluff to it that made it stay up a bit. The boy had freckles surrounding his face which complimented his big brown eyes and bushy eyebrows. A smile was plastered on his face as he looked at me.

"Excuse me?" I questioned and the boy raised his eyebrows "Oh, I mean the book! The book that was just on your desk, 'Red tattoo' right?" There was a second; a pause to process what he just said. When realization hits me, I jumped a little "Oh! yeah! Have you uhm- read it?" I asked suddenly shoving all my stuff in a hurry as I don't want anymore human interaction at the moment.

"Hell yeah! That book is awesome and completely underrated. Have you gotten to the part where they had their little adventure around town?" The boy smiled giddily, his position shifting.

"Uh no, I haven't read that part yet" I mumbled and zipped up my bag. I stood up and he immediately apologized for the 'spoiler' he just told me. I told him it was fine and that's when he took his hand out.

"Nick" "Katherine, nice to meet you" I shook his hand and nodded. I took my hand back and started fidgeting with the hem of my hoodie while my left hand held the strap of my bag that was slung over my arm. "Are you new here?" He asked and stood up. I got to get a good look at his face. He stood about less than 5'10 but still taller than me. He was cute, not gonna lie but I'm not gonna go boyfriend fishing on the second day.

"Yeah, I actually just got here yesterday so" "Ah! I see. Do you know your way around the school? If not, I could be of assistance!" Nick shoved his left hand in his front pocket while the right one goes through his hair. "Oh no, it's okay! I have this person who already showed me around so I'm..." I nodded awkwardly, not finding the right word to finish my sentence. At the click of my tongue, the word "...good" finally came out. I chuckled and so did he.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the familiar red hoodie standing by the doorframe. His white headphones that used to be over his ear was slid down and rested around his neck. He held a slushie while the other picked on the hem of his hoodie like I did. He avoided eyecontact for awhile, slightly pacing around his spot. The red hoodie wearing geek finally looked at me, his free hand now in his pocket. A closed straight smile was on his face as if to show some discomfort. His dimples showing out as he raised his eyebrows to greet me. This guy is clueless about filipino customs and yet he's doing one of them.

Nick followed my gaze and I quickly apologized "Sorry but my ride is here, if you don't mind-" "No no it's okay" He laughs. I nodded and told him I'll see him later. "You too" And with that, I made my way over to Michael before he passes out from fidgeting too much.

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"Why do your parents want to meet me, again?" Michael asked as he gripped the steering wheel "Coz you made the mistake of stopping in our driveway and walking me to our door" "I wasn't gonna let you walk alone! At night! What kind of person do you think I am?" He said the last part in a average offended white vsco girl way "Hmm...a gentleman?" I teased, my arms wrapped around my bag on my lap "Damn right I am" He scoffed while he flipped his imaginary hair in to which laughed.

"So uh, what time do we need to be there?" The boy asks as his eyes glanced over to me for a second before focusing back on the road. "Uhhh about 5:00" I grabbed my phone out of the front pocket of my bag and checked the time. 3:18 it read. "We have like an hour and a half" I did a double check before placing it back "Great! So we can have a little bit of time to explore my favorite place in the town!" Michael giggled like a 5 year old receiving a brand new toy. "Sev Elev?" I took a guess but he shook his head "Even better" I gasped, my hand flying to my chest "Even better than Seven fricking Eleven? Please do enlighten" He grinned at me and stopped the car. I look to see that we've parked outside a store.

As we walked in, typically one of a set tuned to produce a melodious series of ringing sounds when struck. the familiar scent of books filled the air. I looked around and noticed that it was a similar place from before, only Michael seemed to love this place more...?

My fingers start to brush over records as I pass by. Clothes and bags were hung on a wardrobe rack. Hats and action figures were placed on the shelves.

It did seem that this place was rather genuinely retro and more vintage and from our conversation last night, this boy really loved all things retro and vintage.

"Micha!" Someone called out. 'Micha'?
I snapped my head to the direction of the voice. A woman in mom jeans and a retro plaid sweater hugged Michael. She looked like she was in her late 30's or early 40's. "Katherine!" Michael waved at me which made me walk to where they were "Who's your friend?" Her eyes glanced over to me as they broke apart. A smile forming on her lips as she took a good look at me "Katherine! This is my mom, mom, this is Katherine" I nodded at the woman. My situation identical to Michael's when he waited for Nick and I to stop talking.

"Nice to meet you! You can call me Michelle! I couldn't get Michael right here to sleep last night 'cause he told me he was texting y-" "Okay okay mom! Don't you have to pick some stuff up?" Michael awkwardly laughed as he cut his mother off "Oh yeah," She chuckled "I called Micha over to help look after the shop for a few minutes while I go run some errands. You don't mind, do you? Since I know you should be over your own house" Michelle held her keys as she pointed to the back door "It's alright, we still got some time left anyway" I smiled politely as she did the same and nodded "Well, better leave you to it then! Hey, honey" She started to leave but stopped in front of Michael "Yeah?" "Try NOT to burn down the store while I'm gone, will you?" "I promise" He laughed at his mother. She kissed his cheek and headed off but as soon as she reached the door, we heard her yell "And DON'T do something freaky while I'm out!" This made Michael groan and a blush spread across his cheeks. And with that, she was gone.