Into An Idiot

15. Away

I hug Ashton tightly. "I'm so glad to be back. It was an amazing experience. But I missed you so much. Were you a good daughter for Liz?" He laughs. I notice the tears on his cheeks.
"Yeah." I giggle, glancing at Liz, who's driving us back home. "And I missed you so much, Ash."
Michael immediately brightens up when he sees me. I run into his arms, and he picks me up and spins me around.
"I missed you so much." He laughs:
"I missed you too. Mikey, I just realized this, but I missed you more than anything."
"Trust me, me too." He pulls up the handle on his suitcase. "Let's get something to eat and get out of here."
"You've grown up so much." I say, a little sad.
"Not really." He shrugs, taking out some money.
Where's the shy, immature, goofy, Michael I've come to love?
"Yes, really." Where's his laugh, smirk, dirty joke, or timid voice to an adult?
"I've only been gone for a month, Sophia Irwin."
"Since when did you use my full name?"
"Since." He walks away.
This isn't my Michael. My Michael would call me Soph or Sophie, and offer me a piggy back ride, and ask how I've been, or come up with a joke, or something.
"What's up with him?" I ask Calum.
"Nothing. He's been keeping to himself a little, I guess. But aside that, nothing."
"Mikey, can we hang out later?" I ask.
He waves me away.
It feels like a slap in the face.
"What the hell was that?"
"I dunno, I'm sorry." Calum gives me a side hug.
"Mikey..?" I say quietly.
He looks at me irritably.
"Yes, can I help you?"
"Did you hear me?"
"No, wasn't listening." He has no animation in his voice at all.
"Michael Gordon Clifford, stop walking and look at me! I don't know what the hell you're doing but stop it!" I yell. Michael rolls his eyes and turns around.
"Look, it's not you, I'm sorry. It's just... I met this girl, and... I think I'm in love with her."
I honestly feel so offended.
"Michael, you can't fall in love if you hardly know someone."
"Sorry. I don't really want to hang out tonight."
"Mikey?" I plead.
He shakes his head.
"I'm serious, I don't want to."
"Just give him a little time." Ashton whispers in my ear. "Let him get home first."
I don't want to. I want to hang out with my best friend now, home or not.
I glance over at Luke, who's talking to his mum. Calum pats my shoulder and walks up to Michael.
"Dude, what's up? Why don't you want to hang out with your friends?"
"Because." Michael snaps.
"You're acting like a bloody twat! Shut up and think of other people for a second, will you? You left her here for a month, you come home, and you break her heart and leave her again."
"You know what?" Michael turns around, his face red and tears spilling out of his eyes. "I don't care!" He turns his back to us.
"Michael, seriously! Stop moping around, just chill! Why are you always crying and complaining? It's annoying!" Calum raises his voice.
Michael whirls around.
"You don't know half of the things that make me upset and then you pick on me? Do you think I like being like this? Fuck you, Calum! Go cry me a river, see how you like it, fucking jerk!" He screams, tearing off down the airport.
"Michael!" I run after him, and finally chase him down to a bench where he sits, crying into his hands.
He doesn't look at me when I sit down. Instead, he moves over. When I put my arm around him, he pulls away.
"Leave me alone." He whispers, walking to the door and pulling out his phone.
"Michael, please."
He ignores me and holds the phone up to his ear.
"Hi, Marnie? Yeah, it's me. No. I'm not. I'm home now. Yeah, I know. I'm fine. Alright, fine. Bye." He finishes with a sad tone.
"Michael?" I ask, walking up to him.
He grew a little taller, but it still feels natural when I wrap my arms around him. He sighs, and I realize he's still crying, just quietly.
I just stand and hold him, letting him lean against me.
He straightens up, and we walk to the bench.
"I'm okay." He hiccups, wiping his eyes.
"No, you're not. It's a lot of pressure, I know." I reassure him. "You need to relax."
"I'm trying." He closes his eyes. "God, I'm trying. I just miss Marnie."
"Who the hell is Marnie?"
"My girlfriend."
"Are you serious?"
"Well, she asked me out."
"Why'd you say yes? I thought you knew long distance relationships don't work."
"Well I wanted a girlfriend." He insists.
"There're girls here."
"Well... I..."
"Michael, I... I've been meaning to tell you, but I... I don't know. I think I'm falling in love with you."
"I'm sorry. I really am. But I think I'm in love with her. You're a good friend."
We just sit in silence for a while.
"It's good to be home." He says, putting his hand on top of mine.
"Yeah." I agree.