Terrible Things || muke || malum

lies

The meeting came to an end and Michael, frankly, couldn't have been happier. He had no intentions on returning to the rec center for that group. Talking about Luke wasn't helping him forget Luke. It was making it so much worse for him. Luke was like a thick blanket that was smothering Michael. Obliterating every other thought that dared to cross Michael's mind because Luke would always be on his mind. Apparently, the only thing there as well. Plus, that was as much human interaction (stranger interaction, really) he could have for one day. He wanted to go home and wallow in his sorrows by himself. Maybe eat himself to death. Or waste away on his couch.

He hadn't decided yet.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and made his way down the hallway, others trailing sparsely behind him. Michael pushed the door out in front of him, eyes immediately glued to the magnificent sky above him. The scarce cloud was whispy and long, feather-like. The rosy color in the vast space was vivid and gentle -- like his memories of Luke. It was stunning, really, but saddening to think that he couldn't really appreciate the beauty of his home without thinking of the one person that made him feel at home.

He felt a little pathetic as he delved deeper into the parking lot. 

"Michael!" There was a small shout from behind the red haired boy. He turned his head, watching as his partner from support group sprinted towards him, long legs never breaking stride.

Sure, Calum was nice, but Michael didn't want any friends. He didn't need any friends. He had his thoughts and some pictures. He wasn't even going to wait for Calum to speak. He was just going to get into his car and drive away, wanting nothing more than to get away. But Calum was quicker than Michael anticipated and soon enough, as Michael opened the door to his tiny, silver car, there was a hand on his shoulder. Michael sighed and flipped around, not worrying because he knew exactly who it was.

"Michael!" Calum panted, a little smile on his face as his eyes met Michael's, "For a second I thought you were going to leave without talking to me."

"So did I." Michael muttered.

Calum didn't hear his words but shrugged anyway, scratching the back of his neck. He coughed and took his hand off of Michael's leather clad shoulder. "Anyway, uh, I was wondering if you had any plans? Like, right now? Because a few of my friends and I are going to get a few drinks and I figured if you were distracted from Luke for a little while you might feela bit better. Be a bit less oblivious and by default, less assholish."

Michael looked around and shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I have to feed my. . . dog. He's hungry. And sad." Michael backed up from the boy and sat in the driver's seat of his car and shut the door. Calum rolled his eyes and knocked on the window.

Michael sighed for the hundredth time that night and rolled down his window. "Yes?"

"Why is your puppy sad and hungry? Don't you feed it and give it love?" Calum looked genuinely confused and Michael wondered why he was getting so worried about a fictional dog. Then he realized Calum didn't know he was a made up animal and he started his car.

"Because dogs are empathetic creatures and know when their owners are upset. Or gone." As Michael talked about a dog, he thought he might want one. But that didn't seem like the best idea when he could barely take care of himself.

"Oh. Well, uh, are you coming back tomorrow?"

"I don't know."

"I hope you do. I don't exactly want to be partners with that Mitch guy. Smells funky." Calum said, wrinkling his nose.

"Okay."

"Okay as in you'll go? Or okay as in I'm annoying and you want to go home so you can feed your dog?"

Michael scoffed. "Both." 

"Alright. I'll let you go. Have a nice night, Michael." Calum said, a smile gracing his lips.

"You too." Michael rolled up his window and sped out of the lot as quickly as he could. He wasn't sure why he agreed to come back. He had no desire to talk about Luke. Especially to Calum. Maybe he could just get the flu and not show up tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or ever again.

Or maybe his dog could just die. 

He hadn't decided yet.

--

Lies - McFly

this song is so fun but so unrelated to the chapter at the same time

calum sounds like a lil cutie im so

my school got cancelled bc its -16 degrees outside so im probably going to update more today

enjoy my children

-mom