End Up Here (Michael Clifford a.u.)

Chapter 14

I have never liked Brooke since I met her. She's stuck up and she fucks any guy she's near. When Michael had called her hot, I was scared he'd go after her. I knew if he did, he'd be heartbroken only because he gets attached really easily to people. I couldn't let it happen.

She's been particularly annoying all week. She's hinted stuff about me so much that I was ready to call her out. I decided to wait until I needed to. I don't know why I'm waiting, but basically she's been talking shit.

I walk down the hallway to meet Michael so we can walk to class together. I see Brooke by his locker, talking away. He's smiling at her and nodding and laughing.

"No I think it's cute," he says.

"Really? Nobody else thinks so," she replies.

"I do."

"You know you're pretty cute, Michael," she says. She feels up his arm and gets closer to him.

I get a knot in my stomach, and I'm ready to either beat the shit out of Brooke or cry. I can't tell so I clench my fists and walk the opposite way.

"Makenna!" I hear Michael call. I ignore him and continue walking, taking the long way to class. He doesn't follow me since he can't afford to be late.

I can't concentrate through my last class of the day. What the hell was Michael talking about? Especially with Brooke? I'm still so angry that I'm shaking.

Instead of letting Michael drive me home, I ride with the rest of the boys. They continually ask what's wrong, wondering why I'm not with Michael at the moment. I don't even feel like talking.

"You know you have to tell us eventually, right?" Ashton asks, looking in his rearview mirror.

I shake my head and look out the window. Calum nudges my arm.

"It'll be okay," he says with a dorky smile.

"No," I mumble.

"Why?" Luke asks.

"It's between me and Michael."

"What did he do?" Ashton asks defensively.

"Chill," I mumble. "I don't even know. I saw him talking and laughing with Brooke today, and he said something about something being cute, and she said he was cute. So I got mad and walked away before I killed one or both of them."

"You know he's not going to let this go," Luke says.

"I know. And I'm not either. I just didn't want to do something I'd regret."

"Give it a little time. He'll explain," Calum suggests.

I check my phone and see every message is from Michael.

"Makenna, what's wrong?"

"Why are you ignoring me?"

"Baby, please."

"We need to talk about this."

"Why the hell are you ignoring me?"

"Say something."

"Are you okay? Babe, please answer me."

I sigh heavily and try to hold back tears. "Thanks for the ride home. I'll let you know how things go."

"Text us if you need anything," Luke says. I nod.

They all shout their goodbyes and wave as I walk into my house. As soon as I leave their presence I feel as angry as I was before.

I get inside and slam the front door. My mom yells at me, but I ignore her and go into my room.

"Makenna!" she yells. "Makenna, what's wrong with you?"