Labels [lashton/malum]

Chapter 6: vocals

Edited May 2021

"Throwing rocks at your window at midnight
You met me in your backyard that night
You were mine for a night
I was out of my mind
You were mine for a night
I don't know how to say goodbye
Making all our plans in the Santa Cruz sand that night (Ah ah ah)
I thought I had you in the palm of my hand that night (Ah ah ah)
Screaming at the top of my lungs 'til my chest felt tight (Ah ah ah)
I told myself that I'm never gonna be alright"

Luke watches with rapt attention as the boy sings, strumming chords on an acoustic guitar. Michael Clifford. The school's virgin.

The same week that Ashton got his label, Michael got his.

Michael has been going out with a boy named Brad– such a typical douchebag name– since the beginning of freshman year. They were inseparable until well into sophomore year when Brad joined the soccer team. It wasn't even a month later when Brad succumbed to the peer pressure and started seeking out sex from Michael. Michael was only fifteen, it was reasonable for him to not want to have sex with Brad, but Brad wasn't having it. Brad was worried about his reputation and his popularity status, so he made a big scene of breaking up with Michael.

It was at a big soccer match at the school, during halftime after the cheerleaders performed. Brad had called Michael over to where he was standing with all of the other soccer players. Michael was naturally wary about it, he'd always been shy and reserved. Then Brad told everyone that Michael was a "prude" and a "tease" and that he'd always be a virgin. At some point the soccer team started chanting that one word and suddenly half of the stadium was chanting "virgin". None of the teachers and faculty could get it under control for more than five minutes. Brad was suspended and Michael walked around with a metaphorical scarlet V on his chest.

"I'm wrapped around your finger
Wrapped around your finger
Wrapped around your finger"

Luke turned to Ashton with a wide smile and Ashton shrugged.

"Told you," she said.

"Who's there?" Michael asked, voice soft. Luke and Ashton simultaneously stood up in the dark auditorium and waved.

"Hey Michael, it's Ashton," Ashton walked out first, down the steps and towards the stage.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked warily.

"We have a bit of a proposition for you," Luke smiled softly.

"It's Luke's proposition and if it goes up in flames I'm taking absolutely none of the blame," Ashton said as she jumped up onto the stage. Michael tried to turn his head in a way that kept both Ashton and Luke in his line of vision.

"Michael, you have an incredible voice and I would really, really love it if you would consider joining us. We want-"

"You want."

"I want to make a statement about labels. I want to try and get people to stop labeling each other. I hate my label, I hate Ashton's label, and I'm sure you hate your label." Michael looked down at the guitar in his lap, his cheeks hot. "I know that you're shy and you hate drawing attention to yourself, but I think you would be such an incredible asset to this statement." Luke was on the verge of pleading and Michael hasn't even spoken yet.

"I can't," Michael went to stand up, setting the guitar on the stage.

"Michael please, your voice is so beautiful."

"I just can't," Michael shook his head.

"Michael," Ashton gently gripped Michael's elbow, standing close. "Just think about it, please? We're getting together at Luke's house this Saturday at 2. Just consider it, okay?" Michael held Ashton's gaze for a long moment before he hesitantly nodded. Ashton flashed him a soft smile as he let go of his elbow.

Luke and Ashton watched Michael walk out of the auditorium, carrying his acoustic guitar. Ashton sat on the edge of the stage, letting her legs dangle over.

"What now?" She asked.

"I know a bass player but I have to approach alone and with caution." Luke said, sitting down beside her, keeping a respectable distance.

"Are they a wild animal?" She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling in a playful smirk.

"No, just an old friend," Luke breathed a laugh, looking down at his lap.