MUKE short stories

want you back ✦ 02

2 - monsters ✦

Why do I run back to you, like I don't mind if you fuck up my life?

✦✦✦

Michael was sitting in his living room behind his work desk.

He took his time turning the ruler in all possible directions, drawing hundreds of lines.

In a world where architects had all possible computer programs and even phone apps to use, Michael found comfort in drawing.

Calum would be pissed off if he'd knew Michael was working on a Saturday, however, his best friend was on his honeymoon and if confronted, Michael did have a beer open so it was half work, half fun.

It also wasn't work, what he was drawing looked artistic and his current project at work was boring. Boring but paid well so it was a nice fuck you to everyone who ever told him his art skills wouldn't make a career.

His phone buzzed and Michael hoped it wasn't Calum trying to bully him into leaving the house.

From: Unknown number

Hi, this is Luke. I hope you weren't lying at this is still your number. (-:
I was wondering if you have time today for a drink or something. I know it's last minute so it's fine if you don't. (-:

Michael had spent a few minutes looking at the message before saving Luke's number and texting him back.

To: Luke Hemmings

Hey! (: I'm not just free but also hungry. If you're in I can pick you up and we can go out for a lunch?

From: Luke Hemmings

Sure, I'll send you the address just lmk when you'll be on your way.

Michael had to google the address Luke had sent to him. He let him know that he'd be there in half an hour which meant he had ten minutes to leave the house.

It all sounded great before Michael's brain started to process it. He'll see Luke again.

What should he wear? What will they talk about?

Now he was the one who wanted to call Calum but now was not the time. He dressed as he would for a day out with friends and left the house with a minute to spare.

On the drive to Luke's address, he thought about all the things Luke had told him two weeks ago. He tried not to think about how he felt when he saw Luke.

Michael knew Luke and Liz weren't on speaking terms. It was probably a year since she had last talked to him, however, he didn't know if he was in contact with his brothers or his father.

For the first few years since Luke moved to Europe and broke Michael's heart his and Hemmings' family didn't mention Luke's name. Then slowly it started to slip up in conversations and before long Luke was a common conversation topic at family gatherings.

One thing Michael noticed when he pulled up in front of the building where Luke lived was that the neighborhood was far from nice. It was also very far away from where Luke worked.