Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 38

Skyler's POV

I wake up from a nightmare my forehead sweaty.  I check the time. 4:28 AM. I sigh, my head feeling sore, as I lie back down I try to go back to sleep but it doesn't work and I give up reaching for my phone. My screen lights up the room and I squint automatically lowering the brightness before going onto twitter. I scroll around for a while following a couple people before clicking on Luke's twitter.

@Luke5SOS: Where even is me dus you know  

@Luke5SOS I lub choo guys

@Luke5SOS: What is even is love? Love is stupid

I reread the last one my thumb hovering over the reply button but I decide against it retweeting it instead. I sigh adjusting my position on the bed I repeat this action several times, grunting in annoyance. I then hear the familiar sound of my phone vibrating on the bed side table. I grab the phone and read the text. 'Come to my room it' says followed by, 'your tossing is getting annoying' I roll my eyes getting out of bed quietly creeping into the hallway and walking as quietly as possible into Michael's room. 

He's still sitting at his desk wearing his gaming headphones and munching on a bag of chips. He doesn't even look up when I enter the room still chatting to someone. "Fuck, no ok ok I see we need to attack from his blind side... yes! Yes Nina! Gg, gg... shit is that really the time? Don't you have dance tomorrow? Yeah I'll see you... bye." I put my hands on his shoulder and he jumps.

"Skyler!" he whispers taking off his head set and pushing his chair out. I smile widely at him sitting in his lap.  "So your new girlfriend is gamer?" I ask throwing an arm around him.  Michael rolls his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend!" "Oh so you just fuuuu-" "friends! We are just friends we met online, she's pretty cool." he informs me and I smirk at him. "So why are you up at this late hour?" he asks me putting on some kind of weird accent. 

"Bad dreams." I whisper leaning closer to him. "About what?" I chew my bottom lip. "The accident…" I whisper fiddling with my hands. I hadn't really told anyone about the nightmares because I didn't want anyone to worry... especially Luke. But there was something about Michael that felt safe. "I know it sounds stupid but ever since it happened I felt kind of…." I trail off staring at Michael's laundry hamper. 

"Scared... In my dreams I always relive what happened but this time I wasn't on the phone with Luke, how would the guy who hit me known who I was? Or how to get in touch with someone? He could have left me there I could have died! And everyone just kept reminding me of what happened and the thing is I felt fine... honestly I just wanted to forget but now Natalie and Calum are always together, Luke and I broke up and I feel more alone then ever!" Michael sighs tucking some hair behind my ear. 

"You're never be alone Skyler, and you're most certainly never driving a car again." I chuckle and he lifts my chin so our eyes connect. "Plus their's no need to be scared, I'll protect you." I smile knowing that I would most likely end up protecting him. "Thanks Mikey." I whisper. 

Suddenly we're kissing and his tongue is exploring the inside of my mouth, his lips are dry and there's a faint taste of beer and chips.  My brain is foggy and my hands reach out and find the back of his neck and his hands find my waist. I pull away taking a breath and I finally come to my senses. "Wait, wait, shit!" I say standing up Michael's eyes widen and he starts to shake his head.  "No! No we did not just-" I pull at the roots of my hair. "Oh my god!" I whine. 

"You should go! You need to go!" Michael says standing up and pushing me towards the door. I feel a wave of nausea come over me and I run into my room slamming the door behind me and diving under the covers, trying to find sleep.