I Introduce The Selfish Machine

I woke up, but I didn't open my eyes. This is just a bad dream, is all. Tony and I did not break up, and he doesn't know anything about my past. I'll just stretch my left arm over and feel the stubble on his face...
But, when I stretched, I felt a cold pillow and no body. I didn't want to open my eyes. I didn't want to live in a reality where Tony and I aren't together anymore. I want wedding planning, and dinner dates, and tours, I want Tony. I want Tony forever and ever.
But, now, we're nothing. We're not forever. Tours and dinner dates and wedding planning is all out of the picture now. We're nothing. It's like we never even met.
I rolled myself out of the bed, and smelt what was a mixture of waffles and weed. I walked out of the cold bedroom and into the living room, where Mike was literally eating waffles and smoking pot. I completely forgot that I was in my underwear and a short tee shirt that went a little below my belly button. Mike glanced up at me with a confused look. "So, you gonna put shorts on or..."
I sighed, looking down at my legs. "Damn it." I mumbled. I turned around and started walking back to the bedroom when Mike spoke up again.
"Piper, I'm letting you live here and trying my hardest not to be attracted to my best friend's ex, but damn it, don't wear thongs because your ass is just ugh. Put on some damn clothes."
I couldn't help but laugh. I walked back into the bedroom, searching my bag for shorts. Mike's room was a mess, the whole apartment was a mess at that. Maybe I'll clean it today. I'm living here for now, so I might as well make myself useful...
I pulled one of Tony's shirts out of the bag. I must've grabbed it by mistake. I ran my fingers over the logo on the shirt, shaking. This is why I don't fall in love. I'm always broken in the end.
I buried my face in the shirt, which smelt like Tony, and cried. I cried so hard and so loud. I felt weak, and even though I was already on my knees, I fell over on the ground, clutching the shirt to my chest. I must look awful right now, crying over a tee shirt but I don't care. I miss him. I miss him so much that I can feel pieces of my heart stabbing my chest. It wasn't long before Mike ran into the bedroom.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
I couldn't speak, I just held onto the shirt and cried. Mike sat down next to my feet, and pulled me up and into his chest. I clutched the shirt as Mike held me in his arms and rocked back and forth with me. "Why Mike?" I sobbed.
"He didn't understand, Piper." Mike whispered, rocking with me.
"I loved him."
"I know you did, I know. He's just being stupid. He'll get over this." Mike said. Then, I felt lips softly touch the top of my head.
I sat up quickly looking at Mike. "Wha-what was that?"
"I-I'm sorry I'm just trying to comfort you."
I'm too upset to be mad. I leaned myself back into Mike's chest and cried more as we sat on the ground together.

It was a week before Warped, and a week since Tony left me. I was making lunch when Mike ran into the kitchen in a panic.
"Where's my vodka? Have you seen my vodka? Piper, where is-"
"Top shelf." I said, not looking up from the grilled cheese I was making. I heard glass clicking above me, a bottle open, then a sigh of relief.
"Thank God. I'm stressing out."
"I can tell."
"We haven't been on Warped in so long, I just don't know what I'm going to do without clean clothes everyday."
I laughed. "Well, maybe you can learn to do your own laundry, I mean you are 27."
Mike shrugged, then took another shot of vodka. "Or you can just come with us."
I started to shake again. "You know I can't handle that."
Mike's hand touched my lower back, and I got chills. "I was just playing. But you'll be at the San Diego date, right? The rest of us still love you."
I sighed. "Yeah, I'll be there."
Mike hugged me tightly from the side then kissed the top of my head. This doesn't feel right. We're only friends, right? But why this attention actually feel...good?
"Good, now hook me up with that grilled cheese pretty lady."
I don't know if I'm going to regret this or be grateful.

Notes