I woke up to Mike’s snoring coming from beside me. I looked over and giggled to myself before shimming out of bed and grabbing my sweatpants and one of Mike’s shirts. It was a Saturday, and as per usual I had told my mother that I was spending the night at Abbey’s when I was actually staying at Mike’s. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. Vivian wasn’t to keen on the idea of me staying here, but since Mike brought home an interim report with nothing lower than a C she was ecstatic and allowed me to stay the night. I stepped out of Mike’s dark room and closed the door behind me, getting hit with the bright light that was beaming into the hallway. I walked towards the direction of the bathroom, did my business and brushed my teeth, then walked into the living room.

“Good morning, Princess Cassie,” Vivian teased as I sat next to her on the couch with a yawn.

“Morning Mommabear,” I smiled and gave her a hug. “Thanks for letting me spend the night last night.”

“I’d rather know you’re here instead of Mike sneaking you in,” she smiled. “Is he still sleeping?” I nodded. “It’s two in the afternoon. That boy,” she shook her head, “I know he keeps you up all night.”

It was true, Mike was an insomniac. “I don’t mind. I’m so used to it by now and I usually remind him to take his medicine, but last night I forgot.”

“You were side tracked, I get it,” she laughed. Vivian was like a second mother to me, and she knew more about our relationship than my own mother did. I realized this last year when Mike and I were having sex daily and Viv came home and threw a box of condoms at Mike’s head, yelling at him that she doesn’t want any grandkids. “You hungry? I can throw something together for lunch. Go wake him up,” she shooed me out of the living room.

I walked back into the room, flipping the light on and hearing a groan erupt from Mike as he rolled over and shoved his head into the pillows. “Time to get up, baby,” I laughed and sat on the side of the bed and poked his side. He mumbled something that sounded a lot like “fuck off” to me. I laughed, “Your mom is making us lunch.” He rolled back over and looked at me with one eye open, “It’s two in the afternoon.”

He groaned and swung his legs over the bed and stretched. I watched in amazement as his body cracked all over as he reached his skinny, tan, tattooed arms up in the air. His ribs showed through his abdomen as he stretched, and his very small happy trail elongated. He pulled the sheets off his lower half when he stood up and exposed his hip bones and his junk. I sighed as he walked over to his dresser and pulled a pair of briefs on his skinny legs.

“I need a cigarette,” he muttered while grabbing his pack and lighter off the top of the dresser.

I followed him out of the room, closing the door behind me once again. He said hello to Vivian before stepping out onto the deck and going into his normal stance, looking over the city while leaning on the railing, that cigarette hanging out of his left hand. I walked outside behind him, watching as he inhaled and exhaled. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around him, then pressed a kiss to his right shoulder blade.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked softly, my lips trailing kisses on his back. I felt and heard him sigh before taking another puff off the cigarette, ignoring my question. “I love you, Michael.” I pressed the side of my face against his back and felt him exhale the smoke. I saw Vivian watching us from the door with a sad look on her face.

He leaned back, signaling he was done smoking and it was time for me to get off of him. I let go and watched him flick his cigarette over the railing, watching as it fell down to the ground. I frowned as I watched him. He turned and his brown eyes hit mine for only a split second, and then he walked inside. He walked into the kitchen and reached into the cabinet, pulling out his pills and popping them into his mouth. I handed him a glass of water and he swallowed them. He gave me a weak smile while muttering thank you before he sat down and ate his lunch. After he ate he walked back off into the direction of his room.

I sat at the table eating with Vivian as she sighed, “It kills me inside knowing that my baby is hurting. You make him so happy, Cassie, he’s turned around so much.” Tears started forming in her eyes, “But knowing that he still struggles with this from time to time is so much on me.”

“I know,” I frowned. “I’m going to go in there with him, okay? Why don’t you call Papa and see where he and Vic are, maybe you guys can all go do something until it’s time for the boys to get ready for their show.” I stood up and kissed her cheek before walking towards Mike’s room.

The lights were off again and he was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank look on his face. I closed and locked the door before making my way towards the bed. He scooted over to give me room to lay next to him. Once I laid on the bed I grabbed ahold of his left wrist, placing a kiss on the scars that sat there. I heard him sigh and I looked at his face, his eyes were closed, a small tear escaping the left one. I took my hand and wiped it off his face.

He swallowed and opened his eyes, they were bloodshot. He pressed his lips together and ran his tongue over them, “Sometimes the world seems like it’s too much, Cass.”

“I’m always here for you,” I kissed his cheek.

“I’m sorry I am so much to deal with. You deserve a boyfriend who doesn’t have issues. A guy that can wake up happy every morning, won’t keep you up late at night, someone who...”

I cut him off with a sigh, “Michael Christopher, you are my world. If it wasn’t for you I would be nothing. I don’t deserve shit, and even if I did, I would never want anyone but you. I love every little thing about you. You’re beautiful to me. You amaze me. I don’t care that you are an insomniac. It doesn’t bother me. I do care that you suffer from depression, but it is not enough to make me ever stop loving you. Two years ago when you asked me to be your girlfriend I obliged and accepted you at your worst. You’ve come such a long way. You’re perfect, Mike. There is no one else I would rather be with. Do not talk down on yourself. I love you with every piece of my being.”

He held his arms out and I cuddled into him. His body shook with a sob, “Thank you for never giving up on me. I love you so much.”

“I will never give up on you. Never in a million years,” I kissed his neck. “Why don’t we take a shower together and then a nap. Then maybe when you wake up you’ll be to excited about playing tonight to think about anything else.”


The shower and nap went as planned, and I woke up to Mike sitting at the practice set he had in his room getting ready for tonight. I sat up in his bed and looked over at him, he had a look on his face like he was thinking. He then looked up at me and sent a smile my way before going back to what he was doing. I got out of bed and stretched, looking at myself in the mirror. I had finally lost about five pounds. I studied my naked body closely, zooming in on all the spots that I wanted to change. I wanted to lose at least fifteen pounds. I didn’t understand why Mike admired the way my body was shaped so much. I hated it.

“What are you wearing tonight?” He asked as I walked over to the duffle bag I brought with me to his house. I pulled out a pair of black jeans and a shirt with leopards on it. “I like it.”

I smiled and got changed into my outfit. Then pulled my damp hair out of the bun it was in, allowing a cascade of small dark waves to fall down my shoulders. I walked over to the mirror and put on a little bit of make up, and then sat a crown made out of faux flowers on my head.

Mike smiled as he got up from his set and walked towards me, “You remind me of that song Scarlet Begonias that Sublime sings right now.”

He kissed my lips softly and I smiled, “I’d never turn you in for selling drugs.”

“Speaking of that,” he laughed. “My farm is growing good.”

I laughed, “I still can’t believe you’re growing weed in your closet and no one knows.”

“Me either, but it’s awesome!” He chuckled. “Smoke with me before my show, please,” he whined and stuck his bottom lip out.

“Well we have to leave in a half hour so get ready and then we can!” I smiled while pushing him away.


Watching Mike on the drums always amazed me. For someone who taught themselves, he was extremely good at it. You could just see the happiness radiating off him as he played, especially when it was on stage. It was like when he was able to get out there and play drums for people, his problems went away, he was happy, he could be normal. I stood on the side of the stage in the small club with the boys’ parents, and Casey. Casey had his arm around my shoulders and a smile on his face as he watched. In between songs Mike would always look over and send me a smile before taking a drink of water. Every time I received that smile I felt butterflies. He made me an extremely proud girlfriend. I was able to see him at a low point and watch him pick himself up, coming out here and becoming happy. I felt selfish when I thought to myself that I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of the night with him where he was so happy, but that was one of those feelings I always longed for. Right before the boys played their last song he looked at me and mouthed “I love you” and words could not describe the feeling I got from that.

Notes

Last chapter of today.
This one kind of lets you see where the plot is going to go.

Cassie Show Outfit

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A new chapter will be up in a few days.
As well as a new chapter for Sam's Town.


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