"I just need enough of you to dull the pain
Just to get me through the night."
— Twin Skeletons/ Fall Out Boy

******

He had his plans settled within seconds. He knew exactly what he had to do. Above all, he knew he could not advance with further.

"Why is it so awkward to be finally seeing you?" She wondered out loud at her computer screen.

He finally looked up as he snorted, "And you were suggesting us to meet."

"You look really pretty," he said after a while, though he didn't know he was actually saying it aloud.

"Well, you look good too. Just a little better when you smile or joke," she opined, "and I want you to always be just like this. You are full of life, Michael."

His eyes fixated on hers. He stared at her unblinkingly, making her slightly uncomfortable — though it was a that he was not looking at her directly. "Well, thank you."

"No," she muttered. "You're not living, you are just being a ghost. Try enjoying what you have! There's more to you and this world than you ever thought existed."

"Did you just quote someone?" She blushed.

"That's not the point. But seriously tell me, do you have nothing in this world that you feel you are good at?"

"Don't start a therapy on me, it won't work," he stated arrogantly.

"Not therapy. But I just wanna make you realize there are reasons worth living for."

"Look, I don't want to talk about it." He looked agitated as he clenched his jaw. "But if you won't clearly leave this, let me tell you I'm not a kid. I know what this world is, I know what it means. I know how people behave with me. I have seen, observed, and suffered a lot. Brittney, you trying to do therapy on me wouldn't make me feel lighter and brighter."

"You know I have tried a few things in the past that never really worked. All I ever felt was small — about myself."

"I really don't know then how to help you. But I would hope someday you'd understand my situation," she said in a croaked voice. "I have gone through hell before I was even in junior year. I've been lonely and shy, but I never complained about it to anyone. Because I've always loved being on my own. Then I find you as I am trying to move on and have a fresh start at college. This guy is suicidal, depressed, and I don't know what else. He's cutting—"

"Just shut up!" He half shouted, half pleaded.

Their eyes met slightly but he shifted his gaze to the keyboard of his laptop instead, rather uncomfortably. His green eyes looked still as stone, as his chest rose and fell heavily. His jaw clenched tight. He looked so angry and livid that Brittney could sense and fear his temperament even from this far.

"Okay," Michael hissed, as he closed his eyes for a second before opening it again to meet those caramel eyes that were becoming a torture to look directly into. "I'd also hope someday you'd understand what being on my shoes mean. What kind of a f**k it feels to go on with a life where the mother has died knowing her son's not worth her hopes. How mean, how s**tty it feels."

That was it. She lost her temper and calm. She yelled at the screen as well, "And I am trying to help you here. For the first time in life I feel I am worth at least to someone. At least I can change a life and matter to someone. Slightly.  But no! You are impossible. Repugnant. Goddamn it— you have no hope!"

Repugnant. He flinched at the words.

"Yes, I don't have hope. What can I do?"

"Okay sorry. Hey, I didn't mean it. But come on, try! There's only you who can help yourself, Michael." Her eyes welled up with tears, and warned to break out anytime soon.

Either Michael sensed this and concluded not to continue further, or he was way too frustrated with the entire conversation. Anyways he decided it was enough.

"Okay, so our first meet was awesome," he smirked with a tone of irony. "Hope you understand what a disaster we were to bring had we met. Let's call it a day, shall we?"

She looked at his face as if trying to search for some emotion, which at the moment it was devoid of. "Michael, I really did not mean to hurt your feelings. Please, please forget whatever I said. I'm sorry!" She pleaded with a half smile, trying to convince him.

"I know, it's fine." He smiled too, as if copying the screen in front of him. "Bye?"

"Yeah! Have a nice time Michael Adams."

******

If you like this chapter, please do vote, comment, and share! Add it to your reading lists.

If anyone wants to suggest playlists for the chapters, feel free to do so.

Also, I need more one shot entries guys! Those who don't know what it is, do check out the chapter sandwiched between chapter 19 & 20. Send me more entries, come on. Either via pm or email me at [email protected].

Now the deadline is extended to 12th June, 2016.

Update coming soon..

Cover above by: HeartElectric thank u ^_^