Chapter 18.

Brookes POV

''Hi Its Michael I probably didn't answer as I either don't like you or I'm busy. I'll call you back If I care enough.'' the familiar voice plays followed by three beeps of a dialling tone. 

I let out a soft breath of frustration and toss my phone to the end of the bed, grabbing a pillow and pushing it on top of my  face ; letting out a small groan. I have tried to call Michael for the past four days since he went missing from my house - he just upped and disappeared once I finished talking to my mum about perth... Perth oh he doesn't even know about me moving away yet... I mean I haven't made my mind up yet anyway... oh god what if he heard and thats why he isn't answering my calls.

''Still not answering?'' Chase disrupts me from my thoughts, I move the pillow from my face and nod. ''Nothing''.

Chase moved back in yesterday - well until we move. He said although he will miss some of his friends he's willing to move house and town to forget about this awful life. As far as mum knows I am coming too however I'm still unsure I know ill have no where to go but thats what I wanted to talk to Michael about... I could stay with him for a bit until at least I finish High School

''Have you left a message? to say about Perth''

''No. Have you tried the boys? What about Luke you guys got pretty close didn't you''

''He said he hasn't heard from him. Look Brooke you need to tell Michael just leave a text.''

''It's not something you say by text Chase... 'Oh by the way im leaving in two weeks' - I need to say it to his face. If he does know then surely he would at least talk to me about it right? we have two weeks to plan stuff and to spend time together and hes no where to be seen.''

''Maybe he's scared...'' Chase suggested

''What do you mean? Its Michael does he look like he gets scared Chase?'' I chuckled shaking my head.

''I mean you said his dad left him? Maybe he's scared he'll lose you too.'' 

I hate to admit it but what if he was right... my smile fell from my face and i lunged forward to grab my phone dialling a number quickly. I knew I wasn't going to find Michael on my own and I knew exactly where to find help.

''Hello Ava... Want to meet up today? Okay great see you in five.''

****

I spent most of the day at Avas house watching movies and talking about anything and everything to get my mind off Michael, although I checked my phone every other minute. I tried my best to enjoy myself and I slightly did but I wasn't exactly here for the laughs I wanted to know if Luke had told Ava anything.

''Brooke I seriously have no idea - I let Luke and the boys have their own space I don't push it.'' She says passing me the huge bowl of popcorn we had made - I take a piece putting it into my mouth and nod my head.

''- Look all I know is he's been working late. They all have.''

''I've tried the record shop and he's not there!! Even his aunt hasn't seen him he's missed his shifts. '' I

''Not the record shop- Look I don't know anymore than that I promise..'' she mumbles the first part s if she doesn't want to tell me the full truth but I do believe she doesn't know anymore.

''I just want to talk to him Ava. I want to know he is safe.'' I say and before I know it tears stream down my face. I hide my head in my hands and I'm comforted by a hug from Ava.

''Let me call Luke.'' she sighs.

*****

Michael POV

The last few days have been torture. Painful to live with both physically and mentally. I stumble out of bed and look at my appearance in the mirror. The stubble on my face is prominent , I have a slight split on my eyebrow taped up, a busted lip that's less bloody and more bruised now. My left eye is slightly black and blue from a right hook punch that was a lucky shot from the other guy. I examine my body and let out a huff of pain. All over my chest and sides I am covered in bruising - I still feel like I can't breathe properly but I'm sure I'll be fine its only bruising on the lung could of been worse... should've seen the other guy.

Mentally... I am not good either. I'm struggling without Brooke I regret leaving her house that day without talking to her the rage overtook me and I didn't want to cause any drama. I should've just cooled off an spoken to her later , told her to stay ... stay with me we could move out if she felt awkward at my place or or I could go with her? I have nothing in this stupid town and I could still visit the guys when I can. Instead I was stupid and went to another fight organised by Jacob. He's a great sponsor of mine and really helping me get into the scene but my head wasn't in the right place to fight so I ended up fucking up. Now I'm having to hide myself from Brooke incase she sees me like this... she'll go mental. 

I manage to get myself to the shower, change into some black skinny jeans and a black sweater that covers up most of my bruises. I stumble down the stairs and grab some painkillers then grab my keys to the motorbike and make my way to Calums house where I am set to meet Jacob and the rest of the boys.

****

I walk into Calums garden with my hands in my pockets, I nod to Calum and he dissapears back into his house leaving me standing face to face with Jacob.

Jacob was a big built guy with brown hair and green eyes, He always wore fancy shirts and chinos with smart shoes. He came from the posh end of town if you couldn't already tell, his dad earned a fair bit of money from underground fights and he was trying to learn the trade from him. Although he looked a mess he had power and had muscle not that I couldnt take him in a fight but I wouldn't want to be involved with that family.

''I just can't rely on you anymore Michael... you were a mess so off your game last fight. I'm going to have to pull you out of the main event'' he huffs shaking his head and pacing back and fourth.

''What?! You can't do that Jacob I need the money!'' I say practically begging him.

''You need the money? I need double now that you lost me Monday my dad is going to lose it if he finds out!! I need someone who is going to take this seriously not run me for a joke!! '' he yells

''I'm ready!'' I say

''Look at you! You're all messed up even if you do heal in time your head is just not in the right place you're too busy playing happy families with that new girl! Thats right I know you've been skipping training and coming along to fights because of her.''

''That doesn't matter... Its irrelevant I can fight Jacob. Let me fight!'''

'Michael..'' Calum mumbles from behind me and I choose to ignore it

''What about this Brooke girl? She always gets in the way. I need you 100% focused I need you training harder than ever - the other guy is twice your size.''

''She's just another girl. I can get rid of her with a snap of my fingers I don't care about her Jake not as much as the money this fight will bring in... ''

''She better be Michael!! You not only lost me money on Mondays fight but don't think I haven't forgotten about that loan I gave you... You owe me Clifford and one way or another I will get my money.''

''Michael..'' Calum mumbles again.

''WHAT!'' I snap turning my head towards him my eyes widen Brookes standing next to Calum with glossy eyes and mouth open wide.

''What is wrong with you?! After everything we've spoken about and everything that has happened you treat me like this? Is this how you talk to your friends about me Michael?'' she cries out of anger lunging towards me.

''Brooke... I - ''
I turn back to Jacob who leans on the garden table watching my next move. I know what I have to do, I can't tell Brooke this was all lies and an act I have to act tough to make it believable. I turn back to Brooke and take a deep breath.

''You need to leave.'' I say its all I can say. If she leaves I can call her later once Jacob isn't around and tell her everything make her understand  - if she doesn't this is going to break both of our hearts.

'' Leave!? Michael I've only just found you. I've been looking for you all week. I've left you messages , calls I've spoken to your mum, your aunt EVERYONE!! You left three days ago and look at you is this why I couldn't find you?? You've been too busy playing the neighbourhood bully?''

''Shut up Brooke. You don't understand.'' I mumble 

''No I don't because you never tell me anything!! You just disappear in the middle of the night and come back looking like you've been hit by a truck.''

''It's none of your business''

''Yes it is Michael... its us remember? I'm tired of being left out.''

''Aw did the girl think you actually cared... She thought she could melt Cliffords little heart.'' Jacob snarls, walking towards Brooke. I scrunch my bruised hands into a fist and swear if he takes another step towards her he'll be on the floor. Luke seems to appear from the back room noticing Jacob and Brookes confrontation. I slightly stare at him and he walks out the garden doors and stands next to Brooke in a protective manner.

''I don't even know who you are so stay out of it'' She snaps

''Me? Oh how rude let me introduce myself I'm Michaels boss Jacob Ranger and you are? Because quite frankly you just look like another groupie.''

''Brooke shut up'' I snap before she can respond

''No I won't shut up. This isn't you Michael.'' She cries pushing past Jacob, he stumbles slightly out of surpise. Brooke stands in front of me her eyes bloodshot as she tries to keep hear tears in. She places her hand on my chest and I squirm in pain - She pulls her hand back.

''You need to leave.'' I mumble

''What- What have you been doing!'' she exclaims reaching to lift the bottom of my sweater I swat her hand away. I don't answer I decide to stay quiet and she quickly turns towards Jacob.

''His boss for what?!'' she says through gritted teeth and a part of me thinks Jacob is actually scared to not tell her.

''A bit of this and that. I'm sure if he really cared he would tell you about all the fun we have. - '' he turns to face me ''Anyway. I see you have some baggage to deal with here Michael. I want you ready for this fight, this is your last chance Clifford'' Jacob pats my back and he flicks his cigarette from his hand to the ground near Brooke and disappears out the back gate... a ring of a phone is heard and the gate slams shut behind him.

''What is going on!'' Brooke cries. 

'' I - I have to go.'' I say barely a whisper, my voice is choked up and shaky. I hate to see Brooke like this... I hate to be the one doing this.

''No! You're not leaving me again Michael!!'' She screams as I turn to make my exit the same way Jacob did but pause in my tracks. Me leave her?

''Me leave you? You've already made plans to travel across the country Brooke so don't use that shit on me!'' I snap

'' You haven't even given me the chance to talk to you Michael! I don't know what I am doing.''

''Didn't sound like what you told you mum Brooke. Just leave I don't want you here anymore.''

''You don't mean that.'' Luke chirps in

''Shut the fuck up.''

''Don't you yell at him!'' Ava appears out of nowhere.

''Control your woman.'' I mumble fisting my hands once again. Im sick of everyone getting involved this is none of their business.

''You may talk like shit to your own girlfriend Michael but you're not going to talk to mine like that.'' Luke growled inching closer to me.

''She shouldn't be getting invol-''

''Involved!! INVOLVED!! You make us all get involved Michael! All we do is lie for you ... and I'm sick of it. I'm sick to death of it. You're toxic! For your family , friends and Brooke!! No wonder she wants to leave you behind Michael.'' Ava yells - what happened next was all a blur. One minute I was being yelled at  the next minute Brooke is on top of Ava on the floor and they're having a full on catfight.

After splitting the girls up, Luke drags Ava into Calums living room and I walk out of the back gate of Calums garden with Brooke thrown on top of my shoulders.

''Put me down!!'' she yells I ignore her and carrying on walking until we're a fair bit away from Calums.

''Calm down karate kid'' I joke and place her back on her feet, she straightens herself out, brushing her hair down with her hands.

''Don't start joking around.'' she sighs walking towards the curb and sitting down. I stand there awkwardly for a moment then decide to sit next to her.

''I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner and I'm sorry of how I spoke about you... I have to do this fight Brooke.'' I sigh bringing my knees to my chest.

''Don't do it please.'' she squeaks and I notice the tears running down her cheek again, I move my hand to wipe but she turns her head reaching up to rub her own eyes.

****

Merry Christmas

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