Connor's POV

Michael was already home by the time I woke up. That's probably because for some fucking reason I only decided to wake up at 10 AM. Well, who am I kidding actually? Yesterday, .... today? Whatever the fuck. I'd only gone to bed at two in the morning. Not the healthiest of sleep patterns, I'm aware. At least it wasn't fucking four or a week day. I groaned. Some days were just like that for me. I rubbed my eyes and got out of my bed. I brushed my hair and straightened my pajamas to not look like I'd been living on the street for a week. When I exited my room I heard Michael suppress a giggle. "Morning, Sleeping Beauty," he teased. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, very funny." I tried to ignore the fact that the 'beauty' part made my heart skip a beat. I flopped down on the couch and saw that Michael was watching something on TV. "What're you watching?" I asked curiously. Michael gazed at me with a smile.

"It's one of those like, music channel things? Does that make sense?" He said. I nodded.

"Yeah. They like, play the music videos of various songs on it, right? And that's the whole channel? That's the whole fucking channel. Like, talk about a waste of a channel. Why not fucking, look up the videos on YouTube?" Michael looked at the television screen.

"Yeah, they could do that. But maybe it's for the like, people who can't access YouTube or something?" He shrugged a little and then looked back at me. Michael then looked at his hands and I looked over at him. When I did so, he immediately looked up. "Oh! I'm fine," he stated. He slid off of the arm rest to join me on the actual couch. He sat close to me and I felt myself warm up for whatever fucking reason. Why? Why the fuck did that appear?

"Do you want to watch something? No offense, but this is kinda boring," I said, with a shrug. Michael just smiled when he looked at me.

"I don't mind," he said with a shrug. "I agree that just watching music videos gets boring after a while." He laughed a bit and then picked up the remote, changing the channel. He put it on some channel and we just watched it together. When I glanced over at him, I saw that he couldn't really get comfortable.

"If you're uncomfortable you can always lean on me." I immediately shut up. Why the hell? Nerves started to spring up as I tried to figure out why the hell I'd just said that. "Um, uh, I-if you want to... that is." God, I sound like Evan. Michael was just staring at me blankly. Why the fuck? Michael's cheeks had turned red. He just silently came closer to me and then rested his head on my shoulder. Ignoring the fact I felt warm, I wrapped an arm around him as we watched.

There was a weird fucking fluttering sensation in my stomach, almost like butterflies had made their home there. Wait- it can't be, can it? No, I'm overthinking it... am I? No. Definitely overthinking it. I tried to calm down my racing heart. I've felt it before, I've only realized the feeling now, so it's probably normal.

After all, I don't like him.

~~~

I decided to visit my family the next morning. No reason in particular except the fact I wanted to get away for a while. Well, I was also trying to forget the weird ass butterfly-ish feeling I'd felt when I was with Michael. Hey Jared, I need a ride, I texted with a grimace. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a car with the ass alone, but alas, I had no car. I'd told Michael of such. I didn't really want to check my phone but I had to, to see if he answered.

Okay, so where exactly to? Was his answer. I sighed, at least I wouldn't have to deal with his 'he's in love' spiel immediately.

My old house. Well, the house I used to live in. I texted back, walking towards the parking lot. I figured that Jared would meet me there so I just walked silently throughout the cars. My eyes glanced over and saw Michael's bright red car. I smiled. "Connor?" I turned my head and immediately scowled. "You said you wanted a ride?" I merely breathed and then walked over to Jared. He was smirking, as per usual. I swear, I've never seen him not smirk! You'd think he'd never show other emotions.

"Yes," I said curtly, getting into the passenger seat. I heard Jared laugh a bit to himself. Jared got into the driver's seat and started driving us off campus. It wasn't long before Jared started on his shit.

"So~ want to tell me about, hm, I don't know... Michael? Is that his name? I mean, you always bring him up, so how could I forget?!! So, please, can you remind me about him?" I audibly growled and glared at him. I hated that tone he was using. Jared didn't actually care at all, his mocking tone told me as much.

"It's not like that, Jared. We're just friends! Why do you- how do you even come to that conclusion?!" Jared straightened from his slouched position and moved his glasses as if he was in some cartoon or something. His smirk was wide and he was actually laughing.

"Connor Murphy, how the fuck can you be this dense? You like him, just admit it to yourself! Or do you want to be denial for the entire year or some shit? Face the truth, buddy, You. Are. In. Love. Or, at least, in like. I'll just let you think on that for a few moments, 'kay?" I just glared at him. Why should I trust anything that comes out of Jared's mouth? I didn't answer, though I felt my cheeks burning. "Woah ho, you're face is so fucking red~."

"Jared Kleinman, I swear to God-"

"We here," he commented and I looked to see my old house. I got out of the car and just walked inside, not wanting to see Jared's facial expression. I didn't mean to slam the door so it surprised even myself when I closed it. I looked back at the door, but it appeared to be closed. I heard the sound of a chair being moved and soon my mother appeared in the hallway, her slightly gingery hair having a few gray streaks in it. I saw her smile.

"Connor! What a lovely surprise!" Cynthia, I've only been living out of the house for three weeks. Seriously. It's not cause for a fucking celebration if I come to visit.

"It's only been three weeks since you last saw me," I stated flatly. Cynthia stopped hugging me and just looked at me. "And plus, I've been keeping in touch with you via text."

"Sorry Connor, I'm just excited to see you," my mother was still smiling. "I know how hard it is to move out and live on your own. Well, obviously, you're not alone, you have your roommate. Oh! You should tell us about him," she suggested. "I mean, you two have been living together for three weeks haven't you?" I just gazed at her, confused. I then felt my cheeks being warm. Fuck. I'm blushing for absolutely no reason.

"Yeah, sure," I stated curtly, pushing past her to go to the kitchen. I paused. Wow, my whole immediate family was there. Zoe had dyed her hair again, this time dawning light pink streaks as opposed to indigo. I smirked, that'd probably make Evan turn as pink as the streaks. Zoe and I met eyes though it was brief. I just decided to sit down at the table. Cynthia was making something in the kitchen and Larry was reading a newspaper. Huh, well, didn't expect this to be any different. Well, there was one difference, I wasn't high. Cynthia  put something down on the table and then sat at her own seat.

Zoe was giving me a weird look, though I'm not quite sure why. Cynthia then spoke up. "So Connor, how has college been going?" I just blinked. I then gazed at the table.

"Well, it's only been three weeks, so there really isn't a whole load to tell," I stated. "We've started with like, art history and stuff. It's really boring to be fair." Zoe made a gesture of agreement, but she would be going through music history or something. I don't fucking know. "Different topic now, my roommate," I stated, running a hand through my hair. "He's like, really fucking nice. We like, watch movies and trash them, it's just great. Michael's like, he's just really fucking cute when he talks about things that's interested in. He also just has this like, great singing voice-" I cut myself off. Where the fuck did that come from? Zoe looked at Cynthia who looked at Larry. Zoe was smirking at me and I just gazed at her blankly.

What the fuck is that about?