I slowly shut the front door to Michael's house, releasing the door knob with a subtle click. I slipped off my vans, them being damp from standing on the soaked porch as I explained the situation to my mom.

"Did she say it was okay?"

I gasped at the deep voice behind me, being scared by the sudden break of silence.

"God, Michael. Would you stop sneaking up on me? And yes, she did." I placed my hand over my chest, feeling my increased heart beat.

"Quit taking things so seriously." He jokingly scoffed as he shoved by shoulder.

"Don't push me you ass." My attitude softening. "Didn't your mother teach you not to push girls?" I placed a hand on my hip and a cheeky smile plastered on my face.

Michael rolled his eyes as he grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards the couch.

"She also told me not to let weird strangers into my house so I never really listened." He had a stupid grin on his face, noticing he was annoying me as we sat down.

"And my mother told me not to hang out with obnoxious teenage boys, let alone stay in their house." I was still joking, but with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

I watched Michael bring over an ottoman. He kicked his feet up obviously making himself comfortable.

"So, uh, speaking of parents," I choked out. "Where are yours?"

I had been wanting to know this since he told me he lived here and I just now got the courage to ask.

He opened his mouth to speak, by closed it right away. His eye brows crinkled as he licked his lips, looking a bit lost or confused. He turned his focus back to me.

"They-"

"It's fine." I cut him off, feeling a bit guilty.

He focused his attention back to his intertwined hands as he sighed heavily.

"You don't have to tell me anything." I tilted my head to the side and tried to meet my eyes with his. He took notice and picked his head up, staring right back at me.

"No it's okay. but uh, they basically kicked me out of my house and sent me here. They 'didn't appreciate what I was doing.'" He widened his eyes as he put air quotes around his parents words.

"I dropped out of school, started getting in a bit of trouble. I have to admit that I was being a dick to them and my friends, but it was just a phase. I didn't really know how to control it." He continued, looking away from me.

"I'm sorry. I really am."

"Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything." His eyes trailed up my body, not in a sexual way, but in a 'what are you saying' type of way.

"I just feel for you. I feel your pain. I know what it's like to be put in a shit situation." My voice softened, becoming comforting.

"What about you? Who's the crazy lady that let you stay the night here?" He smiled sheepishly, taking sudden interest in my life.



"It's just me and my mom living together, she's really understanding and she's basically reason why I haven't gone insane." I laughed a little at the end, my eyes wandering off.

He nodded his head slowly, his mouth forming an "O" shape.

We sat and talked about little things for hours, like embarrassing childhood stories or how school went for us, what our favorite foods were. Silly little things, but it was those silly little things that made me closer to him. It was one of those conversations that you never really wanted to end.

He had a really sarcastic side, one that matched mine. Yet he was able to show his soft side, a genuine one. One that let you feel like you really meant something, that you were really cared about.

Once 3am rolled around, my eyelids became heavy. Our conversation silenced, but it wasn't an awkward silence, it was enjoyable. I was about half asleep when I felt a hand on my knee and the dip of the other side of the couch go back to normal. I was on my side, knees pulled to my chest as an attempt to keep warm.

I kept my eyes shut and kept my breath steady. The sounds of footsteps came near and I felt a blanket being draped over me, making my tense muscles relax, finally feeling warmth.

"Goodnight Maddie." Michael whispered. He stood back up properly, making his way to his room.

I open my eyes to see him climbing the steps. He turned a corner and disappeared, and I tugged the blanket closer to my chin. Without warning a gentle smile came across my face.