I turned down yet another drink, the one in my system being enough. I remembered that I had to be home tonight so I might as well be the designated driver. The almost empty bottle was being passed around for the sixth or seventh time.

"No way!" Calum yelled out as he hunched over in amusement. We all erupted in laughter after an embarrassing story was told by Ashton.

"It's true!" Ashton yelled back, trying to fight back his laugh.

Slurred sentences and hiccups around me were easily heard. Music filled the background that was still blaring, even at midnight. The commotion was beginning to be a bit too much at the moment. I peered down at my hands that were now in my lap. One hand grasped my empty glass and the other was wrapped under my wrist. I leaned over, placing the cup back in the box.

"I'm heading down to the dock, I'll be back in a little." I said as I stood up, wiggling out of Michael's grip. A group "aw" was let out and I shook my head and smiled.

"Do you want one of us to come with you?" Annabel asked, who was now sat with Ashton.

"No, no. It's fine. Really."

She sat back down, letting Ashton's arms re-wrap around her. I turned to make my way down, when my hand was tugged back. My eyes went over my shoulder to meet with Michael's gaze. His eyes were slightly hazed over, making his normal bright green ones dull into a darker grey. His lips turned down, forming a pout. I tugged my hand back in hopes of his release. He looked down at our hands and tightened his grip then let go slowly.

My arms wrapped around my own torso as the breeze hit my skin and my heels tapped along on the stark wood. There wasn't much light, just the moon's contrast against the dark water. I slipped my heels off and let them dangle in my fingers.

I dropped down once I reached the end, tugging at my dress so it lays smoothly. My hands moved behind me, supporting my weight. I stared at the sky, soaking the the quiet I had. I let my fingers tap to the song that was barely audible now. My thoughts were scattered, unable to piece together, kind of like the repetitive nails and wood I was currently sitting on.

A creek from behind me snapped me out my mind. I turned over my shoulder, only able to make out the outline of a boy walking towards me. My attention turned back to the sky, making out constellations. The figure sat beside me, but a few feet away. I didn't look towards him and kept my focus latched on the scenery.

I wasn't exactly ignoring him, but rather his actions. He scooted over, now only being a foot away.

"Maddie?" My eyes slowly made their way from the water to the boys' arms who were placed like mine. I trailed up his shoulders and let my eyes adjust to the lighting, focusing on the familiar face.

"Michael." I breathed out, pulling a light smile. He smiled back then turned his attention to our swaying legs. "What are you doing here?" I asked in a hushed tone.

"I dunno. I was kind of worried, but I knew you were okay. Maybe it was just my conscious." He laughed at himself, obviously the alcohol still having an affect on him.

"You can go back if you like. I'm not very entertaining.." I said lightly, kicking my feet.

"Oh but you are Maddie. You can occupy me better than smoke and burning throat can." He looked at me with a smug smile, his eyes still heavy. He pushed his shoulder against mine, jokingly shoving me. "You know," He trails off, shifting his body too rest his head in my lap. "I haven't met your dad yet, I bet he's nice."

I tensed up at the mention of my father. I looked down at him, unsure of what to say. My breath hitched then all at once I decided to give in to him.

"I don't." I simply stated.

"Then how are you here?" He giggle at his own comment, making me roll my eyes.

"I mean, I do. He just left when I was younger. He was a real asshole." I let a gentle laugh slip. I looked back down at him who was not playing with the beads on my dress. His expression gained confusion. His eye brows rumpled, looking dissatisfied and his lips pressed into a straight line. He switched his eyes back up to mine, but not removing the scowl.

"Are you angry?" His question caught me off guard. I'd never seen it this way. Out of all the times I'd talked about this, it was never anger. My immediate answer would've been no, but the question lingered in my mind for a few seconds too long.

"Yeah." Was all I could really spit out. I didn't know why, but yeah. I was angry about it. It made a lot of sense.

"Maybe anger isn't really bad, it's normal." He let his hands lay on his stomach as he crossed his feet and looked up. "My dad passed away when I was 7. And I got a shit of a stepfather. And I was really angry about it." We sat in silence, me unsure of what to say. I sat up properly and brushed the loose hair on his forehead away, running my fingers through every so often. "He was the one that made the decision to kick me out, but that's okay because I found a lot of things and people that replaced that anger with happiness and, shit, it's all I've ever needed."

I listened intently to his words that stitched together. That's all I ever seemed to do now a days. Listen. I never really talked about these kind of things. And I was sharing them with someone I met not even 2 weeks ago, it worried me. But I was okay. And now I wanted to talk.

"I think my mom replaced the anger for me. Even though it was probably her who got screwed over the most, she's always there for me." I smiled at the thought of her and what she's done, which was quickly lost as I remembered she was leaving. "She's my rock. And she's leaving for a whole month for a business trip." I felt a familiar lump in my throat and tears started welling up in my eyes.

"Hey, don't do that." Michael said, reaching out and running his thumb across my cheek. He sat up slightly and draped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into a hug. My arms made their way around his, gripping the back of his t-shirt. He pulled back after a few seconds and put a hand on my knee. I kept my head down, not wanting to meet his dry eyes.

"Look at me." He tilted his head down, trying to get a glimpse of me. I picked my head up to meet with the usual smile he had on. "You have to breathe sometimes, okay? I can be here to wipe your tears, I know I'm not your rock or your mother, but I am your friend and I'm like an open book to you, even if you want to stay closed." I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. "Thanks. It means a lot to me."

And that's how we stayed. We didn't know how much time passed, but we didn't care. We sat and opened up to each other. I told him the same things that I told my mom and my closest friends and he told me everything that he's been bottling up. Even though he had been drinking and might not remember half of the things I told him or the things he told me, it still felt good to talk to him about it.

"Wanna head inside? It's freezing." He asked after a while. I nodded my head, getting up before he did. He stood up slowly and stumbled as he took a step. I giggled at his loss of balance and I pulled his arm over my shoulder.

"You looked like you needed help. One too many?" I asked in a taunting manner. He ignored my remark and leaned on me for stability. My arm made it's way around his back and I grabbed his wrist that was loosely dangling on my shoulder.

-

We both stumbled through the double glass doors that we entered from, laughing a bit too loud for the time of night.

"There you guys are." We cocked our heads towards Ashton's voice.

"We thought you guys drowned or something." Annabel's voice followed after. I squinted my eyes at the clock on the microwave, trying to find out the time.

"Holy shit it's 3am. We should probably all get going." By this time everyone had left the party, except for the 4 boys and 3 other girls that sat around the fire. Lue and Julia were passed out on the couch with Luke in between them.

"They can crash here. Just say they're staying over at your place so they don't have to leave their cars here." Ashton suggested. I took his advice, leaving the girls to rest. "Annabel's ride ditched her so I'm taking her home tomorrow."

"You are a lifesaver, thank you. And also, thanks for the invite. I had too much fun." I gave him a hug, saying good bye to him and the others that were still up. I dragged Michael to the front door and searched my purse for my keys. "Have you seen my-" He cut me off my pulling my car keys from his front pocket, dangling them in front of my face. "Right." I mumbled under my breath. "Bye guys!" I yelled out once more, waving them off before shutting the door.

-

The whole way to Michael's house he blasted the radio, obviously not winding down from the actual party we just came from. The alcohol still lingered in his system, but was slowly wearing off. Our windows were rolled down and the summer chill fluttered through our already messy hair. The laughter shared was contagious and and genuine. It was the moments like these that tied together a perfect night.

I parked in the drive way, exhaling loudly.

"Thanks for taking me Michael. I had a really great time tonight." I looked over at him with a big smile and he had a childish grin on his face.

"I had a really great time too. Maybe you don't have to be the designated driver next time and we can have even a better time." He patted my leg as he laughed. "Thanks for listening." He added on. We sat there in a comfortable silence. I watched him as his gaze went off to something ahead of him.

"Are you going to get out or are we camping in my car?" I sarcastically asked him.

"Can I get a kiss first?" A smirk spread across his face as he leaned over the middle arm rest. I scoffed at his statement, rolling my eyes.

"Get out of my car, Michael." I looked back over at him, who was inching closer. His hands reached over me, pressing the button to lock all of the doors. "Michael!" I yelled and swatted his hand away, unlocking them once again.

"What? Just one." He puckered his lips playfully, looking like a little boy.

"Get out!" I shouted at him, laughing at the whole scenario.

"Alright, alright. I tried. Goodnight Maddie."

"Goodnight Michael." And with those words he closed the door shut and I watched him slowly make his way to the front door, grabbing the key above the door frame.