Lines in the Ice

Chapter 9

“Yeah I think I know too, but I really don’t want to think about it.”

I couldn’t hold my laughter anymore. I fell to the ground clutching my stomach. Michael had a frown on his face as he watched me. I looked at his face and laughed harder. His frown deepened. Tears started streaming down my eyes and I could barely breathe.

“Stop it,” Michael growled.

“I just-just can’t,” I gasped.

Michael picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. He started climbing the stairs with me. I started to catch my breathe as he reached the top. I’ve never been in Michael’s room at his house. We always hang out in the basement or the living room. I wonder what it will look like? It’ll probably be just as messy as his dorm.

He pushed a door open and walked in. The room was actually pretty clean and everything seemed to be tucked away neatly. Michael threw me on his bed and then sat down on his computer chair. I looked at the walls. There were family photos but nothing else. He must’ve cleaned everything he wanted out.

“Your room’s really clean,” I said subconsciously.

“Yeah, Mom keeps it pretty clean and I’m not here very much.” That makes a lot of sense.

“Makes sense," I said.

“I mean the dorm's looking cleaner since you were there.”

“Think I should make another soda bomb?” I asked jokingly.

“Not here, Mom would have a cow.” We both started to laugh.

This is what I liked about Michael; he knew how to make me laugh. I wish I laughed more at home. Like that’s ever going to happen. My mother’s the biggest bitch ever. Like I said, she wasn’t always this way. I have fond memories of us laughing and making cookies in our old kitchen. However, those memories are fading. Nothing is ever that nice anymore. Well except for the times when I hangout with Michael, or the times I pretend I'm part of his family.

“You know you could stay the night,” Michael suggested.

“My mom would have a cow,” I said. “That or she would beat me senseless.” I gave a hollow laugh.

“I’m sorry for what she does to you," Michael whispered sadly.

“It’s not your fault, you have nothing to be sorry about.” Michael really shouldn’t feel sorry for me. No one should feel sorry for me.

“Too bad. I feel sorry for you and that’s that.” Michael stood up from the chair and walked over to the bed. “Now scoot over.”

I moved towards the wall and Michael laid down on the bed too. He grabbed a remote from his bedside table and pointed it at the ceiling. A TV above us turned on. I looked up at it speechless. Dude, who puts a TV on their ceiling?

“Why?” It was supposed to be a rhetorical question.

“Because I hate having to hold my head up to watch TV.”

“You’re so normal,” I sighed happily.

“The most normal person in the world.” We laughed again. Where would I be without Michael?

Michael started to move; he put his arms around me and he rested his head on my chest. He better not fall asleep. I can’t stay all night, he knows that already. I tried to move away but his grip tightened. Leave me alone you psychopathic best friend.

“I am not a psychopathic best friend.”

“Damn, I really need to stop saying things out loud.” I thought back to when I told Will about the party.

“It would help you in life.” It’s a bad habit of mine now. Before I met Michael I talked to myself a lot. I thought I was going crazy.

“Michael, I can’t stay,” I muttered.

“That sucks, because I’m not letting you go home to your abusive mother,” he said nonchalantly.

“I never said she was abusive,” I whispered. Two tears slid down my face.

“The bruise on your arm says different. Unless you held onto your wrist with such intensity to leave a mark all the way around.” I lifted my arm to look at it. Michael was right, I had a deep purple looking colored bruise.

“Michael, I’m a big girl I can handle myself.”

“I’m your best friend, best friends protect each other.”

“But–”

“Michael, could you come here please?” I heard Gwen’s voice on the other side of the door.

Michael got up and walked to the door. When he opened it I saw Gwen. When she saw me she gave a warm smile and a small wave. When she turned back to Michael her face held a serious look. I hope everything’s okay. I don’t want to bother Michael if something isn’t alright.

“Hello, Michael.” The voice was familiar. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but I knew I had heard it before. The person wasn’t in the doorway so I couldn’t see who it was.

Michael stepped into the hall and firmly closed the door. Maybe it’s his step-brother. Why would Michael’s step-brother’s voice sound familiar to me? Unless I’ve met them before, but that doesn’t make sense. Where is that voice from? I really want to know now!

“She was at the party,” the other guy said.

“Yeah, so? What were you doing there?” Michael was struggling not to yell.

“I have friends too. I decided to tag along.”

“Yeah, well don’t.”

“You don’t have any jurisdiction over me,” the guy said smugly.

“I’m going to be your older brother.”

“Step-brother.”

The voices got quieter and I couldn’t hear anything. What’s the point of eavesdropping if you can’t hear anything?

“I don’t think she should be there.” It was Michael’s step-brother.

Michael let out a loud laugh. “Who cares what you think? No one, no one cares.”

“Point is I saw her at the party and I know how she likes to be on the outskirts of everything. What do you think would happen if a rumor got out about her? You know she was drinking a lot and getting a little crazy.”

“You wouldn’t dare. I’ll kill you if you do anything like that,” Michael said with venom dripping from his words.

“We’ll see.”

“Just get out of my house,” Michael yelled.

There was a lot of pounding footsteps and then a door slammed. I could hear the creak of the steps as someone was walking on them. Michael’s door swung open and he walked in. He didn’t look happy at all as he slammed his door shut. I jumped with the noise and his face softened. He laid back down on the bed.

“I’m sorry about that,” he breathed. His body was still really tense next to mine.

“I’m sorry for you.”

“No you aren’t, I’m sorry,” Michael argued.

“Michael, I’m sorry.”

“We could have this fight all day," he said.

“Fine, we’re both sorry," I said reluctantly. Michael didn’t say anything so I figured he came to some agreement.

I let out a huge yawn and closed my eyes for a minute. No, I can’t fall asleep here. You know what, I’ll just end up falling asleep. Then when I go home my mom will kill me. I’m just too tired to deal with all of it.

“Bree, go to sleep.”

“No, take me home.” My mind was already beginning to drift away. Be strong, don’t fall asleep.

“It’s okay, Bree, just go to sleep."