A series of not so chill events

It's Complicated

Rich's POV

Here I was, sitting in Michael Mell's living room. I couldn't believe it. Michael and Jeremy were really funny and very nice. If only I'd befriended them way earlier..

We had so much fun yesterday, and I was really grateful that I was able to stay over. I doubted that I'd be able to stay longer, though. The thought of returning home made my stomach churn. That was the only good thing about staying in the hospital. My stupid dad didn't even visit me once. I wish my brother were still here, he was away in California for college. I don't even think that he knew what happened. Not that it's his fault, but it still makes me disappointed.

The rest of the day, all three of us talked and just hanged out, lazing around. We even prank called fast food chains. This was all I ever wanted, a friend group which I could be who I was with them. A friend group where we didn't have to care about status and we could do whatever we wanted (as long as it was legal, of course, hahah..)

When it was time to leave, my mood changed completely. I waited downstairs with Michael, who was going to drive us, while Jeremy was getting his stuff together. I held my clothes from yesterday in a plastic bag, Michael let me keep his PJ's on and said I could return them whenever. In less than an hour, I'd be back in that house with my dad. If I was lucky, he'd be passed out on the couch. I cringed at the realization that the house was probably a pig sty right now. I hated to say it, but I kind of missed my SQUIP. At least then I wasn't completely alone at home.

"Rich..?" Michael probably realized how I started biting my lip while I thought about my situation.
"Are you okay...?" He asked concernedly.

"Huh? Oh.. Yeah" I plastered on a smile, but he wasn't convinced. "What's wrong? ..You can talk to me." I could tell he was somewhat hesitant, and I didn't want to burden him. He still barely knew me..

I shook my head. "It's nothing. Thank you again for letting me wear your PJ'S." Once I said that last part aloud, I realized how awkward it sounded. Me. Wearing His clothes.

"If you say so, but I'm always here." He smiled, and I then wanted to tell him everything; How much happier he and Jeremy made me feel, how much I really did like him, how I always wanted to be friends with them in freshmen year but I was too scared to approach them, why I set the fire, why I got a SQUIP, why I didn't want to go home, everything.

But I didn't. I just nodded and smiled.

• • •

The car ride back home was nice, at least. We listened to Bob Marley; Michael said he was his favorite artist, and I took a mental note of that. Jeremy asked if he could be dropped off first, his logic being that he lived closer, but he snuck a glance at me and grinned slyly.

I realized I must've said something about my home life to him while we had our SQUIPs...Embarrassing.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at my house. It looked pretty normal from the outside, which I was thankful for, but I knew the inside would be a totally different story.

"We're here," Michael said as he parked on the street in front of my driveway.

"Thanks again.." I mumbled.

Michael nodded. "No problemo. See you at school tomorrow?"

I nodded and with one last quick glance at Michael, I got out of the car and stood in front of my gate.

We waved at each other, and I watched Michael leave. I didn't have my keys on me, but I always left one under the loose floorboards of the porch. I dug underneath the floorboards, and felt something cold and metallic. I picked it up, and it was the key alright.

I exhaled and gently opened the door.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was so short, I paused it here for dramatic effect lolol. I'm uploading like 2-3 times a day after not uploading for so long. I'm so invested in this story. >->