16 : friggin in the rigging - sex pistols

guys wtf u got me 1.16k in 3 days thank you

this means this is all written from scratch right now so it'll probably be shitty and unedited af so bear with me

-

©assidy

I woke up bright and early for boxing, before it had even begun to get light outside. Gently, I prised myself from sister's tender grasp and slipped away into the kitchen. Opening a cupboard, placing a bowl down and opening a fresh box of cereal, I couldn't seem to shift the unnerving feeling in my stomach. I ate my corn flakes in silence then tiptoed upstairs to get dressed.

No more than five minutes later I was in a vest top and leggings and had made my way downstairs once more, this time to fill up my water bottle. I kissed Rachel on the head and shut my front door with precision, making sure I heard the slight click of the latch slotting into place before I grabbed my bike and started to cycle to the skate park. Maybe Michael and Ashton would be there. Maybe Michael would give me a cigarette; I could certainly do with one.

The skate park was eerily silent; the usual rustle of leaves or tender gusts of wind were no longer prominent and I felt like that was a sign of my life going down the drain. I sighed and wheeled my bike over to the fence, locking it on securely. Then I ran up an average sized ramp and sat, gazing into the beautiful nothingness.

I lay, content, for roughly five minutes, before a twig snapped and I shot up, wide eyed like a hunter getting ready for it's prey. I was no longer scared, alone, at night, so a small sound at dusk was hardly going to freak me out. I saw a familiar figure appear sheepishly from behind a ramp, waving awkwardly.

"Michael."

He ran up to join me and we sat in silence for a small period of time. Michael then cleared his throat and turned to face me.

"I stayed here all night," he didn't quite look me in the eye, and he looked ashamed. "I used to come and sleep here all the time but usually Ashton doesn't let me, but I snuck out. He's great, Ashton is, but he acts like my dad and it pisses me off. I guess it's because he doesn't have one, his siblings don't have one, so he was their stand in. But I have a dad and I hate him, so Ashton should stop trying to take his place."

Michael was crying by the end of his little speech. I sighed and pulled him closer to me, hugging him.

"Michael, what's wrong?" I stroked his hair softly. We'd never had a proper alone, intimate conversation before, but it felt natural to feel close to Michael.

"Do you know when your life is just so fucked up and... wrong, and you just want to wipe clean, but only certain parts of it?" he asked, and I nodded, almost cynically, because I knew exactly what he meant. That was my life in approximately 25 words. "It's like that. Cassidy, I have a secret and it's killing me and everyone else that knows not telling anyone."

I smirked. "I'm already dead, Michael,so if you feel like telling, me go ahead."

"I wish it was that easy, Cas."

We sat, with only each other for warmth, until about half an hour later when my phone started blaring Guns n Roses, signalling I needed to cycle to boxing.

"Bye, Mike. I hope you sort out that problem," I slid down from the ramp and sat on my bike. As I rode out of the park, Michael could be heard sliding down from the ramp.

I was at boxing just before dad, so I stood with all the boys participating, waiting for him to arrive with the gym keys to let us in. Spotting Calum, I jogged over to him (I'd locked my bike in the bike sheds) and smiled. He held out his arm and I stepped into his grasp. He looked so tired and, just down with everything. I wondered how last night went for him. Probably not good.

Dad appeared suddenly, looking flustered. A reproachful look became visible on his face when he saw me.

"Sorry I'm late, you all make your way in. Cassy, I want to speak to you please."

"It's Cas," I said as we made our way into the gym. Dad lead me through into the office and sat me down on a chair.

"Now, what's all this I hear about you wanting to go and live with your mum, eh?" dad looked almost comical, trying to smile but being so blatantly upset about what we were talking about. "That's bull, right? Cassidy?"

"Dad," I sighed. "I don't want to live with her, do I? I'm just suggesting what's best for everyone. You know how much easier it'll be if I move. You'll still have Rachel, and..."

"-Julia," dad said scornfully, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, the monthly phone calls are really the highlight of my life. Cassidy, you don't have to do this, okay? We can work something else out."

"No, dad," I shook my head. "I do." I stood up and gently pushed him out of the office. "now, you go and teach a kick ass boxing lesson."

Dad smiled sadly and grabbed my arm. "If you're going to live with your mum, then that means we don't have to follow her rules."

"So I'm assistant coach?"

Dad nodded and began the session.

-

After two hours of being in the zone (and partners with Calum) the bell rang and we all filed out of the gym. I waited patiently for Calum and joined his side as we began to walk to the ice cream parlour.

"You're so good at boxing, Cassidy, it's not fair," said Calum, swatting me playfully.

"It's the only thing I'm good at," I said, shrugging. "That and pleasing people."

Calum smiled sympathetically and wrapped his arm around me. I felt the tears welling up and I fought the urge to let them spill, taking deep breaths. My heart was banging in my chest; partly because of leaving and partly because Calum was so close to me.

"I called my dad last night, he's excited about America," Calum said casually.

"Oh yeah. How was last night?" I turned to face him.

He groaned. "Awkward as fuck. Rick kept flirting with mum and... oh, I don't even want to think about it."

I giggled. "Aw, that's cute. Middle aged love."

Calum snorted. "Love is stupid. I'm sorry, Cassidy, but it is. Maybe it's because I've never been in love, or even witnessed it, but that's my opinion."

I looked at the ground. "It's not stupid. It's life wrecking, petty, hypocritical, but not stupid. Love is the most extraordinary and complex thing known to mankind."

Calum's face was dangerously near my own, and I could smell the mint of his breath. I looked into his eyes, noticing ten flicker upwards and widen dramatically. I realised we were just outside the ice cream parlour, in front of the glass doors than lead through to the dining area. I tried to see what he was looking at. My mouth dropped open in shock when I saw what he did.

"Is that real? Am I imagining that?" I asked.

Calum's started breathing deeply. "I have no clue." Calum kicked the door. "The universe fucking hates me, doesn't it?"

-

CLIFFHANGER AF

ok so I obviously didn't set a good enough goal I'm gonna set high goals now cos slow updates and all

Thank you so so so so so much for 1k+ reads asdfghjkl ily ahhh

For an update : 80 votes of the whole book (all that needs if for someone who hasn't voted for any of the chapters to just vote for them all), 1.5k reads or 20 comments on the whole book

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-cx