#nerd michael

"Really?" you asked, giving him a hopeful grin.

"Yeah..." he nodded shyly, "I... I can meet you in the library after school... If you want..."

"Thank you," you breathed, "I don't know what I'd have done if you said no."

"Failed Chemistry, probably," he mumbled, blushing lightly when you accidentally let out a loud laugh.

"Thanks again, Michael," you smiled at him again, "See you after school." You came to the end of the hallway, heading left toward your locker, not even noticing that Michael had just stopped and was now watching you.

Michael's POV

"Hey, pretty girl," a blonde boy said as he approached you, winking at you when you looked over to see who it was.

"Hey, rockstar," you giggled in return, going back to putting your books away and grabbing new ones, "What brings you here?"

"When the beautiful girls call me, I must answer them," Luke replied dramatically.

"I didn't call you," you shook your head.

"Wow," he scoffed jokingly, "Narcissistic much?"

You rolled your eyes fondly, "What do you want, Lu?"

"How do you know I want something?" he asked, placing his hand over his heart.

"Because you always want something when you call me pretty," you grinned.

"Fine; I want something," he sighed, "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Probably writing my Econ paper," you groaned at the thought of it.

"Well, you won't be working on it all day," Luke insisted, "So I was thinking – since there's that carnival thing at my niece's school tomorrow night – that maybe you could tag along so I won't be alone?" You looked up at him and noticed he was giving you a shy smile.

"I guess," you chuckled softly, "But you have to buy dinner after."

"Anything for you, princess," he leaned in, pressing a grateful kiss to your cheekbone, "Thank you."

Michael didn't know what came over him, but he could feel his chest getting a bit tight. He knew he was getting jealous over you and Luke – he'd had a crush on you for the longest time; he could just never find it in himself to admit it to you. He caught himself before he got too worked up, though – reminding himself that you weren't his to get jealous over.

So he forced himself to turn around and head to his own locker despite the fact that all he wanted to do was march up and stop Luke from flirting with you.

~

Your POV; The next day

Luke's niece's school carnival was in full swing, and you were leaning up against the wall with Luke as you watched her play the various games set up in the gym. She was ecstatic to see you walk into the school with Luke – that little girl absolutely adored you, and you adored her right back – and she would occasionally pop over to the two of you to excitedly show you the little prizes she kept winning, while you and Luke were talking.

"So you and that guy that's helping you with Chem now... Michael..." Luke trailed off, making you tear your gaze away from the child to cock an eyebrow at him.

"What about him?" you wondered.

"Is there something going on that my dear best friend isn't telling me?" he asked dramatically, "Is my main squeeze keeping a secret from little old me?"

"What are you talking about, Lu?" you rolled your eyes at the show he was putting on.

"I mean, you and Michael? Come on! I don't know why you wouldn't tell me about that!"

"Tell you what about me and Michael?"

"That there's something going on!" he said as if it were obvious.

"There's nothing going on," you shook your head, your eyebrows now furrowed in confusion.

"Now, that's a lie," he laughed, "No one looks at someone the way he looks at you and expects people to assume nothing's going on." You stopped for a moment before looking up at him slowly.

"How does he look at me...?" you asked softly, prompting Luke to give you the same confused look you were giving him.

"You really don't know?" he questioned.

"Would I be asking if I did?" you fired back.

"Oh, sweetheart," he suddenly snickered, "You poor, naive child."

"Luke!" you whined, earning yourself a chuckle.

"I saw him watching you yesterday while we were talking. Couldn't quite put a name to the feeling, but almost looked jealous," he shrugged.

"Why would Michael be jealous?" you rolled your eyes again with a soft sigh, "He'd barely spoken to me before I asked him to tutor me."

"Maybe you make him nervous," he poked your sides playfully. You squeaked sharply, shoving his hands off of you. "I'm just saying, Y/N," he said, "Maybe it wouldn't hurt to make the first move."

"And what if he doesn't see me like that?" you countered, "Then it'll be too weird and I'll have to find a new tutor."

"Y/N," he laughed, "Michael likes you, but he's too scared to be the first to admit it. Just trust me."

~

Tuesday evening

You'd gone to Michael's house after school to work on your Chemistry homework. He was sitting at his desk while you were sitting on his bed, trying to focus on your work but you were too distracted.

"Y/N," Michael waved his hand in front of your face, making you jump. Your eyes met his, finding a concerned expression on his face. "You okay?" he wondered.

"Yeah," you nodded rapidly, "Just...thinking..." He opened his mouth to speak again, but you beat him to it. "So, um... What are you doing Saturday night?" you asked quickly before you chickened out.

"Studying," he replied softly, looking back down at his books.

"On a Saturday?" you wondered, only earning yourself a small shrug in response. "Well, I... Would you...wanna do something else...?" The shakiness of your voice made him pick his head back up, his eyes landing on yours again.

"Like what?" he asked, his voice quiet.

"Like... Um..." you cleared your throat, "Like... Go see a movie... Or go bowling... Or check out that new arcade on 7th that just opened... Or just hang out at the mall... Or something..."

"Don't you need friends to do that stuff?" he mumbled. You felt a little pang in your heart at hearing him suggest he didn't have any friends – that he didn't consider you his friend.

"I guess..." you whispered, swallowing thickly. You noticed Michael open his mouth to say something else, but you didn't give him the chance. "I should be heading home," you murmured, putting your books in your backpack, "Curfew."

"It's 4 o'clock," he said after looking at the time on his phone.

"Don't wanna be late," you powered through the break in your voice, "Bye, Michael."

"Y/N, I-" he started before cutting himself off as you just hurried away, sighing as he leaned back in his chair, wondering what had gotten into you.

~

Friday; Lunchtime

You ate lunch with Luke – mostly in silence – and just listened to the conversations around you. You should have known you couldn't get away with that for long – Luke always knew when something was on your mind.

"So," he finally spoke, and you knew what was coming, "You ask Michael out yet?"

"No," you grumbled, earning yourself a curious head tilt.

"Why not?" he furrowed his eyebrows, "I thought you said you were going to on Tuesday?"

"Was," you replied softly, "Didn't."

"Why not?!" he repeated, throwing his arm up.

"He doesn't even consider us friends, Luke," you shook your head, "What's the point?"

"Y/N-" he sighed before you cut him off.

"You know, some things just aren't meant to be," you shook your head, "And if the universe says Michael and I aren't meant to be, then why bother trying?"

"Because, sometimes, the universe is wrong."

~

Saturday afternoon

"You sure you wanna go alone?" your dad asked after stopping at the curb in front of the arcade, "I wouldn't mind having a little fun."

"Dad," you groaned.

"Alright, I get it," he sighed, "Don't wanna spend a Saturday with your old man – worried he might embarrass you in front of your friends."

"Dad," you rolled your eyes with a smile this time, "Just...need a little me time."

"Okay, princess," he nodded, "Call me when you wanna come home then." You nodded as well, getting out of the car and listening to him drive off as you walked inside the building.

~

An hour later, you were taking a break from playing games. You were sitting on a bench off to the side of the room where parents could sit as they watched their kids, when your alone-time was interrupted by someone coming up to you.

"Hi, Y/N," you heard your name before looking up, finding Michael rocking back and forth on his feet shyly.

"I thought you didn't have friends," you grumbled.

"I don't..." he said, a bit confused that that was the first thing you said to him.

"Then why are you here? Thought you said you needed friends to come here."

"Cousins wanted to come and my uncle's working late, so he asked me to bring 'em," Michael replied. You hummed lightly but didn't say anything else, prompting him to go on. "What are you doing here? Did you get roped into bringing a family member too?" he asked.

"I'm alone," you informed him, "Wanted to come anyway."

"Oh..." he nodded, "Well... I'll be around if you decide you don't wanna be alone anymore." Michael went to step away, but a voice made him stop.

"Mikey!" you heard beside you, making you look over to find two little girls staring curiously at you and Michael. "We're hungry!" Michael cleared his throat, finally tearing his gaze away from you to his cousins.

"What do you want?" he asked them.

"McDonald's!" they cheered, causing him to sigh.

"You guys know your mum doesn't like when you eat fast food," he reminded them. They pouted lightly and he sighed. "So you better not tell her I let you have it," he finished his sentence.

The girls smiled widely, each of them hugging one of his legs. You couldn't help but laugh under your breath, ignoring the way it made Michael look back up at you.

"I'll see you on Monday," he told you softly. You barely nodded as he pried the kids off of him, taking their hands and stepping away from you before he was stopped.

"Can't your friend come with us, Mikey?" one of the girls stuck out her bottom lip.

"Yeah, Mikey!" the other insisted, "Please!"

"I... Uh..." Michael stuttered out as he looked at you, "If she wants... I guess..."

"I... I really should be heading home..." you chewed on your inner cheek.

"Please?" they both frowned – and how were you supposed to say no to that?

"Okay..." you caved, making them yell happily again.

"I guess I'll... Did you drive here...?" Michael murmured.

"My dad dropped me off..." you answered.

"You can come with us!" the taller girl said before Michael could respond, letting go of him to trot over to you.

She grabbed your hand and pulled you to your feet, tugging you back to Michael. You squeaked in surprise, but quickly caught yourself and started walking as fast as she was to keep up with her. One she reached her cousin, she slowed her pace, walking alongside you while still holding your hand as you all made your way outside.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Y/N," you answered softly.

"That's pretty," she said casually, making you smile, "I'm Scarlet and that's-" She pointed to the girl holding onto Michael's hand. "-my little sister Aimee."

Scarlet and Aimee did most of the talking on the ride to McDonald's, excitedly telling you all about the games they played at the arcade and what they were going to eat when you got to the restaurant. You sat in the front passenger seat, smiling as they spoke while looking out the window, not even noticing Michael would glance at you at every red light and stop sign.

Upon arriving at McDonald's and going up to the cashier, you and Michael were quietly arguing over who was paying for your food. The two girls and Michael ordered before he motioned for you to go. You shook your head, but you should have known he wasn't going to take no for an answer. And, unfortunately for you, you had told the girls what you were thinking about getting when they asked you, so Michael just ordered it for you.

"Michael!" you smacked the back of his shoulder lightly.

The cashier smiled as she gave Michael his total – God knows she'd had a long day thus far and needed something to brighten it. He paid her and she gave him his change and all of your cups so you could get your drinks while waiting for your food.

~

An hour later

"I should probably get you two home," Michael said while you were all finishing up eating. The girls across from you – because they insisted that 'Mikey should sit next to his friend' – instantly frowned.

"But we're having fun!" Scarlet told him, making him chuckle softly.

"I know, but we can't stay here forever," he reminded them, "And your mum told me to get you home before dark."

"Can't we stay a little longer?" Aimee pouted, "We like Y/N!" You just smiled at them.

"How about this: you can stay with Y/N for as long as it takes me in the bathroom," he offered, "But then, we have to go home."

"Fine," Scarlet huffed. You laughed softly again as Michael got up, throwing the trash away on his way to the bathrooms.

"So," you started, looking at the two girls, "Do we have any secrets we need to talk about before Michael comes back?"

"Yes!" Scarlet informed you, "Are you the same Y/N in Mikey's Chemistry class?"

"I don't know how that's a secret, but yes," you laughed lightly, your eyes flicking between each of them as they tilted their heads, "How do you know that?"

"'Cause he talks about you," she shrugged, taking you by surprise.

"He does?" you asked softly.

"Yeah!" Aimee chirped with a grin, "He says he's helping you with it!"

"Oh..." you nodded, realizing they meant he'd only mentioned he was tutoring you, "Yeah, he is."

"Are you better at it now?" Scarlet wondered, "'Cause Mikey's really smart and he's really good at all sorts of things!"

"I'm getting there," you chuckled at the little girl's antics.

"You're really pretty," Aimee said randomly, "But we already knew that too."

"Yeah? How's that?"

"'Cause Mikey said so," she shrugged as well, making your heart skip a beat.

"Michael said I'm pretty?" you questioned, and both girls nodded rapidly.

"He didn't say she was pretty, Aimee," Scarlet shook her head.

"Yeah, he did!"

"No," she insisted, "He said she was beautiful." Your heart skipped a beat as the smaller girl rolled her eyes.

"Same thing!" Aimee replied. But you couldn't respond because you noticed Michael making his way back over.

"Alright, you two," he said, stopping at the edge of the table, "Time to head out." The girls frowned again but did as he said, scooting out of the booth and onto their feet.

You all walked outside and got into the car, and you were honestly ready to head home yourself. You couldn't keep yourself from yawning, making Michael look at you as he started the engine.

"Tired already?" he asked with a small chuckle, "It's only 8:30."

"Shut up," you said softly, laughing as well and rubbing your eyes.

"Well, I'll take you home first then," he said, "My aunt likes to visit and who knows how long that'll take." He grinned softly when you laughed again.

~

"Thanks for bringing me home, Michael," you said softly as he pulled into your driveway, knowing Aimee had already fallen asleep behind you.

"No problem," he replied with a small smile.

"Drive safe," you told him, missing him smile again as you got out of the car.

"Mikey!" Scarlet hissed one the door shut behind you, "Walk her to her door!"

"What are you-"

"Be a gentleman!"

"Scar, I can't leave you two here by yourselves," he insisted, "Your sister is asleep."

"Mikey!" she exclaimed softly.

"Fine!" he squeaked out, watching you look over your shoulder when you heard his car door open.

"What are you doing?" you asked.

"Being a gentleman, I guess..." he murmured, coming up to you.

You looked into the car and noticed Scarlet watching the two of you. You chuckled softly, looking down at your feet as you and Michael made your way up the walkway leading up the front porch.

"Thanks for the food," you whispered, your voice not giving you more than that, "You really didn't have to buy mine for me."

"I wanted to," he insisted in a tone almost as low as yours.

"Thanks," you repeated, not sure what else to say.

"Well, I, uh... I'll see you on Monday..." he cleared his throat lightly. You nodded and he went to step away from you, only to have the motion interrupted.

"Mikey!" Scarlet called from where she was now hanging out the car window, "Kiss her goodnight!"

"Scar, stop it!" Michael's eyes widened.

"What?! That's what the people in the movies do!"

"Scarlet!"

"Michael!" she challenged, making him huff lightly.

"I am so sorry about her," he breathed, turning back to you, "I don't know why she's-"

Michael cut himself off when you suddenly leaned in and pressed your lips to the middle of his cheekbone. He stared at you in shock as you pulled back, a bright blush on your cheeks and a shy smile pulling at the corners of your mouth.

"W-What about you and- and Luke...?" he murmured.

"Me and Luke?" you tilted your head curiously.

"You guys are... You guys are together, aren't you...?"

"No!" you shook your head rapidly, "He's my best friend!"

"But I... I saw you at your locker the day you asked me to tutor you... He... He kissed you... Called you 'princess'..."

"He's always done that," you told him seriously, "Our parents knew each other in college – we grew up together. We don't like each other like that... And he knows I already like someone else..."

"Oh..." he said softly, looking down at his shoes as his curiosity got the better of him, "Who...?"

"The guy tutoring me in Chemistry," you finally admitted, making his head snap back up.

"M-Me?" he whispered, his voice unexpectedly breaking.

"The other day... When I asked if you wanted to do something other than study tonight... I... I was hoping you'd say yes so we could do something together... But you said you needed friends to go out and I... It was obvious you don't consider us friends, so... I didn't end up asking you to come to the arcade with me at all... I thought you'd say no..."

"I'd never say no to you..." Michael confessed, blushing a bit himself when you giggled lightly. You looked at each other for a moment before he spoke again. "D-Do you want to go out with m-me tomorrow?" he asked so softly that you almost didn't hear it, "W-Without my cousins?"

"I would love to, Mikey," you accepted, making him blush even brighter at the sound of his nickname coming from your mouth.

"We-Well, I... I'll see you t-tomorrow then..." he said bashfully.

You grinned again, only to turn a bright red when he bravely pressed a kiss to your cheek just as you'd done to him earlier. He didn't even take a moment to gauge your response – he just scurried off of your porch and back to his car where his cousins were waiting to be taken home.

"Bye, Y/N!" Scarlet called out the window that was still open.

You laughed in response, waving at her before catching Michael's gaze again. He smiled at you and you smiled back, offering him a small wave as well as he pulled out of your driveway and went home, both of your hearts racing with anticipation of what the next day would bring.

❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀

master list / master list for mobile users

you can also check out my last imagine here, my to do list to see what’s coming up, and click here to go to the page for my calum fic :)

Other nerd AUs: Calum / Luke / Michael / Calum / Marshall / Ryan / Michael / Ashton / Michael / Jamie / Luke / Michael

Other high school AUs: Josh / Alex / Ryan / Ian / Nash / Ryan / Ryan / Calum / Cody / Zach / Calum / Ryan / Michael / Ashton / Calum / Calum / Michael / Ashton / Michael / Michael / Calum / Luke / Marshall / Luke / Marshall / Ashton / Ashton / Marshall / Michael / Ashton / Jamie / Ryan / Calum / Michael / Calum / Ashton / Cody / Marshall / Michael / Ashton / Calum / Michael / Calum / Michael / Michael / Calum / Calum / Jamie / Calum / Ashton / Luke / Ashton / Calum / Michael / Billy

taglist: @calumhoodslays @vendylewin @lunalove25

He turns towards the voice, hefting his backpack higher up on his shoulders, and promptly loses the puny resolve he’d managed to muster to march unbothered down the hall to his next class when he finds himself mere inches away from Alex Manes. Dark eyes lined with smudged, black liner, ripped jeans that hug narrow hips and an unfairly tight ass, and metal flashing in the harsh, fluorescent hallway lights from piercings in both ears and a septum; Alex is every bit the disaffected, high school deadbeat all of Roswell makes him out to be, and Michael only wishes he wasn’t so immensely turned on by it. Especially now that Alex, most likely bored and smelling blood and pheromones in the proverbial waters, has begun circling Michael like a hungry predator, teeth flashing and eyes sharp, radius shrinking as Michael throws up weaker and weaker defenses. Even now his spine melts to butter against the bay of lockers behind him, and Alex stalks closer, one worn leather boot planted between Michael’s dirty sneakers as he leans in and rests a palm near Michael’s ear against the gray metal, his black nails tapping out a slow, rhythmic beat Michael can’t help but sync his thin, panting breaths to.

“Aw,” Alex says with a smile, a wad of pale pink gum between his teeth that Michael can smell on his breath, warm and spicy and so, so inviting. “You keeping tabs on me?”

Michael shakes his head, eyelashes fluttering when Alex laughs in his face, head bowed so close to Michael’s chest that he feels the sticky spikes of Alex’s hair brushing against his neck.

“N-no,” he replies weakly. “I just notice stuff.”

Alex laughs again as Michael squeezes his eyes shut in humiliation, willing the warning bell to blare through the hallway so he has an excuse to flee. Alex’s attention is new and intense and, however fleeting it might prove to be, exhilarating, and it makes him feel like an insect drawn towards a bright light; Michael longs for the heat of Alex’s touch, even as he’s certain Alex will burn him alive.

“I notice stuff, too,” Alex says when Michael opens his eyes, and Alex’s grin is no less wolfish, but his gaze is softer, almost pleading.

“I can see how much you want to kiss me,” he whispers, bending his elbow to bring his full, pale lips even closer to Michael’s. “You should do it. Live a little, Guerin.”

Michael swallows, watching Alex watch his throat bob, tongue darting out unconsciously to wet his lips. Having Alex like this, up close, warm, and wanting, is strangely empowering, and Michael realizes with a soft puff of surprise that Alex, teasing and leering as he might be, is waiting on Michael to close the gap. Emboldened, Michael bites the flesh of his bottom lip just to see Alex trace the curve of it with dark, wide pupils and clutches his textbook higher, forcing a barrier between their bodies that has Alex pushing back in surprise.

“I live plenty,” Michael says, tone haughty, and Alex raises an eyebrow. “If you want me so bad, Manes, why don’t you do something about it? Otherwise, excuse me. Some of us actually go to class every day.”

He brushes past Alex, Michael’s shoulder sliding against his warm and firm, and Michael presses into Alex his frustration, his hunger, and his lust, half-expecting sparks to ignite upon the impact of their bodies. He makes it halfway down the long hall, bumps on his bare arms rising as his skin chills with every step further Alex lets him take. Then, a hot grip on his arm, a sharp tug, and Michael is falling against Alex, who is falling through the bathroom door, pushing Michael into a stall and throwing the lock. Michael’s head is stuck in an empty hallway, his heart tripping over its own beat, and Alex’s hands are in his hair, Alex’s hips are pressing him firmly against the stall’s inner wall, and Alex’s lips are on his, hot and desperate and claiming.

“Way to call my bluff, Guerin,” Alex pants into his neck, sucking kisses against Michael’s pulse as Michael’s body finally joins him in this moment and his fingers grip the back of Alex’s neck.

It's a valid question, considering what they'd just done. Here. In the boy's locker room between second lunch and fifth period. Michael on the narrow bench opposite the last row of lockers, legs splayed wide, and Alex on his knees, shoulders hunched and head buried between Michael's thighs. They'd had sex. Michael Guerin is having sex with Alex Manes, and that should scare the shit out of him, they haven't even been doing this thing they're doing for long, but instead all Michael can think about is how Alex had sucked him all the way through his orgasm, swallowing Michael down and then bringing himself off before Michael could return the favor. Michael very much wants to return the favor.

Alex is already turning away when Michael lets the door fall shut and spins to face him, but his bright eyes watch Michael in the long mirror above the bank of sinks along the wall as he steps up to one and starts washing his hands, so Michael shrugs.

"I just don't want to get caught, is all," he replies.

Something dark and hollow flashes across Alex's face, and he looks down as he scrubs soap up his wrists, the sleeves of his sweater loose and dark at the cuffs where they've absorbed water.

"Don't wanna be caught with a guy, or just with me?"

Alex's voice is biting, humorless even as he lets out a huff of a laugh, short and sharp as it punches out of his chest. His dark eyes meet Michael's again in the dirty mirror, but his expression doesn't match the anger of his mocking tone. His brown eyes are soft as clay, thick brows drawn tight, and the corner of his mouth is pulled down in a sad sort of smirk, as though begging Michael not to prove him right. It's a face Michael is seeing more and more of as the mask of small town bad boy Alex Manes falls away and Alex surfaces, smart and thoughtful and young and sometimes so scared Michael doesn't know what to do except to cover him with his whole body like a shield, pressed tight against Alex's back when they're alone, hovering close enough to feel the heat from Alex's body against his skin when they're not.

Michael does it now, sliding his arms around Alex's waist and fitting his chest between the wings of Alex's shoulder blades, his nose bumping against the shell of Alex's ear. Alex stills, letting rushing water from the faucet pool in the well of the porcelain sink and holding Michael's gaze in the mirror's smudged reflection.

"I've known I like guys since I was, like, twelve," Michael says. "And I'll go make out with you on top of Kyle Valenti's lunch table right now, if you want to."

Alex laughs, soft and genuine, and Michael smiles into the skin of his neck.

"I just really can't get detention this week," he says, and Alex finally shuts off the tap and turns in Michael's arms, resting his damp wrists on Michael's shoulders.

"What's so special about this week?" Alex asks quietly.

"Saturday's a big Mathletes competition," Michael admits. "If I get detention, I won't be able to compete. And if I don't compete, the team's basically screwed, I'm the only one who can do the really hard stuff, like college-level stuff, and if--"

Alex cuts him off with a kiss, wet fingers digging into the suddenly tense muscles of his shoulders, and Michael whines, chasing the taste of Alex mixed with something salty, something Michael realizes with a shiver could be the taste of his own cum, never rinsed out of Alex's mouth. When Alex pulls back, there's mischief in his eyes, but also a secret.

"Who told you you had to be this big a nerd, huh?" he breathes, and Michael laughs, unoffended.

A spade is a spade, and a nerd is a nerd. Michael considers himself a very, very lucky nerd as Alex kisses his cheek and leans in closer to whisper in his ear.

"Don’t risk the hallway. Cut through the pool," he says. "There's an exit door that comes out around the corner from the courtyard. Alarm's been broken forever. You can sneak back in with the third lunch bell."

Michael grins, relief and affection battling for dominance in his pounding heart. Alarm or no alarm, the door won't be a problem now that Michael knows it's there, but Alex doesn't need to know that Michael can trip wires with his brain. And as ridiculous as Michael is sure he must look in this moment, giddy at the opportunity to not skip class, Alex only smiles softly and winks.

“Perk of d-dating a delinquent,” he quips, and his tongue trips over his own words, lips trembling until Michael grins impossibly wider, pressing a quick, energetic kiss to the corner of Alex’s mouth as the lunch bell sounds.

You had just finished climbing over the railing of your balcony, looking down at the concrete patio below. You weren’t sure whether or not the height would be enough to give you the final result you wanted, but at this point, you were willing to try anything.

But you weren’t given the chance to find out.

Just before you pushed yourself off the edge of the balcony, you felt arms wrap themselves around your waist. You squealed in surprise – you specifically waited until now because you knew everyone was out of the house. But you already knew who it was – you knew those bracelet-covered wrists anywhere.

“Let go, Michael!” you practically screamed, trying desperately to free yourself from Michael’s grasp.

“I know what’s gonna happen if I do, Y/N, and I’m not going to let you do that,” he stated, only moving one arm off of you so he could hook his elbow under your knees and bring you back onto the balcony.

“That’s not your choice!” you wiggled around.

“It wasn’t your choice at school either, but that didn’t stop you from following me, did it?” he countered. He felt your body immediately relax as you stopped fighting him – you knew he was right – but that didn’t mean he was going to let go of you just yet. He dropped to the floor and held you tightly against him. “I know I haven’t been the greatest at showing it, but I really do like you,” he shook his head, “And I like you far too much to let you do something you’d regret halfway to the ground.”

“I didn’t regret it the first time; I’m not gonna regret it now,” you growled, but you didn’t try to escape anymore. It was silent for a moment before you could feel Michael let out a breath, realization finally hitting him.

“That girl you were talking about...” he trailed off, “The one you said tried to jump at your old school... That was you, wasn’t it...? You were talking about yourself...?” You let out a soft, dry laugh. Michael’s arms fell from your waist as you crawled away from him, sitting back up against the balcony’s railing.

“I guess we’ve all got our demons, don’t we?” you said, not looking over at him but knowing he was looking at you.

“Y/N... I-”

“I don’t want sympathy, Michael,” you told him, “I don’t want pity, and I certainly don’t want that ‘it gets better’ bullshit.”

“I wasn’t gonna say that...” he whispered. You finally turned your head toward him, the look on your face prompting him to continue. “I was gonna say... Why choose me?” he asked shyly, “Why tell me about your demons?”

“I don’t know,” you answered honestly, looking at the clouds in the sky, “Maybe because you’re the only person who would believe that I have them.”

“What do you mean?”

“People who aren’t victims of their own mind don’t get it,” you stated, “They don’t see how someone so ‘pretty and popular and rich’-” You rolled your eyes. “-can have the kinds of secrets I do. They think my life is perfect – that I have everything I could ever want – so I must be happy. But the only thing being rich gets me is weekly therapy sessions that aren’t even working anymore; Can’t choose not to go when they’re the ‘doctor’s orders’ though.”

“Why’d the doctor order therapy?" he murmured.

“I tried to kill myself on school grounds in the middle of the day, Michael,” you replied monotonously, “Why do you think?”

“Maybe you just need a different therapist,” he suggested.

“My parents have an image to uphold,” you said softly, “If they sent their kid to a therapist that wasn’t ‘the best damn one in town’, they’re convinced it’ll ruin that image. They already think it’s bad enough everyone knows I’m suicidal; They’re not gonna risk people finding out I’m not going to a ‘good therapist’.”

“You’ve tried to switch already...”

“Of course I have!” you let out a broken whisper, “I don’t enjoy feeling the way I do all the time! What good is paying for therapy doing when it’s not working anymore?! It’s the same shit every time: go to the appointment, ask about how I’m feeling, talk about how I’m feeling to someone I know damn well isn’t really listening, suggest new medications, deny new medication, end session, go home, continue feeling like shit! I don’t need some stupid ‘best therapist in town’ bullshit; I need someone who listens and cares and stops brushing me off as someone who won’t even make it to their 20’s!”

By the time you finished ranting, you were full-on crying. You did your best to cover it up – you tried to slyly wipe your face – but Michael could still tell; He could hear it in your ragged breathing and broken whimpers. And although he didn’t know what to say, he figured he could give you some of what you wanted; He figured he could care.

Michael put his hand on the back of your head, pulling you so your face was pressed to his neck. He scratched at your scalp as you – without any prompting from him – climbed onto his lap and wrapped your legs around his waist. His other arm wound around your back while you clung onto him for dear life. As much as you hated when people saw this side of you, you wouldn’t be the last to admit you were starting to feel a little better when you felt Michael’s lips hit the side of your head and stay there.

But while you knew this wouldn’t magically cure your depression, maybe you’d finally found something you never thought you’d have: a happy place.

And maybe your happy place was the nerd from your Chemistry class.

❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀

other parts: one / two

master list / master list for mobile users

you can also check out my last imagine here, my to do list to see what’s coming up, and click here to go to the page for my calum fic :)

Other nerd AUs: Calum / Luke / Michael / Calum / Marshall / Ryan / Michael / Ashton / Michael / Jamie / Luke / Michael