I woke up later in my bed. I don't remember getting into it, but Michael must have put me into it. We had stayed up late, just crying. I must have fallen asleep, I supposed. I looked at the clock; it was 10:00am. Michael had said they would be gone my morning. So they must be gone. I sat up and walked to the bathroom. There was no one in it so I had a shower. The hot water was soothing and it made me feel better. But it meant I could see all the bruises and scratches that littered my skin. There were lots of them. When the water started to get colder I got out and got changed.

I looked a mess. Even with clean clothes on, my face was scraped and battered. I shuddered and decided that maybe I shouldn't look at myself in the mirror for a few days. Or weeks. I was hungry, so I pulled on some shoes and plodded downstairs, into the kitchen. They really must be gone. Eve had even taken her mug. I sighed and took out one of my own mugs. I decided to make some coffee, so I did. The coffee was warm and comforting.

And normal.

I heard someone walking down the stairs. Well not someone, Michael. He was the only person left in the house. The thought put a lump in my throat. But I swallowed my coffee anyway as Michael stepped into the kitchen.

He looked just as bad as I felt. His blonde hair was ruffled and looked as if he hadn't touched it, that morning. His clothes were wrinkled and crumpled. There were tear tracks down his face and he looked miserable. In fact he looked heartbroken.

I don't know why I did it, but I did. I walked up to him and put my arms round him. Enclosing him in a hug. For a second he stood awkwardly, his arms by his side, but then his arms encircled me. He was comfort, I realised. He needed comfort just as much as I did. I don't know how long we stood like that; it could have been seconds, or hours. It was a moment of immeasurable time. But when we finally broke apart he smiled and got some coffee from the still warm pot.

I got a bowl out and poured myself some cereal. Then I realised that it was the cereal that Shane used to have. A tear slid down my face as I poured the milk over it. I sat down to eat it, I was hungry. Michael sat down opposite me, drinking blood from his sports bottle.

I stopped eating and let the tears fall down my face. Michael was beside me in seconds, hugging me. He made comforting noises in my ear. I smiled. Michael truly was amazing.

I didn't go to college. Instead I lazed around the house, not doing much. Michael sat round playing cords. He also went for a shower, something he said would help him. I disagreed, he smelled just fine to me. He smiled but went for one anyway.

Whilst he was in the shower I watched something on the TV. It was a pointless comedy, that wasn't funny. So instead I let my mind wander. It wandered through so many topics. Physics, Chemistry, College, Shane, Eve, Shane again, Michael. Michael, the person that was here for me, always protecting me. The one I liked, a lot.

I heard him walking down the stairs. I turned round on the sofa. He was in jeans and a t-shirt. His hair was damp still. He stood beside and flopped down onto the sofa next to me. I leaned me head against his shoulder, purely in a friendly way. I looked up at his face and he leaned in towards me.

He got closer and closer, and I let him. Until suddenly he was so close.

He kissed me.

HAHAHAHA cliff hanger! What will Claire and Michael do? Please review!