Too Proud to Breathe

A giggle escaped from my mouth, one that I was unable to hold this time, causing all three faces at the dinner table to stare at me with a look of distaste.

"What is funny, Keyleigh dear?" Annette said in a sarcastic tone.

"Nothing, I'm sorry ma'am," I said before looking back down at my phone which was hidden under the table. Aiden had been texting me throughout the monotonous meal with the Ashford, making it just about bearable.

As I looked around the room, Michael's eyes caught my own. We hadn't spoken since the beach BBQ a few hours ago. In fact, I hadn't even seen him when I returned to the villa, he had gotten ready and left without me. The stare he was giving me was one that could have easily killed me, if that were possible, and it continued throughout dinner.

This look was like one of the looks I had gotten used to over time; the look of hate. However, this one seemed to have another emotion mixed in, one I couldn't decipher.

When Michael and I had been younger, I found it easy to read Michael, much to his dismay. He never like the fact that I knew just what to say and do to make him feel a certain way. That had all changed when he started ignoring me, now the only emotions I could read of his were his ones of hate and the ones of enjoyment when he was mocking or ridiculing me.

Whilst the Ashford's would politely converse in a meaningless conversation possibly some rich person they knew, I was left with the company of Aiden's texts and Michael's glares.

Sometimes, when I am around the table with the Ashford's, what it would be like if my parents were still alive. My mother and father playfully bickering over the table, sharing inside jokes, my mother possibly pregnant with my little brother or sister, and a homely auror surrounding the family home.

No Paul, no Annette and definitely no Michael.

But then I think about the other things that wouldn't have happened if my parents were to still be alive. I may not have met Tanisha. I may not have met Taylor, or Aiden. I may not be the person I am today.

I was brought out of my thoughts by my phone vibrating in my hand.

'Me + you = date tomorrow night. No getting out of it, beautiful - Aiden xx'

My face flushed and a large smile graced myself for the millionth time since I met Aiden that day at the airport. I replied to the text quickly before going back to eating my dinner, the smile never leaving my face.

By the time Michael and I got back to the villa, the feeling of blinding excitement had all but left, and instead was a sense of anxiety. What was I going to wear? Where were we going to go? Was he going to do what Taylor did?

___________________________

I couldn't sleep. I didn't know if it was the humid weather, or the constant thoughts and worries about the next day, but after 2 hours of tossing and turning I gave up on the idea all together.

I placed on my bikini before creeping quietly out of the house and to the pool. I dropped my towel before diving into the pool.

A cough erupted from behind me, causing me to turn to meet the perpetrator. In the pool, mere feet away from me was Michael, also dripping wet and wearing nothing but his swimming trunks. I couldn't help but stare at the contorts of his body; the way the water droplets fell and dripped downwards causing my heart to pick up its pace.

I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to run my hands through his hair, having my body pressed against his as he his hands explored my own body.

"Staring's rude, Key, or were you never told this?"

"Actually, Michael, I was merely observing the slight weight gain that appears to have happened over the last few months."

"Course, KeyKey. Fancy a drink? I have Tequila, Tequila or Tequila," he said with his cocky smirk whilst holding a large bottle of Tequila. An internal debate sounded in my head. If I were to drink the Tequila then maybe I'd feel tired and be able to sleep, however if I swam the same feeling may wash over me.

Rational Keyleigh left, and spontaneous Keyleigh's thoughts filled my brain. "I'll do it," left my mouth before I was unable to hold it back.

It didn't take long before nearly the whole bottle was gone, and Michael and I were laying on the patio, trying to make patterns out of the stars.

"It's Orion!"

"No! It's Pegasus!"

"Nope, yo-you're wrong."

"You're dumb."

"You're pretty." A silence hung through the air as I tried to process what Michael had just said.

"You're a liar, Michael Ashford."

"I'm not lying, Key, I'm drunk. Sober man's words drunk mans thoughts," a snort escaped my mouth. The alcohol had clouded my rational thoughts, and all that was left was a case of the giggles.

"Isn't it the other way round, stupid? Michael, I-I m-miss 'us'..."

A cold wind hit my nearly-naked body, causing a shiver to run through my body. Suddenly, I felt Michael's body coming closer before a warm, strong arm wrapped its way around my torso. I closed my eyes, listening to the lulling noise of Michael's heart, feeling my eyes grow heavier and heavier.

I'd passed out before I was able to hear Michael's words float through the air softly. If I had been awake, the two simple words "me too" would have plagued my thoughts for a long time.