Micah

Not a continuation chapter but the first chapter from Micah's POV.

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"No! Please tell me you aren't wearing that?"

Micah froze in the archway to the kitchen and stared down at his outfit. He hadn't thought there was anything wrong with it when he'd put it on. It was clean and unwrinkled, what was the problem with it?

"Why not?" Micah asked.

"Micah, I say this with all the sisterly love there is," Felicity said, pressing her hands to her heart and looking as earnest as Micah had ever seen her. "But you look like you're wearing a trash bag."

Micah felt her earnestness was unwarranted since she'd use that statement multiple times and it had yet to convince him to change. Yes, the shirt might be big but it was one of his favorites.

And if he was being honest with himself, who was he going to attract even if he wore something different? Outside of his friends no one ever knew who he was or paid attention to him. Stressing over something as inconsequential as his clothes seemed pointless.

"You should get more creative with your insults," Micah said, taking down a box of cereal and grabbing a bowl.

"It's not intended as an insult, it's intended as motivation for you to go back up to your room and change."

Micah talked around a mouth full of food. "You definitely should stick to gymnastics because you suck at being motivational."

Felicity groaned in annoyance and slapped her twin's arm. "Dee, backup me up on this. Shouldn't Micah at least try to look decent for school."

It took Destiny a long moment to come out of her fazed out thoughts and focus on her siblings. When she looked at Micah, he gripped his spoon and felt the same sad knot in his stomach. Two weeks since her break up and, besides gymnastics, there didn't seem to be anything that made her the vibrant person she'd been.

Most days he had to hold himself back from finding her ex and punching him. It wouldn't end well for him since her ex was an athlete. Still, Micah felt like it would make him feel better to do something. Instead, all he could do was watch her and try to comfort her as best he could. Though most days he failed to do that.

"What did you say?" Destiny asked, blandly.

"Shouldn't Micah change?" Felicity said, gesturing emphatically to Micah.

Destiny swept her eyes over Micah but nothing seemed to register in her expression.

"I don't see why he would. It looks comfortable."

"Thank you," Micah said, smiling at his sister.

Destiny didn't acknowledge his smile and went back to her breakfast like the conversation had never taken place. Yeah, Micah definitely want to punch her ex.

"Here's another reason why I think the earth is flat," Isiah said, walking into the kitchen.

Micah picked up his bowl and headed to the dishwasher. This was his cue to leave before Isiah dragged him into a discussion that left Micah dizzy and Isiah smug and more convinced than ever that he was right.

"I'm off," Micah said. "Have a good day my exceptionally weird and brilliant family."

"Go change!" Felicity shouted at him.

"Bye, Micah," Destiny said.

"But this time I really figured it out," Isiah said.

"Good for you, Is."

Micah snatched up his backpack from beside the kitchen archway and tossed it over one shoulder.

"Have a good day!" his mother called.

Micah spun around until he found her waving at him from the second story.

"I'll try," Micah said.

Outside the day already felt too hot and Micah knew he had been right not to listen to Felicity. The shirt was big enough that it wouldn't stick to him if he got sweaty. Also it allowed the wind to cool him off as he drove. This was why he didn't listen to his sister. He loved her but she didn't understand somethings.

The parking lay quiet as Micah turned his Jeep into an open spot. He hopped out and headed towards the school, a lone figure in the deserted grounds. He directed his steps to his bench outside his first period but slowed when he saw a girl in all black exiting the office. She looked around like she was trying to figure out where she was.

Micah slowed even more when she spotted him. A teasing smile spread across her lips and Micah had to stop himself from looking behind him to see if she was smiling at someone else.

"Hey you," she said. "Feel like showing the new girl around?"

You? Had she said that to him? Now Micah really felt the urge to glance behind him and see if there was someone else.

"I... Are you... Do you mean that... I'm the one... You want me to... Show you around?" Micah asked.

He felt his face burn at the stream of broken sentences and waited for the girl to give him that look. The one that questioned whether he a bit slow.

Instead, the girl merely smiled at him and Micah realized how pretty she was. Her brown eyes lit up, pulling him in "Yeah, I want you."

'Want you'. Micah knew exactly how many times he'd heard that before in his life. None. Not once had anyone ever spoken those words to him.

"My first period is algebra 2 with Eden," the girl said. "Be my guide?"

She tilted her head at him in question and continued to smile. Micah stumbled forward.

"Yeah. I can... Yup, I can be your guide."

"Perfect. Lead the way."

Micah headed towards block B with and the girl fell into step beside him.

"I'm Max," the girl said.

"Micah."

"I'm happy I ran into you, Micah."

"Me too. Yeah, me too."

Max laughed good naturally and Micah had a terrifying thought. Maybe Felicity had been right, maybe his shirt did look like a trash bag and he should've changed.

******

Micah adjusted the box of mics and wires in his arms as he reached for the side gym door. Thoughts of Max and the way she smiled at him played on repeat in his head. She'd actually found him at lunch and sat next to him. She'd laughed at a joke he made and fit right in with his friends. Again, Micah fretted over his shirt. Was it too big? He kind of hated his sister for imposing her opinions on him.

As Micah opened the door to the gym, he paused at hearing voices inside. Though he knew people were prepping for the rally, something about the male voice made him hesitate.

"Cory. Look, I think because this year is going to be important that I need to stay focused. I need to cut out all distractions. We need to break up."

Micah froze, trapped between wanting to retreat and afraid if he let go of the door it would make a noise and bring attention to him.

"I get it," a sweet feminine voice said. "I think that's a really smart plan. This season does mean a lot for your future. You need to do everything you can to succeed."

Micah didn't even think about moving as he listened. This girl got broken up with and that was her reaction? It sounded too calm, composed. How? He'd seen Destiny after the break up, she was a wreck.

"That's it?" the male voice asked. "You're completely fine with us breaking up after six months. No other reaction?"

Despite Micah not knowing who this guy was, he had to wonder the same thing. Six months? And she readily agreed it was for the best. Maybe she was like Micah's ex, Kylie, and had already started to move on, that's why she could be so calm.

"I care about you," the girl said. "That means I can't be mad at you doing what's best for your future."

Again so much calmness in her voice. How did she not react at all? And was there some trick to breakups she'd found because Micah had been a mess when Kylie had dumped him.

"Seriously?" the guy said, sounding angry. "Yeah, okay."

Micah head the sound of retreating footsteps and figured the guy had walked off. He went to enter the gym but stopped when he heard another set of footsteps approaching. He quickly backed away from the door, taking cover in the shade of the building.

But the footsteps didn't pass the doorway, instead a blonde haired girl in a cheerleading uniform walked through.

She stopped just beyond the doorway and put her hands on her hips, tilting her head back. In that instant, Micah saw the emotions she'd hidden before. She swallowed and he heard her breath hitch. He realized she hadn't been calm, merely holding it in.

Micah also realized that she was on the verge of crying and figured she wouldn't want an audience. He cleared his throat, hoping he didn't startle her.

When she faced him, Micah knew instantly who she was. He didn't know how he couldn't know her, everyone did. This was Courtney Hart. Micah had never interacted with her but he knew who she was.

Courtney blinked hard and smiled. Micah could see how glassy her eyes looked.

"Micah," she said. "Hi."

Micah. She'd said Micah. Had he actually heard her right? He gaped at her. "You know my name?"

Courtney looked a little uncertain and Micah wondered if she'd somehow guessed it and now doubted that she'd gotten it right.

"Umm...yes?" she said.

Had she guess it? No, no one could have. But how did she... Of course. Denzel. "Right, because you're a cheerleader, and my brother is Denzel."

"Uh," Courtney said. "Actually, it's because you're part of the AV team and usually do the sound for football games and assembles."

Micah was taken aback at that. She knew him outside of his brother. It didn't seem possible but she knew he was on the AV team.

"Oh," Micah said. "Umm...well...I should do my job then."

He hoisted the box in his arms higher and Courtney glanced at it and nodded.

"Right," Courtney said. "I was looking for you."

She had been? Why him? AV team. Stupid question to ask. He needed to setup for the assemble

"Right. Okay. Umm...right."

Courtney grinned, which somehow made her even prettier and Micah found it hard to meet her gaze. "Come on."

Micah didn't speak as they walked down the hallway. What could he say? He didn't want to mention her break up but he had been standing right outside the door. Would she think it weird that he hadn't said anything about it? Micah hated knowing that Denzel would not only know the perfect thing to say in this instance but he'd be able to comfort her too. He should say something.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Micah blurted.

Yeah, that was the perfect thing to say. Micah wanted to turn around, exit the building and just keep walking until he hit something very hard.

"It's okay," Courtney said. "Life happens. And Aiden is making the best choice."

Micah glanced down at the floor, not sure how to take that statement. Again she seemed calm but he had seen her about to cry. Which was it?

"You're okay with being dumped?" he asked.

He could have smacked himself in the head right then and there but he was holding a box. What an idiotic thing to ask.

"It's for the best," she said.

Micah didn't respond not sure how she could admit that and it sound so convincing.

"Come on," she said. "We're already late and Miguel will be having a conniption by now."

What in the world was that? Micah didn't say anything, not wanting to feel more stupid than he already did. He wanted to get to the gym, set up the mics and never be noticed by this girl again. There was something about her that made him feel frazzled. He didn't like it.

"I'm glad you managed to find your way back," Miguel said. "Tell me, did you manage to take the Ring to Mordor on your way?"

"Calm down, Frodo," Courtney said. "I come bearing a sound guy, ready to give you the power to make everyone annoyed by your voice."

Micah used their conversation as a distraction to slip away. He set to his task of connecting the mics with a determined focus that the familiar task didn't call for.

But he didn't want to think about the fact that Courtney knew his name because that felt confusing. And he didn't want to think about overhearing her break up because that made him feel sorry for her. But that felt confusing since she didn't seem like she needed his pity.

Finished with his job, Micah left the stage and took a seat at one of the bottom bleachers and waited. Slowly classes flowed into the gym and students broke off to claim spots with their friends.

The seat next to Micah was taken by two chatty girls who acted as if Micah wasn't there at all. This fact made Micah annoyed when he spotted Max enter the gym. She waved at him but continued to find a spot further up the bleachers. Micah followed her path, aware that his mouth was forming an idiotic grin.

"Afternoon everyone," Miguel said.

The strong clear voice forced Micah to look away from Max and focus on the assembly. It proceeded as a hundred other assembles had gone. The announcement for student council elections next week followed by talks to support the football team. Micah barely paid attention since he would go to the football game but not to cheer, only to work. Football wasn't his thing, it was Denzel's.

When the cheerleaders formed up, Micah pulled himself out of his thoughts. He watched Courtney at the front, her smile bright and inviting. Looking at her he'd never be able to guess that she'd been dumped. She seemed the epitome of happy cheerleader.

But that image shattered as she stumbled from her backflip and cried out. Micah stood up without realizing it as did half of the students there. In a flash he didn't see Courtney on the floor but Felicity.

Before he knew what he was doing, Micah raced over to her, reaching her right as Miguel, a football player, and another cheerleader did.

What was he doing there? He didn't even know her. But somehow Micah felt that even though he didn't know her, he did see something that no others did. Her vulnerability.

To Micah's utter shock, Courtney ignored the three other outstretched hands and took his. He nearly lost his balance helping her up he was so surprised. But he managed to stay up right.

"Finish with the squad," Courtney said to the other cheerleader. "Miguel, you have to finish the assembly."

They both nodded and backed away. When they did, Micah noticed the entire school watching them. Some even had phones trained on them. More specifically Courtney, Micah knew he was only a human crutch at the moment.

To Micah's complete amazement, he watched as Courtney smiled and waved.

"If you post this, make sure to spell my name right!"

Half the students laughed even though it wasn't even funny. Still amazed, Micah helped her to the exit. She'd seriously hurt herself and yet managed to still smile. How could anyone be that strong?

But Micah saw as the second they hit the hallway, Courtney let go of her smile and tears pricked in her eyes.

"Seems like you've had one hell of a day," he said.

Courtney sagged against him and Micah held her close, strangely aware of how strong but small she was at the same time.

"You have no idea," Courtney breathed out.

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Wacky watermelons!

(Question: if all watermelons are wacky then does that mean that no watermelons are actually wacky and wacky is the normal for watermelons? Fruit for thought)

Now tell me what you thought! Not about the watermelons, you couldn't have come up with an answer to that so quickly. No, tell me your thoughts on the chapter! 🗯💬💭🍉

Not gonna lie, I wrote this spontaneously one day because three other times weren't flowing for me. But I'm happy I did because I found seeing everything from Micah's POV to he really interesting.

I mean how was he not supposed to fall for Max in the beginning when he struggled so much to speak and she didn't mind.

Let's face it, a guy could look at me and I'd be thinking about it for years to come!

I think it's human nature to want to be seen in a world of billions of people. Though funny enough Courtney saw him too.

What did you think of Courtney from Micah's stand point?

For me she's definitely a mix of contradictions. It's strange because we are so much in her head through the book that we get where she's coming from, seeing it from the outside it interesting and strange. Or in my opinion at least.

Any diddly do! I hope you liked this! I might write more first chapters from the other characters POV. Tell me if you have one you'd specifically like to see.

Vote, comment, follow!! Or do whatever you want, I support you!