Chapter Text
Michael was ready to call it a day once they arrived to California, he just wanted some peace and quiet after the long drive with his family but Sam had other plans. His brother was persistent and tried convincing their mom to take them down to check out the boardwalk later once they settled in a bit.
“Sure, why not.” Lucy gives in after seeing how enthusiastic her youngest was to explore a new place. “It’d be nice to stretch out my legs and go for a stroll anyways.”
“YES!” Sam shouts.
Of course that meant Michael would get dragged along too.
“Come on, do I have to?” He protested. “You guys can go without me I’ll be fine.”
Lucy shoots him a pleading look.
He just lets out a sigh.”Alright, fine.”
“Thank you.” She whispers going in for a hug. “You can have the whole day tomorrow to rest, I promise.
“You gotta get out more Mike, you’re starting to turn into a hermit or something.”
“Shu—
“Nanook, attack!” The dog just tilts its head in confusion at the command after sensing no danger.
Grandpa interrupts before anymore playful chasing begins or something breaks. “I suggest keeping a weapon on you at all times it ain’t safe around here at night, lots of folks going missing lately.”
“Seriously!?” Sam asks shocked.
“You can’t take any chances kiddo you never know what’s lurking around the corner…”
“OKAY dad, I don’t think that will be necessary but thank you we’ll keep that in mind.” Lucy quickly attempting to derail the conversation. ”Why don’t you join us?”
“I already got plans… ”
Sam swears he heard grandpa mumbling something about vampires while leaving the room but Michael doesn’t believe him.
”That’s a shame, next time then!” Lucy slightly relieved but somewhat concerned at what he could possibly be up to.
”I think something is very wrong with gramps.” Sam blurts out immediately.
”He’s always been a little kooky, don’t worry honey he’s probably just joking around.”
“A little?“ Michael and Sam both laugh.
“Be nice we’re lucky he let us stay until we can get back on our own feet.”
Lucy encouraged the boys to go have fun while she takes the opportunity to do some job hunting. They insists she should be relaxing tonight too but she couldn’t help but worry about their financial situation. “I’ll meet up with you guys shortly, be careful and look out for each other!” Sam is already running off in the distance but Michael turns back and nods reassuringly then runs to catch up with him.
Somehow they ended up at a concert on the beach by following a big crowd. The energy there was crazy and infectious they felt like moths to a flame. That’s when a mysterious girl captures Michael’s interest and Sam notices this too.
“Give it up buddy, it’s never gonna happen.”
This was just an ordinary night for The Lost Boys not much going on in their terms of fun. They were just scoping out the boardwalk and messing around as usual but things were about to get much more interesting when they noticed someone was following Star as she was heading towards them.
”Look here, fresh meat.” One of them chuckles looking across the street.
”Woohoo!” Another cheered and now they were all snickering at this clueless guy who has their full attention.
Star gives Michael an apologetic look as she gets onto the back of the motorcycle while the man she was with gives Michael a sly smile before riding off.
Now Michael knew better than to get involved into the foolishness when he was challenged to keep up with them on bikes during their next encounter and yet something ignited in him. Call him stupid but he wasn’t quite sure what overcame him, initially he thought he was doing all this to impress Star but it was more than that. For the first time in a long time he truly felt alive and that was good enough for him. He wanted to keep chasing this feeling. But how long would this last?
It was nice being surrounded by people who didn’t know who he was, to be free of judgement that’s why he found himself spending less time with his family and more with a group of strangers.
Sam and Lucy began to express their concern since he was more standoffish than usual, almost never home, and had started dressing differently which Sam never let him hear the end of. Now he felt like a stranger to them. To be completely honest he wasn’t so sure who he was anymore either these days.
But Michael wasn’t the only one struggling and adjusting to changes. David might’ve been developing a soft spot for Michael. He never expected someone to have so much of an affect on him especially a human nonetheless. Still he didn’t fight these feelings. What was so special about Michael? How is he any different from the rest, David was determined to figure out the answers.
But plans had changed when Michael ended up declining the so called wine.
He wasn’t falling for another one of their little tricks tonight, they were always constantly messing with him. He figured it was just because he was the new guy but he wasn’t so sure anymore, feeling like an outlier amongst his peers never went away no matter where he goes.
”Leaving so soon? The party was just getting started.” David jokes approaching from the shadows. Michael was leaning over the pier people watching.
“Sorry if I went too far, I know I can get carried away.. sometimes.”
Was this apology actually genuine? He could never tell what David was really thinking. It seemed like he always had a carefree attitude and never took anything seriously. Michael might’ve envied that a little.
“Whatever, man.” Michael shrugged.
Up until this point they didn’t really know much about each other personally. It’s not like either of them were the type to talk about their emotions. But if David wanted to get anywhere he’d have to start prying.
“So Michael, if Star’s story is that she’s a runaway. What brought you here to Santa Carla?” David had on that dumb smirk he often does.
He froze at the question, one that he was dreading to answer but knew would come up eventually. Suddenly the crashes of waves below them grew louder and the chatter amongst bypassers became faint. David was just silently observing him while taking a drag of his cigarette. Michael was lost and deep in his own thoughts.
“Forget I asked. You don’t have to tell me, it’s okay.” David’s voice snapped him back to reality.
He felt a sense of relief having dodge the question for now. “Does it really matter?”
“I guess it doesn’t. I was just wondering that’s all.”
Michael would be lying if he said he wasn’t curious to learn more about David too. “So what about you then?”
David just laughs. “Sorry to disappoint but it’s really not all that interesting. I just never got along with my folks so they kicked me out. I’m better off without them anyways. I found my own people so it all worked out in the end.”
Michael seemed a bit saddened by his response. Could that really be true, did they not care about him? Does that not bother him at all?
“You know, all your problems can go away if you become one of us.”
Not this again he thought to himself. He had no idea what the connotations behind that actually meant and he’s not sure if he wanted to find out. “I should get going it’s getting late.”
“Suit yourself but the offer still stands. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”