Okay, I decided to just continue this story. I'm basically just typing as I go, so I'm going to try to update once a day. I hope you enjoy this chapter, because I liked typing it. :D

Mitchie looked out the window. It was starting to get dark, so she figured it was around 7. She sighed and put her head on Shane's chest. They had both fallen asleep, Shane holding Mitchie in his arms. Mitchie had awaken confused. She never let anyone hold her, not for the last two years. However, Mitchie liked being held by Shane, it made her feel safe, like she didn't have to worry while in his arms. It had been a long day for her. She felt completely wiped out. But she couldn't sleep.

Mitchie really didn't want to go home. She knew she would have to in the next few days, but she dreaded leaving the safety of the hospital. Josh's gang was still out there, and she hoped that they wouldn't be stupid enough to seek her out again, because she wouldn't lie next time. She wished Josh had never come into her life, but there was nothing she could do now. Her mom had probably already given birth to his child. Even if she left him, they would still have to share a human being.

At first Mitchie had blamed her father. He was an alcoholic, so the judge granted custody to Connie. Too bad they didn't know that she would meet a drug dealer/addict. Mitchie now knew that it wasn't her dad's fault; how could he have known that Connie would meet Josh? Mitchie knew that the only one at blame was Josh. It was all his fault. And Mitchie was paying the price of his foolish mistakes.

When Mitchie had first met Josh, she genuinely thought he was a nice guy, and he was. Until the first time he stayed over. Mitchie saw him in his true colors then. Mitchie had accidentally talked back to him, and he didn't like it. Not one bit.

Mitchie closed her eyes. It was getting to be too much again.

"Hey," Shane muttered while yawning. Mitchie gasped; she didn't know he was awake.

"What's wrong?" he asked while trying to look into her eyes. It wasn't working because of their position. Mitchie looked at the bed and began tracing a design on the sheets.

"What happened?" he tried again, trying to get something out of her. "I know you didn't fall down the stairs, it had to have been something else…" he trailed off, waiting for her to fill in the rest.

Mitchie looked into his eyes for a second, intending to look away, but she couldn't help herself from sinking into his hazel eyes once she saw the concern in them. She rarely saw that, only from teachers, never Josh.

Shane slowly reached out and held her hand. Mitchie tightly held on, her eyes looked fearful.

"What's wrong?" Shane asked again, maintaining eye contact with her. Mitchie took a deep breath and looked away.

"My mom's boyfriend…he's not good, not at all…" She murmured, looking back into Shane's eyes. She saw anger rage through them, but he quickly controlled it.

"What does he do?" Shane asked, his voice tight.

Mitchie sighed and closed her eyes. "It's not what he does, more like his affiliation with what happens to me," she replied.

Shane furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?" he questioned her.

"You were right, I didn't fall down the stairs…I…I don't know how to say this," Mitchie admitted.

"Just try your best, start from the beginning," Shane suggested.

"Well, my parents got a divorce 5 years ago. My mom was torn apart," Mitchie started. "Then, she met Josh…She loves him, I know she does, it's just…he deals drugs," Mitchie's voice lowered near the end. Shane's eyes widened. Mitchie quickly continued.

"He does them, too. Sometimes, he'll come home high and I don't feel safe. He's even dangerous when he's not on drugs. I just…I just wish I had a normal family," Mitchie started tearing up at the end.

"Did he--did he hit you?" Shane asked, his voice grave.

"No, he didn't, well, this morning he did, but…I'm not in here because of him directly," Mitchie sighed.

Shane almost growled when Mitchie admitted that Josh had hit her this morning. He didn't know why, but he felt very protective of her. Although, anyone would feel protective of Mitchie.

"After school today, I was walking home and…some people attacked me," Mitchie whispered. Shane froze. Some people had attacked Mitchie.

"Who?" he whispered back; it didn't feel right to talk normally.

Mitchie took a deep breath. "People in Josh's gang. He didn't pay them, so they paid me a visit," Mitchie confessed.

Shane abruptly stood up. Mitchie gasped and tried to grab his arm, but he pulled away.

"Shane! What are you doing?" Mitchie exclaimed, trying to get him back. She had a sick feeling that he was going to tell the doctors the truth about Josh and his gang.

"Mitchie! You can't just let this go!" Shane yelled. Mitchie winced at his loud voice. Shane sighed and continued at a lower voice. "Josh abused you, he needs to be punished, along with his gang."

Mitchie's eyes widened. "NO!" she half screamed. "You can't tell! I need you to promise me you won't tell anyone about this!"

"Why not? You have to realize that they are dangerous people, and if you don't want this happening to others, you have to report it," Shane tried to reason with her. Mitchie rolled her eyes.

"You don't understand. Josh will do something once he finds out I told on him. Something really bad," Mitchie whispered, looking down.

Shane froze. "You're scared," he said, not even bothering to make it a question; he knew she was.

Mitchie nodded. "He's a force to be reckoned with. You have no idea," she mumbled.

Shane sat back down on the bed. "All we can do is at least try. Besides you won't be alone," he said softly. Mitchie looked up at him questionably.

Shane took a deep breath. "I really like you Mitchie, and I want to be with you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Another cliffy! Sorry if this is short; my dog woke me up at like 7, and I went to bed at 3...not a good combination. I was slightly tired (lol) and I didn't know how to make it longer. I also want to say Happy 20th Birthday, Joe Jonas! I am 99.9% sure he won't see this birthday wish, but, maybe he likes reading fanfics about movies that he's been in. Lol, its a longshot, but who knows? Also, I kinda put a bit of Twilight in here. When I said Shane felt protective of Mitchie, I was thinking of when Edward said he felt protective of Bella. Just thought it was interesting. Please review and tell me what you thought!