Chapter 04: Don't Leave Me

A/N: AWWWWWWWW YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH two chapters in a week! NEW RECORD! Actually, I've been in chapter 14 since like a month ago, but I've been preoccupied with stuffs... sorry :)

LUVLIFE113 IS AMAZING GO CHECK OUT HER STORIES BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE LOLLIPOP-FLAVORED CUPCAKES WRAPPED IN DOUBLE RAINBOWS! (imagine just how fattening that would be... but then again, rainbows are made of light and..) ANYWAY. On to the story!

Allison – Day Four

"Morning, sunshine." Michael's voice chimed.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw his smiling face inches away from mine, and blushed immediately. I noticed that his arms were at my sides, trapping me underneath him.

"Gerroff!" I pushed him aside playfully, and he fell to my right, diving with that melodious chuckle.

I looked around and saw that everybody was gone, and their beds were fixed. "Where is everybody?"

Michael got up and offered me a hand, pulling me up gently. "They're already in the Mess Hall."

"THE FOOD! Why didn't the council wake me up sooner?" I asked, grabbing my sweater and rushing out.

Michael grabbed me by my arm to stop me, and spun me around. This caused me to trip on my own feet. The super-klutz I am.

I fell into Michael, and he supported me gingerly, and we locked eyes with each other. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

I was the first to break the connection – my sweater's sleeve slid off my shoulder. He pulled it up for me, and zipped my jacket. I smiled gratefully.

"It's Yellow's team's turn. Chill, Aly, you would've gotten a concussion." He smiled, making me melt. Do I really have to say that I smiled, too?

I was the first to notice that I was still in his arms when a little bunny hopped into the room. I stood straight, blushing, and giving thanks. I picked up the little creature and marveled at it. "We should get this little guy back to the wood."

"Yeah, let's." He said, and went with me to the trees. His hand was at the small of my back, guiding me. Lord, what have I done to deserve such a beautiful angel?

Once I let the rabbit free – whom I now call Bugsy – Michael led me towards the Mess Hall.

"Hey. The outhouses are up." I said.

"Yeah. Didn't you hear them last night?"

"Nah. I sleep like a rock." I smiled.

Everyone was eating, delighted with the sweet treat Yellow prepared.

"And of course we saved some for the Amazing Aly and… oh, what's the word… Merry? Yeah, Merry Michael!" said Zach, handing us a plate of the scrumptious food.

"Thanks Zachy-boy!" I said, ruffling his hair. Adorable.

"Yeah, thanks." Michael smiled, taking our plate, and guiding me to where our friends were at.

"Hey!" Our district greeted us.

We sat down in the middle. Sophia on my left, and Laurel on Michael's right.

"Oooh so is Michael like, in to you?" Soph whispered.

"Well duh he is we've known since day one." Kennedy mentioned softly.

I started blushing. "Do you really think he does?"

"Why, do you like him?" Soph asked.

"No."

"Well, that goofy grin and your cheeks say otherwise." Morgan said, snickering.

"Oh shut the fart up." I said, and began sharing my meal with Michael.

Michael – Day Three

Allison Isabella Hawthorne Mitchell is a beautiful, smart, creative, caring, kind, sharing, klutzy, generous, selfless, and funny girl. Oh, and did I mention that she can cook? She is over-all amazing.

And I want her to be mine.

Just a while ago, she wrote a song. She wrote a song for somebody. She did not tell me for who, but I'll find out. And I'll be at the top of my game, I'll win her heart. No matter what it takes.

Laurel – Day Two

Michael Thot is an intelligent, funny, caring, and handsome guy.

And I like him, a lot. Love him? Maybe, maybe not yet.

But he's Aly's. I sense that. So I should back off. Besides, there are like, ten other guys my age here.

Aly's a very nice person, and I like her a lot. I know she likes Michael, too.

But there's something specific about Michael that I can't place. I don't want anyone else but me to have him.

Just wait, Michael. You'll have the hots for me soon.

Michael – Day Four

I just sat down beside Laurel one second ago, and already she's... well, flirting. No girl has ever flirted with me before – other than Astrid (we'll get to know her later) – but this is probably what it feels like. A few times she tried wrapping her foot around mine, and I did not like it one bit. She's gotta get off my case.

When she finally stopped talking, I smiled politely and turned to Aly, who was holding Jimmy.

Jimmy's stomach grumbled. "Yeah, I wasn't able to eat much."

"Here, have some of my share. I'm not that hungry anyway." Aly said, offering her half of the plate to Jimmy-boy.

"Thanks, Aly." Jimmy said ever so gratefully, hugging her. She's so selfless, so giving. She's wonderful. I'm sure dad'll approve right away.

"Aly, you can have my half." I said, pushing the plate towards her, remembering my goal.

"Oh, Michael, you really don't have to. I have to cut back, anyway." She said with her beautiful smile.

I wasn't gonna cave so easily. "What do you mean? You're not fat!" I stated loudly, assuring her of her perfection. The whole table was looking at me now, and I blushed profusely, embarrassed.

"Oh… thanks, but it's not that." She said, smiling shyly. "I can't have lots of sugar or I'll explode."

"Mega sugar-rush?" Campbell said.

"Yup." She replied, popping the 'P'.

"Oh. Ok, then. Sorry." I said. She smiled widely at me and hugged the little boy on her lap.

"And that's why I get all the candy in Halloween while she eats fruit!" Jesse said as he passed by, taking one of the small cookies from her share.

"Hey!" Hunter started, but Aly waved him off.

"It's alright. Don't mind him. He's like that all the time." She smiled, giving Jesse half of 'the finger' so it's not so obvious. Those who did notice, though, laughed.

"Love you, sis!" He exclaimed sitting down with Greg and Migle with the other Blue District members.

"Hate you too, bro!" She shouted back, laughing. That laugh. I'll never forget that charming little laugh.

"Psst." I heard from across the table. Eric.

"What." I whispered. He slid a note and crayon towards me, and I opened it under the table.

'Do you like Aly? You keep staring at her…' It read in his scrawly handwriting.

'Yeah, I do. But don't tell anyone yet. I'll talk to you later.' I replied.

'You mean you'll talk to me and Hunter. He knows, too. Anyway, if you like Aly, then why the fuck were you playing footsie with Laurel?' he wrote back. I stared at him and frowned. I subtly shook my head. "Later." I mouthed. He grinned with Hunter, and we all joined in on the conversation on the table.

The girls and the two younger boys stayed behind to help out the Yellows. I stalked off with Hunter and Eric towards the water pump with two carts, five barrels, and some buckets. Actually, Eric was on toilet duty, but it was excuse to talk.

"So, talk. NOW." Eric bumped me with one of his buckets, snickering.

"What do you want me to say?" I said as I hauled one of the carts.

"How you feel about Aly, man." Hunter said, grinning.

"I like her. A lot. Period."

"Noooooo you like her a lot," Eric said.

"But…" Hunter added, making me finish.

"Laurel." I said.

"Damn, you like Laurel, too?" Hunter asked.

"Hell no, man!"

"It's the other way around, dumb-but." Eric said, thumping Hunter's forehead.

"You thwacked me!" Hunter said. "He thwacked me!" He said, facing me now.

I just smiled and kept going. "She's kinda annoying." I stated.

"Yeah, she kind of is."

"She can't take a hint, man. And she's like, tiny twelve!"

"Yeah, and you're fucking fourteen." Eric sniggered.

"HELL YEAH." I said, proud of my dominance. I know, it's stupid.

"Aly's fourteen, too." Hunter reasoned. "Are you older, or younger than her?"

"I'm older. Her birthday is after mine."

"So when's yours and when's hers?"

"Mine is on May 2 and hers is on the 7th."

"Ooh, that's a sign, bro." Eric said.

"Yeah you guys were born in the same month. Five days apart." Hunter pointed out.

"And so what if we were born five days apart on the same month?" I said as I began filling the barrels with water and loading it.

"You guys were made for each other! Dude, May is like, the fifth month." Hunter said, following suit.

"Five is a magical number, dude." Eric said, filling his buckets, too. "It's so sad. D'you know that, like, half the guys here like her, too?"

"Seriously?" I asked

"Yeah, man. I heard DK, Mike and Guylan talking about her yesterday."

"Yeah, so did Greg and Blaine." Hunter mentioned.

"Good thing I like you." Eric said.

"Huh? Why?" I said.

"'Coz if I didn't I'd totally go for her, man."

"Yeah, me too." Said Hunter, smiling.

"Ha ha, thanks." I said sarcastically.

"No problem." Eric said.

"Shut up, moron. It's enough." Hunter said.

"Don't tell me what to do! I'm older than you!" Eric said.

"But I'm smarter."

"Fuck no."

"FUCK YEAH."

"Meany." Eric started.

"Dickhead."

"Shitbag."

"No-balls."

"Dumbass."

"Would you two just shut up?" I demanded, chuckling. "Let's head back." I said, as I finished loading the carts.

Allison – Day Four

"Michael! Michael! Where the heck are you?" I searched the town. Where the heck is he? Breakfast was enough to last us until dinner, therefore no lunch was prepared. So, Michael asked me if he'd want to go to the saloon and grab some root beer some time later.

"Hey Campbell." Jimmy greeted from my side. "Have you seen Michael?"

"No, sorry." He shrugged. "Hey Jimmy, wanna go jack-rabbit hunting with Cody and I?"

Jimmy looked up at me with those puppy-dog eyes no one can resist. "May I?"

"Awww!" I squealed, an crouched down to his level. "You don't gotta ask me, Jimbo. Go ahead!" I said smiling, ruffling his curls.

He smiled the widest, toothiest smile a little boy can give, and hugged me, then ran off with Campbell. "Bye, Aly!" Campbell shouted.

"Yeah, bye! Oh, and if we see Michael we'll let him know where to find you." Jimmy said, waving.

"Ok, thanks! Be safe, ok?" I said. He was too adorable. "If I see one scratch-"

"Yeah, you'll ground me." Jimmy said, halting.

"No, I'm bringing you to the Medical tent."

"Yeah, ok. Bye!" He shouted now, running at full-pace. They grow up so fast. I joked with myself and took off for the saloon.

I stopped on my tracks when I noticed Sophia dancing – yeah, you heard me – in the middle of town.

"Sophia, what the heck are you doing?" I asked.

"Dancing for nickels. I want that bike." She replied as she continued dancing while Mallory donated ten cents. "Thanks, Mal!" She smiled, and looked at me. "So, are you gonna help me or tell me to stay away?"

"Why would I tell you to stay away?"

"Well, Olivia paid me a nickel to move farther away from her bunk."

"You know I'd love to help, but I'm like you. As broke as fudge."

"Yeah true. Ok, bye then."

"Bye." I said, turning to continue on my way. "Wait, have you seen Michael?"

"Um… last time I saw him was with Eric and Hunter after breakfast. They went to haul water."

"I hauled water a while ago... They weren't there."

"Maybe they were through. Why do you want to know anyway?"

"He told me to meet him in his bunk at 3 to go to the Saloon. It's 3:45 already."

"Wow. Well, I'll let him know where to find you if I see him."

"'Kay, thanks. Bye Soph! Good luck."

"Adios, my good friend." She said as I walked away.

Jimmy – Day Four

Cody, Campbell, and I haven't left for the desert-y part yet. There was this one family at the edge of town.

"There's one!" Campbell pointed out. "Get it!"

"So, do you guys think that if ever they do catch a jack rabbit it'll help Jimmy stay?" I heard from behind me. I spun and saw it was Michael talking to Eric and Morgan.

"Michael! There you are!" I shouted pointedly. I ran to him and started talking.

"Jimmy! Calm down! I can't understand a word you're saying!" He said, crouching down to my level.

"Aly has been looking for you for an hour now! She said you promised to meet her in your bunk at 3 to go for some root beer!" I panted.

"OH SHIT I FORGOT!" Michael said running, then thought back. "Sorry, I meant shoot." He said apologetically.

"Yeah, whatever. Just go already!" I said smiling.

"Thanks, Jimmy! I owe you one!" He said, waving, heading to the saloon.

Allison – Day Four

"Where could he be?" I said quietly as I was starting to get bored on my barstool. I've been here for thirty minutes.

"Who you waitin' for, sweet cheeks?" Greg asked as he cleaned some glasses in the bar.

"Shut up, Greg, that's my sis." Jesse smiled, pushing Greg to the side.

"Just trying to cheer her up."

"So, who are you waiting for?"

I looked at him and wondered if I should tell him. If I didn't, he'll annoy it out of me. If I did, he'd ruin my chances with Michael. "Why do you care?"

"Coz' you're my sis." He said, leaning on the counter. He sensed that I wasn't gonna budge, but I bet he still wanted to know. "Boy or girl?"

"Boy."

"Ah."

"Yeah. Now buzz off."

"Hey, you know I promised mom that I'd protect you."

"Yeah. But you never allow any guy to come near me. You had your first girlfriend at the age of nine."

"I was a kid." He reasoned.

"Yeah, and now I got hormones." Greg and Blaine laughed, entertained by our conversation.

"I don't want you to date yet coz' there are lots of players out there. I don't want you hurt."

"Yeah, players like you."

He sighed, knowing he won't win. "I'm sorry." He said sincerely, swiping the table one last time with his rag.

"If I tell you, you'll only ruin it for me." I whispered. He looked back at me.

"I promise I won't. If you don't wanna let me know, I'm totally cool with it. It's your business." He said. Raising his hands up in surrender, and kissed my forehead. "Just know that I got your back."

"Yeah. Ok." I said, and stood to walk away. He stood me up. I thought, and headed out.

I decided that I should haul some more water, so I went. Then I heard people talking.

"Michael!" I know that voice. "Wanna come to the girl's bunk tonight? I could get you a VIP pass…" She said, sounding flirtatious. Laurel.

"Laurel…" He said, sounding… I don't know… He was breathing heavily. Did he like Laurel?

"You know you want to." She said, and I could picture her feeling him up.

Fuuuuuu. No wonder he stood me up. He likes Laurel, not you, you idiot! I thought as I ran as quietly as I could. No one would ever like me the way I want.

Michael – Day Four

"Hey Michael!" Laurel appeared from nowhere, stopping me in my tracks.

"Hi Laurel. Sorry, but I really got to get to the saloon." I said breathing so heavily from all the running.

"Ooh, wanna get me a drink?" She said, winking.

"Actually-"

"So, I've been thinking…"

"Sorry Laurel but I-"

"Michael!" she said, trying to get my full attention. "Wanna come over to the girl's bunk tonight? I could get you a VIP pass…"

"Laurel…" I said shocked, still breathing so heavily.

"You know you want to." She said flirtatiously, sniggering.

"Sorry, but I don't really…"

"Maybe next time then. Go on, I won't keep you. I'll let you get me that drink sometime soon, too, ok? Bye Mikey." She said, as she skipped away happily.

Crazy girl. I thought as I ran into the Saloon. "Jesse!" I shouted to the first person I saw. "Hey have you seen your sister?"

"Yeah, man. She just left." He replied as he set up a shot for Pharaoh.

"D'you know where she went?"

"No, dude. Hey were you the one she was waiting for?"

"Yeah, probably."

"You should've seen her. She was so bored and sad. You stood her up! She was here for half an hour, you know?

"Crap."

"Yeah crap. You'd make a horrible boyfriend." He said, and went back to his work.

You'd make a horrible boyfriend.

I'd make a horrible boyfriend.

"Fuck." I cussed silently, and ran back out to look for her. But then, cameramen were telling me to head for the old barn house. Jonathan was there, ringing a bell.

Allison – Day Four

I won't let this get to me. I won't let Laurel and Michael get to me. Let them be friggin' happy. I pepped myself up as I fixed my appearance and headed to the barn for a town meeting with Jonathan.

"Welcome, Pioneers." He said as we settled into our benches. Michael spotted me and tried to get me to sit beside him, but I pretended that I didn't see him, and sat with Jimmy in the third Green bench instead. He seemed kind of sad, but I didn't let it get to me.

I kind of saw Laurel winking at Michael from the Council table.

I kind of saw Michael smile.

I kind of got a little jealous. No, I kind of began to fume.

Count to ten… one, two, three…

"Every few days…" Jonathan started talking. I was kind of zoned out until he asked us: "Are you happy with the job your council is doing? If so, raise your hand." He said, and almost everyone did. "If you're not happy with the council, raise your hand." I waited for a while, then Sophia and my hand shot up. She looked back at me and smiled. I smiled back.

Michael looked back at me and smiled, with a little frown. I played poker face.

"Sophia, why do you think so?" John asked.

"What's making me really angry is that a lot of people aren't willing…" She started, giving her opinion. After which I was asked to do the same, but all that needed to be said already was.

Then another argument started and some people know that I don't like it when people are talking at the same time, so loudly and close. (AKA Michael Thot.) I felt a migraine coming.

He gave another well-thought out speech which got everybody clapping. I knew I should have, to give him support, but I couldn't listen to him talking.

Then Laurel spoke. Then people clapped. I really lost it then. Tears were falling, and Hunter – on my right – noticed. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"Migraine." I said hotly.

He turned to one of the cameramen crouched down on the floor – so he won't be spotted by other cameras, of course. "Please get her an aspirin. She's got a migraine."

"Hunter, it's fine –"

"No, you clearly need it." He said, rubbing the small of my back.

"Thanks." I said smiling.

"Don't mention it." I really don't know him that well, but I knew he was a good friend. I leaned into him and rested my head on his shoulder, noticing a pair of eyes watching.

"Ok. Second order of business. I know it has been an emotional few days, and a lot of you miss your folks." John said. "I'm gonna ask this question in every town meeting. Does anybody wanna go home?"

I thought for a while. Maybe I do.

"This decision is irreversible. You can't change it, so I hope you really mean it. Do you want to leave this entire experience and go back home?

Never mind, I don't. I'm not ditching this place for stupid feelings. Besides, I have my brother.

"Taylor, you were feeling pretty homesick," he began. I zoned out here, too. She replied, but I didn't catch it. My headache was the worst.

Then clapping. I guess she decided to stay.

"Does anyone else here wanna go home?"

A while passed and just when we thought that no hands were going to raise,

One did.

It was small, and right beside me.

That hand belonged to none other than Jimmy Flynn. I looked at him with shock, but he kept his eyes focused on Jonathan, a straight face. I began to bawl silently in Hunter's shirt.

"Jimmy. Why do you want to go home?"

"I feel really homesick. I think I'm way too young for this." He said, and I started crying harder. The aspirin finally came and I took it quickly.

"But-" I said, but then stopped because I couldn't speak right now.

"I think he's more mature than other kids." Eric pointed out. Everyone agreed.

"Exactly! Jimmy don't leave, please, please, please."

"It's scary." He said looking at me. I saw tears well up in his eyes too.

"Do you want to leave this entire experience and go back home?" Jonathan asked again for assurance.

"Jimmy, come on. Please don't go." Was heard in the barn.

"Wait. Can I please, please, please talk to you in private, Jimmy?" I pleaded.

He nodded, and we were led outside. I knelt on the hard ground and looked up at him. "I'm not doing a good job, am I?" I squeaked.

"No, you are!" He reassured.

"Then why leave?"

"It's not the same, you know?"

I thought for a while. "Yeah, it's not. But we can stick it out, right?"

He thought. And thought. And thought.

"Please don't leave me…" I begged.

"Aly, you've been the best not real sister that anyone could've ever had." He stated, hugging me.

"But it's not enough."

He just looked at me and helped me up. "Let's go back in." he started.

"Jimmy, I love you like a lil' bro. Never forget that, ok? I'll protect you no matter what."

He smiled apologetically and we went back in. All eyes on us, I tried to hide all those tears coming out like a waterfall.

"So, Jimmy, what's your final decision?" Jonathan asked.

I was so hoping he would say that he'd stay. But he made it pretty clear that he felt like he didn't fit in.

We looked at each other. So much emotion was put into that one look. Hurt. Fear. Sadness. Wanting. Love.

He looked back up at Jonathan. "Jonathan," he said. "I think that…"

He paused. I hate pauses. Just prolongs what anticipation you get.

And he looked at me again, then to his friends Campbell and Cody.

"I'll stay."

All hell broke loose. Everyone was clapping and cheering, so enthused by his act of bravery. They cheered even harder when lil' Jimmy ran over to me, taking me into his death grip.

"I can count on you, right?" he said.

"Of course." I whispered. My mind magically cleared of the pounding.

After everyone settled, Jonathan went right back on track. "Well, that was a heart-warming episode, don't you think?" Most agreed. I just smiled as I hugged Jimmy – who was now safely on my lap. Tears gone, I looked genuinely happy.

"Now to our last piece of business before we close. And I think you guys are gonna like this. Take a look at this, you guys." John said as he pulled out a golden star from a burlap sack.

"Cool!" We all said together.

"It's a gold star trophy that the council is going to give one of you in every town meeting." He said, showing it off. "So council, who did the best job? Who will be the first gold star pioneer? Why don't you guys huddle up, take a few seconds, then come to your decision."

"Well the person who we thought worked the hardest this entire time they have been here" Laurel spoke. I really don't like her right now, but that trophy would look great in me room. "is Aly."

I was shocked, and happy, Jimmy climbed down from my lap and sat next to me as Laurel gave me the shiny star. Everyone clapped, especially Michael who cheered. I smiled at him. Man, this star is heaaaavvvy.

"Aly, why don't you come up here." John gestured. I did as told, smiling so widely. "Congratulations. Say a speech."

"Umm… I wanna thank the council of course, for noticing that I've been trying really hard. For my brother, and my friends, you keep me going. By the way I'm sorry if I may have been bossy, I'll really try to improve. I know everyone can get this, just work harder and believe."

Cheers.

"Now, Allison, you're really happy with this but I'm going to tell you something that will drive you nuts." Jonathan said, facing me. I nodded, bracing myself for what will come. "That star you're holding… pretty heavy, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's worth it's weight in gold, literally. Twenty thousand dollars." He said, smiling.

My mouth hung open, and so did some other people's. "HOLY FRUITCAKES." I exclaimed, jumping up and down.

"Heyyy you're gonna share, right?" I heard as Jessie called out, earning some laughter.

"But this isn't over. You and your parents can decide what to do with it later on.

"Oh my God. You're joking, right?"

"No."

"And I get to keep it? It's mine?"

"Yes it's yours. Twenty grand."

"Oh my God."

Cheers.

"Thanks so much, guys. I'm gonna keep working."

"What do you think your mom would say about this?"

"I think that she'd freak and that we'll raid the mall. And this means Jesse and I have college funds."

"Well, maybe you should give her a call."

"C-can I?"

"Aly, here is the only key to the only building in Bonanza with a working phone." He said holding up a little black object and handing it over. "Why not take this key, unlock the door and tell her the good news?"

"Ok! Oh my God. I'll see you guys later!" I squealed, running to the little building.

A/N: Review review review...

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AND I WILL LURVEE YA FOREVSIES.

XOXO Bella :)