Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Starr was sitting on Michael's couch, a notebook and pen in her hand. She was trying to write a new song, but she kept getting distracted about her boyfriend, who was in the other room. Starr placed the notebook and pen down. She leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes. It was always the same when she closed her eyes, seeing Michael smiling at her, or him kissing her, or her favorite, him shirtless.

"Hey," Starr opened her eyes to see Michael sitting down. He handed her a water bottle.

"Thanks," She said, before kissing him on the cheek.

"No luck on that new song?" Michael asked and Starr shrugged.

"I'm not in the right mindset," Starr said. Michael smirked.

"Need a little help?" Michael asked, leaning towards her.

"You're just looking for an excuse to make out with me," Starr said. Michael thought about it, jokingly, for a second before kissing Starr. He pinned her down on the couch and she smiled.

"Like I need an excuse," Michael pointed out, before continuing to kiss her. Starr giggled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Michael's neck. However, they were interrupted by someone knocking on the door.

"Michael?" Ellie called from outside. "I really need to talk to you."

"I'm a little busy," Michael said, before kissing Starr again.

"It's an emergency," Ellie said. "One that involves you and Starr." Starr looked at Michael. Michael sighed, before getting up and opening the door. "Look I'm sorry for bothering you, but this can't wait." Michael nodded and let her walk in. As he closed the door, Starr noticed that Ellie looked stressed.

"What's wrong?" Starr asked.

"I had to pay a parking ticket today," Ellie began. "So I went to the police station to do so and I ran into Lulu. And while I was paying the ticket, she told Dante about you two." Starr and Michael exchanged a look.

"What did he say?" Michael asked.

"He said he wasn't going to stand in the way of your happiness," Ellie said.

"So then nothing's wrong," Michael said. "Dante's not going to tell anyone else." Ellie sighed.

"Your brother isn't the problem," Ellie stressed. "It's Lulu. I guess she got mad at Dante for not agreeing with her. She wanted me to help her with inventory but when we got to the club, your mom was there. And Lulu told her about you two."

"Crap," Michael said. Starr bit her lip as she looked at Michael. "This isn't good." Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Ellie grabbed Starr's arm and pulled her up.

"Kitchen now," She hissed, pulling Starr towards the kitchen. Michael turned towards the door. If it was his mom, this wasn't going to be pleasant. When the knocking continued, Michael sighed and walked over to the door. He opened it and sure enough Carly was standing there.

"Hey mom," Michael said. Carly smiled at him, but it wasn't a pleasant smile. She walked into the apartment and Michael shut the door.

"So Lulu told me something today," Carly began. "And I'm really hoping it's not true."

"What, uh, what did she tell you?" Michael asked, trying not to panic.

"She said you have a girlfriend," Carly said. "And do you know who she said your girlfriend was?" Michael shrugged but it was evident that he knew where the conversation was going. "Starr Manning." She put her hands on her hips and stared at her son. "Is it true?"

"Mom," Michael started, but Carly held her hand up.

"Answer the question," Michael squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath.

"Yes," Carly looked at him in surprise, as if she didn't believe it was true.

"What on earth are you thinking?" Carly asked. "Why would you ever think that would be a good idea?"

"Starr's a good person," Michael said.

"Because good people try to kill your father," Carly pointed out, rather sarcastically.

"Why do you always do this?" Michael asked. "Why do you always have a problem with who I'm dating? You did this when I was dating Abby!"

"And surprisingly," Carly began. "Dating a stripper is not as bad as this." Suddenly there was a crash from the kitchen. A second later, Starr came out of the kitchen. She was upset, but she didn't stop. She grabbed her bag and nearly ran out of the apartment.

"Starr," Michael tried to go after her, but Carly stopped him.

"We're not done here," Carly said.

"Yes we are," Michael said. "I'm sick of you trying to control who I date. So if you have a problem with my girlfriend, you can get out of my apartment." Carly glared at her son. "Now."

"This conversation is far from over," Carly said, before leaving. Michael sighed rubbed his hands down his face.

"That was uncomfortable," He turned to see Ellie walking towards him.

"And now Starr's upset because of my mom," Michael said. "I wish people would stop bringing up what happened with my dad." Ellie gave him a look. "What?"

"She didn't storm out of here because of that," Ellie said. Now Michael was confused and Ellie could tell. "She's upset because you never told her that your last girlfriend was a stripper." Michael cursed himself and balled his hands into fists. "So if I were you, I'd go find Starr."

"Thanks Ellie," Michael muttered before nearly running out of his apartment.


Starr didn't know where she was running, but it wasn't like she could see where she was going anyways. Her eyes were clouded by tears. She was hurt and crushed. She couldn't believe that Michael had never told the truth about Abby. Finally, Starr came to a stop. When she realized where she was, she started to cry harder. Starr was standing at the park where she and Michael had gone. They had gone on the swings, climbed the tower, and fell asleep staring at the stars. That was when she realized how much she cared about Michael. Starr felt her knees go weak and she sank down to ground. It was dark and no one was around, just like the last time she was there, but this time it was bittersweet.

How could Michael not tell her about Abby? Starr knew that she had meant a lot to Michael, but she had just seemed another girl. But she wasn't. Abby was a stripper. Michael had been with a well-experience woman who probably had a perfect body and clearly had no problem showing it off. Starr wasn't like that. She saw imperfections all over.

"Starr?" She looked up to see Michael. How he managed to find her stumped Starr, but she couldn't think about that. She stood up and quickly.

"Leave me alone," Starr said as she tried to walk away. But Michael quickly caught her arm. Starr tried to pull away, but Michael was stronger than her. She turned around and slapped Michael across the face with her free hand. Michael let go of her arm and stumbled backwards. "I said leave me alone!" She turned and started to walk away.

"Just let me explain!" Michael called after her. Starr stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around, her mood shifting to anger.

"What is there to explain?" Starr shouted at him. "How you never told me that Abby was a stripper? Did you ever think that might be something I'd want to know?"

"I didn't think it mattered," Michael said.

"Of course it matters!" Starr screamed at him. "Do you know how that makes me feel? Knowing that you were with a woman like that, it just." Starr stopped, not able to finish the sentence.

"She wasn't a prostitute," Michael said.

"I'm not saying she gave you an STD you idiot," Starr said.

"Then what are you trying to say?" Michael asked.

"You were with someone," Starr began, her eyes tearing up. "Who had no qualms about showing off her body! How is that supposed to make me feel?" Michael was surprised by that. He hadn't expected her to say something like. He had heard a lot of different things when it came to his relationship with Abby, but nothing like what Starr had just said. "I'm not as comfortable with my body. I have some stretch marks and you can tell I had a baby. I just," She stopped as tears slipped down her cheeks. Michael stepped forward and wiped some of the tears away. "I just feel inferior."

"Hey," Michael said, tipping her chin up towards him. "I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"You're just saying that," Starr said quietly, trying to look away.

"No I'm not," Michael said. "I love you Starr Manning." Starr felt her breath hitch in her throat. Michael leaned down and gently kissed Starr. When he pulled away, Starr stared up at him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth about Abby." He looked down at his feet. Starr was still trying to process everything. Michael had told her that he loved her. And she still hadn't said anything. She didn't know how to respond. Michael could see she wasn't going to say anything and sighed. "I can walk you back to the Metro Court, if you want." When Starr still didn't respond, Michael started to walk away. Starr then internally cursed herself. What was she doing? This was Michael, the guy who had been there for her during the worst time of her life. He had always been a shoulder to lean or cry on. He let her stay in his apartment even though she was out to prove that Sonny was behind the crash. Michael was the best thing in her life.

"Michael wait," Starr said, running to catch up with him. He turned to her and Starr pressed her lips against his. When she pulled away, her voice was low and barely above a whisper.

"I love you too," Michael smiled at her. Starr wrapped her hand around his and gave it a gentle squeeze. Then the two began the walk back to Michael's apartment.