I was in the mood to type, a hour and a half is a new record, well almost lol.

Thank you all so much, I sometimes want to cry because you read and review my story. But I do always smile and laugh and read over your names and say thank you over and over, even though you can't hear me…so once again.. THANKS A MILLION.

The house was pretty bright when I walked in. Max and Justin were sitting on the couch to my left playing video games while my mom was moving around in the kitchen. My dad was sitting against the island table stool reading his paper.

"So did any of you miss me?" I was trying to lighten the mood, although it felt pretty fine before I walked into the place. My dad peered over his paper, his eyes almost dim as he faced my mom. He ran her fingers over her apron before pulling it off and over her head.

"Alex, you disobeyed me," my mom just spoke in her normal tone as I stepped over towards the table where she stood on the other side.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I needed some time to have fun and not worry about if the girl I like is going to jail or not because of my mom."

"You see I thought this girl was your problem but I was wrong."

"Thank you, wait…what?"

"You're the problem Alex, you're doing this to defy me right? Fine I've learned my lesson. And I don't want this to continue."

"Mom this isn't because of you, this is because of me and what I want, nothing more," I slid next to my dad on one of the bright orange stools.

"You see I don't believe that."

"I don't care if you do or not," I ran my fingers through my hair as my dad placed his paper down in front of him.

"Alex, you've never spoke to your mother like this."

"Dad you know she's being unfair, she's trying to say that I'm using Mitchie and I'm not," I was trying hard not to raise my voice.

"Whatever the case may be you know the rules of this house. You were out past curfew and you stayed over someone else's house without informing us."

"I told Max to tell you."

"He's not us, and he's not the one that can say you can or cannot stay somewhere." I looked away from my dad and nodded. "And what are you wearing?"

"Clothes," I said before hopping off the stood. My skirt did make me feel a bit exposed in one way or another.

"I thought her teen years were going to be so easy, and they were at first until now. Until that girl started talking to her," my mom tossed her apron against the stove where pots were under the fire.

"Mom just blame me, I don't care. But you should give Mitchie a chance."

"Why? Tell me one good reason why I should."

"Because you don't know her, and all of this fighting is pushing me away from you. Mom, I love you and I would never want to hurt you, and you've always been there for me but…its time for me to make my own decisions, MY way."

"And if you get hurt?" she stared at me as I saw the pain in her eyes.

"Then it'll be one of my mistakes, and it won't be your fault," I kicked my shoe against the bottom end of the island counter as a small smoking smell seeped into the room.

"TERESA," my dad hopped up and ran behind her, a small fire turned into the entire apron lighting up under flames. My dad quickly put it out with the fire extinguisher he had under the counter. "Okay outside," he signaled to us. Max and Justin were whining because they had to get off the game even though the house was now fogged with black mist. I went out first followed by my brothers and mom and dad.

"This sucks, you see Alex, you come home and mom almost burns us to death," Justin said sitting in the grass near the porch.

"I wasn't going to kill anyone," she counted before rubbing the boy's head. The sky was still blue, it was just past four maybe. The wind was picking up a bit and my skirt was dancing around my legs, tickling my skin, and it felt horrible, I hated it. I held my arms down to my side letting my fingers hold down one end to another.

"Dad can we just go in and open all the windows?" I asked as a small figure walked on the street in the distance.

"The door is open, just let it air out a bit, give it a minute," he said as I stumped my foot. My hair brushed over my face, rubbing across my nose as I became irritated.

"Never again will I wear a skirt," I stump again as I try to look out past my hair. The wind slows down giving me a chance to brush my hair behind my ear before a voice comes from behind me.

"Hey." That voice. That voice makes my body stiff, I brush my hair again with my finger turning around to spot the person who I knew it couldn't be. My mom ran over next to me, her hand landing against my arm.

"Hey, Alex's mom, and Max and Justin, and Alex's dad," a giggle escapes.

"Nate, what are you doing here?" I ask as the boy looks around himself.

"Oh me?" he points. "I wanted to see you, and I think I might go back to the old high school," he turns to my mom who hugs him. She's never hugged the boy before and he seriously doesn't know her name.

"Okay inside," my dad said heading into the house, Justin and Max running back behind him before Max falls and stands up.

"Stupid stairs, watch where I'm going," he disappears inside as my mom walks away as well.

"And you came back to town and thought you'd come to see me?"

"You and everyone else, but yeah, you," he rose his fingers up to the hair that was over my face again. He brushed my cheek with the back of his hand before running my hair behind my ear.

"You can't just show up at people's houses without calling," I crossed my arms as he shifted back and forth on his feet.

"I didn't think you'd mind. You never did before."

"Things change Nate…people change," I watch as he snickers a bit.

"You? Yeah right, oh come on Alex, lighten up," he brushed my arm a bit before pulling back. "Okay so I didn't call, but….I mean, we never did officially break up so.."

"And you think I'm still your girlfriend? After four months?"

"I'm sure you're not dating anyone else," he looked around again.

"Maybe I am."

"Yeah right, who?"

"Who do you think?" I asked him as he shrugged. "Look I don't have time for this so, maybe you should go to those other places you were planning on going," I make my way to my house as he runs after me and pins me to the door.

"Alex come on. We can pick up where we left off."

"Really? Because where we left off you were forcing yourself onto me."

"I didn't force myself onto you…you were going along with it."

"Stop lying to yourself Nate," I reached for the doorknob as he pulled my hand away. He used his fingers to trail them under my chin.

"Alex, come on, be the good girl that you are and obey me," he ran his fingers from my chin to my neck and almost down to where my V-neck shirt began. I slapped his hand away.

"Get away from me, I don't have time for this," I moved away from under him and walked into the house slamming the door, but he opened it and followed me in.

"Mom tell him to leave," I pointed at the boy. My mom was the only one downstairs now.

"Why?"

"Mom, tell him….to…leave," I said once more as she nodded.

"Nate maybe you should go," he agreed and stared at me.

"I'll talk to you later Alex," he blew a kiss at me and left as I faced my mom. She was quiet removing her dinner off the stove.

"I can't believe this, he's talking about getting back together with me."

"Well are you?"

"WHAT? Mom I have Mitchie now…and besides…I have my reasons why I could never date him," I felt in my pocket for my phone but it wasn't there, and I didn't have pockets in the first place.

"And they are?"

"You wouldn't understand," I made my way up the stairs and to my room. I went into my room laying against my bed sighing. I left my phone in Mitchie's car and now I had no way of telling her that Nate was back. I watched the light outside go from bright to dim before I made it downstairs for dinner. Nate was sitting at the table where my mom was setting plates down.

"Mom, why is he here?" I asked confused.

"He asked if he could have dinner with us."

"When was this and why wasn't I informed?"

"It was just thirty minutes ago and I'm sorry honey, he said his mom and dad went out and there's no food in his house," my mom called my brothers and dad to the table.

"If he's here I want Mitchie to come," I crossed my arms as my mom shook her head no.

"I need time Alex," she let out.

"Mitchie? Mitchie Torres? What are you girls friends now?" Nate asked as my mom said yes before looking at me.

"Why lie to the boy?" I asked before Max hit me on the arm running past me.

"You're so stupid," I told the boy as he stuck out his tongue. "Dad sit next to Nate," I said. The sitting arrangements went Max and Justin on one end, my dad and Nate on another and my mom and I at the ends. Dinner was my mom's famous ten cheese surprise, with the eleventh cheese which was a very odd surprise. I ate slowly watching Nate, as he smiled at me and winked a few times. My mom and dad were carrying on a conservation about getting tickets to Florida for the renewal of their vows and I just tried to ignore them. When all of us were done and a large slice of chocolate cake sat on all of our plates a knock came to the front door.

"I'll get it," I let out as I moved away from the table. Everyone was still talking and eating so they barley noticed I was gone anyway. I pushed the locks and opened the door to find Mitchie, back in her jeans, smiling at me with my phone in her hand.

"You left this," she said as I hugged her close to me, wrapping my arms around her neck. I could feel the tension in the room get higher as I pulled away from her.

"Can Mitchie stay for cake?" I asked my mom as she looked around.

"There isn't anymore cake."

"That's okay, we'll share my piece," I pulled on the girl's hand as she looked at me.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Nate's here," I said as the girl rose her eyebrow and peered over my shoulder.

"Okay, why?" she asked as I shrugged.

"Can you stay?"

"Um, I don't think I should. Oh so how's your mom about us?"

"She's fine so far, but I think she still doesn't like you. She thinks you're going to hurt me."

"Alex…I never meant to hurt you."

"I know," I told her as I leaned against the archway.

"I'll see you later," she placed my phone in my hand as I nodded and watched her make it back to her car. Once she left I went back to the table.

"What did she come here for?" My mom asked.

"She gave me my phone, I must have left it in her car," I picked up my fork and sliced my cake with the edge of it before lifting the small piece into my mouth and chewing.

"So are they friends?" Nate asked as my mom nodded once more. "Wow, Alex and Mitchie friends…I would have never guess," Nate went back to his cake. I wanted to say she was my girlfriend but then again neither one of us quite said it to the other. After dessert I made my way back into my room, locked my door and laid there staring at the ceiling before texting Mitchie.

A: you should have stayed :( ....9:00pm

M: I'm sorry. I would have to hurt Nate if I did ….9:01pm

A: I could have lived with that lol …..9:01pm

M: Alex..do you still like him? ……9:02pm

A: What?! No..Mitchie……9:02pm

M: But I mean, he stayed for dinner and everything…..9:03pm

A: That was totally my mom's idea. Mitchie I would have invited you….9:04pm

M: Yeah well. I wouldn't stay anyway, I'm not wanted there…..9:04pm

A: Well I want you…..9:05pm

A: I mean I want you here….9:05pm

M: lol I know what you mean, you sooo want me…..9:06pm

A: lol…..9:07pm

M: You want me don't you? ….9:07pm

A: Don't think all perverted ….9:08pm

M: Hey I was thinking it and you said it …..9:09pm

A: I want to know that you'll love me, and always love me….9:10pm

M: We'll talk….9:30pm.

A: Mitchie I want to know if you'll always love me…..9:30pm

M: This is awkward over text. I'll come pick you up tomorrow at ten, then we'll talk……10:00pm

A: Will you always love me? …..10:00pm

M: Forever …..10:00pm

I stared at her text and thought about sending her another one but I was tired. Laying in the dark was something that could make anyone fall to sleep quickly. I pushed myself under my covers ignoring the fact that I was still in a skirt and closed my eyes. I took a few deep breaths and I was sleep in minutes, listening to my heart beat slowly, as her text played over in my head, forever.

My face was hot. I opened my eyes just to have the sun beaming against my skin harshly. I covered myself with my blanket not wanting to get up until I heard a clap.

"Finally," a whisper made me sprint up and out of my bed and over towards my door.

"What the HELL are you doing in here?" I asked feeling a draft against my skin. I pulled my skirt down as Nate lifted his hands in a defensive way.

"Chill, your mom let me in, although I could have climbed in through that window," he pointed to my left. I forgot I showed him how to climb into my room one night, that was a stupid mistake.

"MOM!" I screamed calling her.

"They left out for breakfast since you were still sleeping," Nate came over towards me as I backed up and he sat on the bed. "Alex relax, I thought we could talk about us getting back together, although we never broke up," the boy watched me as I rolled my eyes.

"What makes you think I want to even be with you?"

"Alex you loved me once, you were obsessed with making me happy, nothing's changed," he let out.

"I was stupid then, and everything has changed," I made it to my door walking out as he followed pulling my arm and pushing me into the wall.

"Alex…come on, I'm sorry," he moved away.

"Ask me again why I would want to date you," I made it down the stairs with Nate right behind me.

"I said I was sorry."

"Apology not accepted," I pulled the house phone up getting ready to dial my mom when Nate runs into the kitchen where I am pulling the thing from my hand.

"Alex please. I mean, you dress differently and everything. You look good."

"You're off topic," I told the boy as he stared down at my legs.

"So what's under that skirt that you continue to hide from me like it's something special?" I was behind the island counter moving away from the boy.

"Get out," I pointed towards the door.

"We have to get back together first," he said sliding the phone onto the counter. "Just say that you want to be my girlfriend again and then I'll leave," he stood up as if I was going to say it.

"I want you out of my house," I went towards the stairs again before making my way up them. Nate was still where he was before he sighed and ran after me once I reached the top step. I ran into my room and locked the door before getting confused.

"I locked my door last night," I said as the boy chuckled on the other side.

"You gave me a key remember?"

"Nate please, just go away," I wanted to change out of this skirt. I was finally getting flashbacks of the night he forced himself on me and I had to fight my way away from him.

"Alex open the door."

"Go home."

"Open the door."

"No," I moved away before looking for my phone. I know I pushed it under my pillow but it wasn't there.

"So what's this thing with Mitchie? Alex this girl is trouble, and she can't have you. I've seen these little messages you sent to her. If you want love, real love. I'm right here," he knocked on my door again.

"You're trying to force yourself on me."

"Did I say I wanted anything from you?"

"Yes, yesterday in front of the house."

"NO I DIDN'T, Alex don't twist things," the boy hit the thing again and I ran into my bathroom locking that door and just sitting against the toilet seat. The room was small, one shower and a toilet with a sink, all relatively close together.

"Nate give me my phone," I told the boy as he kicked my door again.

"Oh yeah," he left I couldn't hear a thing. I sat where I was and waited. I knew he finally remembered my mom's spare key to my room. With a turn of my room lock I could hear his feet shuffle across the room. A horn rung outside and maybe it was the neighbors. I ran to my window anyway and rose it up, all I could see was the front end of a black car.

"MITCHIE!!! MITCHIE!!" I screamed not in a panic but loud enough for her to hear. I saw the car lights go off before Nate pounded against the bathroom door.

"Alex come on, stop being so selfish," he hit the door with his fist making it rumble.

"MITCHIE!" I screamed again as I saw the girl walk around the front. "Mitch come to my room," the girl looked up at me before looking confused, but she nodded and in no time I heard the front door open.

"Alex? I usually wouldn't come in but it looks like you're the only one in…here," I knew she saw Nate but I opened the door and ran over to her. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," I said as I saw Nate standing against the wall.

"You don't know?" Mitchie faced me as I nodded.

"I just don't want him in here."

"Why did you let him in?"

"I didn't, I don't know how he got in here or how he knew I was home but, I don't want him in here," I pulled my skirt down more, desperately wanting to get out of it and change.

"Why didn't you tell him to leave?"

"Mitchie don't be stupid." I looked at her as if she should of knew I told him to leave.

"And how did I become stupid all of a sudden?"

"I didn't mean it..I…I told him to leave but he wouldn't."

"Nate…leave."

"Mitchie…make me," he pushed himself up and made his way over to us.

"Mitchie just call the police," the girl stared at the boy.

"Are you seriously challenging me right now?" the girl tilted her head. "You think I'm going to let you stay in m girlfriend's house when she clearly wants you to leave?"

"Your girlfriend? We never broke up," he was just within reach of the girl's fist when I stepped between them.

"We're not fighting over me…I mean you guys aren't fighting over me, Mitchie we can leave and call the police."

"I'm not scared of a tight clothes wearing boy, looks more like a sissy to me," she smiled at her own joke.

"Mitchie seriously just go," I pushed the girl backwards out the door with me following her before Nate grabbed my arm.

"Alex stop playing with me, just tell her to leave." Mitchie came back into the room and swung at the boy, her fist almost hitting him in the head but he ducked.

"STOP, MITCHIE STOP," Nate let my arm go and made it towards her swinging.

"NATE DON'T HIT HER," I ran after the boy before he grabbed Mitchie's arm and knocked her into the wall before she grabbed his neck squeezing him.

"MITCHIE, NATE..PLEASE…STOP," I hit Nate in his arm before pulling Mitchie's fingers before he dropped her onto the floor and I pushed him back.

"I said stop…please…the both of you," I faced Mitchie but she was already back up on her feet hitting Nate in his shoulder. The boy tried to grab her arm but it met the side of his face and he punched blindly at her hitting a picture on my mom's wall shattering it.

"NATE…STOP," I ran after the boy but he swung Mitchie towards me. She knocked into me causing me to fall before she swung at the boy again. I was laying against the small pieces of glass scared to move because I might cut myself, but choose to move anyway. I was find, surprised the glass didn't cut me as I watched the two near the steps.

"MITCHIE, MITCHIE, MITCHIE…NATE…LET HER GO," Nate held Mitchie up against the wall, her fist slamming against his face over and over, it turning red and his fingers holding against her neck. I did my best to use enough strength to hit Nate and knock him off the girl which he did let go and fall against the rail. Mitchie was trying to go back to him but I wrapped my hands behind her waist and pulled her against me.

"Mitchie please stop," I found myself letting tears out. I didn't think I could be so scared, I began shaking, or maybe I was shaking the entire time and just noticed it. "Mitchie please stop, please…please…please," the girl pulled away from me and stood where she was.

"Nate just go," I let out in a small raspy whine.

"I'm going to kick your ass," he pointed to Mitchie and I stepped in front of her.

"Nate just stop it," I could see him relax a bit at the sight of my tears.

"Alex…," he pointed at me. "She better watch her back, and you better watch yours," he went down the stairs and I fell against the wall in tears as Mitchie came into me but I pushed her away.

"Why didn't you stop? You should of stopped."

"Alex he…"

"YOU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED!" I screamed as the tears were burning against my skin. Mitchie came into me again before brushing my hair away from my soaked face.

"I'm sorry but he asked for it, I couldn't let him push himself on you, and I'm sorry for being over protective but that's who I am." She pushed down on my legs since they were close to my chest and I held my face in my hands. She climbed over me and stood on her knees before she pushed my hands away.

"I'm sorry okay, I'm sorry. I didn't want him to hurt you," she whispered before brushing my tears with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I would never want to make you cry."

"I don't understand….why me?...why does he want me? Why does anybody want me? I'm nobody."

"Alex..," Mitchie placed her hands between mine as I stared at her. "You are a goddess, cheesy maybe but you are. You're beautiful and amazing and perfect, and you're the girlfriend anyone would love to have. And maybe that's why he can't get over you, but you're mine now, and I will NEVER let him or anyone else hurt you," she placed her lips against mine before I took a deep breath and looked away. "Okay?" she asked as I nodded silently. My arms went around her neck as I embraced her in a hug, my lips pushing against her neck before I leaned into her ear.

"Thank you," I smiled before laying against her shoulder.

So lets see what the next chapter will bring. Only two weeks of school left, I'm excited.

NEWS: If you've read The Cruise, The Class Trip, and Committed, in two weeks look for the fourth installment, Crush.