Melly,

I know you're tired and worn out from school and work, and I made this extra long and special to try and make you feel better, so I apologize for the extended wait. I hope I brightened your day even just a little bit. If I made you smile, then I've done my job as your best friend. :)

-Kaela

Chapter 14

Mel was still standing there when Mike returned, carrying his Math textbook under one arm. He smiled when he saw her, but the smile quickly died when she didn't smile back. "Is everything okay?"

Mel chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, debating what to say. Finally, she just spat it out. "Did you use me for sex?"
Mike looked taken aback. "What?"

"You heard me," Mel said, tears stinging her eyes. She didn't know if she was more angry or sad. She was so confused. "Did you use me?"

Mike stared at her, a stunned look in those impossibly clear blue eyes. Somehow, the fact that he seemed so surprised only made her angrier, and she took a step forward and got in his face, waiting for his answer.

"Of course not," he breathed at last. "I never would...I..."

"Tell me the truth!" Mel cried, causing the people around them to turn and stare. She didn't care; she just held his gaze.

"I am," Mike said, looking right back at her. Her eyes were full of pain and fear, and he wondered what could possibly have gone wrong in the ten minutes he was gone. What had occurred to make her so angry with him? They had been fine earlier. He didn't understand.

Mel struggled to keep the tears from falling, but she failed miserably. They spilled down her cheeks and fell to the scuffed floor, allowing everyone to see just how upset she was. She swiped them away ferociously, but they continued to fall despite her best efforts. "I don't believe you," she whispered, her voice quivering.

Mike looked like he'd just been punched in the stomach. He just looked at her, not even bothering to hide the pain on his face. The sight of that only made Mel hurt more, and the hurt made her even angrier. She slammed both of her hands into his broad chest, shoving him hard and causing him to stumble back a few steps.

"No!" she screamed, her hair flying around her. "You're not allowed to be hurt! You hurt me!"

"I didn't," Mike replied, his voice steady and calm. He knew that Mel had a lot of repressed pain buried deep down, and he also knew that she was only lashing out because someone had said something to provoke her. He refused to make it worse by raising his voice at her. That would only drive her further away, and he couldn't lose her. "Someone else did, not me."

"Shut up!" Mel cried, pounding her fists against his chest. "Shut up! Shut up! It was you!"

Mike stood there and let her beat on him, hating to see her cry. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and soothe her, but he knew that she would only shove him away. "Not me," he whispered.

Mel clamped her hands tightly over her ears. "No...you hurt me...you used me...you did..."

"I never did," Mike said, gently taking her wrists and lowering her hands from her ears. "Remember who I am. I love you. You know that."

Mel shook her head, refusing to hear what he was saying. Something inside of her was keeping her from falling into his arms and believing him, something extremely strong. She had been hurt so many times before that she couldn't let herself trust him. Trust led to betrayal, and she couldn't handle anymore of the latter.

So she lashed out even more and slapped him hard across the face.

Mike didn't even flinch. Instead, he did the opposite of what she expected and pulled her into his chest, wrapping his muscular arms tightly around her. Mel continued to struggle, thrashing around and crying, "Let go of me! Let go!" But Mike held her tight, and suddenly the barrier within her gave in. A surge of emotion poured forward, and she collapsed against his chest, sobbing so hard that she surprised even herself. All of the pain and fear and anger that she had been holding back for so long came rushing out, and her tiny body trembled from the force of it.

As for Mike, he just held her close, knowing that she was finally letting go. A large crowd had gathered by now, but neither of them cared. He simply turned so his back was to them, shielding his girlfriend from their judgmental stares. Her tears were soaking into his shirt, but he didn't mind. He knew that this was a big moment for her, and that after this she would finally be able to let him in.

Some impulse made him turn his head, and he spotted Maryse hanging back at the edge of the crowd. There was an angry look in her eyes and her glossy lips were twisted into a scowl. She noticed him looking and met his gaze for the briefest of seconds. He had just enough time to see an evil gleam in their brown depths before she whipped around and stalked away, shoving people aside so she could get through.

Ah, he thought, so that's who put these ideas into Melly's head. He was angered by that, but he felt no need to go after her and accuse her of it. She had actually helped he and Mel's relationship by getting her to let her walls down. If anything, he should thank her.

When Mel had finally managed to calm down to sniffles and soft whimpers, Mike gently helped her up. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you out of here."

Mel looked hesitant for a moment, but she saw the love in his eyes and knew that everything he had told her earlier was true. She gripped his arm tightly and allowed him to lead her toward the front doors. The crowd of students parted before them just like Moses parted the Red Sea, and Mel kept her eyes on the floor as they moved along. They reached the heavy double doors, and Mike pushed them open and guided her out with a gentle hand on the small of her back. Then the doors swung shut behind them, and the only sound was the wind whistling through the trees. The sound the ruffling leaves made was similar to a gentle sigh, and to Mel it was as if even nature approved of her finally letting go.

"Where are we going?" Mel asked tiredly as Mike led her across the parking lot. She hunched down into her sweatshirt, trying to protect herself from the cold. She had left her jacket back in her locker.

Mike noticed, and he shrugged out of his purple and orange letter jacket and handed it to her. Mel pulled it on and then slipped her hand back into his once again. She was afraid that he was angry with her, and she didn't want to let go of him. He didn't seem angry, but she didn't know for sure.

"A special place," Mike murmured as he opened the passenger door of his truck. He helped her up into the seat just like he always did, and waited until she was safely inside before shutting the door. Then he went around to his side and hopped in, and in no time they were heading down a road that led out of their tiny town.

Mel looked out the window, her curiosity peaking. She forgot her concerns about Mike and said, "Mikey, why are we heading out of town."

"Be patient, babe," Mike replied, shooting her a warm smile before returning his attention to the road ahead.

The fact that he had called her "babe" put her fears to rest, and she settled back in her seat and looked back out the window. Fields flashed past, the crops contained in their fences brown and dying. Even so, it was a beautiful day; the sun was shining overhead, slowly driving away the cold. Mel let its rays warm her face, and for the briefest moment she felt happy.

About fifteen minutes later, Mike pulled off of the main road onto a dirt one. They bumped along, and soon thick trees and brush lined the road on either side. They drove for awhile longer before Mike pulled the truck over to the right side and put it in park.

Mel looked around, confused. Nothing but trees surrounded them. "Mikey, what...?"

Mike kissed her gently, hushing her for the moment. "Just follow me," he whispered after they broke apart.

He got out of the truck and opened Mel's door for her, this time placing his hands on her hips and lifting her out. He set her gently on the ground, and then he held his hand out to her.

Mel took it immediately, curious as to why they were out in the middle of nowhere. Mike led her through the grass to the edge of the trees, and as he moved aside a few ferns she saw a faded path that stretched off into the depths of the forest. It had been overgrown and was impossible to see from the road. That fact alone told her that Mike had been here before.

They followed the winding path for a ways before a wall of ferns blocked their way. Mike turned to her and smiled. "We're here."

"Where?" Mel questioned, but he simply motioned for her to go ahead.

She took a hesitant step forward and reached out, brushing the ferns out of her way. Then she ducked through the small hole she had made and straightened up. What she saw made her gasp with wonder.

A large clearing stretched out in front of her, trees pressing in on it from every side. Soft grass still carpeted the ground here, most likely because the tops of the trees above formed a protective green canopy. Golden sunlight streamed through the gaps and dappled the ground and foliage here and there, and when a breath of wind happened by, the trees shifted with it, causing the sunlight to fly all over the place. The clearing felt magical, and Mel walked slowly out into the center, turning in a circle and taking everything in.

The faint rustle of leaves behind her let her know that Mike had come through as well, and she turned to face him. The look of amazement in her eyes made him smile, and he said softly, "Watch this." He stopped next to a bush that was speckled with small white flowers and shook it gently. A dozen golden butterflies took wing, fluttering around the clearing. Mel watched them flap through the air, a smile tugging at her lips. One landed on the back of her hand, and she studied it before holding her hand up. The butterfly took off again, and this time she smiled fully as it fluttered up toward the leafy canopy overhead.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, breaking the peaceful silence that seemed to be the norm in a place like this. At the moment, she wasn't sure which part of the hidden clearing she meant. Everything was beautiful here, and she had never felt more serene.

"It is," Mike agreed, and as she turned to look at him she realized that he was looking directly at her. A warm feeling filled her from her toes to the top of her head. How could she ever have doubted him?

"What is this place?" she whispered, continuing to look around at all of the gorgeous flowers. The butterflies had settled on a new bush, and the more she looked the more of them she saw. They were everywhere, and all of them shone as brightly as the sun.

"I found it about a couple of years ago when I was hiking," Mike replied, a fondness in his eyes. "I like to think of it as my special place. You're the only one I've ever brought here."

The fact that he had trusted her enough to bring her to his special place made her realize just how much he loved her. More tears stung her eyes, but these were tears of happiness.

Mike took her hand, and Mel lifted her gaze to his face. "Dance with me?" he murmured.

Mel was too overwhelmed to speak, so she simply nodded. She moved into his arms, and he held her close as they moved together, spinning slowly in the center of the clearing with the sounds of the forest serving as their music.