So I've decided to keep TheSetoProject up. In response to the guest who asked about saving my work: I don't mind as long as you don't publish it anywhere. I don't really know if you want it now, but just for future reference. And if anyone has a problem with me keeping it up, feel free to PM me and we can arrange something :p

^Business stuff. In other news, Justin Beiber got arrested! *throws party* But then he was bailed out :( Sorry to all you Beliebers out there, but I don't like him. I find it kinda pathetic how people are trying to defend his irresponsibility. I know everyone makes mistakes, but just because he's famous he gets off scot-free? I probably just contradicted all my points in T.S.P. about everyone making mistakes. Back to the story!

The moonlight illuminated the fields as I took my position outside. Shadowy figures cast off of trees, the little branches acting like fingers that could reach out and grab you. How delightful! Yeah, I stayed out of the forest.

An explosion rocketed through the silent air and I jumped. "What was that?"

I heard Mike's voice behind me. "Nothing seems damaged. I think I'm just really tired."

I shrugged. "I guess." Mike walked beside me. "Did you need to talk or something?" I asked.

"I just wanted to talk a bit more." He said simply.

I laughed. "I wanted to get out of there. Being cooped up in a small house with five men who are practically strangers isn't exactly something girls my age are advised to do." He chuckled with me.

"I miss your sense of humor." He smiled. "I remember when Esme used to invite you guys over. You'd hang out with my friends and we'd have a great time."

I nodded, having no clue what he was talking about. "Wait, were you trying to say I don't have a sense of humor now?"

"Well..." He said and I glared. "C'mon, Elle. Your idea of fun is embarrassing girls by turning the school against them."

"They deserve it." I insisted. He tilted his head.

"Oh? They deserve to be lonely and friendless? What did they do to you?"

"Some of them flirted with Vincent." I defended.

"What about the others?" He persisted. "Remember the girl who's parents were convinced she was pregnant because of you? Amber Guid. What did she do?"

"Her new haircut." I muttered.

"You didn't like it? Or was it a threat to you?"

I bit my lip. "Um... Is there even a point to this conversation?"

"My point, Elle," Mike said, "Is that you've changed. And I know exactly why."

"What?"

He looked up at me with a dumb expression. "Oh, did I say that aloud?"

"Why do you think I've changed?" I demanded.

Mike sighed. "I know you won't believe me."

"Tell me." I urged. What could he possibly say?

"Vincent isn't as perfect as you think." He paused for a moment. "I think... I think he abuses you."

My head spun, and I frowned in disbelief. My mouth opened to protest, but I shut it. He had said this so many days ago to Sky. I hadn't believed it then, and though I had no intention of believing it now I was curious. He didn't know I had heard him. If he had enough guts to tell me face-to-face, did he really believe it? "And what makes you think that?"

"You know what happened to Vincent's mom?" He asked. I nodded, of course I did. She left their family halfway through junior year. "Just think about it. When did he start having anger issues? Lashing out at you?"

I crossed my arms. "He never hurt me." On purpose, I added to myself.

"And I assume you know about the fights his parents had?" He asked.

"What?"

"They fought up until his mom left. They started right before he began dating you, coincidently..."

I glared. "What are you trying to say?"

His face fell. "You don't get it, do you?"

"All I know is that you apparently think you know more about my love life than I do."

"Elle, I know what it's like to be in love."

"You don't even have a girlfriend." I scoffed.

He ignored me. "Sometimes, you're blinded by the simplest facts."

"I'm not blinded." I interrupted.

"When things go wrong, we try to get a hold of our lives. If we're having troubles with our mom, we need a strong female presence to replace her."

My lip trembled; I was finally understanding what he was saying. "You mean-"

"Vincent needed a girl who he knew he could manipulate to stay by him. And when his parents separated, he started abusing you to subconsciously show that he had power over women."

"Stop..." I whispered.

"You were just a tool to him. A pawn in his game. He never loved you."

"No!" I shouted as loudly as I could. "Vincent loves me, he told me so! I gave him three years of my life! We love each other, you're wrong!"

"How do you explain the bruises all over your arms and legs? The others may turn a blind eye, but I care about you!"

"Eew! You're, like, in love with me?"

"I used to be able to see glimpses of Esmerelda in you, before you turned into this." He motioned towards me. "You used to be special. Now you're just like every other teenage girl on this planet. Makeup-obsessed, rude, and convinced their duty is to serve their boyfriends. Everything women have worked for, gone with one generation. You are a disgrace!"

I slapped him and he recoiled. "Shut up! You think I'm a disgrace? You spend your life on the computer, stalking my relationships and mourning over your sister! She's dead, okay? She's been dead, and she isn't coming back! Get a life! You can't change the past!"

"I bet Vincent taught you all those stereotypes. He made you into this! Don't you see? This isn't you. This is a product of your boyfriend's fantasies!"

"What does it matter? He made me better, and if you don't appreciate that then go die!" I looked him straight in the eyes. "You hear that, Mike? Go die. I don't want you here, neither does anyone else. Your sister probably left because she hated you! If I don't talk to you ever again it'll be too soon."

"Ditto!" He called as I stormed to a nearby tree and climbed on top of it. How dare he. How dare he! Insult my boyfriend, my lifestyle! Who did he think he was? He was just jealous. He probably had some four-year crush on me and couldn't accept that I didn't like him. No one likes him. I truly wished he would just go die.

Wind rushed past my face, but I ignored it. "Hey, who are you?" His voice said. "Where are you taking me?"

"Stop faking!" I called out angrily.

"Help!" A giant purple flashed passed before my eyes. My eyes widened and I looked up, watching Mike be carried by a dragon into the distance.

I don't even know what happened here. I just... Anger. Leave a review telling me who you think took Mike and who you side with in the argument (Elle or Mike)!

~Scarlettt