"It isn't like you to hide things from me Zoey." The sentence sounded stern on it's own, but all that could be heard through Mike's tone was nervousness. He stuttered a bit like he normally did when he felt frazzled. "I-I mean, I just can't believe- I don't- I don't know who did those, but it wasn't me!"

Zoey closed the apartment door behind her in a hurry. "I know, I know! But I swear, I can explain-" Zoey took her shoes off and walked up to Mike who looked like he was bracing himself for the response, hands hanging at his sides with a tight grip.

His first instinct told him it had to have been Paige or Ethan since they were all at the mall. It couldn't have been Emin, or he wouldn't be so pissed off. Come to think of it, why was Emin upset again?

"I-It was Vito." Zoey frowned, not knowing what he was going to say to that.

Mike didn't know what he was going to say to that either. He blinked twice, and Zoey tried to read his expressions. He looked confused and blanked out, as if he was still thinking about it a bit. "…Vito?" he questioned. "Then why would you go out of your way to hide it from me like that?" Mike wanted to believe her, but he felt uneasy.

Zoey reached out and took his hand. "I-I didn't know how to tell you at first, I didn't know if you were okay with it or not, I didn't… want to hurt you." Her eyes were starting to water, which made Mike give her a look of concern.

"Woah, Woah, Zoey, why are you-" Before he could finish, Zoey fell into his arms and hugged him tightly. It took only a second for Mike to hug her back, his hand patting her back as he comforted her in a tight embrace. That's what she loved about him. Even when he didn't understand, his first instinct was to comfort and protect her.

Maybe that… was in Vito too.

Zoey cried a bit harder into his chest, while trying to keep her words clear as she rambled. "If I told you about the kissing, I'd have to tell you about how he ended up drunk on the sofa slurring and flirting with me! If I told you about that, I'd have to explain how he started calling me his girl after I tried to find him at a club-And then I'd-" She almost choked a bit on her words. "I would have to tell you about how he saved me and beat a guy into the concrete and- and- my legs didn't move! I didn't do anything! I couldn't!"

Mike had a pained expression on his face. He let out a 'shhhh,' like a relaxing waterfall, which was enough to soothe Zoey and help her focus on her breathing. She didn't move from his arms, which led Mike to holding her tighter. "Hey, hey, it's okay, I'm here now."

They stayed like that for a while, before Zoey looked up at him. Her eyes still had heavy drops of tears, just waiting to spill out again.

"I always stand up for myself. No one else has been there. But, in that moment, I…" Her eyes shut. "I wasn't strong enough! He could have pulled me in that ally and I wouldn't be able to do anything! What's wrong with me?"

Mike let her head lean on his chest once more, as he rubbed her hair in a soothing way.

"I'm so sorry, Zoey. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I should have been there."

Zoey's grip around his body got tighter. "It's not your fault, Mike. I… can't believe Vito saved me. I was so pissed about him getting drunk I didn't even have it in me to say thank you."

Mike smiled a bit. He was grateful Vito was there too. Although he probably secondhandedly caused the situation, at least he was there to protect Zoey. Mike would have to remember to find him in his subconscious later.

They stayed quiet for a few more minutes before Mike lifted Zoey up. She opened her eyes with a startled expression and clung onto him. "M-Mike! What are you doing?" She blushed a bit.

Mike laughed playfully. "Taking you to the emergency room!" And just like that, he dropped her on his bed, and pretended to check her forehead for any temperature changes. "I'm sensing… stress! Stress that can only be cured by... a true loves kiss."

Zoey giggled at his dorky behaviour. "Oh please, doctor," She cried, "Who would ever come here fast enough to save me? My prince must be so far away!"

Mike leaned down and inched closer to her face. "He's right here." His tone was heartfelt, and he had a soft expression before pressing his lips on hers. Zoey smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, which led him to laying on the bed with her. He pulled away and pecked her forehead.

"And he's never going to leave your side. Even though it might feel like he isn't there sometimes," Mike put her hand on his chest while looking at her. "He'll always be here for you."

Zoey had a wide smile on her pink cheeks. Mike was the cutest sometimes.

"And soon!" Mike announced, letting his head fall on his pillow as they stared at the ceiling together. "Everyone will know the true power of Princess Zoey and Prince Mike, side by side, fighting evil!" Zoey paused for a moment while he continued laughing.

"Um… there's something else you should know." Mike turned his head and looked at her.

Zoey looked off to the side nervously. "I… didn't exactly tell them you have DID. I wasn't sure what to do in that situation, we've never talked about it before. So I thought… I'd leave it for you to tell them."

Mike nodded a bit. "Well that was sweet of you, Zoey. What's the problem with that?"

Zoey stared at him. "Well, Manitoba liked getting to flirt with me so freely so he… played along. And…" She didn't have to say anything more, Mike put the pieces together. "Oh, jeez. They think I'm some Australian wilderness expert now?" Mike sighed as Zoey grinned nervously. "Sur…prise?"

Mike chuckled a bit. "I'm sure I can fix that the next time I talk to them." His face quickly fell to a frown. "If Emin ever talks to me again."

Zoey raised a brow, turning on her side as she looked at her boyfriend. "Right, you guys were yelling a bit. What happened?"

Mike closed his eyes, trying to remember what he could.

"I think… I accidently gave him the wrong idea."

"The wrong idea?" Zoey asked. "What's that supposed to mean? Did you say something?"

Mike turned on his side as well to look at her. "I think it was the way I said things. Maybe I was too nice. Manitoba probably said things too, you know how smooth he can sound sometimes. I think… Emin likes me a bit." Mike blushed a bit from embarrassment. "Like… likes me."

Zoey pouted a bit. "I didn't know that." Mike simply looked back at her. "I didn't know that either."

It took a moment before Mike continued. "I think he was bullied for a while. He seemed really set on believing I was 'one of those' people. Not to mention we have to present together tomorrow. He's going to hate me."

Zoey pat his shoulder. "No he won't, Mike. Just talk to him when you can, I'm sure he'll understand." The girl sighed as she snuggled on Mike's shoulder. "Ugh… and school. I'm going to be honest, I don't even want to go tomorrow."

Mike reached out and pulled the blanket up on them a bit more, before wrapping an arm around Zoey. "You deserve a break. I know… a lot has happened recently." Zoey looked up at him with puppy dog eyes. "Will you stay with me?"

Mike laughed a bit. "I wish I could, Zoe, but I've gotta present tomorrow, remember? And I don't need Emin hating me more than he already does." She sighed dramatically, which lead her warm breath grazing the skin on Mike's neck. He blushed a bit, but didn't say anything about it. "Fine," She whined, closing her eyes. "I'll have to be grateful that you're with me right now then." Mike let his eyes close with her.

The two stayed in each other's warmth for a long while. It was moments like these where they felt they were falling in love with each other all over again. Zoey wondered who would be the first to say that out loud.

As she thought about it, one of her hands slipped under his pillow, only to feel something unusually hard underneath. Her eyes opened for a moment as she was about to speak but decided against it when her eyes met his relaxed expression. Zoey moved her hand back on his chest again. Her eyes closed once more as they drifted off.

…

The clapping of the class was enough to bring Mike back to his senses. Reading off his script was easy, but doing it right next to Emin after everything that had went down was way harder.

"Well done, really! Absolutely stunning! I could feel the love through your characters pouring out of you!" Mike wanted to facepalm. Did Mrs. Blanque always have to be so over the top?

As the two walked off stage, Emin didn't look back at him for even a second. "Emin!" Mike yelled, in a hushed voice to not interrupt the current presentation which was starting. "Em, let me talk to you!" No response. Emin tossed his script to the side and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking down.

"Emin, I swear, I wasn't trying to-"

"-Yeah yeah. That's what they all say. Oh, they were just jokes! I didn't mean it!" Emin began walking down the steps of the stage.

Mike walked closer to him, until they were side by side. "No, Really, I have Dis-"

"If you don't leave me alone, I swear, I'm going to get out of here."

The Italian placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "Em, please."

Before he knew it, Emin had snatched his bag from the edge of his seat and ran out the class, causing a few people to perk up and look in their direction. It was a good thing Mrs. Blanque was so intrigued with whatever performance was going on, because it gave Mike enough time to grab his backpack and run after him.

However, by the time Mike was outside the class, he literally didn't know which way Emin could have gone. To be honest, he didn't really wander around the school before. He only went to his classes and then waited for Zoey. Mike was about to turn left when he heard the large doors down the right side of the hallway slam shut. Maybe when Emin said he'd leave, he literally meant he'd leave school. Mike felt upset with himself for making someone feel that way.

He ran down the hall and opened the door, walking along the side of the school wall and trying to find Emin. He peeked his head down the entrance, but didn't see him. Emin's car was still in the parking lot. Maybe he went to the back of the school.

Ignoring the puffs of marijuana that filled his nostrils as he passed by, Mike searched the back of the school for any sign of Emin. No luck. He was nowhere in sight. Where could he have gone? Maybe another student had opened the door, and Emin was really just inside the entire ti-

His thoughts cut off when he felt a force shove him onto the peach bricks of the school. Mike's shoulder slammed into the wall pretty hard, causing him to wince horribly. He didn't know who it was, but he knew it definitely wasn't Emin. For a moment, Mike thought of his uncle Vinnie, but his memories slowly faded away momentarily as he looked at the kid in front of him.

The guy had a smirk on his pale face, as he ran a hand through his chin length hair. "Well, look who it is. Mr. Oh I'm so new here, all the girls love my tan." Mike's expression was full of confusion as he stared at the dirty blonde.

"Who… are you?" Mike's question was enough to slap the smug grin off the guys face. He furrowed his eyebrows in anger. "Jeremy. I'm surprised Zoey didn't tell you about me. The real question is, who the fuck are you?" Something told Mike this wasn't exactly going to be a friendly chat.

"Well, my name's Mike." He tried to smile kindly, but it was obvious he was nervous. "I don't know why you're mad at me, but there has to be some misunderstanding. I have no idea who you are." Jeremy walked closer to him with clenched fists. "You're right, maybe it is. But from what I've seen, you've been around Zoey a lot. So I'll give you one more chance to re-answer the question."

Jeremy slammed his palm on the wall next to Mike's head, who flinched a bit. "Who the fuck are you?"

Mike gulped a bit. He really didn't want to fight. He already had a mess on his hands he had to clean up.

"I'm Zoey's boyfriend." Mike responded confidently, knowing his love for Zoey was true. Before he could even add on, that got him a quick fist to the face.

Mike cringed hard as he covered his nose with his hands and sunk on his knees. The flashbacks of his childhood were stunning him, causing him to twitch and shake his head. His cheeks felt like they were getting hotter and hotter.

"Daww, newbie's scared." Jeremy mocked. "How cute." Some delinquents were watching the scene unfold, laughing and cheering a bit. Mike looked like a baby mouse who was about to be pounced on by a wild cat.

"Just, back off…" Mike mumbled, loud enough for Jeremy to hear. He laughed at the subtle threat. "Oh, I'm so scared! The new kid's shaking is too powerful for me! Someone, please, help!" A few other kids laughed as they formed a crowd around them.

Mike finally pulled his palm away from his face, staring down at the blood dripping off his skin. His heart sunk down to his stomach as if he was dropping on a rollercoaster. A rollercoaster that he'd never get off of.

No. Not again.

"Ooooh, he's getting all mad, isn't he? What are you going to do? Cry for Zoey to come save you?" Jeremy crossed his arms against his striped tee and took a step closer to him. "Get up, pussy."

Mike didn't respond. He was too overwhelmed by what was happening. The feeling of the hit was nothing, nothing compared to the experiences he's had before. Yet here was, on the floor, shaking like a leaf.

There's blood on me. Again. It can't be real.

Jeremy's cackling echoed around the yard. He was proud of himself for already bringing Mike to silence. Looking down at him, he swung his leg and smashed his sneaker into Mike's shin. Mike let out a groan and bit his lip to shut himself up. Pain shot up his leg as he held it with his other hand. Jeremy bent down on one knee to get at his level.

"What a shame, not even a while here and you're already screwed. Why don't you be a good little bitch and back off from Zoey then? Or, even better, why don't you get the hell out of this town? Nobody wants you here."

Mike snapped his head back up, and let his palms hit Jeremy's shoulders, shoving him backwards with all his strength. It sent Jeremy falling on his bottom, obvious anger rising in his eyes. He reached his hand into the pocket of his jacket, glaring down at Mike who simply stared back at him.

"I told you to back off." Mike warned once more.

"Shut up! Obviously you're just a stupid new kid who doesn't know anything. No one, No one, fucks with me and get's away with it."

And just like that, a shine of silver caught Mike's eye. Jeremy used the pocket knife and swung it at Mike, cutting his shirt and slashing his shoulder. Mike's eyes widened.

At first, he didn't feel anything. By the time he looked down, blood was seeping through his turquoise shirt, a burning pain starting to spread through the wound.

I need an escape. There's so much blood. So…much…

Mike could feel himself being pulled away from his body. All he could see at this point was crimson red all over himself. His vision got blurry, and his breathing got out of control. He looked back down at the slash on his shoulder. His shirt was ripped.

Don't freak out. This is good. Vito can help.

Jeremy was standing up by now, smirking down at the pain he caused. That was surely going to send a message to Zoey. A few students were shocked, and chattering began to fill up the yard, their phones being pulled out to record the rest of the scene.

"It's too bad, all the ladies took you for some hot, strong guy. But here you are, laying on the floor and bleeding out. You look pretty fucking stupid-" Jeremy finally shut up for a moment, his cocky expression becoming wide eyed, as he stared down at Zoey's stupid boyfriend.

Mike was wiping some blood off his nose, looking up at Jeremy. His teeth were gritting, and he was scowling at the blonde like a fox would growl at a bunny. Half his hair was hanging down and covering his face, making only one of his eyes visible. The dark atmosphere Mike suddenly had caused Jeremy to step back a bit.

"Yeah, Mike is pretty fucking stupid." He muttered. Jeremy did not say a word. What was he supposed to say to that? Mike's voice was suddenly deeper. He must be pissed off.

Jeremy laughed nervously. "W-Well, shows over, so, time for me to go, loser." Right as Jeremy turned around to leave, Mike somehow already stood up, hand on his shoulder, gripping down on it with his nails sinking into his skin. Jeremy winced as he was dragged backwards and got pushed furiously into the wall.

"W-What the-" Before he could even react, Mike shoved his hand on his throat, squeezing on it tightly and pressing a thumb under his chin.

The crowd was freaking out, but nobody stepped in. Heh, they never do.

Mike's grip tightened, keeping his icy cold stare down at Jeremy who was gasping for breaths. Mike's eyes- or rather, eye, was half lidded, a smirk staying on his face as he watched the bully squirm like a fucking worm.

Mike didn't care that his shoulder was bleeding out. He lifted Jeremy up by the neck with the same arm, just to prove that the slash wasn't going to change anything. "So, you want to fuck with my shoulder, huh?" Mike turned around and whipped Jeremy on the floor. His voice cracked for help as he finally got a breath of air, doing his best to crawl away from Mike.

Mike chuckled before sneering at him in disgust. "It's too bad, all the people at this school took you for some scary, tough guy. But here you are, laying on the floor, and about to be bleeding out." Mike practically shoved himself down on Jeremy, shoving his knee into his back, and ignoring his pathetic cries for help as he grabbed a hold of his wrist.

The kids watching shouted in horror, as Mike twisted Jeremy's arm backwards, not stopping until he heard his shoulder pop! out of it's socket. Jeremy screamed out in agony, a searing pain rapidly burning through his shoulder. He begged Mike to forgive him with his weak squeaky voice.

"Not so big and tough without your knife, are you?" Mike pulled the silver pocketknife which was stained from his own blood out of Jeremy's pocket. He flipped it open and turned Jeremy over, who was crying at this point. His face was full of fear as Mike pressed the knife to his bruised throat. He noticed another mark already on his chin, and smirked.

"Looks like someone else has been here before. You don't stop, do you?"

"Plea-" Mike interrupted Jeremey's pleads by pressing it down on his skin even more. It was almost about to cut him. "So, what's stopping me from slitting your throat right now, huh?"

"M-M-Mike, Look, I-"

Mike's expression dropped in un-amusement. He leaned closer to Jeremy and whispered in his ear with his distinctive voice.

"It's Mal."