Another read for my young, beautiful and faithful readers. Love you guys.

I admit that if I knew asking Mikayla anything about her life would strike a nerve before we began dating, I most likely would have never gotten into this mess. But what can I say, I was a fool who loved someone at their highest and their lows. Mikayla sat at the restaurant table glaring me down for what seemed like ages. Her eyes never seemed to falter before she stood.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to upset you, I just…"

"Hannah and I have a long history that you won't understand Sonny, and I don't have time to explain it. So just…," her eyes sort of lost focus, blurring as if she was about to cry. We had barley eaten the pizza at the table when she gave me the cold shoulder. "I just want to go home."

"I promise I won't bring it up again. Can we go one day without fighting?" My voice seemed lost in translation as Mikayla refaced me, her arms crossed, and eyes shooting signals at the speed of light. I sigh, waving for the waitress to bring us a container for the pizza. After safely tucking it away in a bag, I follow Mikayla outside. She was quiet once more, pacing in front of me as if I had done something terribly wrong. In just a few months we shot from being a happy couple, to an arguing, bickering, complaining, fighting couple. I hated it.

"If you're upset," I began, "I take all responsibility. I should of known if you wanted to tell me you would have already." I held the pizza tightly in my arms as we made it back to my place. It was weird not having the paparazzi shoving cameras down your throat every passing second.

"I'm not mad at you Sonny." Mikayla stopped near my door. "This has nothing to do with you." Her words kind of hit me like a knife. I guess taking it the wrong way was my specialty.

"If there's anything you want to talk about…"

"That's just it though. I don't want to talk about it. Nor should anyone else like that stupid Hannah girl should of said anything to you. She should of kept her mouth shut."

"I…," there was a part of me that wanted to clear a few things up, and another part of me that felt completely torn down. "I don't know what buttons not to press with you anymore. One minute we're fine…"

"I have to head home. I don't want to talk about this." I watched as Mikayla faced the street, her eyes glazed and distant. This is what she did. She'd run away from problems and leave me in the dark about everything.

"Can you at least stay for a little while?" My eyes searched her face although she never acknowledged my question.

"I'll call you." And just like less than an hour ago, she was gone once more. I studied the box in my arms before heading inside. My mom was laying on the sofa staring at the ceiling. "Um, mom, are you okay?"

"Oh Sonny, yes sweetie. I'm just staring at the ceiling trying to see if that's dirt on the wall, or possibly something else."

I gaze at the small speck of dark goo and squint. "Mom, I think that's pudding," I tell her, taking notice of her spoon stuffed inside of a cup. "Its definitely chocolate pudding," I confirm, walking into the kitchen to put away the pizza. Moments later I hear footsteps, turning to spot my mom at my side in her track suit.

"So, Sonny, how was your day?"

"Mom, I left an hour ago. You saw me," I remind her as she nods.

"True, but it seems as if everyday you walk through that door," her eyes focus on mine, "the glimmer kind of fades."

"Mom," I sigh, rolling my eyes as she stops me from walking away.

"Sonny. The whole reason I gave you your name was because you brightened every room you walked into."

"So I don't brighten rooms anymore?" I ask, gathering my composure.

"Its not that, but something's changing. Something is different."

"Its not me." I reassure her, "I just want to get through to Mikayla. I want her to actually open up to me again, which lately has been nothing but one brick wall after another."

"You don't talk about her much anymore… do you want to tell me why?"

"No, not really," I pull away. "She doesn't tell me much. So there isn't anything to say." I shrug away, walking towards my room only to hear footsteps follow.

"Sonny, she can't make you feel any way unless you let her."

"Thank you. I know that."

"Then what's going on?" She questions, leaning against the archway.

"I don't know." I whisper. "But I suppose she'll tell me when she's ready."

"And until then?" My mom folds her arms.

"I don't know. I'll try to make it work this time."

"Oh I see," my mom nods as if she'd figured it out. "You'll make it work. And what about Mikayla?"

"Mom," I roll my eyes, "don't lecture me please. I… I just don't want to be lectured.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I had fallen asleep shortly after my mom and I had spoken, or half spoken about my relationship. It was after midnight when I awoke to my phone buzzing. I scurried to find it, gripping the bright object before placing it against my ear.

"Sonny speaking," I chime into the phone.

"Son… Son..," It was Mikayla, I was sure of it.

"Are you at home?" I cut her off.

"Um… no," she perked up.

"Mikayla, were you drinking?"

"God Sonny, give it a break," she angrily shouted. But the odd thing was, I kind of heard her outside of the phone. I turned to find my light switch, running towards my window only to spot her barley standing upright.

"Kayla," I whispered as her eyes shot up at the light. She smiled, waving me down as I dropped my phone and made it to the front door.

"Going somewhere?" I heard my mom ask from the kitchen. She must have gotten hungry and made a light snack before going back to bed.

"Um.. I.."

"Sonny."

"Mikayla's outside, I promise this will only take a second."

"No, you tell her to come back in the morning."

"Mom, please," I gave her my best puppy dog face as she studied me. Without her approval, I made it for the door and went down the steps two at a time. Mikayla was still talking on her phone as I saw a light flash in the distance. It almost caused my heart to jump out of my chest. "Mikayla," I grabbed her hand, "what were you thinking coming here like this?" I asked as I lead her inside. I could smell the alcohol on her as if she swam in it. "My mom is going to kill me if you're in the house like this," I remind her, although she seemed slightly dazed, and confused as to where she was.

"I just… Sonny," she brushed my cheek with her fingers, warming me as I sighed, leaning her against the wall.

"There's nothing I can say is there?" I ask as her glazed over eyes barely lock with my own. "This is all my fault," I tell her, " maybe I shouldn't of made you mad earlier."

"Shush," Mikayla's shakily hand found my lips. "No talking," she shook her head as I helped her inside. My mom was still waiting for my return, but she didn't seem pleased. Her eyes were burning into mine as I released Mikayla to close the door.

"Hi Sonny's mom," Mikayla didn't slur a word.

"She's drunk again?" My mom asks as I stay silent. "Sonny, last time was a curtsey stay. We're calling her mother. Does she even know her daughter drinks?"

"I'm right here," Mikayla waved her hands, sitting on the couch before I could even help her.

"Please mom, you don't understand…" I tried to explain as she took a step closer.

"Oh, No? Then please explain this situation to me Sonny. Because this is the second time a child, Mikayla to be exact, an under aged girl, walked into my house drunk. I want to hear your explanation for this."

"I," my words were caught in my throat. But I knew if my mom called Mary, then it'd be as if she called no one at all. Mikayla's mom didn't care.

"I'm calling her mother," my mom turned away from me as I sighed in defeat. Mikayla studied me, her eyes shifting as if I had something she wanted.

"What am I going to do with you Mikayla?" I whisper as she stands.

"I'm not sticking around… for her to call my 'mother,'" she air quoted.

"Were you drinking because of me? If so then, I'm sorry."

"Shush." Her eyes found my mom when she walked back into the room.

"Is your mother not at home?" She asked.

"What?" Mikayla laughed, "no, is she ever?"

"Don't," I brushed Mikayla's hand with my own before my mom studied the deadline in defeat.

"Tomorrow we're talking. The three of us," my mom faced me and then Mikayla.

"Okay," I whispered, grabbing Mikayla's hand before leading her to my room.

"I'm not saying a word," Mikayla chanted a few times before giggling. Once in bed I sat next to her as she closed her eyes. Maybe I'd never understand why she turned to drinking. Maybe she'd never tell me what she and Hannah always fought about. Maybe this was what life I had chosen when I took her back. I bit my bottom lip, holding back my frustration tears before I pulled the cover over Mikayla and I. Another light flashed in the distance which brought the earlier fear back out. What if someone saw Mikayla tonight? What if they saw her in this drunken stupor and decided to write about it.

"You didn't leave home drunk did you?" I question.

"I..you…shush," she waved me away.

"I love you Mikayla. I just want you to let me in."

The night seemed as if it was long and dragged on. I had barely gotten any sleep due to the fact that I was worried about those flashing lights. Mikayla had awaken around six and so I made the both of us coffee. Her hair was spread across her face, her eyes staring at me as if she was still at a lost about last night.

"Good morning," I smiled as she sipped her coffee.

"So it wasn't a dream?" She whispered as I tried to understand what she meant.

"No," I shook my head. "I am the best thing to ever happen to you," I gave her a gentle grin but she stood and began to pat at her sides. "Your phone is on my nightstand." She rushes back into my room before returning.

"Do you have my car keys?"

"Uh, no. You walked…here…," that's when I realized, Mikayla rarely walked to my place, but I usually made the trip to hers. "Mikayla, you didn't."

"I didn't what?" She tried to calm herself down, but I could see the fear in her eyes.

"You drove?"

"I don't remember," she pushed her coffee away and made it towards the front door barefooted. I followed, watching as she searched the ground for her keys.

"Tell me you didn't drive."

"Sonny, stop saying that," she brushed her hair a few times with her hands before she froze, staring into the distance.

"What?" I whispered just as she kicked the ground. "Don't tell me you crashed into something."

"Um," she began walking in the direction of her house as I followed. My feet was chilled from the morning air as we neared her block, and that's when I spotted her, used to be new vehicle.

"You did." I said, thinking about her driving. "Mikayla!" I swatted at her arm, "I told you to never do that. I can't lose you. How could you be so stupid? What were you doing? Where were you going?" My voice filled the air, just as she studied her car against a pole. I was surprised no one reported it, but then again it was after midnight when she came by.

"You aren't making this any better," she complained as we walked into her house, where her mother sat. But not only was Mary there, but Miranda as well, at six thirty in the morning. "Hi," Mikayla waved, walking towards her room as I followed. I couldn't believe we made it three blocks without any shoes on.

"Mikayla, get back here," the voice was all too familiar and stern. It wasn't Mary speaking. We closed ourselves up in her room as she sat on her bed. I was still shocked that she didn't try to push me out like she had the other day.

"I screwed up," she mumbled. "No, I fucked up," she corrected herself.

"Well.. at least it was just a pole," although I felt angry with her for driving at such a state, I was relieved that she was alright. Her door swung open and Miranda stood there in all her bossy, yet angry glory.

"Sonny you have to go because I have to speak with Mikayla."

"Aren't you just her publicist? You can't really tell her anything." I don't know how, but my protective instincts had kicked in and I wasn't letting Mikayla take anything from anyone.

"You don't understand anything, so I suggest you let me speak with my client."

That word. Client. I had heard Miranda say things like that for an entire year and it never bothered me until now.

"She knows she screwed up. Why make it any worse?" I question.

"Mary!" Miranda called into the living room as I faced Mikayla. I had never seen her in such a vulnerable state. It was as if she had been knocked down into a childlike fear. Her snappy remarks and comebacks seemed to disappear.

"Just go Sonny," Mikayla whispered, laying on her bed with her eyes closed. "I'll be at the beach later if you want to see me."

"I won't go unless you want me to," my words were no match for the two women who now stood in the doorway.

"Sonny, be a dear and head home. You can use the shoes by the door," Mary was staring at me as if she had heard enough speeches for one day. Maybe Miranda had been over longer than just a few hours or something.

"I know what Mikayla did was stupid, but obviously she knows that," I had never felt so protective in my life. It was a weird change for me. I was lead out of the room by Mary, as I pulled on some sandals to walk home in.

"Miranda knows about Mikayla's drinking again. Well, obviously she knows," Mary chuckled light hearty. "But she'll be fine I promise. Mikayla does things like this to test me."

"But mother's understand right?" I question as Mary shrugs, "I don't understand her. She's been a lost cause since the day she was born."

"Then maybe you weren't the right person to take care of her," I countered just as I opened the door.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly as it sounds. I know more then what you think I know. And just to be clear, she'd possibly be better with someone who actually cares about her." I head outside, only to notice that Mikayla's car is gone. A few workers from the city are fixing the pole and a light flashes. But this time I was sure it was a paparazzi, because the guy began to call to me. I ignored him, pacing home, just before heading back inside. My mom was awake, her eyes on me as I smiled.

"Where's Mikayla?"

"At home, getting the third degree I'm sure," I rolled my eyes as my mom nodded.

"I wanted to speak with the both of you."

"Mom…"

"Are you drinking Sonny?" Her words were stern, which never happens when my mother speaks.

"No."

"You do understand that I find that hard to believe, right?"

"Mom, I would never lie to you. I've never.."

"Has Mikayla ever pressured you to drink or?"

"Mom, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself. Where is all of this coming from?"

"I just want to know if I should have worries about my only child, Sonny. You mean the world to me, and I can't explain to you how lost and devastated I'd be without you."

"Please calm down with that. Its not like I'm dying or something," I head into the kitchen to clear up the coffee cups when I notice Mikayla's phone on the table. "I'm trying to help her mom."

"Maybe you can't provide the kind of help she needs."

"Well, at least I'm going to try." I place the dishes in the sink and carry the phone into my room. It continues to light up with messages and emails. I study it, not daring to unlock it, until one messenger continues to send a message, one after the other.

Joey: Mikayla, we HAVE to talk about last night. What was up with you?

Joey: The girls are here, where are you?

Joey: Is this about Sonny?

Joey: If you love her, you have to tell her.

Joey: Mikayla?

My chest ached from the unknown as I tried to think about positives. I never went through Mikayla's phone because I trusted her completely. But as I focused on the messages that blinked on the screen every time one was sent, I was finding it hard to fight my own battle.

Stella: Where are you Kay?

Joey: The girls want to know if you're okay.

Cadence: What the hell Mikayla? Where the fuck are you?

Amy: You took the car?

Joey: You're over thinking things.

As the time ticked by and my house stayed silent, I thought about heading to the beach. I studied myself in the mirror and shuffled to the bathroom. I would shower and dress and get to the bottom of Mikayla's stress. But if her friends knew her situation, everyone else and there mother knew about her problems, even Hannah Montana, why was I the one left in the dark about it? Was I not worth opening up to?

Happy New Year. Read on Readers. I know my updates aren't as amazing as they used to be, but that's because I suck. But I love you guys for sticking with me and my Demena stories. You guys are literally the best.