Disclaimer: I do not own Camp Rock or Wizards of Waverly Place. Nor do I own PlayStation, Rent, or "Take Me or Leave Me."

I had writer's block, which is why this chapter took a little longer. Also, school started up again. So updates may not be as often as they were for the month of December. Just a head's up.

"I'm coming, hold on!" Mitchie yelled out of the open bathroom door as she pulled on her robe.

As soon as she'd gotten home and texted Alex to let her know she'd gotten there okay, she decided the best thing to do would be for her to take a hot bath. She was stressed about leaving Alex to deal with Justin after he saw them together, still exhausted even though she'd taken a nap that afternoon, and her feet were swollen. She'd just wanted a nice, hot bath. But as soon as she was about to get into the tub, some lunatic started banging on the door.

She knew right away it wasn't Alex. Alex would have just zapped herself in. And Caitlyn would be yelling at her to get her lazy ass to the door. And both of her parents had keys and even if they lost them, they would not be pounding on the door like that. She had no idea who this could be.

Tying the robe to cover her completely naked body, she took a look through the peep hole. Justin was on the other side running a frantic hand through his hair while nearly busting her door down with the other.

Mitchie did her best to close the robe before opening the door, but it was a little difficult with her protruding stomach. She bunched the top together with one hand while she pulled the door open with the other.

"What is it, Justin?" Mitchie asked nervously, her hand going down to the middle of her robe, closing it down there too. She didn't want him to see anything, after all. But, she was still anxious to see why he was there. After all, he didn't just randomly stop by unannounced. And he most likely had just had a fight with Alex.

"Where is she?" he asked, looking around. He walked in and swiveled his head all around, trying to catch a glimpse of his sister.

"Who?" Mitchie asked, kicking the door closed so she could keep her garment closed with her hands.

"Alex!" Justin exclaimed, running into the hall. "She in here?" he asked, pointing to a door he'd come to figure out was Mitchie's bedroom.

"No…" Mitchie said uncertainly. After all, Alex could very well be in there for all she knew. Her girlfriend had a tendency to just pop in without a word. But she highly doubted it, because Alex would have said hi.

Justin shook his head and opened the door, walking in the room. Mitchie thought this was a little rude since she hadn't invited him inside, he'd just barged in, and now he was just going into her bedroom without permission too? She frowned and crossed slowly to hallway. She could hear Justin open and close her closet door and then he was crossing the room. He was leaving it so fast he nearly bumped into Mitchie. He stopped abruptly as to not knock his sister's girlfriend down and cleared his throat.

"It appears she isn't here," he said in a monotone, showing no emotion.

"Why would she be?" Mitchie asked. "Did you fight with her about us? Did you give her a hard time about it? Because if you did, I'm just as mad at you as she is. And you're not welcome here, so get out." She pointed towards the door. "I love her, Justin. Once you get that through your head, maybe you can come back." She stood up proudly, forgetting about holding her robe closed. She was feeling bold. Finally, she was fighting for herself again. Only this time, it wasn't just for her. It was for Alex too. And it was all because she actually had something worth fighting for.

"Mitchie, we did fight a little, but I didn't give her a hard time. Actually, I told her I support you," Justin said.

Mitchie dropped her arm to her side. "You do?"

He nodded. "I didn't want you guys together at first, but after Alex made her case and I really thought about it, I don't want you apart. You, for whatever reason, make Alex be not such a pain in my ass." He smirked. "It's a miracle, really. You just make her better in every aspect."

Mitchie smiled and blushed, pulling her robe tight around her again. "Thank you." Her smile dropped. "So why are you looking for her, then? Did you not tell her that?"

"No, I did. She and I are on great terms." Justin sighed. "It's our parents. They overheard some of it and jumped all over her. They think like I used to, that Alex is bad news and is just trying to mess you up."

"But she's not!" Mitchie protested, frowning deeply.

"I know, but they don't trust her enough to realize that." Justin frowned as well. "They told her she needs to stop seeing you. Oh, and by the way, I think you might be fired."

Mitchie's jaw hung open momentarily before she yelled, "What?"

Justin winced at Mitchie's outburst. "I said I think you might be−"

"No, I heard you," Mitchie interrupted. "I can't believe this! How can they do this to me? To Alex?"

"They don't want you together," Justin said with a shrug. "I guess they figure if you aren't around each other you won't be tempted to date."

"We see each other for school," Mitchie pointed out.

Justin's face twisted unpleasantly. "Yeah…about that…"

Mitchie groaned. "What now?"

"They said they're enrolling Alex in public school," he said.

Mitchie starred at him blankly for a few seconds. "Move," she said, pushing him out of her way to get to her room.

"What are you doing?" Justin asked.

"Getting dressed so I can go talk to your parents, then help you find Alex," Mitchie said, hand on the door, ready to close it. "They can't do this."

"Mitchie, I could help you find another job," Justin said. "It's no big deal."

"This isn't about the job, Justin!" Mitchie yelled angrily. "This is my life your parents are fucking with! They're not taking your sister from me. God knows how much I need her right now. And I'm not letting her go without a fight."

Justin stared wide-eyed at Mitchie. He was shocked for several reasons. One, he'd never heard Mitchie curse before. Two, he'd never seen her that forceful or angry before. And three, she didn't have her hands on her robe anymore, and the top was starting to open.

"Uh, Mitchie…" he choked out, his eyes the size of basketballs.

"Yeah, I know, I'm naked!" Mitchie yelled, slamming the door shut in Justin's ogling face. On a normal day she'd be terribly embarrassed, but today she was too enraged. She'd probably be dying of embarrassment because of it later, but at the moment, Mr. and Mrs. Russo had just pissed off a severely hormonal pregnant teenager.

Alex didn't go to Mitchie. She wanted to. God, did she want to. But that would be the first place they looked. She'd go eventually if she could. She knew Justin probably went straight to Mitchie's apartment to look for her while her parents went to Harper's. That was another place she considered going in the entire three seconds she took to consider her destination. But that would have also been stupid. She even mused to idea of going to Caitlyn's, but just popping into the home of someone who didn't know she was a wizard didn't seem like too good of an idea. Plus, she didn't know where Caitlyn lived anyway.

She had no clue what prompted her to choose the place she'd ended up. Maybe old feelings. Old feelings of resentment.

She sat in the center of the empty apartment, the dust settling slowly from her falling to the floor and unsettling it. The landing had been a little rougher than she intended, but she'd been in a hurry. In her last second on Waverly Place, she envisioned this place in her mind. She never thought she'd be back, but here she was.

As she picked herself up off the floor of what she knew as the Malone apartment, she began to dust herself off, keeping her wand in her hand. It had been over a year since Dean and his family had lived there, but it still smelled like the family. There was the scent of Dean's cologne and over-used hair gel hanging in the air as well as his father's aftershave, his mother's perfume, and Nikki's body spray.

The family had moved out and a new one had never taken their place. It was obvious why. The place wasn't exactly a palace. It was falling apart when the Malones had lived in it. The sink dripped, cabinets were hanging off the hinges, and the toilet rarely flushed. Dean was a genius when it came to fixing cars, but a dunce when it came to household chores−and life in general; his father was the same.

She crossed her arms, hugging herself slightly as she saw a cockroach scurry from a shadow and into the moonlight shining in from a window.

Alex lifted her hand that was holding the wand and gave it a flick, making the lights of the apartment come on. She had to close her eyes for a few seconds then blink a few times, but they soon adjusted. The place was a mess. There were cobwebs and more cockroaches running, trying to find shelter. The floor was covered in dust and dirt. Normal apartments wouldn't be this messy after being uninhabited for a year, but this was Dean's apartment.

She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself again. The apartment also had not been heated, which made it just as cold as outside, and Alex had no jacket. But that was fine. She was cold, matching how her heart felt at the moment. A buzzing sound filled the room and Alex knew it was her phone. Not even checking who it was, Alex grabbed it from her pocket and turned it off, slipping it back in soon after.

She was so angry with her parents. How could they do that to her? To Mitchie? Why couldn't they see that Mitchie was the best thing that ever happened to her?

She needed a quiet place to be alone, to think. Which is why she'd chosen to come here, where she knew there was no chance of seeing another person. Her anger also led her there. She was so mad when she was thinking of where to go. She didn't think she'd ever been more angry with anyone in her life or resented them more. But then she remembered Nikki. And that's how she got where she was.

Alex walked through the empty apartment, past the spot where the couch had once been, past the deserted kitchen. She walked through the doorway to the hall where the stupid beaded hanging thing she really didn't understand used to be hanging. She looked in the first door to the left, Dean's room. She could still see his posters of cars and bikini clad girls hanging above his bed and it made her shake her head a little. Dean was such a boy. She missed him sometimes. He'd been a great friend.

Next she walked past the bathroom until she got to the second door on the right. She pushed the door open and a shiver went down her spine. This was Nikki's room.

Frowning, she could still see the queen sized bed that once occupied the center of the room. It was on that bed that she'd had her first kiss with a girl. It was a day she'd never forget.

As fifteen-year-old Alex washed her hands in the sink after having used the bathroom, familiar music started drifting to her ears.

Curious, she slipped out into the hall quietly and followed the sound of the music to Nikki's room. The door was open and taking a peek inside, Alex saw a beautiful sight.

Nikki was on her bed, sprawled out and reading a magazine. She had on those short jean shorts, just like the day Alex had met her. Her tank top was riding up a bit, revealing the tan skin of her back as she lay on her stomach, which also gave Alex a perfect view down the other girl's shirt. Her hair was down and fell in ringlets down her back. Alex couldn't help but stare in awe. She was just so beautiful. When she realized what she was doing, however, she shook her head and came to.

Nikki still had her eyes glued to the magazine. Alex could make it back to Dean's room without being noticed and she could act like this had never happened. But, as soon as she took a step back to make her retreat, she stepped on what must have been a loose floorboard.

CREAK!

Alex froze instantly as dark eyes flickered to her own. She was too scared to move. She thought for sure Nikki was going to start yelling about her being a little creep and spying on her. But, they yelling never came. Instead, Nikki smiled.

"Russo, right?" she asked, not taking her eyes from Alex.

"Yeah. Alex," the younger girl said, standing in the doorway awkwardly.

"What brings you to my dwelling?" Nikki asked, glancing down at her magazine again. "My twerp of a brother boring you in there?"

"I heard your music," Alex said, avoiding the question and gesturing to iPod set up with some speakers, playing "Take Me or Leave Me"

"You like Rent?"Nikki asked and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Of course." Alex nodded. "I love it."

Nikki gazed at her with those dark brown, almost black eyes. It made Alex a little uncomfortable, like Nikki was sizing her up. She felt like she could see right through Alex and read her every thought. Something flickered in Nikki's eyes, and Alex had a horrible realization.

She knew.

Nikki really could see right through her and knew Alex's innermost secret just by looking at her. She had no idea how, but somehow she could tell that Nikki knew of Alex's struggle with her sexuality, which had increased a lot since she'd first laid eyes on her boyfriend's sister.

Nikki grinned at Alex and got up from her bed, extending her hand."Dance with me," she said, still smiling.

Alex looked down at the hand, which she knew held so much danger. It led to a world of hatred and no acceptance. Simply because it was a girl's hand. Then Alex glanced over her shoulder, to Dean's room, to safety. He offered her such a simpler future, though he had no freaking clue.

"I should be getting back to Dean," Alex said, looking back at Nikki. "He's probably wondering where I am." Actually, Alex was fairly certain Dean had not even noticed she'd left the room. He was too busy playing some stupid racing game on his PlayStation.

"And if he goes looking for you, he'll find you with me." Nikki shrugged, flashing Alex a white grin. "No big deal."

Alex felt it was a huge deal, but she couldn't help melting a bit at Nikki's smile. Slowly, one of her own made its way to her face.

"Okay, one dance," she caved. "But then I have to get back to Dean."

"Great." Nikki grabbed Alex's hand and pulled her into the room and close to her body, closer than Alex thought was appropriate for a girl and her boyfriend's sister.

Nikki placed her other hand, to Alex's dismay, on her waist. Alex tried to hide her disappointment as she placed her other hand on Nikki's shoulder. Nikki was the boy. Alex wanted to be the boy. She'd always felt awkward dancing with guys, wishing she could put her hands on the waist instead. She was curious to find out if her theory was right and it would actually feel better dancing like a guy, but she didn't get the chance.

Soon, Nikki began to lead. Alex fumbled a bit, not having much experience with dancing. They twirled around the small space, Alex watching her feet the whole time. When she finally glanced up, Nikki's eyes were on her. The older girl smiled and Alex gave her a nervous one back.

Nikki let go of Alex's waist and lifted her hand for Alex to spin under it, which she did. Alex instantly went back into Nikki's arms right after, though. Then, without warning, Nikki dipped her low. Alex let out a surprised yelp but grinned when she felt Nikki's hand supporting her back. When Nikki brought her back up, they took one look at each other and began laughing. They leaned into each other, arms around one another as they giggled like fools, even though it was not that funny. Alex felt Nikki's weight shift and make them fall onto the bed, where they continued to laugh.

Soon, though, when Alex realized their position, her laughter slowed, as well as Nikki's. They gazed at each other as Nikki moves strands of Alex's hair from her face. Then, slowly, Nikki leaned forward. Alex felt her heartbeat quicken when she felt Nikki's lips on hers. They were softer, sweeter than Dean's. She liked them better, and that scared her. She kept her eyes open and wide the whole time Nikki was that close, and they remained that way when the other girl pulled away.

Without a word, Alex got up quickly from the bed. She didn't look at Nikki at all as she turned and left the room, just as the song was ending with the last line of, "I'm gone."

She went back to Nikki's room every single time she visited Dean after that. They never spoke of the kiss. Instead, they talked about clothes and other girly things. Then, one day Nikki closed her door while Alex was in the room. Alex thought it was odd, but said nothing. Instead, she went over to Nikki's closet to see the new clothes Nikki told her she had bought.

Without warning, Nikki's hand was on her shoulder, spinning her around. She grabbed Alex and pinned her against the wall, immediately placing her lips on the younger girl's.

Alex crossed the room and stared at the wall against which she'd had her first make out session. She gave it a good kick, resentment flooding her again.

Did she resent Nikki? Yes. She did. Very much.

Nikki had been the first girl she'd ever cared about, and Nikki had just used Alex for her own personal gain. She just wanted someone to have fun with, someone she could control. She wanted someone who was clean, good, and pure. Maybe not in morals, but as far as sexual experience was concerned. Nikki was no better than a boy. She'd wanted to have a young girl who would do whatever she wanted. She wanted someone who would give themselves willingly. Someone who would do anything to keep Nikki interested because Nikki was so big and important. Someone who would be honored someone of Nikki's age with Nikki's beauty would choose them. But mostly, Nikki wanted a virgin.

Alex prided herself in seeing right through Nikki in the end and not giving her what she'd wanted. As Alex leaned against the wall Nikki had first pushed her into, realization hit her.

Nikki was her Shane.

She and Mitchie had more in common than she thought. The only difference was Alex had been sober and able to make the right decision when the time came. Unluckily for Mitchie, though, she had not been.

As she thought about it, she was certain had she not broken things off with Nikki that next day, Nikki would have done so because she wouldn't have gotten what she wanted. And then, even if she had, she might have still broken it off.

Alex slid down to the floor and gazed around the room where two of her firsts had taken place: her first kiss with a girl and her first make out. She was just thankful she hadn't fallen in love with Nikki because that was a first she didn't get to claim. Mitchie did. And, to Alex's pleasure, there was another first Nikki didn't have, nor did anyone else: her first sexual experience.

Being a virgin to some people was a good thing and to others a bad. Alex felt it was good for her case because she didn't want to give her virginity to someone she didn't love. And she was glad she'd stopped herself from allowing Nikki to take it. Now, she could give it to someone deserving: Mitchie. It didn't bother her that she wouldn't be Mitchie's first if they ever did have sex. She'd at least be her first girl. That was something.

Did she want to have sex with Mitchie, though?

YES.

The answer came so quickly to her that she had to chuckle at her hormones. Yes, she was a normal teenager, that was for sure. But she didn't want to have sex with her now. She felt like she'd be imposing on the baby. It just didn't seem like it would be right. Not then, at least. Mitchie's body was her baby's at the moment. It was off limits to Alex in certain aspects. That's how Alex felt about it, anyway. Though it seemed like a waste because she'd heard from a movie or something that sex was supposed to be really good for pregnant women. But then again, maybe it was a good thing if they didn't have sex when Mitchie was pregnant because what if it was really good but Alex couldn't repeat that after the baby was born? It was all too frustrating to think about. So she just stuck with no sex until after the baby was no longer attached to Mitchie's body.

But after that kid was born, it was on.

Alex smirked and shook her head. Wow, her hormones really were getting the best of her.

She looked around the room, thinking about how much distaste she held for the girl that once inhabited it and how much love she had for her girlfriend.

"Fuck you, Nikki," Alex said to the empty room, her voice echoing off the walls. She knew she was the only one that would ever hear it, but it still made her feel better, empowered.

Nikki no longer had a hold on her.

Mitchie emerged from her room fully dressed, ready to leave. Justin stood from the couch when he saw her.

"Let's go," she said urgently and grabbed Justin by the arm. "I want to get there as quickly as possible, so what way do you suggest?"

Justin placed his hand on the handle of his wand, pondering. "Alex said she told you about our family…And what we are. Is that true?"

"What?" Mitchie asked curiously and releasing the boy's arm. She thought she knew what he was talking about, but if Alex hadn't told them she'd spilled the wizards secret, she didn't want to get her girlfriend into more trouble.

"Starts with a W," Justin prodded.

Mitchie nodded, realizing it was okay. "Wizards. Yeah. What about it?"

Justin nodded as well. "The fastest way to get us there is to zap us. You up for it?" He pulled his wand out and spun it in his fingers. Alex's wand was nicer, Mitchie noticed. But maybe she was just biased.

"Is it safe for the baby?" she asked, placing her hands on her stomach and looking down at it.

"As far as I know," Justin said. "If anything happens, I know a time reversal spell that will fix everything."

"I don't know, Justin…"

"I got here by zapping," Justin said. "That means I have no car. And I have no money for a cab. This is the fastest way. Unless you want to take the subway…"

At the mention of the subway, Mitchie grabbed Justin's arm again tightly. "Just do it…"

She closed her eyes when she saw Justin lift his wand. For a moment, she felt a little dizzy and her ears popped. Once the feeling of spinning stopped, she opened her eyes to see that she was now standing in the Russo apartment.

Jerry, who was sitting on the couch, jumped in surprise. "Theresa!" he yelled upon spotting Mitchie, who did not look pleased.

"Is Alex back yet?" Justin asked his father.

"Not yet. We called Harper's house. She wasn't there. I see she wasn't at Mitchie's," he said, not taking his eyes off the angry pregnant teenager standing in his living room.

Theresa descended the stairs, spotting a girl who wasn't her daughter standing in the living room.

"Why is Mitchie here?" she asked.

"I don't know," Jerry said before turning to Mitchie. "Are you here to get your job, back, Mitchie? Because if you are−"

"I'm here to get my girlfriend back!" she interrupted loudly, making Jerry look at her in surprise.

He and Theresa exchanged a glance before Jerry sighed and turned his attention back to the girl.

"Listen, Mitchie…"

"No, you listen," Mitchie said harshly. Her tone surprised even her. She was never this rude to adults. But she couldn't back down now. This was too important. "I love your daughter. And I know she loves me. She is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I need her right now, especially with all I'm going through. You don't think she is mature enough to handle it, but I know that she can. You don't know her like I do. She doesn't talk to you like she talks to me." Mitchie balled her hands into fists, trying to stop herself from crying. The thought of losing Alex was too much. "You don't want her with me because you think she's bad for me. Shouldn't that be my decision? My own parents let me make it. They know about and support my relationship with Alex."

"But then why did she keep it from us?" Theresa asked, interrupting.

"Do you honestly not know the answer to that question?" Mitchie shook her head. "She knew you'd do exactly what you've done, which is try to take me away from her. That's how she sees it. She doesn't see it as you trying to be good, responsible parents. She sees it as a personal assault against her, and what's more, against me. You don't think we should be together, but look how good we are for each other! Have Alex's grades ever been better?"

"No," Jerry admitted quietly.

"That's not because of Justin," Mitchie said, pointing at the boy.

"Hey," he protested.

"Okay, it's a little because of him," Mitchie said quickly. "But a lot of it has to do with me. She does her homework because I push her to do it. She listens to me, cares what I think. So she does better."

"It's not just with school work, guys," Justin said, sitting in the arm chair closest to the door. "She's becoming a much better person, which she tried to tell you. But you wouldn't listen." He gave them a hard look. "She hasn't pranked me in I don't know how long. And I haven't had to fix one of her problems she caused by spell mishaps since she got her new wand."

"She has been doing better in wizard lessons, too," Jerry said to Theresa.

"See?" Mitchie asked. "You liked what a positive influence I was on her before you know we were dating. Why should that change now?" She looked at them, pleading with her eyes. "I can't lose her now. She's my rock. She took my broken heart and put it back together, stronger than it was before. I was so broken until I met her. I need her way more than I've ever needed anyone before. She's seventeen. She's not a little girl anymore. She knows what she's doing and she knew what she was getting into when this relationship started. She's more mature than you give her credit for. I didn't ask her to take on this responsibility. She chose it knowingly. And now, I'm counting on her. Please, do not take her from me when I need her most."

Jerry and Theresa exchanged worried glances, communicating silently. Theresa stepped forward.

"Mitchie, what if you're wrong?" she asked. "Alex thinks she knows way more than she actually does. She changes her mind a lot. She's reckless. She ran off tonight, showing how immature she is. We know our daughter. We're afraid something will make her change her mind and she will leave you broken."

"Then let me decide whether or not I want to take that risk," Mitchie said confidently. "Don't make it for either of us. It's not your life. It's mine and it's Alex's. And we need to be in charge of it."

After about fifteen more minutes of sitting in Nikki's room and giving herself time to calm down, Alex decided it was time to go home. She stood, her joints popping. She groaned as she flicked her wand, putting the lights out again.

No one saw her disappear from the darkness as she cast the spell that transported herself from the Malone apartment back to her home.

She appeared in the lair, dusty and stiff from sitting so long. She gave her wand another flick and the dirt fell from her clothing, to her satisfaction.

Expecting her entire family to be out looking for her (except maybe Max, who was probably in his room completely oblivious), she walked into the living room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw four people in the living room. Her mom, dad, and Justin she could understand. It was Mitchie that shocked her the most.

Everyone looked up when she walked in. Mitchie stood from her seat on the couch where she'd been sitting after her little speech. Her jaw was set tight with anger as she crossed the room to Alex.

"Where the hell have you been?" Mitchie exclaimed. "And why haven't you been answering your phone? I've been calling and texting you!"

"It was off…" Alex said quietly, a little frightened of her girlfriend at the moment.

"But where were you?"

"I was…I…"

"Oh just shut up and hug me!" Mitchie exclaimed, cutting Alex off and stepping closer to the other girl.

She wrapped her arms around Alex's neck and pulled her close. Alex's hands instantly went to Mitchie's waist. As she rested her chin on Mitchie's shoulder, she thought about how much of a mood swing that was, but let it go. She focused on nothing but Mitchie and how happy she was to be with her, how much she'd been wanting to hold her for the twenty minutes she'd been gone. She closed her eyes and held Mitchie tighter, though not too tight as to harm the baby. By now she knew just how tight to hold her girlfriend.

When she opened her eyes, she saw her parents looking at her. She cleared her throat and pulled away. Mitchie gave her a disappointed look, but Alex just shook her head, stepping in front of Mitchie as if to protect her.

"Look," she said to her parents. "I love her, okay? And I'm going to keep dating her. And if you can't deal with that, well then…Well you're gonna have to learn to." She knew the last line was lame, but she really didn't have a threat. "And I'm not going to public school. I'm staying in lessons with Justin and Mitchie. And you're gonna give Mitchie her job back."

Jerry and Theresa stared at their daughter for a few moments, not saying anything.

"Okay, Alex," Jerry said, crossing his arms.

"And another thing−" Alex stopped. "Wait, did you just agree?"

"He did." Theresa nodded.

"But…Wha−" Alex stopped when she felt a soft hand grab her own, interlocking their fingers.

"I talked to them already," Mitchie said with a small smile.

"But…But I was all ready for a big fight," Alex said with a slight pout.

"Just be happy, Alex." Mitchie squeezed her hand. "They're letting us stay together, letting us stay in school together, and we both get to keep our jobs. I'd say that's a victory."

"I guess so," Alex said quietly. She had no idea what Mitchie had said to them, but it seemed to have worked.

"Alex, it's getting late," Theresa said. "Why don't you take Mitchie home?"

"Okay," Alex said, nodding. "Where's your coat?" she asked her girlfriend.

"I don't have one," she said. "Justin zapped us here."

Alex's eyes went wide. "Justin, what if it did something to the baby?" she yelled, glaring at her brother.

"She wanted to!" he said defensively, holding his hands up.

Theresa was a bit shocked to see that the first thing on Alex's mind was the health of the baby. It was such an un-Alex-like thought for her daughter to have. It didn't revolve only around her or her well-being.

"Alex, it's completely safe for the baby," Jerry said. "Now, get Mitchie home, please?"

Alex continued to frown, but lifted her wand. Right before she twirled it around and transported them out of there, Mitchie gave appreciative smiles to both of Alex's parents.

Mrs. Russo gave her a small smile back, but Jerry did not. Instead, he gave her a sad look. It seemed to say "we tried to warn you."

Before Mitchie could make much sense of it, though, the world around her faded away and she closed her eyes because of the dizziness. When she opened them again, they were back in her room.

"I think I should stay home tonight," Alex said quietly after a few moments of quietness. "And maybe for the rest of the week. Just to lay low."

Mitchie's mood instantly dropped. "Okay. That sounds like a good idea."

"It's not that I want to," Alex said when she saw the look on Mitchie's face. "I just think it would be safe. As soon as I'm sure they won't check on me, I'll start coming back."

"Okay," Mitchie said quietly. She smiled a little at the promise Alex would return eventually. "Just turn your phone on so I can text you."

"I'll do that as soon as I get home," Alex said with a smile of her own.

Mitchie looked at her carefully. "Where did you go, Alex?"

"My former boyfriend's old apartment," Alex said after some hesitation. "Dean. He moved, so he doesn't live there anymore. No one does."

"Why did you go there?" Mitchie asked, her heart panging with jealously. This didn't make much sense to her. Why would Alex have chosen there, of all places?

Alex rubbed the back of her neck. "I kind of had this thing going on with his sister," she admitted. "Then I realized she just wanted me for sex. I broke it off, and she didn't even care. The next time I went over she had some other girl with her. Dean and I would be in the living room and she'd bring this girl in and grab her and kiss her right in front of us. I kind of hate her. Just thinking about her pisses me off." Alex shrugged. "When you cast the spell to send you places, you have to envision where you want to go. I was so angry at my parents that I could only think about Nikki, the only other person to ever make me that angry in my entire life. I could only see that apartment. And that's where I went."

Mitchie's face softened as she started to feel guilty for being jealous. That really was a sad story and she could relate in some ways.

"Oh, Alex, I'm sorry she did that to you," Mitchie said, reaching out and cupping Alex's cheek.

"It's okay," Alex said, leaning into the comforting touch. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger, huh?" She grinned a little.

Mitchie had to give her a weak smile back. "I guess so."

They stared at each other for a few moments before Alex spoke up. "I have to go before they send Justin after me."

Mitchie nodded, removing her hand from Alex's face. "Don't forget to text me."

"I won't," Alex said before leaning forward and giving Mitchie a gentle kiss on the cheek.

As Mitchie watched her girlfriend disappear, an unsettling thought hit her. She didn't know any of that stuff about Alex until then. And this was a huge thing to know about someone. How much did she still not know? How many important things was Alex leaving unsaid? And was any of it as big as what Mitchie was leaving unspoken?

So at first the Rent song was "Tango: Maureen" but then the one in this chapter randomly came on my shuffle while writing this and I had to change it. It was too perfect!

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