A/N: Thanks for your reviews. I appreciate them. Keep them coming. And in case I don't update this weekend, a Happy Halloween to you all!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 8: Bella

Mikey took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the Rileys. Bella answered it.

"Hey Bella," he smiled. She looked at him. "Can come in?"

"No," she said. He looked at her.

"Why not?" He sighed, reaching into his back pocket. He knew Bella, and this would cost him.

"Mommy's not home and when she's not home we're not supposed to let strangers in the house." She said matter of factly.

"But, Bella," he said. "You know me. You've known me since you were a baby. Is Evie home?"

"I don't think she wants to see you," Bella said. "Plus I'm not supposed to let strangers in the house."

"We just went over this," he groaned, and she smiled sweetly. "Annabelle Leigh," he said. She smiled some more and shrugged. "Fine, how much?"

"Twenty," she said. "Make it twenty five and I won't tell my parents or David."

"That's my girl," he said pulling two tens and a five out of his wallet. She opened the door and he handed her the money.

"Thank you," Bella said. "She's in her room."

"Thanks," He smiled and walked upstairs.

Eva sat in her room brushing out her hair. She was really really excited for her date with David.

"Hi," she looked over at the door. Mikey was standing there. He was smiling.

"Hi," she said, "what are you doing here?" He shrugged and sat down. "Mikey," she sighed, "I can't play the guess what Mikey's thinking based on small gestures and facial changes game right now, although I'm very good at it, I always beat everyone even Stephie. I'm going out with David tonight and," he looked at her. "You're not OK that."

"I tried to be," he said. "I want you guys to be happy."

"Well, we are," she shrugged. "Just because he,"

"He what?" Mike said. She looked at him.

"He did what you wouldn't do," she said. He looked at her. "He claimed me, Mikey, he didn't just say he wanted me, he did something about it. You didn't care enough to do that, not until someone else did." She stopped. "How did you even get in here?"

"Bella," he shrugged. "That girl will do anything for money, your parents should probably get on that before she starts getting a sex drive."

"God, sometimes I think a demon ate my real baby sister and now we have Bella," Eva rolled her eyes. Mikey laughed.

"As I remember it Bella was always pretty demon like," he said. "At my parent's burial your mom had to leave because of all the screaming. That was in a cemetery, you know holy ground." Eva giggled. "I miss you Evie."

"I miss you too," she said. "So can't we just be whatever we were before this summer?" He looked at her. "We were friends, more than friends and," he kissed her. "Please don't."

"I know I said I was alright with this whole thing with you and David," he whispered. "But I'm not," he said. "I can't let you go yet." She looked at him.

"Mikey," she said. "You're too late," she said softly. He looked at her. "I'm sorry, but you should go." He swallowed.

"Evie," he said, "please?" She looked at him, and touched her hand to his chest. He looked at her. "What are you doing?"

"Feeling your soft spot," she said. He looked at her. "I knew you had one somewhere." He kissed her again. "Please stop."

"What if you're my soft spot?" He whispered. She swallowed. "Would you take that away from me?"

"I can't be that for you," she mumbled. "I can't make up for your parents not being here, that's too much to ask of me, that's too much to ask of anyone!" He swallowed and they stared at each other in silence. Then her collapsed and started crying. "Mikey, I'm sorry," she whispered and sat with him, she knew these tears weren't for her, but they were the only words that made any sense to say. "I'm so sorry."

"I can't lose you too," he said. "I can't." She looked at him. He swallowed. "Evie, the first time in years that I really felt happy was being with you and,"

"You won't lose me," she said, "I won't ever leave you, I promise. I just can't be that person for you." He looked at her. "I can't be the one." He nodded as she took a tissue and dried his eyes. "But I love you, I know I do," they held each other close until both of their bodies were calm.

"Hello Baby," Cassie said walking in and seeing Bella sitting on the couch. "What are you up to?"

"Just watching TV," Bella shrugged.

"Oh, OK," Cassie said. "Where's Eva?"

"In her bedroom with Mikey," Bella said absently, then she stopped. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that." Cassie looked at her and then sighed and walked upstairs and into Eva's room. The pair were on the floor, playing cards. Eva looked up and smiled at her mother.

"Hey Mommy," she said. "Mikey came over. We're playing spit."

"Not upstairs next time OK?" Cassie smiled. They both nodded. "Hi Mike."

"Hey Cass," he said. "How are you today?"

"I'm good," she nodded. "How much does Bella owe you for ratting you out?"

"Five bucks," he smirked. "But she can keep it, I'll consider it a deposit."

"Uh huh," Cassie nodded. "Have fun you two." She said and walked away, leaving the door open. Eva giggled.

"What?" Mikey said.

"You'll consider it a deposit?" She said. He smirked.

"I have a feeling that I'm going to be bribing Bella a lot over the next two years," he said. She rolled her eyes. "I guess I should go so you can get ready for your date huh?" She looked at him. "He's a good guy Evie, I just don't want you getting in too deep with him."

"Why not?" She frowned. He looked into her eyes, which had faded to a hazel color from their childhood green. He cold tell she was already in too deep, something in her had already clicked. He decided to lie, really he was worried about David's own ability to get in to things too deep, too fast.

"Just, I don't want you to get hurt," he said. "When he graduates and goes to piano college." She smiled softly. He was being protective.

"I think I'll be OK," she said. "But thanks for the concern. Are you sure you're alright?" He nodded. "OK," she hugged him, pressing her head into his chest in that comfortable way she'd gotten used to. "We'll talk tomorrow."

"Sure," he nodded. "Thanks Evie."

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