I looked at Michael. How DARE he tell, his brothers my secret! But he continued on. "Her dad beats her,for the slightest thing. He's JUST like Joseph!" NOW, I suddenly felt,like I was going to explode. I felt a hand, on my shoulder. It was Jackie's. "Lex, we are SO sorry! We didn't know!"
"Yeah!" chouresed, the others. I suddenly couldn't,take it anymore. "Guys! Please! It's not that, important!"
"Lexie! It IS important!" exclaimed Marlon. That did, it. I broke down, sobbing. I would've fallen to the, ground if Michael, didn't catch me.
I shrugged him,away. "You guys DON'T, get it do,you? This whole damned, crap, wouldn't started if, I just kept,my mouth shut!"
Then, they all got, silent. Finally, Tito spoke up. "What are you, talking about Lex?"
"Me! My mom and, I had this huge, fight, and I wished, she was dead! I..I...I never meant it,though!"
This time, I fell to the ground, on my knees, sobbing harder, then ever before. "I hate my life! I hate my life! Do you hear, me world? I HATE MY LIFE!"
Just then, I felt Michael pick me up, and carry me,inside the house, up to my, room. Gosh,he sure is strong! "Lex, it's alright...shhh...I'm here".he whspered in, my ear.
He layed me, down on my bed, then laid next to me. I turned over, to face him. "Mike, my dad might, find you here".
He carresed my, cheek. "I don't care. Lexie, the only thing, that matters to me,is,your safety.
I just nodded. We just lay there not saying, anything.
I soon fell, asleep.
After, what seemed like, forever, I slowly opened my eyes. "Hey,sleepyhead. It's about time,you woke up".
I looked over, to expect Michael,next to it's, not. Instead,I see Jermaine's eyes next,to mine. His face was, so close to, mine that it,was tempting to kiss him, but,
I knew it was a bad, idea."Jermaine! Where's Mike?" "He's at home, telling Mother, where we are".
"Oh". I sat up, sitting against the wall.
"How are you, feeling?" Jermaine asked.
"Fine". I answered. Even, though I wasn't. And Jermaine could, see that too. "Are you sure, you're alright?"
I turn to him, teary-eyed. "No! I'm NOT okay, Jermaine! And if, for one second, you thought I was, then you're barking up, the wrong tree, boy!"
By that point, I'm already yelling, at, Jermaine. With his arms, wrapped around, me, I slowly calm down. He hums, "I'll Be There", in my ear, and I turn, to face him. He pulls me,closer to him, but I gently push him,away.
"Jermaine, what are doing?" I ask. He softly touches, my,cheek. "Lex...I just cannot hide my feelings, for you much longer. Girl...I love you, so much".
"Jermaine...I'm flattered that, you like me, but..." "But, what?" he says.I sat,down, on my bed."I like Michael. I`m sorry. But, you`re a great friend".
Jermaine, looked a little disappointed.I put my hand on, his back reassuranly.
"Hey look,if me and Mike, don't work out, I'll call you".
Jermaine smiled. "Thanks, Lex".
A little while,later, Michael came back. "So how's it been, over here?" he asked.
"Fine". I answered. We were alone again. The rest had, to leave.
We were watching, old Disney cartoons, in the living room. We were both, on the couch, with his arm around me. During a commercial break, I feel his hot, breath in my ear. "I'll always be here for,you, Lex. Don't forget it".
He kisses my cheek. That does it. I cannot take, it anymore. I look at him, smiling, a secret smile.
He looks at, me. "What?" he asks. I touch the,side of his face. "You're right.
"About what?" he asked, confused.
"Trying to battle, my dad". "Wha-" Mike had started, to say. But I cut him off, with my lips on his.
At first, he does nothing, but then, slowly kisses back. But as I, let my hands go up his chest, and into his top buttons, he gently,pushes them off, and pulls away. "N-no Lexie. I-I can't. Not now".
"Mike, I want, you. I need you". I said, leaning in to kiss him again.
But Michael, gently pulls away, again. "I love you, Lexie. I honestly do. With ALL my heart. But it's just not me. I'm thinking about you here.
I don't wanna get you pregnant. I'd feel awful, if I did".
"Oh". I said.
Mike lifts my chin up, with his hand. "Look Lex, when we're both older, maybe we'll go up a level, but for now, can' t we just be in eachother's arms?"
I smiled. "Okay". I then, we heard a bang.
"ALEXA! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE!" It was my, father.I turn to, Mike with a look of fear, on my face.
"Go, hide!" he says. "I'll distract him!"I run off into the, basement, shutting, the door behind me.
I cry silently, to myself. I hear shouting, for awhile, then,BANG!A gun, shot. I gasp. One of them is dead. I hope it isn't my beloved, Michael!But then again, I hope it isn't my father!"Lexie?" Michael calls. "It's safe".
I slowly open the door. Sure enough, there is my father, lying,
very still. and Michael holding the, gun. I gasp. "Michael? What happened?"
"He was holding me at gunpoint so, I kicked him in the groins".I looked at, him in amazement.
"He's unconcious" said Michael. "So call the, police!" I quickly grab the phone, and dialed 911.