So because I was a bitch and uploaded the wrong chapter yesterday, I decided that I should probably give you this chapter as well. So for those of you who just skipped to the end, there is one before this that is new too. Just so you are aware.
This chapter may be really depressing. I know that I felt really sad while writing it. But then again, it fits right in with the show doesn't it?
Mike was released from the hospital two days later. Abby had been by his side the whole time, much to the secret chagrin of Jenny. But Mike insisted that she go home and get some rest, and he would call her once he got resettled in his own. She obliged, and gave Mike a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.
Jenny helped him up the stairs to Graceland, and when they made it through the door, they saw the housemates crowded around the living room. "SURPRISE!" They all shouted, holding up bottles of beer. Mike laughed humbly, as each of them went up and hugged and asked how he was feeling. Soon, they were all lounging about, drinking beer and listening to whatever crappy song came on the radio. Mike really enjoyed himself, and so did Jenny. Although, she tried to avoid both Mike and Briggs at all cost, so she mostly hung around Paige and Charlie. Every once in a while, she found herself glancing over at Mike, watching him tell a story or laughing at Johnny. But then she stopped herself, and tried to indulge in the conversations around her. She had to stop thinking about Mike. He had a girlfriend, who he was definitely not jealous of.
Later that night, Jenny wandered out to the patio by herself, mostly because she saw Briggs making his way over to her, and dreaded a conversation with him at the moment. She sat down in one of the patio chairs and sipped at her beer, watching the midnight waves roll in on the shore. In her mind, she thought of everything. She thought of Mike, Briggs, her parents, what she was doing here in the first place; all of it. There was just so much to consider, so much to think about, that Jenny found herself completely lost, not really sure what her next move will be.
Then, she was interrupted by the sound of the patio door sliding open. "The party is inside, you know." Mike said, as he took the chair across the patio table from her.
Jenny tried her best to be friendly. "Just needed some air." She replied. "It was getting too crowded for me."
He could see in her expression, and hear in her voice that she wasn't telling the whole truth. Glancing down at his feet, he struggled to find the right words to say. "I'm sorry I never told you about Abby." He told her at last.
Jenny rolled her eyes, still refusing to look at his puppy eyes. "It's none of business, Mike," She told him.
"No, but I saw how hurt you were when you met her."
Suddenly, Jenny felt very exposed. Was she really that transparent? "I'm not jealous, if that's you're implying."
"Jenny…" He started before Jenny cut him off.
"No, Mike, stop." She leaned on the table and finally looked at him. "Whatever you think was going on this past week, whatever we both might have felt, it's… It just can't happen. You've got yourself a girlfriend, a great one at that, and I'm a freelancer. I can't be tied down here."
Mike could do nothing, but stare at her, trying to decide his next move. Jenny had to force herself not to cry, as she saw that look in his eye. It was the look he gave her in the hospital; it was the look he gave her after he told her about his investigation on Briggs; it was the look that said a million words, but said nothing at the same time.
All of sudden, she was aware of Mike's hand over hers, but he had not broken eye contact. "I don't know what did happen this past week, Jenny. I can't tell you what I was feeling or how I feel right now, because I don't really know myself. But I do know that you are different than any girl I have ever met."
Her heart sank. Why did he have to say that? Jenny removed her hand from underneath his, and stood up, leaning on the wall that surrounded the patio looking over the beach. "Maybe this is for the best, Mike. Abby is a great girl, and she really cares about you. And I can see that you really care about her. You two deserve each other." She glanced down at the half empty beer bottle in her hands.
Mike stood and went stand by Jenny's side. "Yeah, she is great." He said, before turning to face her. "But not as great as you."
Jenny looked at him shocked. Did he just say what she thought he said? He must have, because he brought a hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb softly stroking it. She wanted to push him away, but she found that she was completely frozen, unable to move or speak. Mike leaned forward until his lips were just an inch away from hers. Suddenly, the image of Abby flashed across her brain, and her defenses were brought up again. She pulled away at the last minute.
"No, Mike." She whispered, unable to speak any louder. "We can't. I'm sorry." And with that, she dashed back into the house and down the hall to her room.
The partygoers watched her go and shrugged, unable to explain what had happened, and unwilling to stop their partying.
Mike stood on the patio alone, his mind reeling with different thoughts. He had almost kissed her. Why? He had Abby, and she had been so good to him ever since they met. And here he was, about to kiss some other girl. But he felt something for Jenny, he knew that now. How could he have feelings for both girls? Mike just turned to face the beach, and watched the tide roll in, wishing more than anything that his answers could be found down there.
Meanwhile, Jenny sat on her bed, staring at the floor, sorting out what had just happened. Tears threaten to leak from her eyes, but she would not let them. She refused to cry over a guy, especially Mike.
It wasn't long before they both realized something. At the same exact time, in two different locations, Mike and Jenny realized what they felt for each other. Then, at the same time, no matter how much they wanted to stop it, they both cried into the night.
God, I'm a bitch. Why do I write sad things? Whatever, you love me anyway right?
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