Thanks for waiting so patiently while I got around to finishing the newest instalment. For those of you who want something to read between the wait in future, why not look at my other side story? It's called 'Alien Problems' - it takes places during an alternate path of Relationship Problems with Markus as the main character.

Also, for those of you who are new to this – why not go back and read Social Problems? I give my word that it's worth it if you're a Nikki fan. Lastly, the route map for the series has been updated on my profile page, and there's a new poll up as well. Please feel free to cast your vote and let me know what kind of content you would like to see from now on!

Bar Fight

Another week gone by and another reason to worry about his dearest cousin. To say Mike was concerned about Lillian was something of an understatement. All she ever seemed to do was sit around smoking, drinking coffee, and listening to music videos. She had no drive, and worst of all – nothing to motivate her.

"You're not old enough to be in here, you know." Mike nervously tapped his fingers against the side of the bar - the surface sticky with spilled drinks.

Lusties – his old haunt from days long since passed. The vibrant techno beats swam in euphoric harmony as a host of handsome young men and beautiful women danced the night away. It'd been a while since he came in during the week. Hell, it'd been a long time since he came in here at all. It was sad in hindsight - especially since he'd spent so many Saturday nights singing in here with the band at one point in time.

"What-ever, cousin," Lillian leaned back against a discarded stool with a nonchalant chuckle, "It's not like the people working in here actually check your I.D card or anything…."

A further cause for alarm – Mike sighed and slipped past her, "Follow me. I've got free reign in the V.I.P room. If you're so damn insistent on us staying in here… we'll go drink up there."

"But that's booooring… shit!" The gothic princess whimpered as she followed in tow. "Since when did you become such a goody two shoes, Mike?"

Words that brought bitterness to the blond singer – that much was certain. "I'm the last person whose example you wanna follow. Take my word for that, Lili... I'm no role model."

Mikey turned back – man, trying to get through to her was harder than he'd hoped, "I don't want to see you get into any more trouble. Back home you raised enough hell with all the shit you did in school…. The last thing you need is to make a bad name for yourself here, too."

"Ohhhhh fine…. Your concern is noted, oh angelic cousin of mine."

Lillian paused just behind him and reached one of her pale hands into the confines of her jeans, "I'm heading outside for a cigarette…. You care to join me?"

No – Mikey didn't quite fancy crowding near the doorway with the usual smoking crowd as they breathed nicotine everywhere. "I'll pass," he spoke with a shake of the head. "You go ahead. I'll wait here until you get back."

"See what I mean? You're boring…." Alas, with a petulant stamp of her feet, Lillian weaved and ducked through the clubbers on her quest to reach the doorway.

Alone now – Mikey took a breath - thinking things over. "It's not that I'm trying to be uptight... It's that I know how destructive I can be when I let things spiral out of control. I can't let myself set a bad example... I've driven enough people to ruin. I ain't letting that happen to you, cousin."

With a sigh, the green-eyed vocalist reached for his drink. Luckily, the music served as the perfect fodder to drown out the flurry of conflicted thoughts. "You're as stubborn as me… Lillian Winters. Keep going like that and you'll fall hard…."

The rain beat down from an angry night sky as Lillian huddled in the doorway for her nicotine fix. What was up with Mike lately? It had been a while, that much was a given, but even the last time she saw him he seemed much more... cheerful. It was as if he was a different person, so stern and serious all of the sudden.

"It doesn't suit you, cuz… not one bit." Sparking up her lighter with a bitter smirk across her lips of midnight black, the young lady tapped her foot in frustration. "Here I thought I'd have a good time staying with you after all these years Mike…. Fuck knows… I was lonely not having you around when you cleared out."

But what had changed him so fundamentally?

"When you left home you had so much chirpy optimism it made my skin crawl… It's like the fire inside you went out or somethin' shitty like that…."

Maybe 'went out' wasn't the right way to put it. Perhaps his interal flame darkened? Something was the cause - but she couldn't put her finger on it.

The stomp of heeled boots against the rain-sodden concrete echoed in Lillian's ears as she took a much-needed drag of her cigarette. It wasn't until a hand clasped against her shoulder – its grip near tight as death, that she finally flared in alarm.

"The fuck? Take your hand off m- YOU! Bitch… what in the hell are you doing out here?"

A dress red as flames with expensive frills and tassels, topped off with only the most expensive white boots. The outfit clung in picturesque form to a girl of skin snowy white – as long rouge locks poured down her back in a most luxurious poise.

Audrey Belrose – the bitch that cost her a place in Glenberry University.

"What are you doing here? I didn't think they'd let whores like you in without an invitation." Words that Lillian stuck by with a fiercely defensive fold of her arms, her powerful blue eyes focused like knives amidst the rainfall.

"How about you get the fuck outta here before your flowery little outfit gets washed out in the rain. Shit… you look like a drowned fucking rat…" She kept up the pace with intensity, going so far as to snarl at Audrey and glare her down.

However, "You almost broke my nose… skanky hoe," the redhead didn't back down for a second, meeting the sickly pale brat with a scowl of equally hateful demeanour, "I don't see why I should let you wander your nasty ass around in my club…. An outfit depressing as yours in Lusties must make the whole crowd want to off themselves…."

Oh no – she did not just insult her best jeans and tank top! Lillian stepped up and prepared to set the record straight. No way was she taking that lying down.

"I knocked you flat on your bony ass once… I can do it again," Arms folded, a devious chuckle sliding out to set the pace, "…News flash, you little red slut… I think your nose is looking a little crooked. You might wanna get that checked… not that someone like you afford the medical bills. Heh... not unless you go suck a cock for it..."

"THAT FUCKING DOES IT!"

Lillian braced as her body reeled back – struck hard by the force of a red blur. Audrey had her hands outstretched like a panther on the attack, nails clawing in something of a bestial rage. "I'm gonna end you! You think you can screw with me, you anaemic tramp?"

*Crack*

Miss Winters struck hard across Audrey's porcelain face with the side of her palm, using the momentum to shove her back and worsen their tussle. No way in hell was she going to let Little Red Riding Whore make a fool out of her a second time!

The two struggled back and forth – at one point Lillian felt her feet tremble as Audrey pushed with a surprising amount of force. They clawed, scratched, and punched at one another like hellions possessed.

Not even the security dared intervene, "We better call the cops."

"Holy shit! Check it! These two cats be killin' each other." It didn't take long for a crowd to start forming even in the downpour. They circled like vultures, girls whispering back and forth while muscle-bound men hooted and cheered for their preferred pick of the two.

Audrey swung out with a punch – Lillian felt her legs wobble as she flew back. Her back pressed against the cold, damp ground, she was defenceless as the redhead held her to the floor and scratched with red claws into her face.

"Payback for the day I spent sat in the doctor's office, bitch!"

The dark-haired beauty saw it in the eyes of her red nemesis – she meant serious business.

"AUDREY! Get off her for fuck sakes!" A familiar voice – smooth as butter yet still hellishly loud amidst the battle. Shoes clacked against the ground, coming closer with each passing second.

"Mike?!" The party girl spat with venom seething in her rubies, "Go fuck yourself pretty boy! She has it coming!"

Lillian's head turned woozy - her body soaking up blow after sharp blow. Everything was becoming a blur, and a painful blur at that.

"I said take your hands off me!" Audrey screamed out as Mike dragged her off.

Finally able to move – the bratty younger cousin carefully stood upright, her legs jittering as she set her eyes dead ahead.

Audrey squirmed and screamed in a desperate struggle to break free, "Let-me-go!"

It was for naught - the remaining door attendant stepped in and restrained her in an ogre-like grip.

"That's quite enough, Miss. You're coming with me until the police arrive," and just like that, he made his way toward the door with a frightfully stern expression. Looking back through the crowds, he eyed the two Winters cousins, "You two as well… wait in the V.I.P room until the cops get here…."

The word 'cop' didn't bother Lillian in the slightest. In fact, she felt the faintest butterfly in her stomach. Her vision, finally corrected now she was upright, honed in on her older relation, "Thanks… I guess. Crazy bitch wasn't gonna stop…."

Mike eyed her hard - it squashed her gratitude in a fearful torrent. His gaze – it was cold as stone, "….Stop-causing-trouble…. For your own damn good….."

"Okay," she whispered, reaching out to grip his arm tightly, "Sorry…."

Despite the horrendous frown twisting his features, Mikey didn't let go.

Nevertheless, after a couple of moments, his expression softened just a fraction "We're getting out this rain before my jacket's ruined… and you ain't leaving my side until we get those gashes fixed."

Tension – it was so horribly thick that Mike felt his stomach swimming with a deep-rooted sickness. He sat there on the couch as a towering man in a black uniform, arms rippled with muscle, stirred downward with all-seeing orbs of dark-brown.

"….I am so sorry, Officer Chang." The elder Winters stirred into his lap nervously, hands clasped together in something of a desperate apology. "I swear to God… she isn't always this badly behaved."

Looking up with fear in his green orbs – Mike took in the sight of the authority-figure in all of his might. His facial features, slightly aged and gruff, twisted into the faintest look of compassion. Officer Barry Chang, an Asian-American beat cop, and something of an acquaintance to the young singer. Indeed, one of his daughters, Mimi, was studying music at U.O.G, and was something of a friend.

"Relax, kid. I know this isn't your fault," Barry let his arms drop to the sides and pulled up a stool to seat himself, "I checked the surveillance footage, and your cousin didn't start the fight… it was Miss Belrose. Not just that, but considering Miss Winters was knocked to the ground getting pummelled like that... we're not taking her in."

Relief washed over Mike like the calm blue sky after a storm. Thank Goodness – this was one less thing he'd have to explain to Uncle James when he next called. However – something still didn't make an ounce of sense.

"But sir," the vocalist stood, hoping he'd have his question answered, "If you're not keeping her overnight then why? Why did you put her in the back of the car like that?"

"Scare tactic… I figure it should make her think twice the next time gets tangled up with the wrong person."

Mister Chang stood from his stool and nudged it to the side with his foot, "Usually we'd be a little harsher in these situations… but considering this is her first time on my radar - and she's your relation… I'm willing to let it slide."

To say Mike saw that coming was definitely not the case. His heart raced in overdrive. Indeed, this whole altercation had been a cause of undue stress. "….You have no idea how much I owe you for this… I swear, Officer Chang, she's a good girl… she's just a little misguided is all."

"Heh," Barry smiled the slightest bit as he made his way for the door, "You're a good kid, Mike…. You do a lot for the music students at the university, and my little girl thinks you're reliable. A word of advice though… keep Lillian in line, okay? I don't do this job so I can throw every 'misguided' kid I come across in a cell, but there's a limit to my generosity – I'm sure you understand."

"Loud and clear – crystal clear."

"Good…." Chang stopped beside the door and waited as Winters moved to join him. "Now… you take your cousin and head straight home. No more detours and for goodness sakes… no more trouble."

"You don't need to tell me twice."

The law enforcer left with a stern nod of his head, "Keep an eye on Mimi for me, alright? I'll see you round… and hopefully not under such 'official' circumstances next time."

With that – Mike was left alone in the silence. A sigh of relief set to calm his nerves, "That was far too close for comfort. What would I have said to the Uncle James if I'd had to bail Lili out of a cell?"

It was all too much – and the blond found himself exhausted. Moving back across the room - he leaned up against the glass viewing window of the V.I.P room, closing his tired eyes. "You're important to me, Lillian… but if this is how you've been acting since I left home then you're gonna drive me mad."

Dinner was silent – nothing more than a pair of lukewarm noodle boxes from a little Chinese stand near the marina. Both containers sat practically untouched upon the rounded glass coffee table. Indeed – there was a thickness in the air within the apartment.

Mike glanced across with nervousness – Lillian sat curled up in the corner like a ball in the same way she had arrived days before. Legs hugged against her chest, she did nothing but glance back with dull gems of blue.

Indeed, Mike had to do something to stimulate some conversation. "So," he began quietly, his hands slinking together in a tight clasp, "Doesn't look like I'm the only one who knows Audrey Belrose… talk about irony."

Lili peeped out from her little self-defence shell. Good, at least that got a reaction of some kind. "Errrr, yeaaah. She got me kicked out of the university…. Little Miss Bitch is the one starting these fights… fucking lunatic."

It took but a moment for the younger Winters to hit the mark, "Soooo... like... how do you know the crazy whore? I only saw for a second, but when you came outside to pull her off me, she was pissed."

Mikey wasn't prepared to appease her curiosity. A casual flick of the wrist in disinterest, and he reached for his food, "Another story for another time… just be grateful I was there to lend you a hand… or you might've been in a cell tonight…." He followed up with a mouthful of noodles. Their terrible texture in conjunction with their coldness was enough to make him regret the choice and put them back down.

"Please," Miss Winters pleaded softly – her eyes shining with sincerity, "I wanna know…. I mean, dammit…. I haven't seen you in so long… feels like I hardly know you these days. You're so different... What happened when you left home?"

Words that punched the singer in the deepest core. His brows furrowed in annoyance, but regardless, he finally surrendered, "Alright… I guess I owe you something after all the time I've spent away. Audrey and I… it's a complicated situation. We were dating, and then we weren't… then she kinda started 'coming over' on weekends when I wasn't busy with the band."

"Ewww… gag! That's soooo gross." Lili placed a hand over her mouth and shuddered, "You're fucking that dirty bitch? Mikey…. C'mon…. I know you weren't the best with the ladies... but Audrey? You better go bleach your dick..."

"Past tense," he rubbed his temples to each the pressure as best he could, "I'm not going to downplay how bad the entire thing is… because it's utterly screwed up. You see… I dated a couple of her friends too…."

Lillian almost flew out of her corner of the couch – swooping across and latching onto Mike's arm. Her eyes wide with shock, she gave his limb a stiff tug, "What in the- SHIT! You are the same Mike, not an alien in disguise, right?"

"Ease off… I'm still the guy you grew up with… I've just… well… my life is very different to how it used to be." No kidding – such a statement was putting it mildly, and he knew it plain as daylight.

"When you left a for college," Lillian backed up, her expression turning somewhat dark and despondent, "…You were hopeless when it came to girls. The only thing you cared about was your music. No style – no poise, and now it's like someone waved a magic wand."

An apt way of putting it to say the least, "I found my hidden potential," chuckled Mikey as he laid his head back against the leather. Such an intense evening had brought with it a headache. "Now it seems like I got a little carried away…."

"You live life by your own rules," the pale young lady honed her gaze, "I like it… and if I'm honest… despite your bad taste in women… I'll admit it- I think you're better off."

"Hmm… you'd be the first person to tell me that in a long time. For a while, I've been feeling conflicted about my life choices… but having you around? Makes me feel as though shit isn't so bad."

"Welcome," Lillian shuffled forward on the leather of the couch. Her cheeks glowed with a soft pink shade. Slowly, nervously, she reached out and placed her arms around Mike's shoulders, "Been a while since I gave you a hug… feels better than I remember…."

The elder of the cousins stiffened in surprise. Yet as Lili snuggled against his chest - any sort of guard he had was quick to evaporate. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Cocky bastard. Shut up 'n hold me," The slender princess rested her head upon her cousin's shoulder, "….Thank you… for saving my butt, I mean. Don't think I could've dealt with more lectures from dad. Fuuuuck that."

"Anytime – as long as you don't go making these fights a regular thing. " Mikey kept a close eye as Lillian loosened her hold and inched back. Her eyes, there was something different about them, a glimmer, maybe even a sparkle.

"Yep… You're like, totally different, yet strangely the same," she giggled, leaning in again with her cheeks aflame deepest red, "I can't explain it… but it's almost like… you got a little more-"

A quickening in his heartbeat sent Mike into a warm frenzy as Lillian slid closer, her eyes speaking a silent volume that words simply would not permit, "Reckless? Stupid?"

"Naaaa.," the woman reached back and gave a pull on her pigtails. In a single heart-stopping moment - her naturally wavy hair flooded down her back, "You believe in destiny? Fate or some shit like that?"

"I believe I'm always walking a path," came Mike's response in tune with his quickening pulse. Having Lili so close to him like this, her curves; her curls, and most importantly, her hauntingly white skin, it set something he'd not noticed until now alight. "...and a single decision holds the power to change the route I take in life."

'In the years since I last saw her she's grown and changed a lot – body wise and persona- Now I'm being an idiot…. Get away from that line of thought… You have enough issues to deal with, Winters….'

"This'll sound crazy deep… but when I look at you Mikey… I get the feeling you're fighting against something - kinda like me…."

"And what might you be fighting against?"

Lili looked apprehensive – indeed; it was as if her entire demeanour changed. The flush faded, and her smirk fell into a small frown, "What-ever. Doesn't matter."

Just like that, the senior of the two cousins was left dumbfounded as Lillian crawled back - she seemed off in her own little world. Once again, the silence held the power to be deafening. A stalemate of stillness – it burned the senses.

Seconds slipped into minutes, and finally, Lillian looked back – apparently returned from her trance-like state, "You don't get it... how I've felt all these years. It's not easy living in someone's shadow..."

"What are you getting at?" Mike stared as he sprang up from the couch, "I won't have a clue unless you tell me how y-"

*THUMP*

A black wisp jumped up and attached itself, "Lili-"

Lips – soft and warm, influenced his own and aggressively sucked against his membranes. Unyielding, Mike lost track of his heartbeat as its thunderous tune sprung out of control. Lillian deepened fast, taking complete control and jabbing her fingers into his chest to perch herself in the perfect position.

The elder Winters staggered on two uneasy legs when he was finally released, his eyes widened in utter shock, "….Lillian." In his mind the sensation played over continuously as if it never ended.

"My way of thanking you personally… I'm waaaaay better than that whore in the red dress."

A mixture of cascading emotions rampaged within - Mikey stood speechless. His heart throbbed - there was something about their sudden embrace of lips, something he didn't entirely hate.

Before he could say anything, his younger cousin was already halfway across the room. "Stealing your room tonight… need the space. So… looks like you're on the couch. Night."

With little chance to object, the door to his chamber thundered shut, leaving the vocalist bewlidered and alone in the middle of the lounge area.

"What in the world was that?"

Yet deep down a spark so very faint electrified his now quieting heartbeat. It alarmed him, but beyond that, his lips curved into something fast resembling a faint smirk, "...Goodnight…."

As he slumped upon the couch the musician's mind swam with thoughts of women. Nikki with her baggy sweaters and her video games – Tiffany with her golden locks, Audrey with her violently flaming temper; Kyu, his currently absent fairy with her magical powers, and lastly, Lillian, his long since estranged cousin who had stumbled back into his life.

"I can't catch a break no matter how hard I try... Just my luck."

'You're my firefly… sweetheart…. Honey! Such a sexy little thing… a girl so strong you make my heart sing.'

The chiming of the Huniebee served as a reminder – a song that had never reached the light of day, intended for a girl who never became his beloved. Reaching into his pocket with a nervous groan, Mike plucked out his phone and flipped straight to the message screen. After seeing this thing take on a life of its own when he was briefly seeing Nikki – he knew what this meant.

A text waited for him, "Hold on… no caller I.D. How bizarre."

'I hear Audrey got herself in trouble… can't say I'm surprised. I'm sending this message to give you some advice… stay away from her, okay? She's mad and she means business…. Before you go wondering, who sent this… it's someone who wants to see you safe. Anyway, be careful… you're not the nicest guy in the world but… the last thing I want is to see you hurt. You might not believe me… but there's someone out there that really cares about you. Sapphire. X x x.'

"Sapphire?" Mikey pondered the name for a moment as he slumped on the couch, "…. I don't know a girl by the name… and how'd she get my number? Worse still… why is the Huniebee not displaying her information – it should list contact details automatically."

A dull throbbing seared his head – causing a short gasp to escape, "Screw it… I'm done for the day."

Flicking off the lights brought with it some relief for his tired eyes. – it was time to get some rest.

To be continued….

Thanks again for coming back to read more. All of your support is greatly appreciated. As usual, you're more than welcome to leave me some feedback if you want to. I value every response from my readers. Keep on supporting the official releases of Huniepop and Huniecam Studio. I'll see you in the next chapter of the 'Problems' series!