Julie's pov

Mike and Shane have had us all on a short leash this past week. I know they're still annoyed with me for using Mike's credit card without permission and Lisa's definitely still in the doghouse for lying about damaging Mike's car. Even though Mike didn't punish Carrie and Stacey for not ratting Lisa out for going to the festival at the riverwalk, he definitely wasn't happy about it.

The boys made it very clear at lunch this afternoon that we better have our room cleaned before dinner, so I started tidying up our bathroom as soon as we were done eating. Stacey and Carrie were busy hunting down some ice cream for dessert while Lisa was hiding in our closet, sneaking some texting time in while on her burner phone.

After cleaning our bathroom from top to bottom, I collapsed on my bed, put in my ear buds and turned up the volume on some Imagine Dragons. I may have closed my eyes just for a minute or two because I was startled awake when someone ripped my ear buds out.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear that I wanted your room cleaned before dinner but now I find you lounging on your bed listening to music when your room is still a complete mess." Mike referenced the piles of dirty clothes on the floor and our overflowing wastebaskets.

Sitting up quickly, I replied defensively, "But, Mike, I was cleaning, I just..."

Mike interrupted, "I don't want to hear your excuses, Julie. It's quite obvious what you were doing." Pulling me up off my bed with a tight grasp on my arm, Mike swatted my bottom and said, "Now start cleaning, or else!"

"Mike, if you would just listen..." I whined, before being interrupted by Shane.

"For once just do as you're told, Julie, and don't argue, or you'll be cleaning with a sore backside." Shane glared at me with one hand on his hip and the other on his belt buckle. "Do I make myself clear?"

Knowing there was no point in trying to defend myself as neither of them would listen, I begrudgingly replied, "Yes sir."

Mike took the opportunity to slap my behind once more before heading out the door.

"Don't make me tell you again, Julie," he threatened from the doorway.

Once they left, I threw my pillow across the room in frustration. I just can't deal with this anymore. First, I get punished just for knowing about something Lisa did wrong, then I get spanked twice by Shane for reading a text from Mike, and now I get yelled at when I'm the only one cleaning like I'm supposed to be. I need to get out of here and away from Mike and Shane so I can find someone to talk to and vent my frustrations. It has to be someone they won't expect so I don't have to worry about them finding out where I am and it has to be someone who won't make me come back here.

I think I know just the person. Lisa emerged from the closet questioning me as to what all the noise was from.

"I've gotta get outta here," is all I said to her before leaving. Once I was outside, I called Stacey's still a secret boyfriend Sean and blackmailed him into giving me a ride.

Approximately thirty minutes later

Julie's pov

"Julie! What are you doing here?" Tristan was definitely surprised to see me.

"Uh, can I come in?" I asked, somewhat nervously.

"Yeah sure," Tristan responded, stepping aside to allow me entrance into his townhouse. He looked outside for any sign of my ride and to check if I came alone, before closing the front door and questioning me further. "How did you get here? Does Mike know you're here?"

Hesitating, I replied, "I, uh, got a ride from a friend and no, Mike doesn't know I'm here and please don't tell him."

"What's going on? Did something happen? Is Mike okay?" Tristan's clearly confused as to what motivated my impromptu visit and now he's starting to panic.

"Mike's fine. I just needed to get outta there and I didn't know where else to go." I looked down as I nervously fiddled with the clasp on my bracelet. I was seriously starting to rethink my escape plan.

Realizing this might take awhile since I wasn't going to willingly spew forth much information, Tristan invited me to sit down and make myself comfortable as he went to get me a diet coke. Handing me the glass, he inquired, "So, Julie, are you ready to let me in on what's going on here?" He took a seat on the sofa, across from me.

Swallowing hard, I tried to think of how I was going to explain my presence here to Tristan when I didn't even know the answer myself. I took a long slow drink of my soda and started to tear-up as soon as I locked eyes with Tristan. He looked at me with such concern and compassion, I was completely disarmed. Why couldn't I get that same sense of caring from my own two guardians? I mean, I've lived with them for eleven years and I've only known Tristan for like eleven hours, yet he seems more concerned with my well-being right now than Shane or Mike ever have.

"Oh, sweetheart, don't cry." Tristan immediately came to me. Putting my drink down on a coaster atop his end table, he pulled me up into his arms and hugged me with a warmth I didn't know I so desperately needed, until that moment. "Tell me what's on your mind, love."

Tristan spoke so sweetly and sincerely, I wanted nothing more than to spill my guts to this man and completely unburden my soul. I never did fully understand what ended his relationship with Mike, although I have a feeling if I knew the truth, I probably wouldn't be here right now.

"I'm just so tired of always being in trouble and constantly being punished. It's just not fair. They always expect more from me and go harder on me than my sisters or cousin."

Tristan held my hands in his as he sat me down on the sofa next to him while he listened intently to my whiny ramblings. He nodded reassuringly, prompting me to continue.

"I feel like I'm just a constant disappointment to them, like I'm always letting them down. There's no way I'll ever be able to live up to their expectations. Ya know?" I looked to Tristan for affirmation as tears continued to trickle down my cheeks.

Brushing my tears away, Tristan looked me in the eyes.

"Sweetheart, I admit I don't know Shane that well but I know Mike loves you and your sisters more than anyone or anything in this world. Don't ask me how I know this but trust me when I say it's true. From what Mike's told me about Shane, I know he feels the same way." Tristan patted my knee reassuringly. "Have you talked to Mike and Shane about your feelings, Julie? Because I think they would understand."

"No, they'll just think I'm whining and arguing to try to get out of a punishment."

"I'm sure they're worried sick about you. I'll text Mike to let him know you're here and you're safe," Tristan said, as he pulled his phone out of his back pocket.

"No, don't!" I replied quickly. "I'll do it so they're not mad at me." I pretended to text Mike but I really texted Stacey, telling her to let Mike and Shane know I was at a friend's house and I was okay, then I shut my phone off. "Tristan, is it okay if I stay here for a couple of hours? Only if I'm not bothering you though."

"Of course, sweetheart. You could never be a bother." Tristan smiled at me warmly. "I would love for you to stay as long as it's okay with Mike."

"Yeah, he said he'd pick me up at 6pm." I felt bad lying to Tristan but I really didn't want to go back to the NJC.

Tristan and I talked for a long time, then we made popcorn and started to watch a movie. He's a great listener and it felt really good to unburden myself of all my frustrations about how Mike and Shane can be so unfair at times. I was so worn out after all my venting, I fell asleep on Tristan's couch halfway through the movie.

I woke up from my nap with my head on Tristan's chest and his arm held protectively around me.

"What time is it?" I asked yawning, still in my nap induced haze.

"It's 6:30pm, Julie."

I could feel Tristan's eyes boring holes through my skull so I avoided looking at him.

"Mike's not coming, is he?" Tristan asked, even though he was 99% sure of the answer.

I shook my head no without looking up at him. I was ashamed that I lied and took advantage of Tristan's sweet nature.

"You never texted him and he has no idea where you are," Tristan stated more as a fact than a question.

I nodded sadly, confirming Tristan's suspicions, then I braced myself for the fallout.

Lifting me off his chest and turning me to face him, Tristan admonished me, "Julie! How could you do that to Mike? He must be worried sick about you!"

"I'm sorry, Tristan. I just didn't want you to call him or make me go home." I really felt bad about deceiving him, he's such a nice guy.

Tristan sighed, "You know I have to call him, right?"

"Yes sir, I know," I replied sadly, acutely aware my time to face the music was quickly approaching.

I watched as Tristan texted Mike, feeling even worse, knowing this must be really hard for him. I don't think they've spoken much since the breakup.

Mike texted Tristan back: ty 4 taking her in & texting me. I'll b there in 20, I hope u know this doesn't change anything between us

"Mike's on his way, Julie," Tristan called to me, as I stepped out of his bathroom.

"Okay." I slumped down on the couch next to him and started to cry.

"Hey, none of that." Tristan wiped my eyes and smiled reassuringly at me. "I don't want Mike to think I beat you or anything."

I laughed trying to picture someone as sweet as Tristan being violent.

Sniffling, I looked Tristan in the eyes and said, "Thanks for being so cool and listening to me bitch and stuff."

"Language, Julie." Tristan frowned at me.

"Sorry, I meant thanks for putting up with my whining and complaining."

Putting his arm around my shoulder and giving me a hug, Tristan said, "I want you to promise me you'll tell Mike and Shane why you ran away. Ok?"

"I guess," I replied in a tone that conveyed little to no conviction.

"Promise me you'll share your feelings with them, Julie." Tristan stared at me intently. "You owe me that much. Ok?"

Knowing he was right, I said, "I promise, Tristan." We both stood up hearing a car door slam, knowing Mike was here. "Thanks again for everything." I gave Tristan a quick hug.

Before I walked out to Mike's car, I turned to Tristan and said, "I don't know what happened between you and Mike but I think it's a mistake that you're not together anymore."

"Unfortunately, I'm the one who made the mistake," Tristan said sadly after Julie was out of earshot. Tears welling in his eyes upon seeing Mike standing by the car as he was reminded of all he lost due to his infidelity.

Before getting in the car, Mike hugged me then he spanked my bottom harder than he ever has before.

"DON'T YOU EVER TAKE OFF LIKE THAT AGAIN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" he yelled, while pointing his finger in my face.

"Yes sir." I rubbed my stinging backside before wiping my swollen watery eyes and sliding into the passenger seat.

At the NJC

Julie's pov

Mike was mostly silent on the way home but now the shit was gonna hit the fan.

"I'D LIKE AN EXPLANATION, YOUNG LADY!" Mike restlessly paced his floor. "Do you have any idea how worried we all were about you? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, TAKING OFF LIKE THAT WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE? Do you realize how upset we were when we found out you were missing?" Mike was fuming.

When I didn't answer immediately, he yelled, "ANSWER ME, JULIE! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW UPSET WE WERE?"

Matching his tone, I shouted, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I WAS HURTING TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT? TO RUN AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE!" I could no longer hold the tears back, they just started flooding from my eyes. "HOW WORTHLESS AND USELESS I FELT BECAUSE YOU AND SHANE ALWAYS GO HARDER ON ME?"

For the first time in perhaps way too long, Mike looked past the defiance and obstinance to really see the pain and sadness in his daughter's eyes.

"No, sweetheart. I had no idea you felt that way and I'm so sorry."

Mike reached out to brush the hair from my eyes but I flinched and turned away. I wasn't going to make this easy for him. No, not this time.

"Why didn't you come to me and tell me how you felt?" Mike's concern was genuine. I saw his face fall when I flinched and I heard the sadness in his voice.

"I don't know. I guess I just figured you wouldn't take me seriously cuz you would just think I was trying to get out of trouble."

"You know better than to run away and leave without telling anyone where you're going." This time I let Mike hold my chin. "Did you ever stop to think how you taking off would affect the rest of us?"

I avoided not only his question but his judgemental gaze as well while I focused on a small stain on Mike's carpeting.

"No, you didn't bother to think about us, Julie. Did you? Because you were only thinking of yourself. Your cousin and sisters were worried about you, not to mention the agony you put Shane and I through." Mike stood with his hands on his hips. "Shane's on a plane to London for chrissake to visit his dying father right now so he doesn't even know you're home safe and he won't know for another eight hours. How do you think he feels?" Mike was so angry, he turned his back to me and took a few deep breaths.

I snapped my head up.

"Grandfather's dying?"

Shit, Mike thought to himself. He forgot Shane hadn't told the girls about his dad's illness yet.

Mike sighed, "Yes, Julie, he has an aggressive form of lung cancer."

"Mike, I didn't know...I never would have done that to Shane, make him worry like that. I didn't know. I'm sorry. I'll apologize to Shane, I promise." I felt like such a jerk purposely trying to hurt him when he had his father to worry about. "I'm so sorry." I started crying again.

Taking pity on me, Mike held me in his strong arms and let me cry into his shirt.

"I'm sorry, Mike," I kept repeating, as he hugged me tightly and comforted me.

"I'm sorry too, darlin'. It never should have come to this. I never meant to treat you unfairly and I don't feel I've ever given you more discipline than you could take but I should have seen how badly you were hurting, Julie, and done everything in my power to make it better. Nothing is more important to me than your health and happiness. I don't ever want you to think you can't come to me and share your feelings because you're afraid I won't listen or take you seriously."

Mike held my face in his hands.

"Promise me you'll never run away again, Julie. Those five hours you were missing were the worst moments of my life. I don't want to know what it's like to live in a world without you, darlin'." Mike embraced me as he rubbed my back.

Breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne, I could feel the steady beat of his heart as he pressed my head firmly against his chest.

"I love you, baby girl, and I don't ever want to be without you," Mike whispered, no longer holding back his tears, facing how truly close he came to losing his daughter.