Authors note: Thank you for all the comments. Overall I have 500 and they all make me happy. Please continue to do so and maybe vote.

I was walking around the streets like a zombie. I felt nothing. I didn't know where I was going but I wasn't going back to my house anytime soon. I needed to sort my thoughts out. Then suddenly a car pulled up next to me on the street. The door opened. Men in black got out, put a bag on my head. and carried me into the car. I tried to fight back but I couldn't. There were 3 of them and one of me. Even though I couldn't see I tried to escape. I guess it was obvious that I was trying to escape because I received a sudden blow to the head.

When I woke up the bag was off my head but I was tied to a chair and there was a single spotlight on me.

"HELLO," I yelled and tried to move my hands.

"You're awake," a familiar voice said.

"What?" I asked in confusion. No one showed themselves. It was just me and the light. With darkness surrounding the circle.

"Who the fuck are you?" I growled.

"I wanted to say thank you for your gift. But my partner needs more" the voice said.

"Fuck you. I told you people that I was done. I don't want to be apart of your shit" I said irritated.

"Don't be stupid Michael. You wouldn't want to have another accident.. would you?" the voice laughed.

"Let me go" I hissed. Then the lights when out and then I received a strong blow in my eye and then my jaw. Suddenly there was a flashlight that blinded in my face.

"Listen here. If I don't get more of what I want. I will take what you have. Starting with that Bitch of a wife" the voice hissed. When the light got turned off, I was forced to fall asleep again. Soon I opened my eyes and I was at Martin'sguest room.

I went downstairs and saw Martin watching TV.

"Why am I here?" I asked confused as I held my head.

"You were laying on my doorstep. You were fucked up pretty bad" Martin explained.

"What happened to you?" Martin asked concerned.

"Nothing... do you have any medicine to numb the pain?"

The tea I was making smelt wonderful. It was a light vanilla smell that permeated the air with relaxation and warmth. I was about to pour the magical water in a teacup but there was a knock on the door. My mood immediately changed to irritation.

I walked to the front door and leaned on it with my ear pressed against it.

"Who is it?" I hollered to the person on the other side. The door wasn't that thick.

"It's Martin and Tiffany. Please open up the door" the voice yelled back.

"Go away" I shouted and was about to walk back to the kitchen but another voice spoke.

"Bitch, open this door now before I kick it down" another voice shrieked and then hit the door. Since I wasn't feeling up to fight with Tiffany anytime soon, I complied with her demand. I opened the door a crack and looked at both of them with a neutral face.

"I opened the door. Now go away" I said flatly and was about to close it but Tiffany's hand stopped me.

I give up.

"UGH" I yelled in frustration as I turned my back to them and then walked back to my tea. I heard the door close and footsteps following me.

When I got back in the kitchen I poured my tea and turned around to see my dear friends seated at the table staring at me.

"What do you guys want?" I asked as I took a chair to sit down.

"We wanted to make sure our bestie was okay. I haven't seen you in so long" Tiffany said happily.

"That's not true. You saw me at Cheri's goodbye party." I said sharply.

"Well that was only for an hour or so" Tiffany clarified.

"After you beat the shit out of Wes you stormed off," Martin said with a smirk.

"I still don't know why you beat him up," Tiffany said confused. I haven't spoken to anyone about what happened. I've mostly been cooped up in the damn house ever since Michael left me.

"Well, Martin... you know. Why don't you explain to dear Tiffany" I said as I went to take a sip of my tea.

"You told Martin before you told me?" Tiffany gasped very dramatically.

"Michael told him. Go, Martin." I said casually as I looked at Martin.

"Well, I guess after Jeanie told us about her job offer Wes came here and talked to Michael," Martin said and then was about to say more but Tiffany interrupted.

"That. Fucking. Bastard." She yelled outraged.

"He deserved more than the beat down you gave him. You should have put his ass in the hospital. We told you that he was in love with you but you never listened to us. You thought he would get over it" Tiffany lectured.

"I wasn't going to pay for his hospital bill Tif. And I did think he would grow out of it. Every time he asked me out I have declined." I snapped. Wes has asked me out more than 50 times in the 2 years I have known him. Every time I would tell him a firm "Sorry but no, we can be friends though." I didn't know how a guy could take so much rejection and keep coming back to the same person. But he was still a good friend to me.

"Anyway, Michael then got mad at Jeanie's lack of trust in him and left to clear his mind," Martin said.

"I never knew it took two weeks to clear one's head" I scoffed as I took a sip of my tea again.

"He'll come back, " Martin said in a reassuring voice.

"Sure he will" I muttered.

Michael. The bastard. He's been fucking gone for two weeks. The day he left I was going to go after him but he would have just been more pissed. I gave him space but I didn't think it would be for this long.

One thing for sure. I knew he was still breathing. Dead people don't go to work. They also don't send their friends to check up on you to see how your feeling every fucking day. I swear I wanted to kill Martin. I mean I loved him very dearly but I hated everyone right now. That's why I have been at the house more. Him leaving cause me to be angrier than ever. But every two days I go to a pottery class. Make a shitty pot or plate and then I throw it at the front door of this beautiful lonely house. It makes me a tad happier breaking shit.

"Well at least your not like those bitches who don't shower for days at a time when their sad" Tiffany said trying to lighten the mood with a smile. I started to take 8 showers a day. And I was never able to wash all the tears away. There was always more of those son of bitches.

"Lucky me," I said with fake sarcasm as I took my tea again and took another sip.

"Why the hell are you drinking tea?" Tiffany said and tried to take the cup away from me.

"It relaxes me" I whispered as I slid it away from her.

"Alcohol also relaxes people. Come get shitfaced with me, Martin and his wife at the club" Tiffany said as she poked me in the side.

"I have to wait till he comes back. If I change my mind I will call you guys." I said flatly.

"So when he comes back how are you going to make it up to him?" Martin said with a raised eyebrow. He was very interested.

"What do you mean? I didn't do shit. It's Wes's fault!" I said confused.

"Yes but you played a part in it too" Tiffany pointed out.

"He thinks that you don't trust him enough to tell him stuff" Martin clarified.

"That's not what I said at all" I snapped.

"But that's what he thinks" Martin snapped back sharply.

"He also thinks that he doesn't mean anything to you because of what you said about your reason for staying. You said that you were thinking of staying for your friends and didn't include him" Martin explained.

"This is frustrating," I said as I ran my hand through my hair. I wanted to tell him I wanted to stay for him but I couldn't. I thought that would make me seem too desperate or something.

"Well, if someone told you that you didn't mean anything to them, would you stay"? Tiffany questioned.

"You're taking his side?" I laughed bitterly.

"I'm not siding with anyone Jeanette. It's whether or not you want to keep him. If not continue to not tell him shit" Tiffany explained.

"So what do you guys suggest for me to do?" I asked in a defeated tone.

"Don't know, But you gotta think of something?" Martin said.

"Thank you for being so helpful," I said sarcastically with a smile.

"Your welcome" Tiffany cheered.

"Well we just wanted to stop by and make sure you were alive," Martin said as he got up from his chair.

"I gotta get going to my side job," Tiffany said as she got up to. They gave me hugs and then I followed them out.

I really hated myself at that point. Various ideas raced through my head. I was trying to think of something to do in order to show Michael how much he meant to me without me saying too much.

"I think I have an idea..." I whispered to myself. I ran up the stairs and got ready to go to Walmart. I got what I came for and then went back to the house. It was a fairly easy errand.

When I came home I waited on the couch and watched the door. Waiting for Michael. I waited until 11:00 pm. I had been doing this for two fucking weeks and I was starting to give up hope. So instead of crying for him not coming to the house, I got ready to meet Tif and them at the club.

I was upstairs when I heard the door downstairs open and close. I walked down very slowly and when I reached the opening of the living room I saw him. I stopped breathing and I examined him. He had an old bruise on his cheek and a black eye. He was also swaying back and forth which probably meant he was drunk.

"You came back," I said with a breaking voice. That was the only thing that came to mind.

"I live here, don't I" he spat.

"You were gone for 2 weeks," I said as I folded my hands and started walking towards him.

"Now you know how it feels," he said in a detached voice.

"Michael... please don't be mad at me," I said in a small voice.

"Don't do this now Jeanette. I just got home. Don't annoy me with your talking unless you want me to leave again" He threatened.

"But it's my job to annoy you" I whispered.

"Well soon your service will no longer be needed," He said in a cold voice. I was on the edge of tears. Then suddenly he was about to fall. I went to him to help him but he ripped his arm away from my hands.

He should have just ripped out my heart as well. I mean that's what it felt like.

"Michael, let me help you to your bed. You look like you haven't slept in days" I said calmly and was about to touch him again but he put his hand out for me to stop.

"Back up. I don't want to get into anything right now" Michael warned.

"I was only trying to help" I whispered.

"You're not fucking helping me, Jeanette. You're going to leave to go to London with that motherfucker Wes. You're going to forget all about me. About us" Michael hissed.

"We should talk about this later. You're too drunk for this" I said calmly.

"I thought if I was drunk the pain would go away. Now I just feel lightheaded and the pain." He said.

"I love you more than anything. I want to be with you forever but you don't want that. I don't understand why you don't love me dimples. It hurts so much" He said in a hurt voice and then clutched a piece of his shirt in his hand.

"Michael. You don't know what you're saying"

"Yes, the fuck I do. I love you and there's nothing you can do to change that. But when you do things like this it reminded me that it's one-sided. You don't love me. I was going to tell you the day you moved back in that I loved you. I was going to tell you so many times about how I feel... but you know how you are" He said in a brittle voice.

"And how exactly am I," I asked with a raised brow.

"You push me away because you know if you let me in you'll feel the same way as I do for you. And that scares you because you think it's only a matter of time before he breaks my heart. But I could never do that. I wasn't mad at the thing you have with Wes. He's an idiot, to be honest... I was mad at the thing we don't have." he said crushed.

"We don't have a friendship and I guess we don't have a relationship either" he continued. I was speechless. I felt more like a piece of shit. I was about to say something but I guess it was time for him to sleep because when his eyes closed and he fell. I ran to catch his heavy ass and struggled with his weight. I knew I couldn't carry him up the stairs so I dragged him to the couch. I put him on his side and his feet were dangling off the couch. I went upstairs, got a blanket to cover him and put a pillow under his head.

I felt like I didn't deserve to live. Causing pain to Michael was never an intention but in the end, I did it anyway. I locked the front door and went to sleep on the floor. But it was hard. I woke up at least 10 times in the 4 hours I had to sleep. So I eventually gave up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. It was 5 A.M. I went to the room packed a bag and put it in the car. Then I went back to the kitchen.

Michael woke up around ten. He came into the kitchen rubbing his face and then his eyes landed on me but I wasn't looking at him directly. I was staring at my 4th cup of coffee. He took it upon himself to sit next to me at the table.

"Why are you up so early? Don't you have a hangover?" I asked.

"I do but I was done lying on the couch. How long have you been up?" He said.

"A couple hours" I whispered.

"Where were you?" I asked

"A place," he said simply with a shrug.

"So vague"

"Just like you" he snapped and then I was trying to find something else to say.

"When you were drunk you were saying a lot of things..." I whispered.

"Like me being in love with you."

"Yea... Did you mean it?"

"Why lie?" he replied. Then there was silence. He was about to leave but I stopped him.

"Michael wait," I said finally looking up at him.

"What Jeanette? What can you possibly do now that would make me feel better?" he snapped.

"Get some clothes. We're going somewhere" I said.

"Where?" he asked hesitatingly with narrow eyes.

"You'll just have to wait and see. Now go get some clothes. I'll be in the car." I said and then stood up to put my cup in the sink. He complied and started to go upstairs. He came to the car after ten minutes with a bag and we started to travel. It took 45 minutes to get to the shore.

When we reached our destination I parked the car in the driveway and got out. Michael stood there in confusion as he looked at the house. I went to the back of the car and got my bag. Then I nervously grasped his free hand and dragged him to the front door. I opened the door and lead him to the master room so we could set the bags down.

"The bathroom is over there. When you're done I'll meet you downstairs" I said and then left to go the other bathroom to take a shower and freshen up. When I was done I went downstairs and started making breakfast. 30 minutes later he came down in new clothes and wet hair. He sat on the island of the kitchen.

"What is this place?" He asked.

"A house," I said with a smirk and flipped a pancake. I glanced at him and he rolled his eyes.

"When did you buy it?"

"2 years ago when I came to Seattle" I answered.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"This house is very special to me. Its where I hide when the city gets too busy. I come here to clear my head. No one knows about this place and I wanted to show you because... well..." I started to say but I stopped. I shut the stove and then put the pancake with the rest that was on the plate. I turned to look at him as I leaned on one of the counters.

"Michael... I care for you more than I have cared about anyone else-" I was about to say more but he snapped at me.

"Why are you putting me with everyone else?" He snapped. I went to him and took his hand.

"I wasn't finished," I said and squeezed his hand a little.

"You're everything to me and I'm... I'm sorry that I didn't confide in you about the letter. I'm sorry I told Wes before you. The past two weeks were a living hell for me because you weren't there. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. I even got all pruney because of me trying to wipe the tears off my face. Michael... I want to be with you. I don't want to lose you. There's no one I'd rather have to be by my side" I said and then gave him a hug. And he hugged me back.

"When will I hear an I love you from you" He whispered.

"Soon," I said and then moved away from him a bit. His arms were still around me.

I loved my dad when I was little. He obviously didn't feel the same. I loved my mother too and then it stopped when she went on her "Vacation." I love my grandfather but when he died it hurt me. Love always hurt me. I didn't want to add Michael to the list. But I knew deep down I did.

"So.. what do you think of this place?" I asked.

"I like it," he said looking around.

"Good because I made you a key," I said as I dug into my pocket and gave him the key. He took the key cautiously with a smile.

"Come here anytime you want" I continued as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Suddenly he grabbed my neck and kissed me. I immediately responded and took a fist full of his hair. Our mouths moved together in sync and then he broke it.

"What happened to Wes?" he asked as he held me and looked at my lips.

I knew he would ask this.

"Oh, you're going to love my story" I laughed and then broke our connection and went over to the pancakes.

"Are you going to tell me?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"I need you to be comfortable before I tell you," I said and then when everything was set up I sat in a chair and cleared my throat.

"So this happened three days after you left. I was at my good friend Cheri's going away party" I started.

Flashback. When Wes got Fucked Up.

I was the first one to get to the party to help Cheri set up. I helped her in the kitchen while Tiffany put up the decorations.

"So... How's your dad?" I asked as I was frying the fries for the party.

"He's been better. A doctor has called me and told me that I need to get there soon." Cheri said in a gloomy voice.

"I'm really going to miss you. It's always been you and me." I said in a breaking voice.

"Jeanette don't worry I'll call every day. Nothing can break us up" Cheri said in a reassuring voice.

"It's not the same but we'll work through it. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me. I will be there for you" I said.

"I know. So... Where's Michael?"

"He left me" I said bluntly.

"What! Why?" Cheri said with concerned.

"Wes told him about the offer from England and he got pissed," I explained and then put the fries out of the friar.

"That asshole. Do you want me to tell him not to come?" Cheri asked.

"Nah. I wanna see he..."

"Your gonna start a fight aren't you?" Cheri said with a smirk.

"Can I? I mean this is your party." I asked.

"Of course. I love a good fight." Cheri laughed.

"But I thought you liked Wes as your friend too"

"If he fucked with you he fucked with me. And for that, he must pay. It's the rules" Cheri said in a serious voice. Then we started laughing.