Chapter 9: Am I That Obvious?

"How is she?" JC asked concernedly when Taylor came down the stairs after putting Mikayla to sleep. He was sitting down in the kitchen anxiously, eager to know how Mikayla was doing. The rest of the guys had already gone upstairs to say goodnight to her and went to bed. Chris and Joey had apologized to her for their part in the fight.

Taylor sighed. "She's fine. She's sleeping right now," Taylor informed him, sitting down next to him.

"I don't know what came over me," JC said, talking to no one in particular. "I saw him raise his hand, and I couldn't…I wouldn't let him hurt Mika."

Taylor put her hand over his. "JC, you did the right thing, I would have hit you if you had let the fucking bastard hurt her."

JC laughed weakly. Taylor studied him for a moment. "You're still in love with Mika, after all these years, aren't you?" She asked him.

JC looked at her, the surprise he felt was evident on his face. "Am I that obviously?" He asked her weakly.

"Yeah," She told him, smiling at the way he grinned and bowed his head.

"It doesn't matter. I hurt her deeply even though I didn't do it intentionally. She didn't hear me out." JC told her sadly.

"There's always a second chance, JC." Taylor told him gently. JC looked at her strangely.

"I think I'm going to go and see how she's doing before I go to bed. 'Nite." He got up.

"Okay. 'Nite." Taylor told him, watching him start up the stairs.

* * * * *

The pain in Mikayla's head seemed to pound harder when she tried to sleep. She tossed and turned, not feeling particularly comfortable. He had almost hit her. She knew he had his moments, but had she really sunk as low as to have gotten an abusive boyfriend because she didn't want to get hurt emotionally?

The door creaked open and light streamed in through the opening. "Mika?" She heard JC's voice asked cautiously. The door opened wider as he walked in, then closed it.

"Josh?" She asked weakly.

"Are you okay?" Even through the darkness she could see the concerned look in his brilliant blue eyes.

"No." She told him truthfully. She sat up. "I never thought I'd have a boyfriend who'd attempt to hit me. The thought that it could have happened is scary enough."

"It's okay, Mika." He assured her, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Do you need anything?"

"I need someone to stay with me," She said sheepishly. "I can't sleep." JC thought for a moment, then grinned.

"I have an idea. I'll be right back." He left her room, leaving her puzzled. He came back several moments later, holding a rental tape box. He handed it to her.

"The Godfather?" She asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I rented it earlier today. Y'know, just in case we could find some time to watch it." He told her. He seemed to be shy, but Mikayla just assumed she was imagining that.

* * * * *

She laughed out loud. "I never thought I'd feel so good watching such a somber movie." JC sat on the other side of the bed, eyes glued to the screen. They had made some popcorn and were chugging down sodas.

"Yeah." He answered distractedly. She looked at his profile, smirking at how he seemed so engrossed in the movie. Taking a fistful of popcorn, she threw it at him.

"Hey!" He said, surprised when the popcorn hit his face. Mikayla giggled like crazy, her depressed mood earlier had evaporated within the first hour of the movie. "Give me that!" He said, lunging for the popcorn. She turned away from him, and he ended up tackling her. Both were shocked to find themselves in each others' arms.

"Oops." JC said huskily, looking down at her. God, she looked beautiful. Her hair was rumpled and her brown eyes looked right back at him. Not being able to control himself, he kissed her.

* * * * *

Mikayla didn't know how to react at first. Josh was kissing her, and she returned his kisses with as much passion as he was giving her. She ran her hands through his brown hair, savoring the texture of it. Her brain screamed to stop, but she paid it no heed.

JC pulled away hastily, jumping off of the bed. He ran a hand through his crumpled hair. "Oh, God," He moaned, "I'm sorry, Mika. It was wrong." He stormed out of the room before she could even say anything.

The Lion Pendant Contents | Chapter 8 | Chapter 10