I felt so selfish. I can't believe her dad hospitalized her. she seems so broken, I can't believe I was such a coward. but I hope one day I can get her to understand where I'm coming from. maybe one she'll let me explain.......

ARIEL'S PoV*******

I ran, I ran as fast as I could. I couldn't take seeing his face again. tears slid down my face as the cold air burned my skin. I stopped by a trash can throwing up. I felt sick. all of that couldn't of just happened. after seven years.... I can't believe I slapped him , but he deserved after all he put me through.

Ran up to my apartment, slamming the door behind me. I ran to my room burying my face into my pillow sobbing.

"Ariel? .... Ariel!" I heard harmony say walking into my room.

" Why are you crying?" she asked concerned.

" It was him! he was the celebrity." I cried.

" Who? Michael ?!" She asked surprised. I nodded my head.

" oh my gosh, what happened?" she asked. She pulled me into her lap. I calmed my self down, then telling her the story. 

" How hard did you slap him?" she asked with a giggle.

" Pretty hard." i laughed. 

" Good, he deserved it!" she said.

" Are you going to go back to the studio tomorrow?" she asked. I haven't quite thought about that. I really dont want to see him but i need the money.

" I don't know.... I need the money but i dont want to see him." i said.

" What if he if he picks you to be one of his dancers?" she asked.

" I'll say no!" I said

" But Ariel, it'll be a once in a life time chance!" She exclaimed

" Nope Nope Nope! I refuse to dance for him! End of conversation." i said getting up.

" Ariel you should just really think about it." she said then walking off.

I stood there for a while. Am i really going to let him ruin my life some more? By skipping work? By not taking a job offer. I sat on my bed and sat there for a good 2 hours thinking of what i should do.

****

I got up the next morning showering then getting ready for work. I will not let him ruin my life anymore. I walked out the door locking it behind me and started to walk to work. I can honestly say im a little nervous. I entered the studio to see Michael talking to the diretor. Jake was waiting for me at the door. He helped me with my bag, and gave me a hug. It was a long embrace, i really needed a hug too. 

" You okay?" he asked. 

" Im alright..." i replied.

" You wanna tell what yesterday was all about?" 

" I dont wanna talk about it." i replied. He pulled away grabbing my shoulders looking me straight in the eyes.

" You sure youre okay?" he giggled.

" Im fine!" I laughed.

" Alright, Everyone. Start warming up. No distraction today!" he said. I saw Michael whisper something into the directors ear.

" Ariel, Jake. I want you guys partnered up with different people! Get to work!" 

I know Michael just told him to separate us, is he getting jealous? Haha, Whatever, ill just partner up with Matt.  We practiced dance routines for a good 5 hours. i was exhausted.  Everyone was leaving,  I was the last one in the studio.

" Ariel." I heard him say.

" What Michael." i replied.

" Can we please just talk?" he asked in a vulnerable voice.

" Talk about what?"

" Us...." he said softly.

" Us? Ha. Michael there is not 'Us' there hasnt been for 5 years." i replied.

" Ariel, Please Just let me-"

" Michael! Stop! You made your decision 5-7 years ago..... I moved on. Just leave me alone?! Okay?!" i Shouted. He just walked out slamming the door. I shrugged my shoulders walking home. I loved walking home, it always helps clear my mind. I walked into my apartment building walking up my stairs. I opened the door to find Marilyn and Harmony sitting on the couch with teary eyes. 

" Whats going on?" i asked concerned.

" Ariel, someone attacked your mom in a ally. Shes in the hospital in critical condition." She said. I blinked a few times, stood frozen trying to comprehend what she just said.

" w-w-what?" i asked setting my bag down.

" We need to go to the hospital now." she said getting up.

" O-okay " i stuttered. I went into my room, changing really quick. We rushed to the hospital.

" Were here to see Elizabeth Scott." Marilyn said.

" Ma'am please take a seat in the waiting room. Their in the middle of surgery." the women at the front said. We all went and sat down. Tear started to form in  my eyes.

" Im going to go use the phone really quick..." i said getting up.

I asked the lady if there was a phone i could use she directed me down the hall. I dialed the studios number.

" Hello?" Erica at the front office answered

" Hey Erica, is Ariel. Can you tell the director i wont be coming in tomorrow. My moms in the hospital in Critical condition."

" Oh alright Honey. i hope every things okay. Ill let him know."

" Alright Bye." i said then hanging up. I went back to the waiting room. I sat down by Harmony and wrapped my arm around her. 

" Who would do such a horrible thing!" She cried.

" Shhh, Shes going to be okay Harmony." i replied kissing her head, rubbing her arm. We sat there for 2 hours. Harmony fell asleep on my shoulder.

" Ahhh, The Scott Family?" a doctor said. I shook Harmony wake. We followed the doctor till he stopped in front of a door.

" Who are you guys to Elizabeth Scott?" he asked

" Were her daughters, and that's her sister." i said.

" Well Mrs.Scott was severely beat and raped. She has bruised and broken ribs. broken nose, a broken arm. and a concussion. she has bruises and some cuts also." he finished

" Oh my God!" i cried. Harmony pulled herself into my chest sobbing. Marilyn was in shock. 

" We had to do reconstruction on the vaginal area, and her nose and few other areas. We are expecting her to recover. No she snot awake. But you guys can see her if youd like." he finished. I nodded. 

We walking into the room to see my beaten up mother laying on the hospital bed.  Marilyn lost it. She was on her knees crying. Harmony froze in place. I picked her up, sitting her in a chair. I kneeled down to Marilyn, she pulled me into her really quick. I just broke. I started to sob. My mother is th rmost nice, understanding, person and this happens to her? Who would ever do such a terrible thing?

Marilyn helped me off the ground, we all sat on the couch, just staring into space. 

We watched the clock right as it hit 3am. Mom hasn't moved or anything. Harmony and Marilyn were sleeping. I got up pulling a chair up to moms bed side. I grabbed her hand, kissing it softly.

the next day, she still didnt move or anything. The doctor told her she under very powerful pain medication. 

The clock finally hit 9pm.

" Harmony, stay with Marilyn. Alright? I have to go back to work tomorrow. Call if you guys need any thing or if she wakes up." I said kissing Harmony head. They both hugged me and told me bye.

I caught a cab home. I didnt want to walk home knowing someones out there beating and raping people.

I got into my apartment. I set down my stuff, putting it in my room. I took a shower then ate and went to bed. at about midnight i heard my door open then close. then it got locked. I went in the living room turning the light on to see nothing. As i turned around i came face to face with Andy, my dad. I froze in place.

" Hey sweet pea, hows your mother?" he asked with a evil grin. shock filled my face.

" You did that to her?!" i shouted pushing him. he walked really close to my face with his hand behind his back. 

" You better watch it little girl. or the same thing might happen to You!" then i felt something sharp go into my stomach. I yelled in pain. I looked down to see blood soaking my shirt. He stabbed me. Pain filled my face. He pulled it out fast. I was hunched over, holding my stomach. I looked up at him, then he striked me in the face knocking me to the ground. He stood over me smiling. I couldnt believe i use to call this man my father. 

" Was the nigger worth it?" he asked spiting on me. I kicked him in between his legs he fell over. I started to crawl towards my phone to call 911. I felt hand grab my ankle pulling me back. 

" LET GO OF ME!" i cried as he dragged me across the room.

he sat on top of me. He had both hand around my neck.

" So you think you can take your mother and Harmony away from me *tighten his grip* HUH? Just because your a nigger lover you think you can control everything! *tighten his grip* Huh? Where is that nigger?Huh?"

" Get off of my you bastard!" i screamed

" whatd you say?" he said punching me in the face.

"HELP!" i shouted.

MICHAEL'S POV!***

I was sitting in the back room with some people. We were discussing ideas for a dance routine, and film ideas.

"Mr. Johnson, Ariel Scott wont be coming in tomorrow. Her mother was hospitalize." the lady said.

" Alright, thank you Erica." he replied. I wonder if everything is okay? We sat there and talked for 2 more hours. All i could think of , is if everything was alright? Something felt really wrong. So i decided to to go to the flower shop and get her flower.

It was midnight. i was still awake. Knowing Ariel doesnt want to see. I decided to go ahead and drop them off at her door tonight. That why  i know shes either asleep or at the hospital and she wont freak out on me. 

I grabbed the flowers and called Bill. I knew where she lived because I asked Erica before i left the studio. 

We made it to her apartment building.

" floor 2, room 24." i said to myself. " Alright Bill ill be right back." i told him. I got out the car walking into her building. When i got to the 2nd floor. i heard screaming, like bloody murder screaming. I followed the scream.

" HELP!"

oh my god thats Ariel screaming. I got to her door.

"ARIEL!" i yelled. I grabbed the door nob twisting it trying to open it in a hurry. Shit its locked. I slammed my body into the door trying to break it down.

ARIELS POV

Someone was yelling my name through the other side of the door. "ARIEL!"

Oh my gosh, its Michael. Oh no. no no.

" Michael, run!" i screamed. I knew Andy would kill him and make me watch. I cant bare it. i would rather die then watch him die.

"ARIEL!" he yelled as he tried to break down the door.

" Looks like your nigger is here, huh? Perfect!" he got up and started walking to the door but i grabbed his leg making him fall. Finally the door caved in. Andy got back up but came at me again. He grabbed the knife shoving it into my leg. I screamed in pain. Next thing i know Michael came runnig at Andy knocking him to the ground. The wrestled ," I will fucking kill you Nigger!" Andy screamed. I tried to get up to help but i couldnt move. there was so much blood. MIchael fist punch Andy multiple times in the face. I watch as Andys hand reached for the knife. He griped it.

" MICHAEL! HE HAS  KNIFE!" i yelled. but it was to late. the knife sunk into Michael side. He yelled in pain, then being flipped over. He sunk the knife into Michael stomach, laughing.

" STOP IT! " I screamed. " DADDY STOP!" I yelled with tears streaming down my face. I hear feet running. i look over to see the police. Michael was screaming in pain. The police ran tackling Andy. They held him down. He tried to fight but there was 4 police holding him down. 

" michael " i said..... no answer

" MICHAEL!" i screamed. I heard a grunt come from him. He got up on his hands and knees. I slowly crawled over to me. 

" Michael." i called out again with tears

" Im right her Ariel." he said sitting besides me. He pulled me into his lap. I was shaking violently. My vision was getting blurry.

" Im scared." i said. 

" Just hold on. Help is on its way." he said holding me. He had his back against the wall supporting him. He kissed my head stroking my hair. I held onto his arms tight. All i knew, is if i was to die. I wanted to be in his arms