Chapter 12

"Ani," I hear a whisper in my ear and yawn. "Wake up, girl."

I probably was dreaming. In this dream, Michael asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes.

But if it was just a dream, why do I remember it being so vivid? I never dream vividly. In fact, I hardly ever dream at night about anything.

I sigh and groan, disappointed to be waken from the sweet sleep I was enjoying, when my shoulder is shaken gently.

"No," I grumble as I turn around. "Not yet."

"Aniko, are you going to deny me of seeing those beautiful green eyes open up and stare up at me?"

My heart leaps and summersaults in my chest. I know that voice from anywhere on earth.

Now I really need to know what happened. How are we together? I thought I was dreaming. Or was what happened real?

I guess the only way to find out is if I open my eyes.

My eyelids part and sure enough, I see Michael staring down at me. I rub my eyes and slowly sit up, realizing that my dream wasn't actually a dream.

This is real life.

I'm his girl.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Michael asks me curiously.

I stretch my stuff arms above my head and yawn loudly.

"I fell asleep?"

He nods in response. "Yes. We both did."

"What happened before then?"

His face breaks into a toothy grin. "You made me the happiest person in the world, Ani."

My thoughts are confirmed. It's true. We're together. I fight back the upcoming squeal of excitement and disguise it as a cough.

Michael's grin becomes brighter, obviously knowing, as I look around.

It's dark outside. Extremely dark. The only reason I can see Michael is because of the streetlight, dimly lit a couple of feet away.

The stars are still twinkling above us, glorious and grand, and the trees' leaves ruffling in the light night wind.

"We're in your backyard," I declare.

Michael nods. "That we are. We should really get you home, though. It's 1:30 in the morning."

"Shit! Michael," I hiss, agitated. It's 1:30 in the morning? Oh, my God. I told Mom that I wouldn't be here for long. It's been over five hours.

I quickly stand up, but a little too quickly, because I feel a dizziness in my head.

"Are you okay?" Michael asks me.

I nearly melt at the sound of his voice. He has so much care and affection. Is this what young love is? Is it really?

"I'm fine, I just... I have to get home now," I stress.

"Relax, I'll get you home. I promise," He kisses my forehead gently and stands up next to me.

I give him my hand and we start walking to the front yard. Suddenly, the porch lights flip on.

Michael freezes and I look upon his face. It's like his worst nightmare has been confirmed.

"Michael, what..." I start but he quickly shushes me and pulls me to the side of the house, crouching below the window.

"It's my parents," he breathes. "They're back home."

I frown. "So what?"

"My father, Aniko. He can't know that you were here so late."

I sigh, rubbing my face slowly. "Listen, I'll just go the other way and you go inside. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

His chocolate orbs bore into mine. I dare not blink, wanting to drink in the majestic sight of his sweet, transparent eyes, hating the idea of missing even a moment.

"I wanted to walk you home." Michael says finally.

I shake my head. "That doesn't seem like the best option right now."

"Michael!" Joseph's thundering voice booms through the house.

He stands, paralyzed by fear. Slowly, he turns to me. "You need to go. Go home. Now," he gently commands.

But, I stay where I am.

What kind of person, what kind of girlfriend would I be to just leave him when he needs someone, and not let us face this together?

Why would I run away now? When our relationship is just starting to blossom? What will happen when we move on to bigger, much more serious trials than acceptance? Will we overcome?

He deserves someone who cares. And I'll do my very best to be that person.

"I'm not going anywhere." I finally say, ignoring my slightly shaking hands.

I know how Joseph can be. And it's not good. Things can turn terrible, and fast.

"I'm not going anywhere, Michael. You need me here with you and I'm going to offer my support."

"Aniko, please go home. I don't want you a part of this. I can handle it on my own." He pleads.

"No. You have to realize that I'm your girlfriend now. I'm here for you," I remind him.

A hint of a smile traces his face when I say 'girlfriend', only to vanish moments later.

"You wouldn't understand," Michael says quietly.

"What wouldn't I understand?" I'm hurt by this statement.

I despise being told that I don't understand. It hurts. It's offensive. If I really don't understand, why not explain?

"Aniko, I didn't mean it like that," Michael begins.

"That I wouldn't understand being hurt by my father the way you do?" I fume.

"Baby, please."

Hearing him say that sweet four-letter word makes me cast my eyes to the ground. My heart threatens to break out of my chest. The feeling of anger building in me tumbles like a falling tower and its rubble.

"Look at me." He tries again.

I look up at him a moment before grabbing his hand and marching towards the front door.

"Wait!" Michael takes hold of my other wrist and spins me around.

"Michael, we need to push our fears aside and tell your family the truth. What's the point of lying to them, in the very beginning of our relationship? We can't start with lies. We just can't." I reason.

"But Joseph is still an issue," He reminds.

"If you really care about me, he won't be," I reply.

With that, I turn around and make my way towards the door again, with or without him.

I hear the autumn leaves crunch under his feet as he jogs across the lawn to me.

"I care. I really do care about you."

A smile touches my lips and I reach for his hand. "Then let's do this."

As we near the front porch, it seems like we're two steps behind. Miss Katherine is sitting in one of the porch chairs, her arms crossed in her lap, looking very calm.

"Miss Katherine, we were just-" I am quick to start explaining but I halt in the middle of my sentence as she begins to shake her head at me.

"Michael, your father is looking for you." She says.

"Where is he, Mother?" Michael asks, his voice slightly shaky.

I give his hand a tight squeeze and nod at him reassuringly.

I don't want him to be afraid of his own father. That alone just breaks my heart.

I want him to grow and be strong. Strong like I know he is.

"He's inside, in the living room." Miss Katherine answers, then turns to me. "Aniko."

I feel a little discouraged by her tone. "Yes Miss Katherine?"

"Your mother called, saying she's been worried sick about your whereabouts for hours. She's on her way over."

Dammit. No time to think of an excuse. Even if I did have time, what would I even say?

I slowly blow air through my mouth. Michael turns to look at me.

"I'm going to Joseph."

I nod. "Okay. I'm coming with you."

He looks like he is about to protest, but I don't even allow him the chance.

"I'm coming with you, Michael." I reiterate, a little sternly.

He slowly leans toward me and kisses my forehead. I control the huge beam that threatens to spill over my face.

I love when he kisses my forehead.

"Okay." He whispers, and we walk through the door.

"Why are you holding hands with her?" Joseph snaps.

It seems that he's moved from his projected area that was the living room to right in front of the door.

On impulse, I flinch at his feared voice. The moment later, I'm aggravated.

Aggravated at myself for being so scared.

"Because, Joseph," Michael pauses and swallows, "she's my girlfriend."

"What?!" Joseph shouts.

There's a thickening silence, electrified and charged with silence. Then it's broken with Joseph's loud guffaw. I'm shocked by the sudden change in mood. Why is he laughing?

"Girlfriend!" He exclaims, turning to me.

My body tenses, feeling extremely uncomfortable about his sadistic grin.

"What the hell do you see in him, girl?"

My frown creases my face as he goes on, having way too much fun in this moment. There's nothing at all amusing. It's just diabolical.

"I mean, look at his nose! It's so fat. He's got no muscle, he's a stick. Won't be able to protect you from nothin', maybe a fly," Joseph chuckles.

My heart shatters into minuscule pieces when I hear Michael sniffing next to me.

He's crying.

Miss Katherine and my mother come bursting through the door.

"Aniko!" My mom squeezes me tightly, ripping me away from Michael's warm hand. "We are going home, now."

"But I-"

"Now!" She yells before leaving through the door.

I sigh and look at Michael. He's staring at his shoes.

"Hey, I'll see you later today, okay?" I say softly.

Showing no regard that he heard me, his stare remains at the ground.

I lean in and kiss his cheek, and then follow my mother.

How could Joseph be so cruel? That's his son he's talking to. Does he not realize that those things said could scar a person?

I only hope that they haven't scarred Michael yet.

Angry tears pour down my face as I get inside Mom's car and slam the door.

Spacing out as she lectures me, I look to the stars.

It isn't fair. Nothing seems fair. How the day can take a full spin from great to terrible, isn't fair.

The ridicule Michael receives isn't fair. Life isn't fair.

And now I realize, to deal with this unfairness, I need to cling onto Michael will all my remaining strength.

--

Chapter 12

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~Joy