I smile sympathetically at Michael, who is examining his own body, looking for cuts and bruises.

Emma has gone home now, not because she wanted to leave me, but because I insisted her to.

"That's 12 so far," he says, pointing to one on his arm. I frown.

"Maybe it would be better if you didn't count how many little parts of you have been killed by that idiot Daniel," I say.

Michael looks up at me, his innocent little eyes becoming the deep, beautiful hypnotising eyes I've always loved.

"I guess.. what if Daniel finds out I'm alive? He already knows I'm not Bad any more.." he says.

Wait.. what?

"Anymore? I thought you never were anyway?" I say, confused. Michael gives me a guilty look.

"I lied to you.. I'm sorry. I really was Bad before you came into my life. I was Daniel's second in command, y'know, the little sidekick. The thing is, I stopped being Bad, but not because of you," he explains.

Woah. I thought he was always good!

"So, what did make you good?" I ask.

He looks down, a guilty glint in his eyes.

"I'll tell you what made me change. About 2 years ago, me and The Jax were up at the park. We were hanging round by the play area, y'know, the swings, the slide, the roundabout. These seventh graders came along, so they were like 12. They decided to sit on the swings. Daniel turned to me and he said, "Michael, tip their swings, make them fall off." So I did. I walked over to them, and I said, "Hey, fellas." There was one boy and one girl. They were both looking at me with a confused expression. I then took a hold of their swings and tipped them right off. They fell to the floor, and I started to laugh at them. I could hear Daniel laughing from the other side of the play area. I felt so good, having just done a proper 'Jaxxy' thing, y'know? The kids didn't make a noise, so I assumed they were ok. I started to walk off, without helping them back up. Then, I heard it. The boy was screaming, "Stacey! Wake up! Wake up!" Then it hit me. I've knocked her out. I ran their way, trying to help them. Daniel was wondering what the hell I was doing. I helped them up, and gave my phone to the boy to ring an ambulance. They were so thankful, yet I'd just nearly killed the girl, Stacey. I felt so bad, but not in the good way. I genuinely hurt someone, and myself, too. I vowed from then on to be a good person, and just to put on an act in front of The Jax. It worked until yesterday. But, there was a time when I really was Bad," he explains.

Wow. I never knew that.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?" I ask. Michael shrugs.

"I thought you'd dump me for it," he explains.

Hmm, that gets me thinking.

"I think I know a way we can get by The Jax without them hurting either of us," I say. Michael's all ears.

"Tell me," he says.

"Based on what you just told me, I thought this. We could have an argument, I could complain that you aren't bad enough, and then I could dump you. Of course, I won't dump you in real life, just acting. I attack you, showing how bad I am. Then, we must make sure Daniel hears and sees it. When he finds out how bad I am, he'll ask me to join The Jax. If I join, he can't hurt me, and you can just avoid him, but how? How?" I explain, trying to think of a way Michael could be avoided by The Jax.

Michael takes a breath.

"I got an idea," he says.

"What?" I ask. He exhales.

"It's risky.. very risky.." he says.

"Michael, what?" I ask. His face is expressionless.

"Tell them I didn't make it, tell them I was killed. We can have the argument, you dump me, then once you're in The Jax, pretend to get a phone call. Act shocked, but not too over the top, remember we're meant to be split up now. Tell the boys I've not made it. They'll believe it. They gotta. I know how good an actor you are, Becky, and I'm not bad either. We can do it. Together. It'll show how Bad we really are," he says.

Hmm. That's not bad.

"I guess that could work, but when would I ever see you?" I ask. Michael smiles.

"I'll always be there," he says. I nod.

"I trust you, Michael," I say. Michael smiles.

"I know you trust me. And I can trust you, too. But we've gotta make sure Daniel and The Jax do, too, even if what we're doing is a lie."