The next day

"Oh, that's so cute!" I cry happily, hugging my best friend Jasper and the man he's been seeing: Charlie. "I'm so happy for you!"

They've decided to give themselves a go, and we're spending time together, to catch up. Michael's currently with Lisa, talking about their divorce.

It makes me feel uncomfortable that they're alone together, without me, but at least I know they won't, like, kiss or anything.

I trust Michael.

"So, when are we gonna meet your new Mister?" Jasper asks, sitting down on his sofa and staring up at me hopefully.

"Oh, it'll be soon, don't you worry. But right now, he's with his ex, they're tryna sort out a divorce."

"Ooh, a man with his ex is a bit of a risk," Charlie says, sucking air between his teeth.

"It may well be, but I trust Michael. I know he's a good man," I reply.

I only met Charlie today, but I feel comfortable around him already.

"Yeah, I guess trust is a good thing in a relationship," he agrees.

"So, should we head on out, then?" I ask.

"Oh, yes!" Jasper grins. We grab our jackets and bags, and head out to town.

"So, where to first?" I ask. "Because, being the men you are, I was thinking The Body Shop!"

Obviously that's a joke.. or sarcasm, whichever you prefer to call it.

"Oh, pretty smells and sprays? Count me in!" Jasper winks and tugs Charlie's arm playfully.

I laugh and roll my eyes, and we continue to walk, passing The Body Shop.

"We've been out for, like, a half hour, and we've been in a total of one place. And that was the cookie place!" I complain with a laugh.

Although, cookies are like my favourite food.

"But cookies are worth such an amount of time," Charlie smiles.

"Good point," I reply, and we arrive at the biggest clothes shop in town: Facaccia's.

"Oh, this has everything," Jasper says. "Let's go in here!"

"Ok," I agree. "But I get to go through the revolving doors first!"

"No, me!" Charlie argues.

"I think you'll find it'll be me!" Jasper protests playfully, and we all run to the door.

We all get in there at the same time, and spin the door around as quick as we can.

"It's been forever since we did this, Jasp!" I giggle uncontrollably as we spin.

"I know! Gosh, I forgot how much I loved doing this!" he replies, trying to control his laughter.

"Hey! Can we get in?" multiple fellow shoppers ask impatiently from the outside of the store.

"Oh, we better go inside," I say, stopping the revolving door, when the partition we're standing in comes to the inside of the store.

"I forgot how much fun that was," Jasper grins, walking off-balance. "And how dizzy you get after."

"Right?" I agree, trying to regain a sense of orientation.

"Right, should we start browsing?" Charlie asks, a cheesy grin on his face.

"Yeah, just bear with me a sec," I reply, holding onto the escalator banister to regain my senses.

Once me and Jasper are ok again, we head on up the escalator, to the floor with the products we want.

"Hey, do you think this flatters me?" Jasper asks, holding a blue summer dress, with daises decorating it, up in front of him.

"Sexy," I laugh, and he places it back on the rack.

"Jasp, what about these?" Charlie calls from another aisle, and we see him holding up some fancy earrings to his ears.

"Oh, they're fabulous, darling!" Jasper compliments jokily.

"Hey, Jasper, what about this?" I ask, lifting a white fedora, with a black strip of material around it, and placing it on my head.

"Hey, that actually suits you, girl!" Charlie runs over to us and says.

"Really?" I ask, looking at myself in the full-body mirror. Hmm, he's kinda right.

"Yes!" both boys reply in unison.

"Well, I'll be getting that, then," I say, placing the hat into my basket.

After browsing a little more, picking up a few items and having a laugh, we decide to pay.

"That'll be $120, please, madam," the cashier tells me.

Had I have been drinking right then, I'd have spat it out in her face with shock.

I spent that much in one shop?

I only got a few things!

"Uh.. sure," I reply uneasily, inserting my credit card into the machine, and entering my PIN code.

"Thank you for shopping at Facaccia's, come again soon!" she bids me farewell, and we all leave the shop, having paid for our stuff.

"Don't think I'll be coming again soon," Jasper replies, looking shocked at how much he spent, too.

"I think we've kinda spent our.. yearly pay," I joke. "Only, I don't have a job!"

"Ha, I know right?!" Charlie chuckles, looking pleased with himself for having only spent $25.

"I kinda feel pain that I spent so much money," I joke, placing my hand on my heart and pouting.

"Yeah, well, you got some cute things!" Jasper smiles.

"I suppose.. but God, I wonder how Michael's doing with Lisa.." I reply.

Michael's POV

"What?!" I cry. "You mean, the police are after him, and you wanna hide here?"

"Please, Michael!" Lisa begs. "It's our only hope!"

"No!" I decide. "No, Lisa. I won't let you stay here. This isn't even my home, this is Becky's parents' home! Don't you remember that part?"

"Michael, I'm desperate!"

"Too bad. Alex shouldn't have done all that stuff. He's just.. he's a jerk for doing what he did!"

"Michael.. I know we aren't together any more, but please.. am I not even your friend?"

"You came so we could set the ball rolling for our divorce. This is a completely different topic!" I cry, changing the subject entirely, waving my arms out to indicate how mad I am.

"I realise that, thanks. But look, we wouldn't be in this position if you told the police you were lying about everything Alex did!"

"Excuse me?" I demand.

"That's right. If you tell the police that Alex is innocent, we won't need to hassle you by asking to hide out here. Logic, see?"

"No," I reply shortly, folding my arms tightly to show I mean business.

"I assumed as much," Lisa huffs, walking over to the sofa I'm sitting on already. "Such a kind man you are.."

"Oh, I'm a kind person, Lisa. Just not to people who refuse to be kind to me."

"Michael," she sits next to me, and tilts my head with her hand to make me look at her. "I know I've been.. well, there isn't a word to describe it, but, please.. please help me and Alex, in some kinda way. Tell the police you were lying, or let us live with you.. just for a while, until we know how we're gonna cope-"

"But if I tell the police me and Becky were lying, that's technically wasting police time, and I don't wanna get done for that. So thank you, but no thank you. Let's move on now."

Becky's POV

"They'll be alright, Bex," Jasper assures me, referring to Michael and Lisa.

"Oh, I know, I know.. but there are still risks," I reply.

"Like what?" he asks.

"They could kiss, or.." that's the only one I can think of, so I'm gonna start exaggerating. "She could threaten to kill Michael, or they could.. get intimate. Point is, there's a hell of a lot of risks, Jasp!"

"Yeah, I doubt she's gonna turn into some sorta gun-toting pixie or something and start shootin' him," Charlie says, causing me to chuckle.

"You never know. This is Lisa Marie Jacks-Presley we're talking about, here," I correct myself.

Might as well call her by her original surname, she's divorcing Michael soon.

Yay!

"Anyway, we've still got a hell of a lotta places to go to. Where to next?" Jasper changes the subject quickly.

"Hmm.. I'm hungry," I whine. "Can we go get something to eat?"

"Sure. Don't worry, Becky. Being the nice person I am, I won't make you pay for it," Jasper says.

"Thanks, Jasper," I smile.

"Charlie, you're paying!" Jasper squeals.

"Oh, nicely done, nicely done Jazz," Charlie replies. I'm assuming Jazz is Jasper's nickname.

"Great! So, where'd you wanna go?" Jasper asks me.

"KFC!" I cry quickly, to seem that I wanna go there desperately.

"Ok, ok, calm down!" Charlie laughs, taking Jasper's hand.

Seriously, they're cute as hell.

Michael's POV

"I tell you, you're becoming more insane by the minute!" I scream at Lisa, who is sitting on the sofa, looking down at the floor, to avoid eye contact.

I'm standing up now, pacing up and down the carpet.

Mr and Mrs Summers will be home soon, they went out so Lisa and I could talk.

But Lisa may still be here when Mr and Mrs Summers return at this rate.

I check the time. 11:46am. Actually, Becky's parents won't be back for.. hmm, about five hours. I'm good.

But I'm not sure when Becky'll be back, she's gone out with Jasper and his.. boyfriend?

"Michael, it's just a few days," Lisa finally says.

"No, Lisa. It'll be no days. We're here to discuss the divorce, not to discuss your sleeping arrangements. If you only came here to talk about where you and Alex can play hide-and-go-seek with the police, then you can go. I'm sure Alex'll be waiting for you."

"Oh, as a matter of fact, you're right, Michael. Alex is waiting for me, I should go to him. I'm sorry that you feel you can't help us.. I guess that's what we get."

"Thank you," I say. "Next time, come to discuss divorce-related topics. Otherwise, at this rate, it'll never get done."

Becky's POV

Now we're in KFC, sitting at a table with our food. We're having a laugh, but I can't stop thinking about Michael and the fact he's with Lisa.

"You know, they're gonna be ok?" Jasper reassures me.

"Of course," I reply. "But I can't help but think about him. I love him."

"That's cute," Charlie says after sipping his milkshake. "That shows real love, that does."

"Aww," I smile. "And I know you and Jasper will go far, too, Charlie."

"You think? I was beginning to get bored," Jasper jokes, earning himself a slap on the arm from Charlie.

"You cheeky so-and-so!" Charlie laughs. "I happen to find you very un-boring. See, you even get new made up words to describe you. That's how special you are."

"So sweet," Jasper smiles at him, and leans on Charlie's shoulder, looking up at him like a lost puppy.

"Guys, seriously, I can't handle the cuteness!" I squeal, stealing one of Jasper's chips, as if I don't have enough of my own.

"Oh, seriously, you are going to pay for that!" Jasper vows, and steals three of mine.

"Hey! I only took one!" I protest, taking two of his to make it fair.

"Calm down, ladies! Jeez!" Charlie laughs, placing his finger lightly into his drink, and flicking the milkshake towards me and Jasper's directions.

"Thanks for that, babe," Jasper says sarcastically, wiping the drink from his nose.

My phone starts to ring.

"Oh, let me just get this," I say. "It might be Michael."

There's no caller ID.

"Hello?" I say.

"Have you made a claim for PPI yet? If not, call PPI For You on 011-"

I hang up abruptly. I hate cold callers.

"Who was it? Your best friend at the Local PPI Company?" Jasper asks, trying to look genuinely curious.

"So funny that I forgot to laugh," I reply, trying to act annoyed at his comment. I put my phone back in my pocket, and continue to eat.

My phone begins to ring again.

"Bet it's them PPI guys again," I say, ignoring the call.

The phone goes to voicemail, then turns silent again.

"So Jasper-"

My phone rings again.

"Someone's popular with the PPI people today," Charlie chuckles, placing down his drink.

"That's the problem, I wanna be unpopular," I reply with a smile.

Finally, my phone goes silent.

"So, where are we going after this?" I ask.

"Not sure, maybe a few places like-"

My phone rings yet again, interrupting Jasper.

"Them PPI dudes are persistant, I'll give them that," I say irritably.

"No kidding," Charlie replies.

My phone silences again, finally.

"You were saying, Jasper?" I usher him on, and he chuckles, happy to finally be able to speak.

"We can go to that clothing store down the road from here.. what's it called? Uh.. Zander Anderson's. Gee, why does every clothing store have to be named after someone?" Jasper asks, sitting back in his chair.

"Yeah, I noticed that, too. Annoying, right? I mean, they could jus-"

My phone rings yet again, and I take it from my pocket angrily and press "accept call."

"Listen, I don't want to claim PPI!" I hiss down the phone.

I expect no answer, it's normally one of those automated voices.

But when I get an answer, I almost have a heart attack.

"Becky?" I hear a familiar voice call in a whisper.

"Michael?" I ask.

"Becky, I want you to come home," Michael's voice sounds a little worried.

"Why? What's going on?" I ask.

"It's Lisa.. just.. I want you to come home, please," he begs.

"Michael, what's going on?" I ask again.

"Her and Alex.. they wanna hide at your parents' home cos the police are after them.."

"Well, say no!"

"They said the only way they'd leave us alone, and stop asking, is if we tell the police we're lying about the accusations we're holding against Alex, what do I do?!"

"Take a deep breath, Michael, calm down. I'll come right away. Where's Lisa right now?"

"Gone for now, but she said she's coming back after she's gone to pick something up.. I think she said something about her handbag or something, but I want you to come home, I'm feeling a little uncomfortable about all this. Sorry to cut your outing so short."

"Ok, I'm coming, Michael. I'll be there in a few minutes," I tell him.

"Oh, Lisa's back," Michael says. "Please come now.."

"I am, don't worry," I reply.

"Ok, Lisa just said "this is what you get for being difficult." Ok, wondering what I get now.."

"What's happening now?" I ask.

"Alex has just walked in.. and they've seen me talking to you!"

"Ok, ok, I'm on my way," I stand up and beckon Jasper and Charlie in my direction.

I hear Michael breathing heavily.

"Michael, what's wrong?"

"Becky, come quick, please!"

His whisper has now become a desperate shout.

"Why, what just happened? What are they saying's gonna happen cos you've been "difficult," Michael?"

There's no reply for a moment.

"Michael?!" I cry. I suddenly hear his breathing on the other side of the line.

It's so loud, but shallow. I'm worried!

"Thank God you're there," I say. "Now, tell me what's just happened!"

"Come, just come, just come now, please!" Michael begs desperately.

"I am! But please tell me what's going on!" I demand in fright, running from KFC with Jasper and Charlie.

I can hear Michael crying now.

"They-they're pointing a gun at me!"

Author's note: OHMYGOSH DRAMA! It was only a matter of time though, right, fellas? What's gonna happen :O