Beauty

Chapter 16

 Things are going to get--um-- a little drammatic... enjoy! 

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   "...What in the world are you thinking young lady? I cannot believe that you... First of all, you lied to me and now you're shacked up with that wacko man. This really just shows me that you are not responsible enough..."

   "Mom!" Callie finally yelled over her mother's lecture. When she had woken up she reached for the phone beside Michael's bed. She knew that if her parents had gone too long without hearing from her they'd send out the search party. She had barely mumbled "Hi Mom." When her mother began to scold her like a child. Until that moment she had just leaned back into the fluffy pillows and half listened in an amused state. Until she had heard "wacko" and anger shot through her. "Don't call him that. Don't you dare call him that!"

   "You watch your tone, young lady. I did not raise you to talk to me like that! You don't know this man! Everyone says he's crazy!"

   "No, YOU don't know him." She felt herself grow even hotter. "You only know what other people think they know. Those paparazzi assholes don't know shit!"

   "Language! Gah... uh... Not even a month away from here and you're acting like a juvenile delinquent! Do you know that everyone around here is talking about you? Do you know what they are saying?"

   "You don't have to be so dramatic mother, I was just standing up for myself ... and Michael. He's not what you think he is... he's not who they make him out to be! He is really very kind and... well, normal. I-"

   "Are you sleeping with him?"

   "What?" She snapped a little too defensively. "Of course not!" She said with conviction but it felt like a lie. Technically they had slept in the same bed together, but that wasn't what her mother had implied."I was just lost and my car broke down. There was no one who could help me with it because of the holiday weekend. Michael was nice enough to offer me a place to stay until I can get my car towed." She felt a pang of sorrow at the thought of leaving him. 

    "What am I supposed to think when I hear that you're a hooker to this... this violent wild man?" Her mother protested.

   "He was just defending me, Mom. That paparazzo jerk hit me, Michael saved me." She recalled adoringly. Recalling the events of the night before and the gentleman Michael had become had made Callie's heart warm and she let out a sigh.

   "I'm not fighting about this anymore with you. We are coming to get you."

   "Mom!" Callie protested angrily. She had waited so long for a taste of freedom only to have it threatened so quickly. 

   "We will be on the next flight out so there's no point in arguing, Callie Elizabeth. We'll see you tomorrow evening."

   The line disconnected and Callie sat in silence. She had held back the tears while on the phone but now that she was alone she let them out. After the heavy angry sobs faded into a soft, tranquil cry Callie looked around once more remembering where she was. She didn't know where Michael had gone but became very aware of the fact that he could come back at any moment. She didn't want him to see her that way. She figured a long walk around the grounds of Neverland might help her sort out her feelings so she quickly ran upstairs. She showered quickly and changed into a pair of jean shorts and a tank top and ran quickly out of the front door, hoping she could avoid Michael until she had sorted everything out.