"Sweetheart, wake up." Mike shook me gently. "Hm?" I said as my eyes shot open. "It's 11:15" He said. "Ugh." I smiled. "Ugh to you too," He smiled as he slid his arm out from under me. "Want something to eat?" Mike asked. "Sure," I smiled. I was fully awake. "Alright. Want some pancakes?" He asked eagerly. "Oh, yum!" I said. "Alright! How 'bout I make you some food while you get ready? My makeup is in the second drawer in the bathroom." He said, getting out of bed. I held back a laugh. "Shut up. You think it's hot." He smirked. "Yeah, I actually do." I said, getting up. "Mike, before we leave your room, I have a question." I said. "Yeah?" He asked. "Do you think I'd be better off as just friends with Monte?" I asked. "Maybe. You'll never know till you find out. But, if you'll excuse me, I have pancakes to make for myself, and a very pretty girl with very messy hair." He smiled. "Wait, come here!" I giggled as I fixed my hair. "Yes?" He asked, pressing his weight against my body as I stood in front of his bed. I smoothed both sides of his hair, but left my hands at his jaw. I blinked. He brought his finger up under my chin and pulled me into a kiss. I wasn't going to hesitate. I simply kissed him back and moved my hands down to his shirt. I balled the ends of it into my fists. He brought his hands to my hips. This was just like the kiss by the tour buses at Welcome To Rockville. Time felt like it slowed down. I felt Mike smile. He pulled away. "What's Monte gonna say about it this time?" "Whatever he wants. Honestly, he doesn't need to know." I said. "Alright. Sounds good." Mike said. "Can you make me some coffee?" I said to Mike. "Sure. Would you like me to go get your shit from Monte's room?" He asked. "Yes, please." I said. "Okay, but you're coming with me." He said. I jumped up and he caught me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and put my arms on his shoulders and hugged him. He held me up with one hand and hugged me back with the other. He walked out the door after a minute or two of struggling with the knob. He walked down the stairs with ease and walked into Monte's room. Monte wasn't in there. Mike picked up my bag and handed it to me. He walked into the kitchen and sat me down. I gave him another hug, then turned around and saw Monte. I pretended like I didn't see him there, on the couch, staring blankly at the wall behind the tv, which was off. I walked into the bathroom and dropped my bag on the floor. I opened it and pulled out a faded Papa Roach shirt that Cassie cut for me, into a tanktop. I pulled out a red spaghetti strap tanktop to put on underneathe, and a pair of ripped up black skinny jeans. I slid them on, and opened up the second drawer down. I pulled out Mike's mascara and eyeliner and I did my makeup. I opened up the door and walked out to Mike. I wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Hello," He said. "Hi. I have a question." I said. "Yes?" "Would you have a straightener?" "Yes I would. First drawer." He smiled. "'Kay, thank you!" I smiled back. I looked at Monte as I let go and skipped back into the bathroom. He looked exactly the same. I pulled out Mike's straightener and plugged it in. I walked back out after turning it all the way up. I looked at Monte. "Hey Monte," I said. He didn't move. "Monte?" I asked. He squeezed his eyes shut. I watched something glisten down his cheek. "Monte." I said again. He shook his head. "What." He said. "You okay?" I asked. "Sure." He said. "Monte..." I said sympathetically. "Have fun with Craig and TJ. Try not to get fucking raped again." He said angrily as he stormed into his room and slammed the door behind him. "Monte Bryan Money Junior!" I shouted, walking after him. "Caity, go away." He said. "No." I snapped back. "Caity, your food is done." Mike said. "Thanks, Mike." I said. "Just go hang out with Mike. You're obviously happier with him!" Monte shouted. That was it. I turned the knob and kicked the door open. "Get out." He said. He was crying. "No." I said back. "Look, I get it. I fucked up. Quit pushing it in my face." He said, hiding his face in his hands. I came in and sat down next to him. "Monte, why are you-" "I said 'Get Out'." He snapped. "Fine. If you don't wanna be nice, then I'll be just as mean. Fuck you." I said, stomping as I stood up. I walked out and met Mike in the kitchen. "You still want pancakes?" He asked. "Yes." I said. "Okay." He said, opening the microwave and pulling out a plate with two perfectly round pancakes. I took them from him and scarfed them down. "Okay, it's 11:45." Mike said. "Thanks. I'm gonna straighten my hair and get the fuck out of here. Have fun dealing with your fucking brother. He's being a complete asshole right now." I said. "I'll try to talk to him. Have fun, Caity." Mike said, hugging me and kissing my temple. "Thanks. Good luck with him." I said. I walked into the bathroom and straightened my hair. As I walked out, dogs raced past my feet and jumped to the door. "Hey, shut the fuck up!" Michael shouted as TJ opened up the door, followed by Craig and a small blonde kid. "Leila!" I shreiked as she smiled at Mayhem. "Caity!" Leila shouted as my dog jumped up on her. I ran to Craig and gave him a hug. "Oh, hey, babe." He said. "Hey, Craigafer!" I smiled. I let go and crouched down and hugged Leila. "Hey Bug." I said. "Hi Caity," She grinned. I pulled away from her cute little kid hug and stood up. "TJ," I grinned. "Caity," He smiled. I couldn't resist it any longer. I jumped into his arms to give him a hug. He hugged me back super tight. "I missed you!" I squealed. "You too, babes!" He shouted back. "Where's your boyfriend?" TJ mocked. "In his room, being a fucking prick." I said, shooting a glare at his door. "Oh, I sense a bit of tension." TJ said, looking to Mike, who was now by my side. "Yeah. I'll say." He laughed. "Are they still dating?" Craig asked. "No. Fuck him." I said. "Ooh, so she's free game." TJ said. "I wouldn't say that." Mike said, putting an arm around my waist. "Woah. You guys dating?" Craig asked. "Caity, you and Michael are cute!" Leila beamed. "Oh, Leila, Mike and I aren't together." I laughed. "You should be!" She giggled. Mike jerked my arm up and pulled me into him. "Yeah, listen to the adorable little girl." He smiled. "Nah." I said, kissing him on the cheek. "Eff you," He laughed. "Alright, I'd love to stick around, Mike, but there's a beast in this house, and I'm not gonna stick around to see him b--" I was interupted by a vibration in my pocket. I pulled out my phone. I had recieved a text, from Monte. I opened it. 'Yknow I can hear you. If you dont want to be together, just say so. I wont be mad. I already know I fucked up, and it wouldnt surprise me if you didnt want anything to do with me anymore. Sorry Ive been such an ass lately. Have fun with tj and craig. Be careful.' I felt my throat seize up. "Mike, I'll be right back." I choked out. "Alright." He said, worry and confusion teasing at his voice. "Hurry!" Craig said. "Okay," I called back as I walked up to Monte's closed door. I knocked lightly, then opened the door a little. "Monte?" I asked. "Yeah." He said, his voice quiet. I opened the door a little more. "Can I come in?" I asked. "If you really want to," He said, hitting his head against his head board. I walked in and closed the door behind me. "I have to make this fast. Craig wants to leave." I said. "Just go if he wants to leave. It's not like you can't text me." He said. His voice made him sound like he had been crying the whole time. "No. What I have to say to you... Would be better to hear in person." I said, sitting down next to him on the bed. "And what would that be?" He asked. "First, I need you to stop talking, get a drink, and get some sleep. Second, I freaking love you, Monte. There isn't a thing that's gonna change that. Whether we're together or not, I'll always love you. If you don't think we should be together, I'll leave that up to you. Third, if you still want to be together, then you're going to have to realize that we're not always going to agree, arguing is unavoidable. We really don't know each other as well as we'd like to think we do, and we're still gonna have to get to know each other. Fourth, thank you for everything you've ever done for me. You're an amazing musician and if it weren't for you, I would've never picked up a guitar. Thanks." I smiled. "That was..." "No. Stop talking. I want you to get something to drink, and then get some sleep. You and I both know you sat up all night, wide awake, and cried." I said. He locked his eyes on mine for a few seconds, then he threw his arms around me and hugged me. "I fucking love you. If you aren't happy with me, just let me know. I'd rather you be happy without me than be unhappy with me." He said. "Did I not just say STOP TALKING?" I asked. "Sorry. Let's go. Craig wants to leave and I'm gonna get something to drink." He mumbled. "Alright. Then I want you to get some sleep. Got it?" I demanded. "Yep." He nodded. I stood up and helped him up and we walked out the door together. "So, did you two make up?" TJ asked. "Fuck off." Monte breathed as he filled a glass with water and gulped it down. "Alright. Now go get some sleep." I said. "I want a hug goodbye." He said. "Okay. Then you go to bed." I said. "Deal." He smiled. "Alright," I smiled back. I hugged him and then shoo'd him to his room. "Mike, make sure he goes to sleep." I said. "Got it." He said. "Bye!" Craig, TJ, Leila and I said as we walked out the door. "Bye," Mike laughed. I ran to the car and opened the back door. "Hurry Lei!" I said, gesturing toward the inside of the car. She jumped in, literally, and crawled across and put her seat belt on as I crawled into the seat. I closed the door after I put my seatbelt on. Craig and TJ got into the car and we drove to LA. "La La LA!" I sang. Leila copied me. "Leila, you have a beautiful voice!" I smiled. "I get it from my daddy!" She giggled. Craig pulled into the record studio's parking lot and he opened my door for me. "Craig, I've never been to a record studio!" I squealed, giving him a hug. "Maybe I'll talk somebody into letting you record a song." He said. "Really?!" I asked. "Yeah. I mean, I know how to produce." He said. "Dude. I love you!" I smiled. "Yeah, that's what I thought." He laughed. "Caity, baby, you know what we should do?" TJ asked. "Stay with Craig and Leila? That sounds like a good idea!" I panicked. "Yeah, sure. We'll go with that." He winked. Oh God...
