"Aj, see what your noisiness got you into!!" Kevin said to Aj as they entered the bus the next morning.
"He didn't know she would react like that." Said Nick as he stood up for him.
"You're right, but he shouldn't have done it in the first place. If Michelle thought you needed to know, she would have told you." Mandy argued.
"What do you mean? You know something don't you?" Interrogated Brian.
"Yes, we do know something." As Mandy said, "she would have told you, if you needed to know. And we aren't about to tell you." Replied Leighanne, as she walked into the bus.
"Now, drop this matter and don't mention it ever again." Mentioned Mandy. Everyone agreed, then walked elsewhere on the bus.
When Michelle walked onto the bus, the driver welcomed her back. Michelle walked to her bunk, picked up a book and put her mp3 player on. Michelle laid on her bunk listening to her music when all of the sudden it shut off. She opened her eyes to see Aj standing next to her bunk.
"What?" Michelle asked, as she took off her headphones. Talking to Aj was the last thing she needed. Michelle was still really pissed at him.
"Can we talk?" He asked quietly not looking at her.
"No." Michelle replied, then she put her headphones back on but put her book away. Aj shut the mp3 player off again. Michelle opened her eyes again, to see Aj still standing there.
"We need to talk." He said.
"I have nothing to say to you." Michelle replied, turning around, so her back was facing him.
"Then just listen, please." He pleaded placing his hand on her thigh. Michelle immediately pushed it off, but she felt an emotion she had never felt before. Michelle wasn't sure what it was and it scared her.
"Please?" He begged. Michelle turned around and got off her bunk.
"I'm sorry." Said Aj.
"Sorry doesn't do shit, now does it?" Michelle told him, walking into the bathroom. The one place she hopefully Aj didn't follow her.
Aj was about to walk to the back of the bus, when he saw something sticking out from under Michelle's mattress. He made the mistake of pulling it out. It was a thick diary, which had the name Shell scrawled across it. The book was tattered and torn. "Who is Shell?" Aj whispered to himself as he opened it and read the first entry.
9/7/95
Brad,
It's been a week since you died. They're making me take therapy. I hate it. Some lady with a degree is going to understand. The only person who understands was you. Not even Kylie. This is so hard. You don't even understand.😪😪
I love you,
Shell
6/15/97
Brad,
I hate this, I hate Mom, I hate Dad, I hate Kylie. I hate everyone. Why did you have to do this to me? I hate my life. Today is the seventh time I tried to kill myself, since you died. Mom caught me cutting my wrist with a razor blade. She's sending me down to Grandmas, out in California. Today is the anniversary of Mom being drug free.
Love ya,
Shell
"I can't believe she tried to kill herself." AJ said out loud as he turned to the last entry.
6/17/2000
Brad,
I went to see you yesterday. This asshole named Aj followed me there. Of course I freaked, then ran all the way back to the hotel. I got real mad, and smashed the mirror with my fist. I got eighteen cuts. The pain of losing you, over the power of pain. It's been five years, but it still hurts. I've given up on trying for it to just go away. My new friends found me, but really, I wish they didn't so I could just die and be with you again.
I love you,
Shell
"I can't believe she has all these problems, I never knew Michelle was a bitch for reasons." Aj muttered to himself, as Michelle then walked out of the bathroom. She saw him shove something behind his back quickly. Aj looked at Michelle guilty.
"What did you do?" She asked him walking towards Aj, as he backed away. When he backed up, Michelle saw the corner of her tattered diary.
"N-nut-nothing." Aj stuttered. Michelle felt anger rising inside of her, like lava in a volcano. Aj had her diary.
There are things in there that know one knows about.
"Give. Me. My. Diary." Said Michelle through her clenched teeth. She tried desperately to control her rage.
"W-what d-diary?" Aj stuttered again.
"You know damn well, what I am talking about!!" Michelle told him, clenching her fists.
Nick walked up behind him, "What's this?" He asked holding the book up. "Nick......." Aj whispered frantically.
"Mine...." Michelle responded. Her anger blocked her thinking. Nick handed it to Michelle and she slipped it back under her mattress, then turned around to look at Aj who smiled innocently at Michelle.
The anger became too much for Michelle to handle so she flew her fists at Aj.
"YOU JERK! I HATE YOU! YOU ASSHOLE! YOU THINK YOUR GODS GIFT TO THE WORLD! I HATE YOU SO MUCH! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! YOU BASTARD!!!" Michelle screamed, as she slammed Aj to the ground and started to punch him.
"YOU HAD NO RIGHT!!!! I HATE YOU!!!!" Screamed Michelle again. Howie, Nick and Brian rushed over to pull Michelle off of Aj.
"LET ME GO!!!" Michelle yelled, still swinging her fists trying to get in some last punches.
"LET ME GO, DAMN IT!!! HE DESERVES EVERYTHING HE GETS!!!!" Screamed Michelle as she pushed Howie and Brian away from her, but Nick held Michelle tight.
"NICK, LET ME GO!!" Michelle screamed, as the bus turned a corner. Nick lost his balance and let go. Michelle hit the wall, but reacted quickly. She ran back towards Aj and threw a hard punch. It hit him in the nose and blood gushed everywhere. Michelle was ready to hit him again, but Kevin grabbed her and hugged Michelle tight.
"Michelle! Michelle! Stop it!" Kevin whispered in her ear soothing her on the back. Michelle stared at Aj over Kevin's shoulder. Bruises began to form on his face, both eyes began to swell, plus a bloody nose and a busted lip.
"Why?" Michelle whispered.
"Why what, honey?" He whispered back.
"Why?" Michelle repeated a little louder, staring at Aj.
"I didn't.....Aj began but Michelle put a tissue over his mouth. She backed away from Kevin. And body tensed up, Preparing for another attack. Michelle grabbed her cellphone and walked into the bathroom. She quickly closed the door and locked it. She sat on the floor listening to Kylie's phone ring.
"Kylie? He....." Michelle began.
"I can't come to the phone right now. You know the drill. Chow!" Finished Kylie's answering machine. Michelle just hung up.
"No Kylie, I don't know the drill, I have no idea." Cried Michelle.
