It Won't Stop

make this place your home

My hand reached into my mouth as I saw how ransacked the house was. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks before I saw Jennifer running to me.
"I was so scared something happened to you."
"Were you here?" I asked, embracing her tighter in the hug.
"No, I came home to this. Nothing's missing, but it's just..why us?" Her eyes were wide with concern and red with tears. I felt like I was going to be sick, but I had to check my room. My gut gave me a horrible instinct that I hope it wasn't actually following.

My room was just as bad as the living room. The bed was flipped over, the drawers pulled out of my dressers. My breathing started getting heavy as I walked over to my other dresser. The framed picture of Josh and I was face down, and when I turned it over, the glass was broken. I let out a gasp and dropped it back on the dresser.

Searching around the room for anything else that was ruined, I found that someone had written 'whore' in black markers on my mirror. The picture that hung was ripped in half and was only my face. The part of Josh was missing. My hand covered my mouth so no more sobs would escape. Only one person would do this. One person who was crazy enough to intrude into someones apartment, ruin their things, and stalk them across the country. Michael.

Someone places their hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump and let out a shout.
"It's just me baby," Josh whispered as I spun around into his arms. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore, wrapping my arms tightly around his securing body. "I'm here now, it's okay."

I was utterly speechless. Michael had found my home, broken in, ruined my trust, and made me feel uncomfortable in my own home. Was it safe for me anywhere? More importantly, are Jennifer and Josh?

Josh wouldn't let me stay home, but I didn't want Michael to know where I was. Jennifer was staying at Justin's tonight, which made me feel better. The apartment owner mentioned he'd repair the door with no fee and that he's just happy we're okay. I wanted Jennifer to stay with us tonight, but she insured me that she was safe at her boyfriends house. It was like everyone needed to be with me, protected, or protective. Josh finally bot me to go to his house, cuddle into his bed with him, Driver at door. I didn't sleep at all that night, but Josh agreed to stay up as well.

"How did he find me?" I asked, mostly to myself but Josh spoke up.
"Dean said he saw him when he was at the airport." My stomach pulled into knots, so I sunk into Josh's chest so he'd wrap his arms tighter around. "Did that crazy fuck follow him?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at Josh's humor. He always made things better, no matter how hard it was.
"I wouldn't doubt it, honestly." Josh let out a sigh and started to kiss down my spine, across my shoulder blades.
"I love you so much, Juliet." My lips spread a small smile and I rolled over so I could face him.
"I love you too, Josh." And I did, more than I had ever loved Michael. The reason I was with him for so long was because I was afraid of what he'd do once I broke up with him.
"Good," he wrinkled his nose and pulled me into his arms. "Nothing will ever happen to you while I'm here, I promised you that from day one." I nodded my head and nuzzled myself closer to him. All the overwhelming feelings I've had today exhausted me, it was a struggle to keep my eyes open.

Josh's POV
It was 4 in the morning and I still hadn't fallen asleep. Since I've met Juliet, I could tell she was fragile. When I asked her to be my girlfriend, I promised I'd never let anything happen to her. If she was there just a few hours earlier, she could've been hurt. That psychopathic asshole probably would have even killed her. It infuriated me that he knew where she was and had the fucking balls to break into her own home. One of the only places she truly felt comfortable and he ruined it for her completely.

I knew tomorrow, she'd still be shaken up. Maybe I could take her mind off of everything by taking her somewhere. Silently, I slipped away from her grasp. Her eyebrows furrow together, so I kissed the wrinkle and quietly went to the kitchen. I grabbed a beer from the cooler and sat at the table behind my laptop. There was a port down near Venice beach that let you rent boats for a day, so I went on the website and sent a reservation. Finally after going through a few emails, I felt tired. Rubbing my eyes, I let out a big yawn before I heard Juliet scream my name.
"Josh!" She yelled from up the stairs. I ran as fast as I could up them and barged into the room.
"Juliet, I'm right here." I said calmly. Her eyes were filled with fright and her beautiful face was pale.
"I thought- I thought he came back-" She choked on a sob and I slid into the bed next to her.
"Shh, it's okay." I slid so we were laying down, cradling her small frame. "It was a dream."
"I was so scared," she whimpered, holding onto me tighter than ever.
"I'm right here, baby. I'll never leave you again, I promise." She sniffled for a few more minutes and finally fell asleep. I ran my fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head randomly. Soon, I was swallowed by a deep sleep too.