Warped Love

5.

Michael & I get back to his hotel. We haven't spoken the entire ride home. He's never let go of my hand and keeps me by his side. So when the paparazzi are up our asses he simply says, "Get the fuck out of my way. Now." In his raspy, deep voice. The paparazzi look shocked and move out of the way. We get in the elevator and reach his room.

When we walk into his room Michael immediately closes the door and hugs me. "Babe, will you please tell me what happened? I'm so sorry you had to go through whatever that was." He whispers into my ear. I hug him tighter before letting go. "Here, come sit down." I sit on one of the beds and he sits across from me on the other bed. "That guy was my ex boyfriend." I start off. Michael looks shocked and pissed off. I continue. "I started dating him about 4 years ago. He was really sweet at first. He brought me flowers at work, always remembered anniversaries, and always made me feel loved. But when we were alone and away from everyone - and he was drinking again - he became violent. He hit me, kicked me, and threw things at me." I start crying but try to keep talking. "And, and he would always say how sorry he was afterwards. My lip would be bleeding and I would have a black eye and he would keep saying how sorry he was. And I kept forgiving him. I was so stupid." By this time I have my head in my hands and i can't stop crying. Michael sits next to me and holds me. "Shelby, you weren't stupid. You loved him. I understand what love can do to you. And if I would have known the pain he caused you, I would have killed him in that parking lot." He sighs. I sit up and wipe my face off. "The date before you showed up at Warped he was there. He had been stalking me. He was in the crowd and I saw him while performing and just ended up having a panic attack. Parker had him thrown out, thankfully, but I've been paranoid ever since. He could corner me at any time and that scares the fuck out of me. He kept saying in the parking lot how much he wanted to work things out and saying how my black eyes had faded and that he could fix that. I feel so helpless and scared. I put up with that for too long." Michael hugs me tight. "I won't ever let anything happen to you. I care about you too much. I should never have let you go alone in the parking lot." He kisses me on the forehead before standing up. "What can I do to cheer you up?" "Um.. I don't know. I think I just need some fresh air." I stand up. "Do you want to go on a walk?" He asks. "Uh, yeah, sure. That'd be great. Do you think we could swing by somewhere to get coffee? I need some caffeine." He nods and smiles. Okay Shelby, Michael has done everything he can for you. He listened to you ramble, and held you when you cried. He deserves to at least see a smile on your face.