this doesn't just happen!

~Chapter 13~

"Here you go" Lexie handed me a mug with steam coming from the top.

"Thanks" I said taking a sip. "You sure your mum is okay with this?" I asked looking at her through my blood shot eyes.

"Well I did talk to her and she said that now that we've finished school, she would help me move out" she said, a little smile growing on her lips.

"Move out?" I said confused.

"Yeah, and she said you could move in with me" she said her voice getting excited.

"Lexie we don't even have a house, or money" I said killing her buzz with me depressed mood.

"Yeah we do. Remember my Grandma's little two bedroom house? Well mum bought it from her so it would stay in the family - you know all that sentimental, family tradition shit - and she just offered it us to live in" she said looking at me with hopeful eyes. "Mum even said that until we get full time jobs she is happy to pay the bills and everything - just as long as we don't damage the house" she said laughing.

"I suppose if we do move there, dad won't know where I am" I said looking at the bright side.

"Exactly" she said smiling so big it looked painful.

"Okay" I said smiling back at her.

"Yay" she exclaimed leaving her seat and falling next to me pulling me in for a hug. I laughed and hugged her back.

"So, you and Michael" she said pulling away and wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yep" I said letting out a shy laugh.

"And yet when you first met him, you were just a shy little girl" he said giggling

"Actually technically I ran away from him when I first met him" we both laughed uncontrollably when we heard a knock at the door.

"That would be Ashton" she said getting up from the couch.

"Ashton? Wait are you guys..." I said puzzled.

"No, but we both know how the other feels" she said simply.

"Oh" I said sitting back into the couch. Lexie walked off and a few seconds later I heard Lexie open the door and I swear I heard her say Michael's name. Man! we've only been official for what, two hours and I was already hearing his name everywhere! I'm scewed!

"Yeah she's in the lounge room" I heard her distant voice. Shit! it was Michael! Crap! I didn't want Michael to see me like this! Blood shot eyes and a black eye! Fuck!

"Ridley" I heard Michael's voice behind me. I turned around and saw him standing in the door way. He looked so worried and scared. He let out a sigh and pretty much ran over to me. He sat next to me and lightly touched my sore face, causing me to flinch.

"Who did this to you?" He asked with a murderous look in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter" I said sucking down my tears again, sliding my hand into his. Avoiding his eyes.

"Yes it does, I'm gonna kill him" he said with urgency.

"My dad" I said looking up at him and his shocked expression. "And you can't hurt him" I said shaking my head, never leaving his eyes

"You want a bet?" He said his voice shaky.

"Michael, I don't want you to. I just want to forget about it" I said squeezing his hand.

"He hurt you Ridley, you can't expect me to just sit idly by and watch" he said, his voice was trembling now with anger and sadness.

"You won't...I'm moving into Lexie's Grandma's house with her" I said putting my hand on his cheek.

"Since when?" He asked confused.

"Since about...five minutes ago" I said looking at clock in the kitchen.

"You could have moved in with me" he said looking down.

"Not when we've only just become official less than three hours ago" I said managing a smile hoping it would loosen him up a bit. He sighed and shook his head. He pulled his hand out of mine and rested it on the back of the couch.

"Well are you...are you okay now?" He asked all anger gone from his voice leaving behind worry and need.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I said letting my hand drop from his cheek down to hang on his shirt. He sighed again in relief. He lifted his hand up to my face, his palm rested under my jaw line. He leaned in and gently kissed my forehead.

I cuddled down into his chest and he moved his whole body toward mine and wrapped his arms around me protectively. Right now in this moment, I felt...safe. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. And it felt so good.