I let it all flow out. I told him everything that happened.

After I finished, he brought me close into one of his amazing hugs and we stayed in the position for a while.

We probably would've stayed until he heard footsteps downstairs. He immediately pulled away with a feared expression on his face. "That's my dad, now you've got to go in the closet," he said, standing. I stood also. "Why?" I asked. "I don't think he'll appreciate me inviting a girl over, just give me a few minutes," he said, hurriedly.

I could hear the footsteps coming closer, so I practically dove into the closet. A few seconds later, I heard the door swing open. "Michael!" His dad firmly said. "Yes?" Michael replied. I moved farther back in the closet just in case anyone got the idea of opening the closet door.

"Do you know where my work jacket is?" He asked, stepping more into the room. "I have no idea, did you ask Jermaine?" Michael replied. "Yes, I've asked everyone, now where is it?" His dad replied. "Just check my close-wait, no I'll check my closet," Michael answered, almost giving away my spot. The closet door opened and Michael began pretending to look for the jacket. "Go farther back!" He motioned silently. I went as far back as I could and covered myself with something.

"No, it's not here," Michael said, shutting the door. "Let me have a look," his dad said, walking over to the closet. "No, it's not necessary, because I already looked and I promise, its not there, so you should check with Marlon because he may know where it's at," Michael replied, stalling and attempting to hint at his dad to leave.

"Ok, but if you see it, give it back," he said. With that, he shut the door and left. Michael hurriedly went to the closet and open the door. Michael helped me out of the closet, but in turn, went in himself. He came back out with a jacket in hand. "Is that your dad's?" I asked. He nodded and motioned a silent 'shh' to me as he snuck out the door.

A few minutes later, he returned, pleased about his efforts. "What did you do with it?" I asked. "I put it on Marlon's bed," he said, smiling from his effort. "Why?" I asked. "Because, he was the one who put it in here first." He replied, smiling again. I giggled and just shook my head. He helped me out of the pile of clothes in the bottom of his closet.

>>><<<

Our conversation ended up being shorter than expected because it was safer for me to go home before his dad found out. He said that he'd meet me in the park after school the next day.

He drove me home and we said goodbye in the car, just in case my dad happened to be there. After walking inside, I discovered that he was not, thankfully.

I went up to my room after saying hi to my mom and brother, who were working on homework. Surprisingly, I didn't have any homework.

                                  >>><<<

A little while after I settled into my room, I heard a knock at the door, which turned out to be my mom.

"So, did anyone ask?" She said, leaning against my doorframe. She was talking about my bruise. "Yeah," I replied. "Who?" She asked. "Well, Michael," I answered, "That's why I was late coming home." She smiled and came into my room. "He's a nice boy, isn't he?" She asked. I smiled to myself and said, " Yeah, he is pretty cool." She laughed, and proceeded back downstairs to help Stephen.