PRT 374- “Juliet is Bleeding”

Jon had seen the story in the paper and messaged me on MySpace:

“You said you were gonna switch the media's attention. You didn't say you were making out with my best friend. What the hell is wrong with you Michelle? You can't just be seen by yourself so people can think you're single? Well, I guess that wouldn't work. No one would EVER believe that you weren't stringing someone along. You know what, if this is how much you love me, then it's over. I can't do this to my kids anymore. I can't do this to Dot anymore. And I can't let you do this to me anymore. I'm through with you. Personally. Professionally. Through.

And as for your new "toy", I could hurt him, but anything I could do to him is nothing compared to what you will do to him. And I'll be there to help him pick up the pieces after you've tossed him aside.”

I sent him a reply begging him to call me. I needed to explain. A few minutes later the phone rang. I picked up the phone hoping to god it was Jonny. I felt so horrible and I wanted a chance to explain. "Hello?”

"Hey...it's me. So, what do you have to say for yourself this time?" he said. He sounded furious.

"I am so so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"Oh really? And you think making out with Rich doesn't hurt me?"

"I did it FOR you. You think I like Rich like that?! I did it FOR you!"

"For me? Why didn't you just make yourself look single? Why couldn't we just stay apart for a little while? You didn't have to go off and make out with him for all the world to see."

"Did you see the paper? They think us being together was so you could give me your blessing to see him. It explains everything and takes the heat off you!"

"Well at least before you just made me look like a liar. Now I look like a fool"

"What are you talking about? I just saved your ass!"

"But you know there are going to be a people out there that are going to believe that we were together and now they're going to think that I wasn't enough for you."

"Oh for the love of all things sacred! Jon! You're like a million times better in bed than he is so stop!"

"What did you just say?"

"Um...I mean...oops. Jon...it's not what you think." I so hadn’t meant to let that slip out. I was such an idiot sometimes. I really needed to learn to think before I spoke.

"You slept with Rich?" Jon asked.

"Yeah...but...it was an accident..."

"What like he tripped and you fell?!”

"No, no...we were drunk and it just happened. I didn't mean for it to go that far. It was just suppose to be a public thing for the benefit of the press. It went too far."

"Obviously...you know, the press doesn't usually know what goes on behind closed doors unless someone tells them about it. You went too far this time Michelle"

"I did it for you! And why are you acting so high and mighty?! You're the one cheating on your WIFE! I was trying to save your relationship with a woman I don't even like!"

"But....but....Rich? I mean, really....."

"What better cover than for me to be seen with your best friend?! Jonny, I did it so that Dot would get off your back and we could still be together."

"I got Dot off my back all on my own!"

"You seriously think she believed you? And what about the kids?"

"I don't know...probably not... And, the kids opinion doesn't matter. They don't know what the truth is. They know what they're told"

"That may have been true when they were kids, Steph is almost a grown woman you idiot! She knows!"

"But....well....why Rich?? Why did you have to fuck around with my best friend of all people?"

"OK, I'll say this one more time, slowly...to make - the - fact - we - were - together - make - sense."

"Why do I let you do this to me?"

"I did it for you, you're a moron! I wanted to be with you so I did this so the press would get off our backs and we could be together. I was fighting for US! If you don't want me fine, plenty of other people do. Your loss."

"What I mean was, why do I let you screw me over and then forgive you time and time again"

"I didn't screw you over!"

"You screwed Rich...you didn't have to do that..."

"I was drunk! I'm sorry. It was a mistake. But it's not like we're in a committed relationship either."

"Look, I was trying to forgive you. But throwing that in my face is just wrong. I know that we're not in a committed relationship. I'm very well aware of the fact that I could lose you at any moment whether I like it or not."

"That was you trying to forgive me? Damn...you suck at this then. Listen, I promise that I won't sleep with anyone in your band anymore, ok?"

"I know I'm not good at this. You know what...I don't care what you do. I can't tell you what to do."

"Say what? Then what was this all about?!"

"I don't know... I guess you hurt my pride. You probably could have slept with anyone other than Rich and I wouldn't have been this angry with you."

"Jonny, I really am sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I just want to be with you and I don't want you to have to risk everything for me. I was trying to make it better...like it was before the leak and crap."

"The leak...that reminds me...you know who it is. Who is it Michelle?"

"What makes you think I know?"

"Because you said it was a she. How would you know it was a woman unless you knew who it was?" he pointed out. Yeah, I was an idiot.

"I also told you not to worry about it. I have it under control now."

"Well, I am worried about it. And "she" better be worried about it too. Because she's going to be hearing from my lawyer.”

"That is exactly why I don't want to tell you. You don't need to get lawyers involved...besides, the pictures were real, what are you going to sue for? You really want this aired out in court???"

"Slander? Libel? Defamation of character? But, I guess you have a point. I still want to know who has been trying to destroy my life"

"It's really better you don't know, can you please trust me on this?"

"I have a right to know Michelle"

"Please, just trust me."

"The last time I trusted you, you fucked Rich"

"Oh, man, that isn't fair. That's a low blow."

"It was a low blow to me that you did it in the first place. Tell me who it is"

"Fuck you."

"Really? Now? You wanna meet somewhere?"

I smiled, "Name the place."

"Not until you tell me who did this to us"

"Um, let me think about it for a second...no."

"Baby, we could be together right now, happy. Instead we have to sneak around like a couple of high schoolers. It's not fair to either one of us. I just want to be with you baby"

"I want to be with you too...more than anything, but it doesn't matter who did this. It's over now."

"It does matter. What? Do you know her or something? Is this someone we know? I need to know"

"Yes, it's someone we know, but you don't need to know who."

"I won't know who to trust again. I need to know who I can and can't trust"

"Damn it Jon! Ugh...I really wish you would drop this."

"I'm not dropping this."

"Fine!" I screamed, "It was Mina, ok?!"

"Mina? Why would Mina do something like that? She had to know it would only hurt me. Why would she want to do something like that to me?"

"She...um...hates me so she...she...she made a deal with Nemesis." I didn’t want to tell him because I knew his reaction…

"She did WHAT? Michelle, this has got to stop. You've got to stop thinking you can save the world." he said, just as expected. He’d never get it. This is why dating Rock was so much simpler sometimes.

"Ok, not this crap again. I AM Sailor Saturn, I AM the Purple Ranger...this is who I am. It's my birthright. You can't change that!"

"You try to save the world and your friend backstabs you...you try to save my marriage and my friend...well, anyway"

"Watch it or I'll fry you ass with more lightning than you've ever seen."

"Whatever...the point is, this 'super hero' thing has interfered with your 'real' life. That shouldn't happen"

"This is my real life. I am a super heroine. Jon, I'm the fucking Princess of Saturn. What do you want me to do, shirk my responsibility to everyone?"

"No...I just want you to watch your back a little more carefully. How did Mina get these pictures again?"

"She made a deal with Sailor Nemesis. I guess Nemesis gave them to her to leak."

"How did Nemesis get them? Was Nemesis stalking us at the club?"

"I guess. I don't know. We don't know who the hell Nemesis is."

"Right...well, you better find out....and kick Mina's ass for me"

"I have. That's why she made the deal with Nemesis. So does this mean you'll stay away from her?"

"As much as I don't want to, I'll stay away from her...for you"

"Thank you. Now, you were saying? You want to meet up?"

"Sure...the studio again? I can bring an air mattress this time"

"OK, I'll meet you there in an hour. I love you."

"I love you too"

"Bye."

I smiled as I headed out to the studio. He had forgiven me and I had my man back again…sorta.