*2 weeks later*
Christmas Eve

LATOYA POV

Rebbie parked her car in front of the garage after a long day of shopping at the mall to get my mind off of Marcus.

It's been two weeks since all of that happened.... the rape, the screaming, the threatening and telling Ariel and Sabrina everything but it seem like they don't care.

We went shopping in the mall today and bought a lot of things because most stores are giving discounts for Christmas Day tomorrow. It was crowded but it's worth it getting cute clothes and the stuff you want twenty dollars cheaper than usual. We're not allowed to celebrate Christmas so we decide to go out a few days before Christmas and buy a lot of stuff.

I also destroyed the present I bought Ariel after we had that argument that one day. An decorated picture frame with a picture of us in glass. I totally smashed that glass, ripped that photo of us and burned it.... she's not my friend anymore. Now I'm in need for a new friend.

I carried eight bags... four hanging on one forearm and four more hanging on the other. Rebbie doing the same with her heavy bags, struggling to hold everything with extra stuff in her hand, her keys and phone.

We carefully walked through the icy concrete on the side walks and through the ankle deep snow covering the dead grass, holding a lot of stuff in our arms from all the stuff we bought from the mall.

We finally walked inside our warm big house filled with our sweaty six brothers practicing in the living room with Joseph on his living room chair giving them death stares and Mother sitting on the other side of the room fixing Janet's hair.

The whole living room smells like sweat and hair gel... very unpleasant combination.

My brothers have been practicing for the past week and a half because they're going on tour before the new year starts. They're gonna be gone for about a month and come back.

We both slammed our stuff down on the ground in front of us and let out deep breaths after carrying those fifty pound bags to the house. Mother looked up and chuckled at us while putting Janet's hair into a ponytail.

"How was your shopping day girls?" She yelled over the loud music that my brothers were playing.

I held a thumbs up since I can't talk by how hard I'm panting and loosing my breath. I quickly took my coat off of me and hung it up on the coat rack behind me.

"I have some leftover dinner for y'all on the stove. You might have to warm it up."

"No.. we already ate a bunch of food at the mall." Rebbie said out of breath.

Since our parents gave us a lot of money, we went and ate extra large fries for the both of us, cheeseburgers, ice cream along with extra large drinks and free samples from random food places at the food court.

I'm surprised we still had enough money to buy a closet of clothes...

Mother chuckled and continued to brush Janet's hair, "Well can one of y'all do the dishes for me. We're all so busy."

I scratched my head and quickly grabbed my stuff off the floor and glanced at Rebbie giving her the "I'm not doing it" look.

Rebbie sighed and rolled her eyes at me, "I'll do it." She mumbled to mother and looked back at me giving me the death glare.

Joseph got up from his living chair carrying his belt in his clenched fist and walked towards the spiral stairs.

"Alright! Y'all go take a break while I go upstairs and take care of business! Y'all better get this routine cleaned and perfect when I get back or else!" Joseph barked before he climbed upstairs.

My brothers nervously nodded their heads as they rushed to get their water bottles off the floor.

I made my way to the spiral stairs carrying all my stuff in my arms and before I could go up, I felt a tug on my shirt.

I turned around and Michael's behind me sweating a river down his face and his white tank top drenched in sweat.

Damn I don't think he's ever sweat so much before...

"Toy, please do me a favor." He forced a smile.

I sighed and set my stuff down on the floor and put my hands on my hips.

He handed me a small box wrapped in metallic red wrapper and a tiny silver bow on top of it.

"What's this for?" I raised an eyebrow.

"It's for Ariel... I want you to give that to her tomorrow morning on Christmas. Say that it's from me." He smiled.

I smacked my teeth dropped the tiny box on the ground, "I'm not giving that to her, you might as well do it yourself." I spat.

"But I have to go to the studio tomorrow morning, I can't give it to her. I'm gonna be there all day." He said while picking up the box.

"Well ask Rebbie or the brothers to do it cause I'm not giving that bitch anything." I spat.

His eyes widened after I said that. I turned back around, grabbed my stuff and made my way up the steps.

"I thought you wanted me to be with her. A-and why would you call her that? I thought y'all were friends..." I heard him say behind me.

"Not anymore. Not ever." I mumbled still walking up the steps. "If you want an unhelpful fake bitch then go ahead and date her."

He followed me to the top of the stairs and stopped me again.

"What happened Toy. Why'd you say that?" He asked with a concerning look.

I turned to him and sighed irritably.

"Nothing Mike. Go and practice before Joseph comes running his mouth." I muttered making my way to my room.

He stood there as I went into my room and slammed my door behind me. I threw my bags on my pink bean bag chair and turned on the light.

I jumped and screamed at the sight of Marcus sitting on my bed with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"M-Marcus what are you doing here! Get out!" I screamed slamming my back against the wall behind me.

"Shh." He put a finger over his mouth and stood up from my bed.

I felt tears form in my eyes as he got closer to me.

"Get out Marc-"

"Toy! It's okay! I wanted to come and apologize for what I've done." He said in a soft tone as he grabbed my arm gently.

I snatched my arm away, "No you're not. I will never forgive you." I cried.

"Please forgive me. I'm truly sorry. I wasn't thinking that night. Please forgive me. Please? I can't loose you. I don't know what I'll do without you." He got a step closer to me looking to my eyes.

"Oh I know....you'll be raping another girl when I'm no longer with you." I assumed.

"No I would kill myself if you were to leave my life! I put that on my life Latoya. Why would you think that I would be raping a girl?"

"Because you raped and abused me Marcus!" I pointed at my chest. "Common sense!" I snapped.

"Look I'm sorry... I was drunk and high-"

I cut him off, "That is no excuse for your behavior towards me!"

He didn't respond, he kept his red watery eyes staring at mine, holding my hand tightly.

"I'll change just for you Latoya. I'll change my whole lifestyle. I was just focusing on being like my brother, William. I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was in church yesterday and I felt so guilty for all of the things I've done to you. I shouldn't treat you like a rag doll, I should treat you like a queen, treat you with respect and all the love I have for you and I realized I haven't done that at all." I watched his tears fall down his face while he was talking and felt my heart break.

He wiped a tear off his face, "If you don't forgive me... I understand."

I looked into his eyes and could see the hurt and sorrow in his eyes. The way he's holding me...he feels so gentle compared to the other times. He's even dressed in decent clothes... clothes I haven't seen him wear before. No sagging pants and oversized shirt. His clothes fit perfectly on him. His shirt hugged his body, defining his muscles and his pants fitting perfectly around his waist stopping at his ankles. He doesn't smell like the mixture of cologne and weed anymore, he smells like a good scented cologne.

I can tell that he's trying to change.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him hold me closer.

I touched his soft short curly hair while still staring at his teary, trusting eyes.

"I forgive you." I wiped a tear off his face.

He leaned in and kissed me on my lips passionately and gently. I felt butterflies kissing the soft lips of his.
_________________________________________
Next Morning
Michael's POV
8:35AM

I woke up by the sound of my phone vibrating on my nightstand. I grunted as I slammed a pillow against my face. I laid flat on my back with a pillow on my face letting the phone vibrate on my nightstand giving it an annoying loud sound.

I peeked from my pillow to see the clock saying 8:36AM.

Why would somebody call me this early.

I tossed my pillow to the floor and reach for my phone. I looked at the screen to see that Ariel is calling me.

I smiled and answered the phone, "Hello?" I said in my sleepy morning voice.

"Hey Michael, Merry Christmas." Ariel exclaimed.

It feels so good to hear her sweet relaxing voice. I could sit here and listen to it all day.

I chuckled, "Ariel I don't celebrate Christmas."

She sighed, "I know. Can you ask your parents if you can come over for dinner tonight?"

"I don't know if I'll be able to come. I'm gonna be in the studio all day. I gotta tour coming up."

"Oh that's right..." she said quietly.

"I'm sorry. I wish I can go.. but I can go over there for a few minutes until it's time to leave."

"Well better hurry because my family is supposed to coming later on.."

"I won't be there for that long. I got you a present too. I asked Latoya if she can give it to you yesterday cause I was busy and she got mad and called you a bitch.... I wonder why." I spoke.

She sighed through the phone I could tell that she's a little irritated.

"She's the bitch..." I heard her say under her breath.

"What happ-"

"Nothing. She's just a brainless brat." She spat.

We talked to each other for a good ten minutes until I realized that time is running out. I have to leave to go to the studio in about two hours so I have to hurry and give Ariel her gift.

I drenched myself in cologne after I left the shower and put on a nice outfit. I threw on a thick leather coat along with leather gloves, grabbed Ariel's present and left my room.

My brothers and Joseph are all getting ready to go to the studio, getting all the instruments ready and loaded in Joseph's pick up truck even though we're leaving in two hours. I don't think they'll notice if I leave the house for a few minutes.

I quietly walked through the living room while my brothers are focused on the things they're doing. I left the house and made my way next door through the freezing snow outside.

On my way there I spotted a few perfectly made snowmen, Christmas lights gleaming on almost every house and beautiful Christmas trees through windows.

Oh how I wish I could celebrate Christmas.

I wish I did during my childhood like everybody else did.

I hate the fact that I'm missing out...

Everybody had a wonderful childhood but my siblings and I. Somehow I think it's too late to do childlike things... I'm getting too old... but I won't let that be an excuse.... it's never too late to do childlike things.... once I'm grown and have my own house, I'm going to rebuild my childhood to the childhood I've always wanted.

I softly knocked on the door and ring the bell as it gave off a jingle bell tone. I heard laughter and conversations of a family through the door as I waited.

The door creaked open revealing Ariel dressed in her cute oversized rose gold silk pajamas and fluffy house shoes.

She smiled brightly at me reaching for a hug.

"Hey Michael!" She said excitedly hugging me tight.

I chuckled, "Hey Ari. I got your present." I handed her the small box.

"Thanks Michael. You didn't have to-"

"Yes I had to. I want to make you happy and make your day. I really spent the whole month looking for this special present and I finally bought it."

"Aww thanks Michael." She blushed.

"Open it." I exclaimed excitedly.

Ariel chuckled easily ripping the paper in half with her sharp, long nails. Then she slipped the paper off the small velvet box and tossed the paper inside of the house. She lift the lid open and revealed a small silver diamond necklace I bought her.

I watched her face become in complete shock staring down at the beautiful necklace.

"Thanks Michael this is so pretty. I love it." She looked back at me with a big smile.

"I'm glad you do." I let out a soft chuckle.

She reached out for a hug and I went in and embraced her tightly.

One day she'll be mine.

One day I'll be that one that goes on one knee to propose and later on marry her.

One day I'll spoil her rotten with a lot of random expensive gifts.

I'm not gonna give up.

I love her. Nobody else. I just want her.

I pulled away from the warm hug and kissed her cheek, which left her awkwardly speechless but I didn't care.

I've never kissed her cheek before... it's pretty soft.

The door unexpectedly opened more, revealing Prince behind her which startled me a little.

"Did you just really kiss my girlfriend?" He squinted his eyes at me.

Where the hell did he come from?

I stood there with no words to say as they stared me down.

"Well- uh- I have to go Michael . It was nice to see you and thanks for the present again-" Ariel nervously said trying to break the tension  between Prince and I.

"Nah. He just kissed my girlfriend. Don't you understand that she's in a relationship with me?" He gritted his teeth.

"Gotta go Michael. Bye." Ariel said quickly before shutting the door in my face.

What was I doing.........

I walked down the steps and turned my right
to see a police car by the house. My face went from a smile to confusion.

I just left the house and there's a police car there already?

I power walked through the ankle-deep snow to the house to see what was going on inside.

I walked inside the warm house to see a police officer sitting on the couch between Mother and Joseph talking to them.

Their attention went to me as soon as they heard me close the door.  It was an awkward silence while I stood at the door looking at them puzzled.

Joseph looks like he's going to kill someone and Mother's face is full of panic.

"Michael.... can you do me a favor and get Latoya to come down here and talk to us..." Mother asked politely.

I raised an eyebrow, "Did she do anything wrong?" I asked taking my coat off and hanging it on the coat rack behind me.

"Just please get her right now." Her voice filled with impatience.

LATOYA POV

I woke out of my sleep and rubbed my eyes as I tried to sit up. I felt weight on my waist stopping me from getting up. I looked down and it's Marcus' muscular arm around my waist. I turned around to see that Marcus is still asleep beside me reminding me of what happened last night.

I laid back down and rested my arm on top of his.

I'm happy that he decided to change himself. I'm surprised

Suddenly the door swung open and I jumped.

"Latoya, Mother and Joe wants y-" Michael stopped when he realized that I'm half naked and Marcus's head is laying on my chest.

I quickly pushed his head off and covered myself.

"Don't you know how to knock Michael?!" I raged, letting out my morning raspy voice.

Michael's face was full of disgust, "What are you doing here with him? How did he get here?" He pointed at Marcus sleeping.

"None of your business. Why are you here?!" I raised my voice.

"I told you, Mother and Joe wants you.... there's also a police officer down there that wants you. I'm pretty sure it's important." He said before he slammed he door behind him.

I let out a irritated sigh as I quickly got up from the bed and walk to my dresser. I heard a few rustling noise behind me and look back.

Marcus is sitting up on the bed rubbing his eyes and looking at me I'm confusion.

"Latoya? What are you doing?" He asked in his sleepy morning voice.

"I'm gonna put on some clothes... my parents wants to talk to me downstairs." I said grabbing a random pair of sweat pants and shirt.

I quickly slipped my pants on and a shirt on and squirt a little perfume on me.

I walk over to the bed and gave Marcus a kiss on the cheek, "Ima go downstairs and talk to my parents. Stay here, I'll be back."

He nodded his head and laid back down on the bed.

I left my room and I stomped down the spiral stairs rubbing my tired morning eyes and walked to the living room where I found a few of my siblings, Mother, Joe and..... a police officer.

Uh oh....

Why is he......... oh hell no they called the police on me.

They all turned their heads and dead silence grew. Mother looked at me with a disappointed look on her face so did Jackie .

Joseph got up from the couch, "Latoya you're in big trouble." Joseph clenched his teeth.

"Woah... what happened." I heard Jackie say.

The officer pulled out his notebook from his pocket, "I've received a call yesterday... they've reported that there has been some sort of abuse and rape against Latoya's twenty year old boyfriend, Marcus and that she's pregnant as well. It's very illegal for a grown adult to be making sexual contact with such an underage girl-"

Everybody in the room went into a complete shock, all looking at me.

"WHAT LATOYA?!" Joseph and mother both shouted in unison along with my siblings' gasps.

Embarrassment and anger fill into me as they all stare at me in disappointment and disbelief.

"No! This isn't true officer, they're just trying to get me in trouble!" I yelled.

"The lady also said that your boyfriend could be in this house with you and claims that she's seen him break into the house through your bedroom window last night." He added.

"Who told you! Who called! This is all a lie!" I cried feeling the tears form in my eyes.

The officer looked down at his notebook, "Naomi Bleu, I've wrote her address down and she's seems to live very close to you. Perhaps the next house after this one?"

I clenched my hair in anger and stomped my foot on the ground as the room went into complete silence

"Who's your boyfriend?! Haven't I told you not to date?! Now look at you! You're fucking pregnant asshole!" Joseph barked at me.

"I'm not pregnant I can promise you that! She lied! All she did was fucking lie! Ariel and Sabrina and their mom called the police and lie about me getting raped and pregnant! He's not twenty either! He's seventeen like me!!!" I raged.

"I am so disappointed in you. I actually trusted you and thought you were mature enough to be in a relationship!" Mother shouted, tears falling down her face.

"Mom! I've never did anything with him! N-nothing sexual! I'm not pregnant! She's lying! She just wanna ruin my life! I can do I pregnancy test right now and it'll show up negative I can promise you that!"

"Ma'am, how long have y'all known these neighbors of yours?" He questioned as he reached for his pen from behind his ear.

"Sir, I've known Naomi Bleu since before all these kids were born, we're best friends! I've known her kids ever since they've been in the womb and my kids known them since diapers! I'm sure my best friend wouldn't call the police just to lie about my daughter and get her in trouble!" Mother explained.

"Well now that we have evidence that Naomi isn't lying, Latoya will you please tell me the truth?"

"I am telling the truth officer!" I screamed.

"Mr and Mrs. Jackson, have you known about her relationship with Marcus?" The officer asked writing down things in his notebook.

"I've known about this relationship but I thought they have broken up because I barely see them together." Mother spoke.

"I didn't know about this and I wonder why the hell y'all disobeyed my rules! I've told you Kat that I don't want her dating at this young of age!" Joseph pointed at me, yelling at my mom.

The officer looked up from his notebook, "Latoya, have you had any sexual contact with Marcus?"

"N-no I didn't! Please leave!" My voice shook as I start to cry.

"If we find out that you're lying at court day, you'll be in big trouble young lady. Are you sure that you're telling the truth and all truth?" He asked.

I slammed myself on the couch as I begin to cry in my hands, "Yes. I have had... sexual contact." I sobbed.

I heard a few of my siblings gasp after my response. An embarrassing silence filled the room, so quiet that I could hear the police writing on his notebook.

"Are you pregnant?" I heard him ask.

I looked up from my hands, feeling all the eyes on me, "No... I'm not pregnant."

"And may you do me a favor and tell me where Marcus is? His address or where he might be?"

I made a shaky sigh, "He's no where. Okay? You're not going to arrest him sir. He's changed since then... I promise he did. He was going through a lot. He's a very good person in real life... trust me sir. He's good now."

"It's still illegal to rape somebody and he deserves to be arrested and put behind bars. I didn't come here to grow sympathy for this bad guy..."

"Bad guy? Do you want to know who the bad guy is?! His big brother William is a bad guy! He abused my ex best friend also raped her and got her pregnant!"

"That's why I'm here. I'm here to arrest his brother. We know about William and we're trying to hunt him down."

"Ex best friend? Who's the ex best friend..... please tell me that it's not Ari-" Michael said before I cut him off.

"Yes it is her! Ariel! Ariel is pregnant!" I blurted out. "That little whore is pregnant everybody!" I blurted at my family.

Everybody's face grew in shock.

"Ariel? Ariel Bleu? She's your friend?" The officer asked.

"Not anymore. She probably told her mom to tell you that I'm pregnant just to get me in trouble. She's mad because her bitch ass is pregnant herself!" I raged.

He wrote a few words down in his little black notebook and got up from the couch.

"Now will you tell me where Marcus is at ma'am?" He asked politely.

"No sir I will not." I rejected.

"Latoya, like I've said, if you tell me a lie you'll be in big trouble miss..." he warned.

I sighed and felt my legs go weak as I felt a lot of tears falling down my face.

"Fine! Fine! He's upstairs in my room officer but I must admit that he's completely innocent!" I yelled as he walked towards the spiral stairs.

I dropped to the floor and cried in my hands.

Why is this happening to me?!

They're ruining my life!

Why would she tell him that I'm fucking pregnant when she's the one who's pregnant her damn self!

That's an example of a fake friend!

I fucking hate her and her bullshit!

I heard big heavy footsteps stomp towards my way an I slowly lifted my head up from my hands.

I looked up at the sight of Joseph standing above me and before I could even blink he slapped his hand across my face real hard to the point where my vision went blank. I didn't hear my siblings yell or scream at all but my mother.

I heard some more footsteps come closer, "Joe! why would you do that! She's a girl! Don't go hitting my daughter like that!" I heard my mother screamed.

"Kat! You are so soft on her! Listen she fucking had sexual relations with that guy! I don't wanna hear it from you! This wouldn't be happening if you would've just followed my rules Kat! I said no dating until she's fucking grown! Do you understand me woman!" I heard Joseph rage at my mom.

I sat up on the floor and felt where he hit me, I looked at my hand and saw a lot of blood on my hands....

Ariel did this to me.... she caused all of this. She knows that Joseph beats us up if something goes wrong and she totally wants that.....

I'll get her back....