"OMG MICHELLE!!!"

I was literally tackled to the ground the moment Liz, Courtney, and I stepped foot out of the car we rented from the airport. I couldn't help but laugh as I was tackled to the ground by not one but both of my brothers. By the time we hit the road to head here from the airport it was nearing four in the afternoon, now it was close to six in the evening.

"Hello to you guys too," I said after they got off of me and helped me up.

"We've missed you a lot," Robert said as he continued his rounds giving Courtney and Liz a hug as well.

"Why haven't you called?"

I looked at Patrick and couldn't help but laugh, "Because I've been really busy. You know you could call me every once in a blue moon," I replied pushing him lightly.

He rolled his eyes as he went and said hi to Liz and Courtney.

"Is mom and dad home?" I asked peering into the house.

"No they went out. They should be back later," Robert replied walking into the house.

"Man is psycho bird out?" Liz asked before she stepped foot into the house.

I couldn't help but laugh. Psycho bird was my mom's little bird who thought he was the shit, and he hated Liz with a passion.

"Yeah," Patrick answered as he followed her in.

I looked at Courtney who was laughing just as hard as I was. We both grabbed one of our bags and walked into the house shutting the door behind us.

"So Little One, what's for dinner?" I asked walking into the kitchen.

Patrick sat down in the very front room where my parents' big screen TV was and turned it on. "What ever you fix yourself."

"WHAT! I don't cook!" I exclaimed laughing, as I pulled out some stuff that looked half way decent.

"Sorry but you don't pay me. Why should I cook for you?" he asked sarcastically.

I went in and jumped on his lap, "Because you love me!"

"Argh! GET OFF!" he said with a smile as he pushed me to the ground.

"We can order pizza if you can pick it up," Robert said trying to help me out.

"Sure!" Liz said, "And if Shell doesn't go get it I will."

"I'll go get anything as long as I don't have to cook it. I'm too tired to cook," I said from my newly found seat on the floor.

"Then it's settled, order us some damn pizza," Courtney said handing Robert the phone.

We all laughed as Robert dialed the number and placed our extremely big order to Domino's.

A half hour, three medium pizzas, and an order of cheesy bread later, we were all completely stuffed.

"That was the best," I said stretching out on the floor.

"I agree," Courtney said doing the same beside me.

"Didn't the BSB feed you all?" Patrick asked laughing at us.

"Not really. They pretty much kept the food for AJ and Nick," I said giggling.

"That's it! They didn't feed my sister so now I have to kick some ass!"
Patrick yelled with a smile making Liz, Courtney, and I laugh even harder.

"Nah, they fed us. It's just that being out on the road you eat when you have a spare moment which is like never," Liz said explaining to Patrick why we devoured everything we got.

"Hey Shell, telephone!" Robert said stepping into the room with my cell phone in his hand.

"Who is it?" I asked before taking it from him.

"I don't know some guy. I didn't look at the caller id. I was too busy talking to my girlfriend," he said honestly causing me to laugh.

"Ok thanks," I said taking the phone from him before answering it, "Hello," I answered as I walked outside so I could get some better reception.

 

* * * *
 

I smiled to myself after getting off the phone with Michelle. Calling her at night was a habit now that I couldn't get out of and she didn't seem to mind it. I just wanted to make sure she made it to her parents' house ok. Obviously she did because I heard her brothers in the back ground picking on her while we talked. She told me to ignore them and I couldn't help but smile. They reminded me so much of Aaron it wasn't funny. I sighed as I stepped out of my house and onto my back porch. A light breeze was casually blowing through the trees calming my ever racing mind. This year we decided that my house was where we were going to celebrate Christmas and I couldn't help but wonder if Michelle was actually going to come. AJ said that Liz and Courtney said that they were going to be here but that didn't really matter to me. I mean yeah, they were my friends but I wanted Michelle to say she was going to be here. Yeah she said she was going to try but that wasn't the same as a definite yes.

"HEY FRACK!"

I turned my head a little to see Brian standing in my kitchen.

"What's up Frick?" I asked stepping back inside the house.

"Where do you want to spend Thanksgiving? We're in the middle of a vote and it's not really going anywhere."

I couldn't help but laugh. That normally means that it's a tie and the last guy will be the tie breaker.

"Where are the two houses in question?" I asked chuckling as I shut the sliding glass door.

"My house in Kentucky and AJ's house here in Florida are the places that the others have narrowed it down to."

"Does your house come with your momma's cooking?" I asked with a grin.

"Duh! All our families will be there," Brian said giving me a weird look as we joined the rest of the guys in the living room.

AJ, Kevin, and Howie came by for a little bit and were going to head back out soon. Leighanne, Riss, and Kristen had gone to the mall; I guess they just wanted to get away from us for a while.

"So Nick, where are we going to have Thanksgiving?" AJ asked.

"I think I'm gonna go with Brian's house in Kentucky. We're already having Christmas here so why not go up there for Thanksgiving?"

"Man Nick!" AJ groaned throwing a pillow at me and I smiled. "I don't want to deal with the snow!"

Everybody cracked up laughing at him. AJ really wasn't one for snow, or cold weather for that matter.

"Good, I'll start calling everyone so they can make arrangements then," Brian cut in after a few seconds of laughing.

"We should invite the girls," Kevin said after a few moments.

We looked at Kevin for farther explanation.

"Well I mean Liz, Courtney, and Michelle aren't planning on doing anything with their families. I think that it would be nice to see them again anyways."

"Well I'll call them and invite them," Brian said scribbling himself a note in his planner.

"Look all five guys in one room," a smooth country accent voice said, obviously it was Leighanne.

"Wonder what they're planning without us?" Kristen's voice popped up.

"Thanksgiving," Brian said knowing that it was Leighanne and Kristen without even having to turn around.

"So where is it this year?" Leighanne asked walking up to him wrapping her arms around his shoulders giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Our house in Kentucky," Brian said leaning his head up so he could look at her.

"You mean we get out of Florida?" Kristen asked sitting next to Kevin.

"No thanks to Nick," AJ mumbled from his corner.

"Stop being such a party pooper AJ, it'll be fun," Marissa said walking into the room with a bottle of water.

"She's definitely coming," Howie said with a smile, "She actually goes against AJ."

We all started laughing because none of the girls Howie was ever interested in went against his best friend. We always couldn't help but wonder if they actually liked Howie or if they had a thing for AJ and was using Howie to get to him.

It was about an hour before everyone left my house. Needless to say the quietness that came with them leaving was peaceful and well excepted. I love the guys to death but sometimes I just need a break from them and now was one of them. My mind had yet to slow down with thoughts of Michelle and would she actually come. I was tempted to call her and ask her myself but Brian made me promise him that I would let him do it. I couldn't break my promise to him, hell I could never break a promise to anyone for that matter.

I slowly climbed the stairs to my bedroom when I realized there was nothing on TV. I got ready and laid down in my bed not really ready to go to bed though my body must have thought otherwise because I was out before I even realized it.

 

* * * *
 

"It was good seeing you again Michelle. You've become such a stranger to us."

"Mom," I whined while throwing my suitcase in the car I rented from the airport. "I have not become a stranger to you guys. I can't help that I have a really busy schedule."

"Where you going now sweetie?" she asked helping me with the last of the suitcases.

"New York."

"New York? Why? I thought you were on vacation and going with Liz back to Colorado."

"I am on vacation but first I have to go to New York and premiere my new music video."

My mom nodded as I shut the trunk of the car.

"So are you going to come spend Christmas with us?"

"Mom!" I said turning and looking at her, "I don't know what I'm doing for Christmas yet. If I can I'll be down here."

My mom put on this hurt face and I smiled.

"Mom, stop it. You're being like a big four year old who just got told he couldn't have a cookie."

My mom laughed as she gave me a hug. Liz and Court were already in the car and ready to go. I hugged my mom back.

"I really do miss you guys a lot."

"We miss you too. I'm glad that you went against your father's wishes and did this. I am glad to see what you've become and are still becoming."

I smiled, "Thanks mom. Now if I could only get dad to tell me that."

"He will eventually. He is still getting used to the idea that his little girl is the world's Pop Princess."

I giggled, "I guess that does take some time to get used to. I'll call you when we get into New York. I love you."

"Love you too. Drive carefully."

"I will mom," I said climbing into the car and starting it up.

We had about an hour and half drive to the airport plus a two hour flight to New York. Luckily I was able to get us a straight through flight. I hate having to plane hop. I started pulling down the street when Patrick came barreling up on his friend's dirt bike.

"MICHELLE!"

I stopped the car and rolled down my window. "Yes Pat?"

"I just wanted you to have this. You can't open it though until you get into New York."

I looked at him weird as I took the envelope from him. "Ok. Love ya."

"Love ya too. Now get out of here!" he said taking back off.

"What was that all about?" Liz asked the moment we turned off of my parent's street.

"I have no clue. Here stick it in my purse," I said handing her the letter as I maneuvered the car in the traffic.

 

~Six Hours Later~
 

"It feels so good to get off that stupid plane," Courtney said as she plopped herself down on my couch.

"You're telling me," I sighed softly.

"Hey Shell, your answering machine is blinking," Liz said stepping out of the kitchen with bottles of water for everyone.

"Thanks girlie," I said as I took mine from her and walked into the kitchen to listen to the machine.

Sure enough there were 21 messages on my machine. The majority of which was from my ex-boyfriend Ben. Brian left one and Mike left one, the rest were Ben. I stopped and cleared the machine before I called Mike back. I figured I'd call him first and Brian second. If Ben was lucky and I felt like talking he would be the third phone call.

I sighed after getting off the phone with everyone and walked back out to where the girls were sitting, watching a movie.

"What's up? You look like you've just been hit by a train or something," Courtney asked as I plopped down in my huge rocking chair.

"I just got off the phone with Ben," I said with a soft sigh.

"He was such a cutie, what happened between you two anyways?" Liz asked.

"Nothing I just got sick of his bullshit. He wants me to have dinner with him. He's gonna be here in about five minutes or so," I said standing to go get ready.

I walked into my bedroom with a feeling of regret. I shouldn't have told Ben that I'd go out with him tonight. The man is so possessive and technically I'm still his girl. I had to admit that the only man that I was ever afraid of was Ben. Benjamin Mussolini. I met him back when I came to New York before I was famous. He helped me get my break and frankly I wish he hadn't. I was grateful to him but when we became involved romantically everything went down hill, especially when I didn't do exactly what he wanted. I had to admit, he was the only man that could scare me, and I didn't tell anyone what he did to me, not even Liz, and I don't plan on it either.

"Ben's here Shell!" I heard Liz call out breaking me of my thoughts.

I took one last look in the mirror before I walked out into what was going to become a fighting ring once we left.

"Hello Michelle."

I looked up to see Ben standing there, yeah he looked good but looks can be deceiving.

"Hello Ben."

"Ready?" he asked holding his arm out to be pretending to be the perfect gentleman that I knew he wasn't.

"Always," I said accepting his arm trying not to cause a scene in front of the girls.

We said our goodbyes to Courtney and Liz and we left, and like always the night just turned for the worse.


 

* * * *
 

I woke to my phone ringing.

"Hello," I mumbled into the phone.

"Hey Frack, just thought I'd let you know that Michelle is premiering her new video today on TRL."

"Good morning to you too Bri, how'd you find that out?" I asked climbing out of bed.

"Actually it's almost 2 in the afternoon and Michelle told me last night when I talked to her."

"You talked to her already? Is she gonna come to Thanksgiving with us?"
I asked knowing that my voice sounded way too hopeful.

"Yes she's coming," he said with a chuckle. "So you gonna watch it or what?"

"Huh? Oh TRL? Yeah I'm gonna watch it," I said totally amazed that she was actually going to come to Thanksgiving with us.

"Well I guess I'll let you go. I'll talk to you later," Brian said.

"Ok. Bye Bri," I said hanging up my phone still in shock that Michelle was actually going to show up for Thanksgiving. Now if I could only get her to show up for Christmas.

I flipped on the TV and immediately turned it to MTV. I went about doing other stuff until I heard Carson's annoying voice come on.

"Welcome to TRL. Today we have a very special guest; Star is going to be on the show premiering her new video."

I sat on my couch and watched. The entire audience erupted with screams and I noticed that the window shades were drawn, something that only occurred when me and the fellas were there.

I had to watch through the entire program of TRL before Star came on.

"Here she is folks, Star," Carson said and the camera switched to Michelle walking out.

"Hey Carson!" she said smiling after giving him a hug.

The crowd was going nuts, both inside and out.

"How does the reaction you get now affect you?"

"Geesh Carson, it's... man it's overwhelming. I mean I was literally a nobody and now..." she ran a hand through her hair and I smiled. "It's unbelievable."

"I bet. So you brought your new video here for us to see, right?"

"Yep."

"Can you tell us a little bit about the song and the video?"

"Well the song's name is 'Cinderella'. And basically the video is about a girl who gets fed up with the crap her boyfriend keeps feeding her so she leaves him."

"Ouch... I guess it's a lesson to us guys."

"Maybe," she said with a smile.

"So a question that I know all the men in America are wondering, are you single?"

I watched hopeful that the answer was yes.

"Actually I'm back with my old boyfriend."

There was something in her eyes and the way she said her answer that made me know it wasn't going to last very long though it still broke my heart that the answer wasn't yes.

"Man, so the guys have to wait."

Michelle laughed, "Yeah the guys have to wait. Sorry," she said blowing a kiss into the camera.

"Well let's do this," Carson said looking into the camera, "Here is Star's new single, 'Cinderella'."

The crowd went crazy as the video started.

 

(Screen opens to Star throwing a couple of suitcases in the trunk of a car)

(Blacks out)

(Screen opens and Star is walking up to her boyfriend)

"We need to talk."

"No we don't." (He turns to walk away)

(Grabs him) "Ummm. Yes we do." (Music Starts) "And you will listen to everything I have to say."

I used to be ya girlfriend and I know I did it well
Oh yes you know it's true
You'd call me Cinderella
All you had to do was yell
And I'd be there for you

(Star is laying into her boyfriend)

Here I am
So try to forgive me
I don't believe in fairytales
Here we are with nothing but honesty
I've had enough
I'm not gonna stay

(Boyfriend is trying to get Star to listen to him but she's just going off ignoring him)

I'm sorry for running away like this
And I'm sorry, I've already made my wish
Ahaah, But Cinderella's got to go

(The camera zooms into Stars eye going to the night before)

From time to time
I'd try to tell just what was on my mind

(Star is trying to tell her boyfriend something)

You told me not today

(He blew her off and continued to talk to his buddies)

Come back, do that
Well, Cinderella at...
Was all you had to say

(Star is doing what the boyfriend asks, mad as all get out while he sits with his buddies)

Here I am
So try to forgive me

(Boyfriend is protesting but Star just holds up her hand to shut him up)

I don't believe in fairytales
Here we are with nothing but honesty
I've had enough
I'm not gonna stay

(Camera zooms back into the night before)

I'm sorry for running away like this
And I'm sorry I've already made my wish
Ahaah, but Cinderella's got to go

(See Star upstairs packing up her suitcases singing to the song)

I'm sorry just trying to live my life
Don't worry you're going to be alright
But Cinderella's got to go...

(Camera zooms back to present and Star starts walking around her boyfriend saying the lines of the song)

You use to say I want you
You cast me in your spell
I did everything you wanted me to
But now I shout
First your reasons for your lies
I won't be blind you see
My love it can't be sacrificed
I won't pretend to be

I'm so sorry
I've already made up my mind

(Star's eyes soften for a brief second before they return to a hard cold gaze)

I won't return to you

I'm sorry to say
I'm running away now
Don't worry you will be alright...

(Star walks away from her boyfriend heading for the door)

I'm running away
I've made up my mind now
You're gonna have to let me go

(Star walks out the door leaving a shocked boyfriend standing there)

I'm sorry for running away like this
And I'm sorry I've already made my wish

(Star is driving down the road a big smile on face)

Ah, but Cinderella's got to go
I'm sorry just trying to live my life
Don't worry you are going to be alright
Ah, but Cinderella's got to go.

(Screen goes black)
 

I sat there in disbelief. That song and video was awesome.

"Wow, you meant business huh?" Carson asked.

"I guess. I actually wrote this song because I had a boyfriend like that back in high school. It's all good now though."

"I hope so. Well guys you know the drill if you want to see it on the count down vote for it. Here is the number one video of the day..."

I shut the TV off not able to stand listening to Carson any longer. I picked up the phone and dialed Michelle's cell. I got her voice mail so I left a message telling her I saw the video and that I liked it. I walked into the kitchen after hanging the phone back up and decided to go out in my boat for a little bit before the storms started to roll in. I still had a lot on my mind that I had to sort out.


*song credits: Britney Spears 'Cinderella'