The next day

Julie's pov

My luck appeared to be changing as the gods of fate had finally smiled upon me. Shane and Mike would be trading places in Africa, like two ships passing in the night. Dr. Curtis needs Shane to handle some security issues in wherever the plane crashed in Lost, some non-existent place, or in Africa wherever Mike was setting up a new clinic. Shane is leaving this afternoon and Mike will be coming home tomorrow. Rick, one of the other guardians, will be checking in on us tonight after Shane leaves and in the morning before Mike comes home.

I'm sure Shane found a way to inform Mike about his punishment of not letting me play in Friday's basketball game. He probably texted all the deets so when Mike had cell service again he'd get the messages but when I tell Mike he changed his mind before he left, he won't be able to call Shane to confirm or deny it since Shane will be incommunicado. I also used a text spoofing app to send Mike a text that appeared to be from Shane's number during the time Shane was at the airport so Mike should get that fake text before he gets home. The text read: Julie & I talked- going to let her play Fri she'll fill you in. Hopefully it looks like something an old white British guy would send. I'll tell coach Ryder that Shane changed his mind about letting me play and he can talk to Mike if he has any questions.

As soon as Mike walks through the door, I put my plan into action, telling him that Shane had a change of heart and said it's okay for me to play on Friday.

"I missed you too, Julie." Mike pretends to be offended, then laughs, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm sorry, I really did miss you, Mike. I'm just so happy Shane changed his mind about the game." I smile and hug Mike back, feeling a pang of guilt for lying to him.

"I know, darlin', I got his text. Let me say hi to your sisters and grab a bite to eat and a quick shower, then we'll talk more about it in my room. Ok?"

"Sure, you could definitely use a shower." I wave my hand in front of my nose and say, "p.u." before taking off down the hall as Mike chases after me.

Later that night

Julie's pov

When Mike and I spoke in his room, I convinced him that Shane said I could be grounded for one week instead of missing the game. Mike wasn't thrilled hearing how I disrespected Mr. Kemp to earn the detention that led to Shane barring me from Friday's game but he let it go, knowing Shane had already handled it.

After having a nice dinner with Mike, we all watched a movie in one of the common rooms. Carrie and I wound up falling asleep on the couch next to him. Mike stayed with us, eventually dozing off as well before the end of the movie. Lisa and Stacey tucked us in, placing some blankets over us before heading off to bed themselves.

Friday's basketball game

Stacey's pov

Julie's plan worked so she was able to play tonight. It was obvious though, about ten minutes in, that her head just wasn't in the game. She neglected to take some open shots, missed three out of four of her free throws, had the ball stolen from her twice, and was in danger of fouling out halfway through the second quarter.

During halftime she sulked in the locker room and was in such a pissy mood she practically ripped me a new one when I tried to go over some plays with her. She wasn't even listening to coach Ryder, on or off the court. He didn't start her after the half since she was already in foul trouble, which soured her mood even more. When he did finally put her back in, she missed two rebounds, blew an easy lay-up, and fouled out with four and a half minutes left in the game.

We ended up losing by twelve points. Honestly, even if Julie was on top of her game, I don't think we would have won anyway. Their team out-shot us and had a much stronger and quicker defense. They out-hustled us as well and were better at controlling the boards. Mike and I tried to talk to Julie after the game but she was too angry to listen. She knew she had a lousy game and blamed herself for our loss.

Sunday afternoon in the girls' room

Julie's pov

Stacey, Carrie, and Lisa are all doing homework while I'm lounging on my bed reading a trashy romance novel.

Knock knock knock

"It's open," Stacey calls out.

Mike enters, taking a quick glance around the room, he easily surmises how each of the four of us are occupying our time.

Approaching my bed, he asks me, "Is your homework done?"

I respond without taking my eyes off my reading, "Uh-huh."

"Can I see it?" Mike asks, somewhat skeptical due to my noncommittal response.

"No, it's invisible homework," I reply sarcastically, with a healthy side of attitude.

"You know what's not invisible? My belt. Now let me see your homework." Mike is far from amused.

"I didn't have any homework," I state matter of factly.

"A minute ago, I asked you if your homework was done and you said yes. Now, you're claiming you don't have any homework. Which is it?"

"Whichever one makes you go away and leave me alone."

"Girls, why don't you finish your homework in the conference room so I can speak to your sister in private, without any witnesses." Mike's tone is evident.

After Stacey, Lisa, and Carrie leave, knowing Mike's request was actually a command, Mike rips the book I've been reading out of my hands.

"Rude!" I roll my eyes and exhale loudly, indicating both my annoyance and displeasure with Mike's actions.

"What's wrong?" The genuine concern in Mike's voice catches me off guard.

"Nothing," I reply, not wanting to get into this right now.

"Julie!" Mike says warningly.

"Why do you think something's wrong?" I ask defensively.

Straight to the point, Mike replies, "Because I know you wouldn't speak to me that way unless you want to be nursing a sore backside all night, and I don't think you want that. Do you?"

"What do you think?" I say snottily. Seriously, what a stupid question.

"You ready to speak to me like I'm a human being now, instead of a pile of garbage?" Mike's surprisingly calm.

"Dramatic much?" Now I'm trying to get a rise out of him.

"Talk to me." Mike's not taking the bait.

"Please, just leave me alone."

"You know I can't do that. Tell me what's goin' on." Mike sits down on my bed.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"I don't wanna talk about it." Mike's caring demeanor makes this all the more difficult.

"I'm pretty good at charades and Pictionary. How 'bout you act it out or draw me a picture?"

"You suck at Pictionary." A slight smile graces my lips.

"Suck is a little extreme, stink maybe," Mike says, pretending to be hurt by my critique of his artistic capabilities.

"Everyone thought your table was a giraffe, Mike," I say, referring to one of his disastrous drawings during our last game of Pictionary.

"Touche'."

I really want to say what's on my mind but I stop myself.

Mike grabs my chin, pulling my gaze to him.

"Julie, talk to me."

"What?" I'm stalling.

"You've been pushing my buttons and taking an attitude with me all day."

I roll my eyes and say, "Whatever."

"You've been acting up since I told you all that Shane was coming home early and would be here tomorrow instead of Wednesday. Why?"

"Don't you mean, all ya all? And I don't know what you're talking about," I say, clearly knowing exactly what he's talking about. I thought it'd feel so good getting away with deceiving Mike and Shane and being able to play in the game last Friday, but it didn't. It wasn't satisfying at all. I felt like such a jerk, especially since Mike had been so nice to me since he returned from Africa.

"It's like you're beggin' me to punish you."

"Yeah, that ain't it, chief." I can't admit to Mike or myself that is in fact what my guilty conscience wants.

"Then enlighten me." Mike's persistence is becoming irritating.

"It's a female thing, not exactly your milieu," I say, hoping to put a quick end to this conversation.

"No, that's not gonna work this time. You girls can't keep using that excuse to get out of uncomfortable conversations."

So much for that plan.

"I feel bad about something I did." I make sure to avoid looking at Mike so I don't lose my nerve.

Mike waits patiently for me to continue. His piercing stare is extremely unnerving.

"I lied to you about Shane changing his mind, just so I could play in the game Friday," I say, extremely relieved having finally gotten that off my chest.

I brace myself for the angry outburst I know is coming but instead, I'm met only by silence. Now I'm afraid Mike's too furious to speak so I continue to avoid eye contact. What he says next shakes me to my very core.

"I know, Julie. I've known since last Thursday." Mike is still eerily calm and composed.

My jaw drops.

"If you knew, why did you let me play in the game?" I'm looking at Mike now in utter disbelief.

"Well..." Mike pauses, "...Shane was pretty confident that getting your way would not be nearly as satisfying as you anticipated and we wanted to give you a chance to do the right thing and come clean, which you did." Mike breaks my heart as he gently pats my knee and says, "I'm proud of you, sweetheart, for owning up to what you did."

"He was right. I got what I wanted but it didn't make me feel good, Mike. I felt lousy the entire game," I say sadly, hanging my head in shame.

His hand still gently squeezing my knee, Mike smiles at me and says, "You're growing up, darlin'. You're becoming more aware of how your actions affect other people, especially how they affect the people you love. The reason you felt bad even though you got what you wanted was because you hurt other people in the process and the end didn't justify the means."

"I'm sorry I lied to you and disobeyed Shane," I say with sincerity.

Standing up, Mike says, "Well, unfortunately growing up also means taking responsibility for your actions and accepting the consequences that accompany them." Mike beckons me up with his finger. "Come here."

Hesitating, I stand up, fearful of what's about to happen but my fears are allayed when Mike wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly.

Resting his chin on my head as he gently strokes my back, he says, "I love you, Julie."

"I love you too, Mike," I say sighing, truly at peace in his warm embrace.

Mike reaches down and smacks my behind while still holding me close.

"Don't ever lie to me again though, darlin', or there'll be a lot more where that came from. Understand? And you still have to answer to Shane, you know."

"Yes sir," I say softly, pressing my cheek against his rock hard chest. Choosing to focus solely on the here and now, savoring the closeness of this moment.