Chapter 11: If I Was Your Mother

A few minutes later the three of them had changed the subject and Pauline was trying to teach them Greek. It was the funniest thing she've ever done. Jon only know curse words but he didn't know untill Pauline told him. Jesse on the other hads didn't know a single word, Pauline has a lot work to do.

They hear small feet running down the stairs. The youngest Bongiovi was up and running to the kitchen. His jaw fell when he saw Pauline was in the kitchen. "PAULINEEEE!" he yelledand runned to hug her. Pauline when she heard her name she turned and saw Romeo running to her side. She smiled to him and got up from the chair and hugged him. "Good morning big man! How did you slept?" she asked. "Very nice! I didn't know you were here! You came this morning?" Romeo asked and cut on the chair next to her. "No, i came here late last night!" she answered him. "Why are wearing Jesse's clothes?" "Jesse gave them to me because he didn't want me to sleep with my jeans!" Pauline answered. "Romy what do you want for breakfast?" Jon asked his little son. "Cheerios!" Romeo yelled. Both Jon and Jesse looked Pauline when Romeo answered.

Jon gave to Romeo a plate with Cheerios and Romeo start eatting. He was sitting on the right next to Pauline and notised the scratches in Pauline's arm. "Who did this scratches to you?" he asked and ate a bite. Pauline froze. What should she tell him? Of course she couldn't tell him the truth. She must lie to him. "Romeo John eat you cereal!" Jon spoke up. "Okay!" Romeo said and he looked down to his plate.

The bell rung to the Bongiovi house, Romeo left the kitchen and run to answer the door. The three of them could hear Romeo yelling "Granny!"

Jon and Jesse froze and looked to Pauline who was frozen too. "Oh shit! I've forget that she was coming today!" Jon said and got from the chair. Jon left the kitchen and just in seconds he return with his mother and Romeo.

Carol walked in the kitchen and Jon was behind her looking to Pauline with the look of 'i tried to keep her in the living room'. Romeo sut next to her. Jesse stood up and hugged his grandmother. "Hey, Granny! How are you?" "I'm great Jess! How are you?" "Pretty good, thanks!" Jesse answered sut to the chair again.

Jon saw his mother was looking weird Pauline. "Mum, this is Pauline Tim....." Jon started to say but Carol stoped him. "I know who she is Jon!" Carol answered to her son. She turned to face Pauline and said "It's really nice to finaly meet you Pauline!""It's nice to meet you too Mrs Bongiovi!" Pauline answered smiling. They shaked thier hands and Carol started. "I'm very happy to see you awake this time!" Pauline suprised by Carols's words. "My hasband and i visited you while you were in the hospital but you were sleeping! My son told me all about you! It really makes me happy that my grandson is with a girl like you!" Pauline start to feel that her ckeeks were red. She was trying to hide it but she couldn't.

"Mum do you want some coffee?" Jon asked and Carol answered "Oh yes! And don't put much sugar Johnny boy!" she ordered her son. Jon stood up and said annoying "Yes, mum!" "Don't ask him to make you coffee! You'll regret it!" she whispered to Pauline. She laughed a little but she hide it when Jon turned. He saw them laughing and asked "What? Do i have something in my ass?" "John Francis Bongiovi Jr.! Watch your launguge in front of the kids!" Carol said surious. "I'm sorry mum!" Jon answered annoying again.

Pauline and Carol had a great talk. She was talking like she knew it for years. Jon had explained her everything when Pauline was in the hospital. That made Carol cry. Pauline was very brave to do what she did. Carol was very amazed and she really wanted to meet her. She came back a few days later Pauline's release from the hospital but Pauline wasn't there.

Pauline sut with Carol in the living room and hear every story Carol said to her. She've heard things that she didn't want to believe. The story that suprised her the most was when Jon bring Dorothea to his house. Pauline was laughing all time long along with Carol.

These stories were followed by more than three photo albums. There were pictures of Carol with John Sr. on their wedding. Pauline must admit that Carol was very gorgeous when she was younger. Pauline saw the first picture of Jon as a newborn. He was very sweet. Other pictures followed with Jon with Matt and Tony when they were boys.

On the other album were pictures of Jon and Dorothea in their wedding. "Wow i've seen these before!" Pauline said suprised. "Really? I thought there are all over the internet!" "No, we've never seen pictures of their wedding! And from what i can see here we better not!" Pauline admits. "You better not i look like a track get over me!" Jon admits. It's been ages he had seen these albums.

Pauline turned to face Jon "Are you kidding me? You look sexy as hell!" as these words came out of her mouth she realised that she was talking to Jon and next to her was his mother, plus Jesse was sitting next to Jon. "I'm sorry! I must gest used to dealing with it!" "It's alright Pauline dear!" Carol answered.

Jesse crossed his arms and sighed. Jon notised him and asked. "Jess are you jelous?" "Me? Jelous you? No, way!" Jesse said pointed Jon. "Paul, will you ever marry my dad?" Jesse asked a question that he wanted to ask from the begging. "Well, if he wasn't married and i was closer to his age of course yes!" Pauline answered truly. She will marry Jon if she was closer to his age. "And what about if he was closer to your age?" Jesse asked back. He wanted to be sure about it. "I don't think so! I have something in my mind that suit for me most than Jon!" Pauline answered looking Jesse in his eyes.

She wanted him to understand that she didn't care who his dad was. She was only care about him. She wanted him to know that. Jon's eyes rolled. He had the idea face. He got up from the couch and dissapear. "Did i said something that bothered him?" Pauline said feeling a little guilty. "No, dear! You should get used it!" Carol answered. "I don't get it!" Pauline answered feeling giulty again. "Let me explain! This is how he does when he has an idea about a song! He's unpredictable. So you better watch out!" Jesse informed her.

Mrs Bongiovi left her son's house about two hours ago. She shakes hand with Pauline and she hoped that she'll see her again. Once Jon's mother left his house Jesse went upstais for a minute and when he came back he couldn't find Pauline anywhere. He was looking to each room in the house but he still couldn't find her. Dorothea was back from the grocery shop and Jacob with Stephanie were up too. Jesse asked them but no one knew where she was. That was before it hit him.

Pauline loves being next to the ocean and their case next to the river. He went to the kutchen one more time and starred out of the window. He saw her sitting on the bench watching the sea. He left the kitchen and walked to her side. When he was came closer he saw her blowing the smock of her mouth. He was a little dissapointed but he didn't want to let it show.

He sut next to her from behind and her breath caught her throat. "I'm sorry babe! I didn't mean to scare you! What ya doing here?" he asked. Pauline tried to hide the cigarrete but she wasn't good in hiding things. "It's alright! I know it!" "I'm sorry i didn't want you to know it in that way! I wanted to tell you today but you busted me!" they both laugh. "So, what are you doing here?" he asked again. "Just watching the ocean, nothing important!" she replied and turned to look to sea. "I want to talk about something very important!" Jesse started, Pauline faced him. "What is it?" "You didn't finish what you started saying! And i know that you're shy that's why i wanted us to be alone!" "Look, Jesse all these are belong to the past...." "Is it that bad that i want to know how you got these fucking scratches?" Jesse asked raising his voise a little.

Pauline sighed. "At some point of the fight he lifted you from the floor and i saw your face bleeding! It was by far the worse thing i've ever seen! I knew that if i didn't something he will never leave you alone! So, i attacked him from behind locking my legs to his waist and my arms to his chest! He forget about you for a minute and focused on me! But he was stronger than me and he pulled me away from his back and puched me to the wall! He came to my side with the bottle of beer. He wanted to hit my head but my hand was faster than his! And the bottle found my arm!" Pauline explained to Jesse with every detail.

Jesse was out of his water. He couldn't believe what he just heard. For one more time Pauline saved his life and risked hers. He was watching her trying to fight with the tears on her eyes. He couldn't do nothing else but wraping his arms around her and let her cried it out. "Shhhh! It's okay! I'm here now! You're safe!" he said to her and hugged her ever closer.

"I thought he was going to kill you!" she said while she was crying. "I thought that i was never going to see you again!" she continue and buried her face to his chest. "Please don't you never leace me alone! EVER!" she said and she lifted her head to face him.

Jesse put away the fair from her beautiful face and answered "I promise i will never leave you alone never again!" he kissed the top of her head when he finished saying this sentence.

They staied there for several minutes when Pauline pulled away and wiped her tears. "I thought you didn't want to touch me again!" "Why?" "Because of that!" "Ohh Paul don't be silly! It was just a bad moment! And i was afraid that you didn't let me touch you never again!" Jesse admits. "Nothing compares with your touch!" she answered him.

He put her lips to him and they kissed. Jesse could feel the cigarrete smell on his mouth. He've never kissed anyone to the lips that is smocking. That kiss has a unique flavour to both of them. With that kiss Pauline showed him that he's the one for her. And she will not leave him for anyone else. Jesse told her that he'll protect her with his own life in the rest of his life no matter what.

Chapter 10: Is Tearing Out My Heart

Pauline and Jesse quickly grabed their things and left that bar. Walking to tha parking lot of the bar Jesse asked "Babe we must go to the hospital! Your arm didn't stop bleeding!" Pauline opened the door of the car and got in and Jesse followed. "No, i'm fine! Can you please take me home?" she asked and turned her head and star out of the window. Jesse sighed and put the machine forward and drove away.

 On the route back home neither of them wanted to talk about what happend in the bar. Jesse while he was driving was seeing her with corner of his eye, she was in pain. He couldn't wait any longer and asked "Pauline didn't do anything to you, didn't he?" Pauline looked him in his eyes and answered "No, he didn't!" "Pauline we must report that! It's a serious crime!" "No, i don't want!" For a second Jesse thought to persuade her to go to the police station but it wasn't the right time to talk about that. "Okay!" he answered. A few minutes later Jesse turned to checked on her and saw she was asleep. He didn't want to wake her up. But he didn't want to return her to her parents like that. They weren't so far away from his house.

He turned right and drove her to his house. He pulled to the house drive way and opened the gate. Stoping the car he checked Pauline again she was still sleeping. He walked to the house and pulled from his pocket the key. He opened the door and walked to the living room in hurry. There he found his two parents and his only sister talking. Dorothea saw her son coming in and shout out "Oh my God, Jesse! What happend to you?" she got up and walked to his son side. "Is a very long story i'll explained it to you later!" he turned to face his dad "Dad please come to help me with Pauline! She's sleeping in the car!" Jon with a worring look on his face got up to help his son.

 Father and son walked out of the house. They walked to Jesse's car and opened the door of the front seat. "Jess take the head i'll take the legs!" Jon ordered his son. Jesse did what his father told him. They carried her to Jesse's bedroom. "What the hell is that? Blood?" Jon almost yell, with a suprise on his face. "Dad don't yell! Do you want to wake her up?" "Jesse tell me what happend! Who did this to you?" Jon said and touched his black eye and the swollen mouth. Jesse pulled back and said "Let me take care Pauline first and i'll tell you everything!" "Okay, let's go to find Steph!" "Steph? What for?" Jesse answered suprised. "To undress Pauline! You and me out of here now!" Jon ordered with his 'boss' voise. Both Jon and Jesse walked down to the living room and told Stephanie to go with Pauline upstairs. Stephanie was willing to help and left without having second thoughts.

 In the kitchen was Jesse putting ice cubes on his eye and sut in the kitchen table. A minute ago he called Pauline's parents and told them that Pauline will sleep in his house tonight. Katerina who picked the phone was very worried during of the phone call. She was about to take the car and drive to Jesse's house to pick up her daughter. But Jesse promised her that when she'll wake up in the morning she'll call her.

He sighed and took off the ice cube of his eye. "AAA! That fucking hurts!" he cried out. He looked down to himself and put the ice cube on the table. His clothes have lots of blood on them. Every time he saw them in his mind came the scene of Pauline and the unknonk man. Jon walked in the kitchen. "Pauline is ready! What happend to her arm? Is like that someone broke in her arm a bottle!" "I don't know what happend!" Jesse said and looked his father in the eyes. "What do you mean you don't know?" Jesse got up and walked next to the window. "Dad can we talk about this tommorow? I'm tiried and Pauline's alone upstairs!" "Okay, did her parents know that she's here?" "Yeah, i called her mother few minutes ago!" "Alright! Go upstairs Pauline needs you!" Jon ansered and Jesse nobbed 'yes' and left the kitchen.

Jesse stoped in front of the door of his bedroom. He slowly opened it and walked in. He found his 'sleeping beauty' sound sleeping on his bed. Walking next to her to the bed he saw how peacefull she was sleeping. He was amazed because after all this that happend to her she was sleeping like an angel. Jesse put on his pijamas and lyied next to Pauline.

It was tearing his heart every time he watched to the scratches on her arm. Thankfully the bleeding had stoped but still she needed a doctor. When Jesse made himself comfortable in the bed Pauline without knowing that she was in Jesse's bed she hugged him and he hugged her back. They were so close he could smell her. He loved the way she smells. It's now the secind night that they slept together. Jesse wanted her to sleep in his arms every night but that wasn't possible at least for now.

The warm sun was up in the blue New Jersey sky. Pauline slowly opened her eyes and turned on the other side. "Παναγία μου! Πού είμαι?" (Oh my God? Where am i?) she wondered and sut up in the bed. She looked her arm and saw the scratches. Jesse who was sleeping  next to her woke up saying "Good morning babe!" Pauline got scared and fell from the bed "Τζέσι? Με κατατρόμαξες!" (Jesse? You scrared the hell out of me!) Pauline said in Greek and sighed on relief. Poor Jesse he didn't get a word. "Pauline why are talking Greek?" he asked and got up too. "Oups! Jesse i'm so sorry! I speak Greek when i'm scared or stressed! I'm sorry!" she said and hugged him. "It's okay! It would be a nice dea if you teach me some Greek! You know the basic!" "Maybe...." Pauline said and pulled away.

"Why am i here?" she asked and she walked a few steps around looking to his bedroom. "I was driving you home and you fall asleep on the car!" Jesse explained. "Fuck! I must call my mum!" she said terified. "I called her! I promised her that you'll call her when you'll wake up!" Jesse said and saw Pauline was calmier now. "You back must hurt huh?" "No! Why should my back hurt?" he asked. "You carried me all the way from the car to your room, that's why!" "My dad help me a little!" Pauline eyes rolled. "What?" she cried out. "Paul relax! He didn't have a problem! He waits downstairs! And wants to hear what happend!" Jesse said. "You gotta be kidding me! Look at me!" she said and looked to her self.

Eyes rolled one more time when she saw she was dressed with diferent clothes. "Where are me clothes? Who undressed me?" she asked looking evil to Jesse's side. "It wasn't me! If i've done this my dad will have killed me! It was Stephanie....." Jesse answered. "That is crazy!" Pauline yelled and start walking from the one side of the room to the other. Jesse laughed. "Don't laugh! That's not funny!" she said and looked over the window. "Shit! I can jump from the window!" "Why should you jump from the window?" "How can i leave from here smartass?" "We have a door remember?" "I know you do have a door! But i must pass from the living room and i don't want it!" Pauline said and sut on the bed. Jesse walked and sut next to her. "Babe, i know this was hard from you but we'll get throught this! You need to go on the doctor and we need to report this!" "Jesse, i've told you that before! I'm not going to report that guy!" "Okay, okay for now! Let's downstairs to eat something i'm starving!" Jesse said walking to the door.

Jesse stoped when he saw that Pauline wasn't coming with him. "You're not coming?" "Like that?" she answered pointed her clothes. "Come on, Paul you look good enough to eat! Maybe i can eat you for breakfast!" Jesse joked. Pauline laughed. Jesse laughed back, it's been long time since he saw her smiling. "God is good to see your smile honey! Your clothes are over there but there's lots of blood on them! Don't be shy is just my dad and maybe Stephanie and the boys!" "Now, i feel more comfortable!" Pauline said sercasticly. "Just think he's your dad and not Jon Bon Jovi!" "I stop seeing your dad like Jon Bon Jovi when you were in the hospital!" Pauline admits. "Alright let's go!" Pauline said and walked next to Jesse.

They both walked down the stairs and walked in the kitchen. There they found Jon reading a newspaper and sipping his coffee "Morning dad!" Jesse said smiling to his father. "Good morning Jon!" Pauline said smiling too. "Morning kids! Angel did you slept good? I know Jesse is not sleeping that easy......" "I slept very good, thank you! You?" Pauline asked and sut on the chair. "Very good!" Jon answered and drunk a sip of his coffee. "Where is mum?" Jesse asked. "She's in the grocery shop she'll be back in a few minutes!" Jon told his son. Jesse turned to face Pauline and asked. "Paul what do you want for breakfast? We have fruit, toast and cereal!" Jesse looked to the kutchen. "I'll take some cereal, you?" "I'll take cereal too!" Jesse answered and opened the pantry down of the window "You have with milk chocolate, fruit and Cheerios!" "Cheerios, please!" Jesse turned and faced her with a suprise look on his face. "What, i'm still a kid!" Both men laughed. "Cheerios are Romeo's favourite!" Jon imformed Pauline.

Pauline and Jesse were eatting their breakfast while Jon was looking close to Pauline's arm. Her right arm was full of scratches. There are two big scares in the middle of her arm and several others. Sadness was written all over Jon's face. He couldn't believe that someone had dove this to a 16year old, that was driving him crazy the most. He left the newspaper on the table and looked Pauline. She was eatting her Cheerios and smiling like nothing had happend last night. The sadest part of this story is that no one knew how Pauline got these scratches.

Once they are finished eatting Jesse took his and Pauline's plate and put them on the sink. Sitting next to her she saw her looking to her right arm. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. "You know what happend, you were there!" "I wasn't there in the begining i want to know what this bastard did to you......" Jesse said and gave more emfasis to 'bastard'. "Jesse calm down, she'll tell us when she's ready!" Jon said and looked to his son. Pauline took a deep breath and started. "I went to the bathroom to pee. When i was done with that i was washing my hands when i saw him looking at me from the door. He came in and closed it. He was holding a bottle of beer, i knew he was drunk. He came closer to me and i tried to get away but i couldn't! He was taller that Richie and more stronger than me! He left the bottle on the sink and pulled a tape from his pocket and cover my mouth." she paused. A single tear made the way to her cheek. She couldn't hold it any longer and more followed.

Jesse was sitting next to her and while she was talking he was trying to picture them but he couldn't and he didn't want to. The idea of an another man touching without her willing was tearing his heart. Pauline wiped the tears from her face and continued. "He puched me in the wall and hold up my hands so tight that i thought  blood stop running throught my veins! With the other he unbottomed the shirt and threw it on the floor!" she stoped. She couldn't go farther, she was in the edge. Both men were listen to her carefully. "And what did you do?" Jon asked.

Pauline laughed a little. "I thought he was Jesse...." she slowly turned and faced him. He was crying. She saw the tear rolling dowm to his cheek. "I know it sounds silly but for the first seconds it worked! But the smell of beer was too much for me! When i saw you coming in the bathroom i had two thoughts. First i was relief that you were here. And second i was afraid that he might hurt you and he did!" she was still facing Jesse.

Jesse wiped his tear and said "I'm sorry that i wasn't there sooner! If i was there with you nothing of that could have ever happend! I'm sorry that wasn't strong enough to beat him!" Jesse said and hugged her tight while he was crying. "I'm sorry Jesse that he did this to you! I'm sorry that i wasn't there to fight with you! I'm so so sorry about the eye and the lip!" she said when they broke aprt touching his black eye and the swollen lip.

Jon from the opposite seat was silent. This was tearing his heart. Watching them talking like that. It was reallt heart breaking for him too. From the corner of his eye a little tear came and rolled down to his cheek but he quickly managed to wiped it, he didn't want to cry in front of them. is was that time when the sadness turned to anger. He made a promise to himself that he'll find that little bastard and game him a lesson that he'll never forgets.

Chapter 9: The Fighter

A few minutes later Pauline gongratulated one more time Mara she left the court. She walked to the parking lot and got in her car. Once she closed the door she broke down in tears. Her head hit the steering wheel and start crying.

She let the tears of letting herself down roll to her cheeks. She let herself free and cry out more than 10 minutes. She was sitting there in the front seat alone. She wiped her tears and put the machine forward and drove away. She was heading to a place and always was calming her down. She parked the car and took with her her mobile phone and the pack of cigarretes.

Walking down the street next to the river she sut on their bench. She checked the hour 8.53 p.m. She called her parents and let them know what happend. her mother who picked up the phone could hear in her voise that Pauline took it very bad. Pauline told her that she'll go somewhere to calm down and then she'll return back home. She hung up the phone and left it next to her.

She opened the pack of cigarretes and put one on her mouth. She lighted it up and blowed the smocke of her mouth. She was sitting there watching people passing her by. She was feeling so lonely and she couldn't get throught this alone. She wanted some help.

At first she wanted to call Ava but she'll be with Alex right now and she didn't want to worry her. Then, she wanted more than anything to be with her friends right now. She was missing them everyday but she learnt living to with it.

And now all comes down to Jesse. She really didn't care that they had a little fight next week or that he didn't call her to explain himself. All that were details to Pauline. She wanted to hear his voise and hold him close. She must leave her shelfishness behind and call him.

She drop the cigarrete butt on the ground and took her phone and called Jesse. The same time Jesse was in his bedroom and in his hands was his phone. He let the time pass. he knew that giving her as much time as she wanted will be good. But he still was mad with himself. He really lost control the last Saturday and now was paying the results of his behavior. It's been seven days now and he didn't heard of her. He start to feel lonely and he wanted to call. He was about to press the call bottom when her ID came in the front screen.

He lost his words, he didn't wait for her to call him. He swallowed and answer "Hello Pauline!" "Hey, Jesse! Are you doing something important right now?" "No, i'm not! Look Pauline i know i've been an ass to you and to Romeo! I really regret every word i said to you! I just i was blind of what i thought and not of what was happening around me! I've learn my lesson! Romeo forgived me and i would be the happiest man on Earth if you forgive me too!" he said with a voise of meaning every single word. Tears rolled again from her eyes. Now she understnd how much she missed him. Jesse could hear from the other line of the phone that Pauline was crying. "Pauline are you alright?" "No, can you please come to our bench?"she asked him between crying. "I'm on my way don't move!" he said and hung up.

He put the phone on his pocket and got up. Carkeys on his hands and walked down  the stairs. He let know his mother where he was going and left. On his way to their bench the worse scenarios came to his mind. He didn't even want to think what will make her cry.

He pulled to the drive way and parked his car next to hers. He got out in hurry and walked down to street. He found her sitting in the bench with the look of lost. That made her heart broke. He didn't have any idea what the hell was going on.

Pauline saw him coming and run to his side and hugged him so tight, he did the same. When they broke apart Pauline start crying again. That sight broke Jesse's heart. "Pauline are you alright? What happend?" he asked. Pauline sut on the bench and Jesse followed. As he sut he saw the cigarrete butts. He count them. One, two, three, four, five and six. He didn't want to think that these were Pauline's but he didn't care he wants to hear what's the problem.

"I didn't make it Jesse! They didn't choose me!" she said and buried her face to Jesse's chest. "Oh honey i'm so sorry for that! But don't worry next year you'll kick their ass!" he answered and put away the hair of her face. She sut up and said "Can you go to a bar? I want to get drunk for some reason!" "Oh no my little girl i will not let you get drunk! But we can go but you'll not drink!" "Fine! Whatever let's go!" she said and stood up collecting her mobile and the pack of cigarretes.

Jesse try hard not to pay so much attetion to her new habit. They'll talk about it some other time when she's better. They got in the car and Jesse drove them to a bar he knew. They both walked in hand in hand and ordered a Coke. It was small band playing music. Pauline liked the band. She told Jesse the whole story and she could see in his eyes how sorry he was feeling for her.

A few minutes later the band finished and Pauline must go to the bathroom. She exsuse herself and walked to the ladies bathroom. In the begining of the hallway that leads to the bathrooms a group of thre men when standing there. One of them saw Pauline walking alone and he left the others to go to find her. In his hand was a bottle of a beer, that was the sixth bottle he had tonight and he was drunk.

He passed the bathroom ofr the men and looked to the ladies one. Pauline was there in front of the sink washing her hands. The drunk man smiled naughtily and walked in closing the door behind him. Pauline's blood stop running in her veins when she saw him.

Meanwhile Jesse was sitting in the table waiting for Pauline to come back. The time was passing very fast and Pauline didn't return. His eyes were locked in the hallway to see if she was walking in but she didn't. Jesse start to worry. he drunk the last sip of his Coke and went to find her. To his man the worse scenarios came to his mind. All the scenarios together weren't enough to describe was his eyes saw when he opened the door on the ladies bathroom.

Pauline was against the wall in front of her was a man that Jesse had never saw before. Her hands were up and he was holding them so tight with his left hand. While the right hands was under her pants teasing her. Her red shirt was on the floor. The only thing she was wearing was her bra. The unknown drunk man was working in Pauline's breats. "Come on baby i know you like it rough!" he said and he continue playing with her. Pauline was unable to speak because her mouth was covered by a tape.

Jesse was standing there in the doorstep looking at the most horrible sight his eyes have ever seen. From above of this man shoulder saw the spark in Pauline's eyes when he opened the door. She tried to say something but she wasn't able. Jesse's eyes got fired and with all the power he had he pulled that man away from her. "Who the fuck is you? Leave us boy this is my turn! Wait for yours!" he said and drunk a sip of his beer. Jesse wasn't about leaving that flow by like that.

He punched him on his face. The man was taller and older than Jesse. He didn't care he couldn't let anyone treat to Pauline like that. He man took a few steps back and put the bottle of the beer on the sink. He punched him and Jesse hit the floor. The man walked over say who was lying on the floor and grabbed him for his t-shirt. Once Jesse was back to his feet the man punched him again to his stomack. Jesse hit the floor once again.

Pauline was sitting in the corner watching them fight. It was like a movie scene. She watched the man going over Jesse and lifted him again. For a moment she paused to his face. Red blood was running from his nose along with his mouth. It was enough. She didn't need to see more. She had put her shirt on and attacked the man from behind. She locked her legs on his waist and her arms to his chest. The man hwo has more power than Pauline he managed to get her off him.

He puched her with power on the corner of the room. She hit her head and she slowly rolled to the floor. She saw him coming with with the bottle of the beer made of glass. He stop in front of her and tried to hit her head but insted Pauline managed to proteck herself using her hand.

Many little pieces got inside to Pauline's arms while Jesse was still lying on the floor. The man left the bathroom pissed. Pauline saw the man walking away and run to Jesse. He was lying with the face on the ground. She slowly turned him and saw his eyes were closed. "Jesse!" she said but no responce. "Jesse! Come one babe wake up!" "Jesse!" she keep saying.

After a few minutes of trying Jesse opened his eyes. "Oh my God!" she said and hugged him close. "I thought i was going to lose you!" "Are you okay? Where the fuck is that asshole?" he said and with Pauline's help stood up. "He left! Are you okay? Do you want to go in the hospital?" she asked. "No, i'm fine!" he answered.

He looked next to Pauline to a blood lake that was coming from her arm. "What did he done to you?" he ask coming closer and took a look in her arm. From behind he saw in the corner the broken glasses and a little blood. Looking back to Pauline's arm he managed to put away some glasses that were in her arm.

Pauline was crying again and said "I'm so sorry Jesse! i didn't want this to happen! I'm so so sorry!" she said and hugged him tight, very tight. "hey Pauline you don't have to be sorry! I must apologise! If i came sooner nothing of this could ever happend! I'm sorry babe!" he said and hugged her again. "That bustard cut you really bad! We should go to a hospital!" he said looking her in the eyes. "No, i don't want to go in a hospital! i want to go home! Plaese take me home!" she answered. "Ok, let's go!" he answered and both left the bar.

He was looking at, she was in pain. But he couldn't do anything but to take her home. He wanted to go in hospital but if Pauline didn't let him it was no point. he must accept her wish and drive her home.

Chapter 8: Stand Up And Be Proud

Monday morning at school. Pauline was looking to her mobile every hour to see if Jesse had called ot texted. No to both. She sighed every time when she sees that he didn't hake a move to apologise and that make more pissed.

Pauline and Ava have already finished their lunch and were heading to the class. Walking in the hallway there was a notice on the bulletin board. They both wanted to see what's this time. There was a group of people looking at it with their eyes wild open. Ava was the one that read it first. "Oh my God! Pauline lok at that!" Pauline was behind her and came next to her and read.

This year our school with the help of our talented students will upload the show of 'Romeo and Juliet'! If you want to be part of it just make an aplication!

Audition will start on Thrursday 19th of Septembre for the female roles

And Friday 20th of Septembre for the male roles.

Pauline's eyes rolled as she read it. Ava was so exited about it. "Ava, that's wonderfull! You'll go to the audition right?" "Of course and i'll go! And not alone....." Ava said and both walked away. "Oh yeah, with Alex! Isn't it weird that you both want to be actors?" "I wouldn't say weird, i like more fated!" "Yeah, that's better....." Pauline answered and pulled out of her pocket her phone.

"Did Jesse called?" "Nope, he didn't!" "The best scenario i can come up with is maybe uncle Jon killed him....." Ava joked and Pauline froze. "Nah, i don't think he's that cruel!" "You better change your mind. Your future father-in-law when he's mad you better hide somewhere!" "Why everyone keep telling me that Jon will be my father-in-law?" she asked with a weird look on her face. "Because he'll be! I can picture you and Jesse in the future!" Ava answered with the thinking look on her face. "Keep dreaming princess!" Pauline answered and walked a few steps forward leaving Ava behind. "What don't tell me that you don't want it! Come on i can see it in your eyes......" Ava said when she came next to her.

Pauline stoped and looked at her "Oh, do you relly want to start a Jovi conversation, don't you?" "That will be nice!" "No, i try hard not to start it! Because once i start it i'll never stop! Plus, i'm not in the mood of it and i don't want to change your mind!" "Why should i change my mind?" Pauline sighed. "Look, you know that Richie is my farourite right?" Ava nobbed. "You have no idea what we fans say or think about them! And i don't want to scear the hell out of you! Let's say that you forget that i'm a Jovinator!" "We're ok... for now! One day i want you to feel free about that!" Ava admits. "One day maybe! But until then let's go the guys will be mad if we keep them waiting!" "Ok, let's go!" Ava answered and went to find the boys.

That week finaly cames to an end. It was a week that seems like 100 years to Pauline. Maybe she was looking forward to Saturday or maybe because she didn't hear anything from Jesse. Both make her feel sick but she must get throught this.

During the week she and Ava had a talk about the competition and wrote down some possible question that Pauline could be asked. It wasn't a big deal at least for now. She really didn't have any problem to answer the questions that Ava came up with. She've answered them more than 10 times and she was ready for it.

On Saturday she didn't do nothing. She watched TV and read some fan fiction that she had left behind. She found a story with Tico in the mean role. She loved it so far. It was writter in 2005 the first Tico fanfic. At that point she thought that sometimes people know only Jon or Richie because they're more popular that David and Tico. She didn't have this thought in a long time. But she must admit that this story has something diferent than the other and she wants to find it out.

She checked the time on her laptop, time to get ready. She turned off the laptop and get up to get dressed. She opened the closetand she was starring it for several seconds. Should wear something casual or something else? Should wear any make-up or not? She was in desparate situatition.

When re-thought she wasn't going there to be a top model. She was going there to be a player of the volleyball time. So, casual dressing won this round. She put on her favourite Levi's black jeans and the matching red shirt. She added a little refume and she was ready to go.

She kissed her parents good luck and left her house. She arrived at the parking on time. She got out of the car and locked it. Walking in she found Mara sitting alone. She didn't want to be selfish and she want and sut next to her. "Hey, i'm Pauline!" she said and she held her hands out. Mara shaked it annoying. "I'm Mara." she answered with no feeling in her voise and turned her head on the other side. "I don't know about you but i'm a little nervous! is my first time!" Pauline tried to be nice to her. "This is my third time here and i'll not let anyone win this exept me! So, please stop talking to me i'm trying to get ready!" Mara answered aggresive.

Once the three gilrs were there stage two was ready to begin. First, Mara went to meet the judges.She was already feeling familiar with the judges so she didn't have any problem. The time that Mara was with the judges wasn't enough. A man came out and said "Pauline Timson?" Pauline stood up "Yeah?" "The judges are waiting for you! Follow me!" he said and Pauline did as he said. They walked in a hallway that Pauline had never been before. In the end of this hallway was a closed door. The man stoped there and said "Good luck!" "Thank you!" Pauline answered and smiled. The man left Pauline alone.

And here she was. Standing in that door. Her future is on the judges hands. It's now or never! she told to herself and took a deep breath. She knocked the door and she heard a 'Yeah' and walked in. She closed the door behind her and walked to the judges. The three judges were sitting in a big table in the middle of the room. Opposite of them was a single chair. Pauline smiled at them and said "Good evening sirs!" "Good evening to you too Pauline! Please have a seat!" the right judge said and Pauline sut on the chair. It was here time that her heart start to beat so fast like it was going to expload.

The judges looked a little to the pappers that were on tha table and the middle judge asked "Pauline, tell us about you!" "I was born in Athens, Greece. My family and i moved to Red Bank, New Jersey in June in 2012." Pauline wanted to say more but the left judge stoped her. "Good! Tell us about you and volleyball!" Pauline smiled and answered. "I start playing volleyball at the age of 8! My best friend back in Athens started it first and i joined her. Since i can remember myself i was holding a volleyball ball!" "So, you're been playing the half of your life volleyball?" "That's right sir!" "Very good! I can see here that when you were in Greece the team you were playing won two champrionships under your leading how did you feel about it?" the right judge asked and looked a little to the papper in front of him.

"It was the best expirience by far in my whole life! Is the feeling that you feel when you're in the court with your teammates-frineds that i can't put it into words! Is the feeling that when you're in the servis line and you look the opponent in the eyes! Is that when you're walking the court you're not thinking nothing else exept winning!" was Pauline's answer that left the judges with no words. "Very good Pauline! Tell us now the set are 2-2 and it's time break the oppent team has the serve if gets this point will win the game, you're the setter on the team what you'll do?" the middle judge asked and sut back in his chair waiting for Pauline to answer.

"I would tell them to relax and just focus on the target! If the sets are 2-2 that means that both teams played great volleyball and came to this result! As a setter i will tell to my hitters to be ready for every possible set! Or maybe i will say to my opposite hitter to stay back and use the middle hitter to the opposite hitter's position!" was what came first to Pauline's mind. She've saw this in a game in Greece and she wanted to do it in match. Once again the judges were speechless. They didn't exept from a sixteen year old to think that. She was youngest than Monica and Mara.

And it was time for the final question. The right judge took a look in Pauline's pappers and stats and asked "Pauline what's your greatest fear?" with the surious look in his eyes he sut back and crossed his arms waiting for an answer.

Pauline felt her heart stop for a second. What kind of question was that? What her greatest fear has to do with volleyball? Puzzled she asked "My greatest fear?" "Yes, your greatest fear!" he asked the trick question. Pauline felt herse;f sweating. She didn't know what to answer. She didn't even know what was her greatest fear.

The seconds passed and Pauline wasn't able to answer this question. Is weird that she answered more dificult questions and she couldn't answer this one. She lifted her head and looked to the judges one by one. "I don't know!" "You don't know?" the right judge asked again. "No, sir i don't know!" she answered again. "Ok then, thank you very much Pauline!" the middle judge said and pointed with his hand the door.

Pauline stood up from the chair and left the room. She closed the door behind her and broke down. teard were rolling down her face. She couldn't let the judges see this. If they'll see it she could never make it. She was walking slowly down the hallway.The last question that she wasn't able to answer might cost loosing the place. Now she knew THAT was her greatest fear.

About one and a half hour that same man came back and told the girls. "Girls, the judges made their decision! Follow me!" Mara, Monica and Pauline followed the man. He opened the door and the girls walked in. They sut in the line in front of the judges.

The middle judge cleared his throat and said "Ladies, first of all i want to say a big thank you to the three of you! We know that is not that easy to pass to the stage two only the best of the best make this happend! Today the girl that suprised us the most was one! The answers to our question weren't only unique but very smart of a girl at her age! To sum up ladies the girl that won a place in the women volleyball team of the New Jersey state is named..........."

Heartbeat punding like a drum to Pauline's chest. She was sure her heart was going to explaod today. She wanted more that everything to hear her name. It was, it is and it will be her dream till the day she'll close her eyes. She didn't want to feel that feeling of losing. She looked next to her. She has no idea what kind of questions and answeres Mara and Monica did. She looked straight to the judge that talked before when he cleared his throat again.

"Her name is......... MARA McCURDY!!! Congatulations!"

Pauline heart broke as these words came out of his mouth. Her greatest dream came to an end today. A single tear filled her eyes as she shaked hand with the winner. Monica was the same as Pauline. She wanted it with all her heart and soul like Pauline wanted.

Chapter 7: Last Cigarette

Pauline parked the car in her house driveway. She took her bag from the right seat and got out of the car. She locked it and walked to the door. Walking the living room her parents were sitting in the sofa. "Here she is!" Kostas said exited and got up to hug his daughter. "Congratulations honey! Well done!" "Thanks daddy!" Pauline answered when they broke apart. "When the stage will be?" he asked and made their way to the sofa. "Next Saturday! Same hour, same place, same rules!" she answered. "Do you know what you'll do in stage two?" Katerina asked. "Yeah, i do! They're going to ask questions about our personality and how we control things! A piece of cake to me!" she said smiling. Her hands were making ups and down to her legs and she said "I'm tiried! I'm going to my room! Goodnight mum! Goodnight dad!" she said and kissed them both and left.

She opened the door of her bedroom and closed it behind her with her foot. She let the bag hit the ground. The lamp on her nightstand was on and it was lighting the picture of her with Jesse. After that fight a shower sounds like a great idea. She undressed and hit the shower.

Once she was shower she dressed in the yoga pants and one Bon Jovi t-shirt. She tidy up her bag and put it back to its place. She checked her phone. No texts or missed calls from anyone. That made her heart sink. She thought that at least Jesse should had called to apologizied but he didn't.

She sut on the bed looking to the frame. She took it in her hands and focused on Jesse. His light blue eyes were chining more that the usual. His smile was from ear to ear. It can be seen how happy he saw. Looking to the girl next to him Pauline saw the same things to herself. Leaving the frame back to the night stand she singed.

She was feeling a fire in her lungs. It was the first time in a very long time she wanted a cigarette. She knew that she had promised to Jon and Ava to cut it but they were moments that she wanted like crazy. She stood up and opened the door of the closet. They were where she left them almost 5 months ago. She picked the pack from the corner and opened it. The lighter was still in. She counted the cigarettes, there are 9 left.

She closed the door of the closet and opened the balcony door. It was really cold for the middle of Septembre. The night breeze coming from the ocean was chilling Pauline a little. She placed her hands on the top of the banister. The view was really stanning. It's been a long time since she sut on the balcony. Sighing she opened the pack and took one. She placed it on the edge of her mouth and lighted it.

The first puff was very refreshing. A refreshing that pauline has almost forgot. She blew out the smock that came from her lungs.She saw the shapes that the smock mades with the backround of the lighted New Jersy skyline. In her mind came the first time she smocked. It was right here. Even the reason was the same, Jesse.

Cigarette was finished and Pauline walked in the room and closed the door behind her. It was really late but she didn't care, she has no school the next day. She lyied down in her bed and closed her eyes.

She was pretty tiried from all that happend. Starting with the competition and finishing with the fight with Jesse. She left the first flow by like she wasn't take place. The one that was worring her was Jesse. She must admit that he've changed since the day he opened his from the accident. She thought that he was going to be better. But the one that made her want to jump from the top of a skyscraper was the way he talked to Romeo.

She was trying to forget that she heard these two sentences coming from his mouth and were adressing to Romeo. To his 9 year old brother and Pauline's favourite Bongiovi kid exept from Jesse. If she were Romeo she could had done the same thing. But she wasn't 9 years old. She checked her phone. No texts. No phone calls. Jesse has a lot of thinking to do back home.

The Bongiovi family walked in their house. The two youngest were so tiried and left for their bedrooms. Romeo didn't come closer to Jesse because he was afraid that he might yell at him again. If he did it once what stopped him to do it again? Was the thought of Romeo.

Stephanie wasn't that tiried and she didn't want to go to bed at this hour. But she went to her bedroom and opened her laptop. Dorothea could feel that Jon must have a 'man to man' chat with his son so she left for her bedroom too. Now it were only Jesse and Jon.

Jesse put the bag on the floor. "And now young man just the two of us! Tell me!" Jon said and sut in the couch crossing his arms. Jesse singed. "I've been an asshole to her..... again! Is just sometimes i don't listen to other people and i'm only thinking what i have to say no matter what is that!" Jon half laughed. "I know that! Now you understand why we're telling you to listen to the other?" Jesse nobbed and Jon continued. "What did you told her, Jesse? Romeo told me that you made her cry." Jesse sighed. He hated to admit it because he did it. "I told her that she did the wrong thing to come and see me in the game! I-I thought she didn't go to the competition! I-I thought that she did it because she didn't want to let me down! She tried to calm me down but the Bongiovi stuborness was on! When Romeo left crying she asked me if i was happy! I made two of the person that i love the most cry in one minute! She asked me twice! I-I wasn't able to find a good enough answer! She left and then you came! You know the rest....."

Jon was looking to his son while she was talking. He could hear the sadness in his voise and the regret. He couldn't do nothing else but feeling sorry for him. "You know that you must apologise to the two of them Romeo and Pauline! I advise you to start from Romeo! But hey if you talk to him like that no matter if his fault or not you'll have to deal with me...." Jon answered with a way that he ment every word that came out of his mouth. He wants to make sure that his son will not do this mistake again in his life. "Yeah, that's what i'm going to do! Thanks again dad! Goodnight!" Jesse said and got up from the couch. He collect his bag from the floor and walked upstairs.

He thought his bag on his bedroom floor and changed in a shorts and a t-shirt. He looked for his phone and remembered that he left it in the kitchen. He closed the door of his room and walked in the hallway. He passed Romeo's bedroom when he heard him cry. His heart stoped for a second or two. His little brother was crying. He could hear him saying something but it wasn't clear. He placed his ear on the door and heard him say "What i've done wrong? I was worry about him and Pauline! He looked so upset and i thought that i might can help! Jesse don't love me anymore!" The last sentence was enough to make Jesse feel more guilty of what he've done. He tried hard not to cry and he knocked the door.

He slowly opened it and put his head in the dark room. "Hey big man can i come in?"he asked. "If you want to yell at me again no!" Romeo answered and buried his little face in his pillow. Jesse walked in and closed the door behind him. Walking in he saw the teddy bear he bought him for his 6th birthday on the floor. That make her hear sink. he loves this teddy bear from the day Jesse gave it to him Romeo never go anywhere without it. He took it from the floor and sut in the bed next to him. "Romy i want to talk to you!" Romeo lifted his head from the pillow and turned his body to face him. "Here take you Tedd with you!" Jesse said and gave him his teddy bear.

"Look, Romeo i know i should had talk to you like i did! And i'm so so sorry about it! It was a moment that i was very pissed...." "Did Pauline and you broke up?" he ask hugged his Tedd. Jesse laughed. "No, we didn't! You'll see her again don't worry i'll take care of that!" "Good! Why are you yelling at her?" the curiosity couldn't help him and asked. "Well, things are little compicated but let's say it was my fault!" "Ok, i understand!" Romeo answered and smiled. "So, you're not made with me?" "No, i'm not! You said that we might go out with Pauline and Jacob can we do that?" "Mmm, sure! If she hasn't a problem with that! I'll let you know when we're going to!" Jesse informed him. "Jesse could you please read me the story you started?" he asked with his sweet voise. Jesse couldn't do nothing but make his wish his order.

He got up from the bed and took the book in his hands. Romeo got more comfortable in the bed holding his Tedd. Once Romeo was ready Jesse start reading his favourite story. Everything was back in normal again. Jesse took the first step and apologised to Romeo. Romeo was the easy one. With Pauline he must try harder and find his best explenasion he could ever have.

Chapter 6: Happy Now?

Jesse's first game was finished. Notre Dame's team won with a 7 point diference from the other team. They start the leagau with won and they must keep working for the next game in two weeks.

Jesse's family and friends left the stands and walked to where the parking lot was. The three girls Ava, Stephanie and Pauline were talking about the game when Stephanie's phone rung and went a little further to talk. Ava didn't spoke since Stephanie had left and that worried Pauline. "Ava are you okay?" she asked. "Yeah, i'm great!" she answered and looked down to her feet. "You don't seem to! Is everything ok? Can i help you to something?" Ava lifted her head and looked to Pauline. She was wondering if she must tell Pauline now or leave it for an another day.

Ava took a deep breath and asked "What do you thing about marriage, Pauline?" Pauline laughed. "Marriage? I've never thought about it but yeah i like the marriage! Did Alex asked you to marry him?" Pauline answered she didn't pay attetion to this question she had her mind to Jesse. "No, my dad propused to Tori! He wants to marry her......"Pauline slowly turned not being sure of what she just heard. She looked them with the 'you got to be fucking kidding me' look. "No, shit! Ava that's wonderfull!" she answered and gave her a quick hug. "Thank you!" she only said. "You're not happy because i'm very happy for him....." "Don't tell me you're jelous?" she asked and raised an eyebrow. "I have to answer as a fan or as your friend?" "As fan?" "I'm gonna kill that little bitch!" Pauline answered and both laughed out hard. "And as my best friend?" "Oh my God! That's great! Lucky Tori......" she answered and Ava laughed again. "Does the guys know about it?" Pauline asked when Ava stop laughing. "I bet uncle Jon know it first so do uncle David and uncle Tico! They just asked me if i had a problem with Tori being my new mum and my dad's new wife!" "And what did you answer?" Pauline asked with raised her eyebrow. "I'm ok with that! If she make my dad happy she makes me happy too! And to be honest i can't wait for the wedding...." "I can't wait to...." Pauline answered and smiled.

Jesse was walking to the hallway and opened the door of the exit. The first people he saw were his family but he wasn't looking for them. He looed around and saw Pauline talking with Ava. Walking in quick steps he passed by his parents and walked straight to Pauline.

Pauline with the corner of her eye saw him coming and Ava left to give them some 'alone' time. Jesse was coming to her pissed. Pauline could see something in his eyes wasn't right. They just won what could be bad? Pauline took a step forward and hugged him. Breaking apart she gave hima quick kiss and said "Congratulations! You kick their ass..." she smlied to him but he had the same pissed look on his face. Pauline now was sure that something wasn't right. She was about to ask him when he asked first. "I want to tell you something...." he started. "Can i can tell you something first, please? I'm sure you'll be happy!" "No, let me talk first!" the Bongiovi stuborness was on. Pauline nobbed 'yes' she was just in a great mood.

"Why did you do this, Pauline?" he asked. It was the first time in a while that he called her her name. "Jesse what are you talking about?" she asked him. "You know very well of what i'm talking about, Pauline!" he answered raising his voise. "No, i don't! Could you please calm down and tell me what the fuck is going on with you! You don't seem to be happy to see me....." Pauline answered with a little sadness in her voise. "How could i feel happy to see you when you wasted your only chance to make your dream come true?" Jesse answered raising his voise even more. Now he was pissed more than ever. The only thing that make him mad is that she didn't admit it.

A few seconds passed into silence. Pauline was trying to pull herself back together. It was the first time Jesse was talking to her like that. She was looking to a face that she never want to see again. Jesse attackes again. "What was in your fucking mind Pauline when you left your house to come here? You thought that you're doing the right thing? Well you did the wrong! I will play to other games too! Why did you let this chance flow by?" while Jesse was talking Pauline's eyes got watered. "No, Jesse! For once in your life could you please stop and fucking listen to me?" she tried to say. "Listen to what Pauline? That you did this to be with me and this kind of bullshit?" with every minute that it passed Jesse was getting more and more pissed.

Romeo heard his oldest brother yelling to Pauline and he came to see what's going on. "Jesse why are you yelling to Pauline?" he asked with his sweet voise. Romeo notised that Pauline was crying and asked again looking to Pauline "Pauline why are you crying? What Jesse done to you?" Romeo had the bad luck to come to the wrong plave at the wrong time and ask the wrong question that he could ever ask. Jesse turned and faced him and told him with anger "ROMEO GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS FUCKING PLACE! LET US FUCKING ALONE!" these two sentnces were good enough to make Romeo cry too and runway.

Now it was Pauline's time to get pissed. he has no right to talk to his little brother like that. Pauline wiped her tears with her hand and looked at Jesse with her version of the 'stink eye'. "Happy now Jesse? You made him cry because he fucking worry about you! You have no fucking reason to talk to Romeo like that! You're pissed because you think that i didn't went to the competiotion huh? So, the only person that guessed wrong tonight was YOU!" she was her time to attack pointed him. "The hour changed and i can here as fast i could, i almost kill myself on the route here! And what is your thank? You yell to me because you think i gave my dream for you! You're wrong Jesse! I'll make my dream come true because i made it! I'll passed to the stage two! Are you happy now Jesse?" she finished for the moment.

Jesse was sitting there looking at her. She was talking to him with so anger in her eyes, it was like she wanted to kill him. Jesse wasn't able to give her a good enough answer. Pauline was waiting for an answer with her hands on her hips. "Just give me a fucking answer God damned it!" she yelled at him. Jesse felt one with the ground. He couldn't answer. If he answer what he'll tell her? Sometimes standing there doing nothing means a lot.

"As i thought....." Pauline said with the look of  'i knew it'. "I don't think we have to talk about something else! Goodnight Jesse!" she said and turned and walked away. Jesse was sitting thre doing nothing, he knew if he made a wrong move he'll destroy everything. He let her go away. He was watching her getting in the car. He watched her driving away and knew that it was his fault.

He sighed. But this wasn't enough. With all the anger and the guilty turned to power he kicked the wheel of the car which was in front of him. He couldn't feel the pain of it he has other things to worry about like his dad who was coming with not a good look on his face.

"Jesse James Louis Bongiovi! Why Romeo came running?" "Nothing, dad! Do we have to talk about it?" Jesse said annoying. "Yes, we have but not right here young man when we'll get back home! I don't want to hit the road again knowing that you're not good!" "Ok, we'll talk about it later....." Jesse answered to his father and both walked together like nothing had happend.

Jon knows his son. He knows when he's happy. And now he wasn't happy. he had a look on his face like he've done the most unexeptable mistake he could ever do. He was driving his car diferent. After the accident he had he've change the way he drives. But tonight he was driving a lot diferent. Dorothea was keeping an eye on her husband. He looked her back with the look 'i'll take care of that when we're home'. They both didn't want to have a talk about it in the car and in front of the kids.

Chapter 5: I'm With You

It's been over than two hours and Pauline was facing the judges along with other nine girls. The competition was finished. All the girls had showed what they can do with the ball and now they're waiting to hear the three winners.

The judges were looking to papers over and over again whispering to each other. Pauline felt again that feeling she felt before. Her heart was punding like a drum and her palms are sweating again. She keeps singing to herself Because We Can but this time it wasn't working. She felt that someone cut her kneen and knelt down to the floor when the man took the microphone in his hands.

"Ladies, the judges had choose the best three! Before i announce the winners i want you to know that you're all winners! And i want to congratulate you for that......" he said and all the girls start aplaudding themselfes. "Now, the first that passes to the stage two is........ MARA MCDAVID!" the man said again and Mara took a step forward. She was just smiling don't even move. That suprised Pauline very much. If she'll hear her name will scream like crazy! She shaked her head and wait to hear the next name.

Heart beatting like maniac again. "The second girl that will passed to the stage two is....... PAULINE TIMSON!" the man said. Pauline froze. She really heard her name? Her eyes were wide open as she start laughing. Mara was a few feets away from her and was looking like she wanted to kill her. Pauline turned back to normal and took a step forward too.

The third girl was the girl that Pauline warmed up with. She hugged her when she came next to her. All the other sever girls were aplauding them. The three winners shaked their hands and looked to the man who had talked before. "Mara MacDavid, Pauline Timson and Monica Red you're the three winners! The stage two will NOT take place right here and right now! We'll meet again in just one week right here...... You'll have seven days to get ready for the most presure hour in your whole life! But remember only one of you will join this beautiful ladies in the New Jersey volleyball team!" he said pointed with his hand the woman volleyball players. "Get some rest because you're gonna need it!" he said and the lights went out.

Back to the locker room all the other girls had took their bags and were gone. Mara was the first that walked in the room "Man i can't believe it!" Monica said walking in with Pauline. "Me too either! Is one of the best days in my life!" Pauline answered and closed the door. Mara was silent and she was taking off her shoes. Pauline sut on the bench and ckecked the phone. The time was 6.03 Fuck! she told to herself. With quick moves the put the clothes that bought from the internet and dissapear in the bathroom.

Just in two minutes later Pauline opened the door wearing the grey pair of yonga pants and the blue Notre Dame t-shirt. Walking to her bag again Monica said "Wow girl you look good! Are you going somewhere?" Pauline smiled and answered "I'm going to see my boyfriend to a game!" "You boyfriend plays for Notre Dame?" she asked again. Pauline wear her sneekers and said "Yeah! It was his dream since he was a child!" "That's cool! I wish he'll win today like we did!" Monica answered and smiled. Pauline smiled back at her and took her bag. She said a quick goodbye to Monica, Mara didn't talk at all and left the court.

Getting in the car she ckecked the phone 6.12. If she drive quick she'll be there in time. Putting the machine forward and drove away. She had already typed the adress of the stadium and she was just following the instructions. She was hitting the gas as much as she could. She must be there in time. She was so lucky that the road was open and hit the gas even more.

Pulling to the parking lot of the stadium just in time she park the car. She pulled out her phone and called her parents and told them that she made it. While she was talking with her mother was walking in the stadium. The phone call didn't last so long.

She was looking around to find a familiar face. She was walking to where the most of the people where going. She looked around again to find where she can buy a ticket. Following the orders off a man she asked she finaly got there. There was a few people standing there waiting for the tickets.

A few feets away a large group of people was standing there talking. It was all Jesse's family along with Richie, David and Tico. Romeo was fooling around when he saw Pauline standing in the line smiling at him. He run to her side and hugged her. "Hey, big man!" "Jesse said that you wouldn't be here....." he said when they broke apart. "It was a suprise!" "I love suprises!" he answered and smiled. Stephanie joined them looking suprise. "Pauline what are you doing here?" she asked. "Suprise!" she answered and gave Stepganie a quick hug. "Does Jesse know you're here?" "Nope!" she answered and smiled naughtily. "He's gonna froze when he'll saw you!" Stephanie answered knowing how Jesse was going to react.

Once Pauline got her ticket and joined all the others they all went to the stands. They all had there seats. Ava was next to Pauline and next to Pauline was Romeo. When they made themselfeves comfortable Pauline said "Something is missing.... hey guys are you up for some nachos with cheese and Coke?" Pauline asked looking to Jacob and Romeo. "YEAH!" both said. "But dad will not let us....." Romeo said sad and looked to his feet. "I'll take care of that..... Just come with me!" Pauline said and got up. Jacob and Romeo followed. Passing by the seats Romeo, Jacob and Pauline stoped in front of Jon and Dorothea. "Mrs and Mr Bongiovi these two gorgeous little men and i are going to buy some nachos with Cola. And before you say no listen to me for a second......" Pauline started. David who was sitting next to Jon said "Oh great! We now have one more that had absession with speeches!" annoying David sut back to his seat. Pauline laughed and answered "Joker, is not a speech i'm just trying to persuade them...." "You don't have to! It's ok you can eat some nachos and a little cola!" Dorothea answered and looked to her sons. Jon put out his wallet and tried to gave Pauline money to pay but Pauline answered him "This is my day! I'll pay! Do you want me to bring you something?" she asked. All nobbed no and the three of them left.

While Pauline and the younges Bongiovis are waiting in the line Pauline had an idea to text Jesse. She wanted him to know that she's here. She pulled her phone from the pocket and wrote.

I'm with you!

I love you. P

 Meanwhile Jesse's coach was talking them about the game when a noise came from Jesse's phone. "I'm sorry!" he said and took his phone in his hands. "Nevermind!" he said and conitue giving them instructions. Once the orders were finished Jesse hide himself and checked his phone. He had a message from Pauline. Before he opened it he saw the time. She must be in the court right now? What's going on? to ask himself. He opened the message and read it. A smile appeared to his face. She was here. Wait a second.... Why is she here and not in the court? Oh fuck! She didn't go to the competition and came to my game? Damn her! he thought and getting pissed as he was walking the hallway to the court.

He walked in the court. He was amazed by how much people were there to watch the game. He was looking in every stand, every person. He must find Pauline. Scanning unknown faces he froze when he saw the love of his life in blue. Her dark brown hair were down on the height of her showlders. She was looking sexy as hell in the Notre Dame blue t-shirt and in the yoga pants. She was eating nachos with Romeo when he pointed Jesse with his hand and their eyes met.

Pauline's jaw fell as she layes her eyes on him. He was so sexy wearing that yellow pants with that dark blue uniform. She could feel his eyes on her it might be the distance some feet. 

Walking to the Notre Dame bench Jesse's best friend Cody could say that something isn't right. "Hey man what's bothering you? Are you nervous?" "Nah, i'm not nervous, i'm pissed!" Jesse answered. "Pissed? Why?" "Is Pauline. She had a competetion this hour to win a place in New Jersey's volleyball team and she's here! Do you have any idea of what does this mean?" "Yeah, she didn't go!" "Bingo!" Jesse said and got more pissed. "Jess you got to relax! Maybe when the game is over she can explain you why she's here!" Cody said tuching his showlder. Jesse looking him in the eyes and said "No, Cody you don't know the whole story! When she told me she thought that i was going to be pissed because she'll miss it! And i really wasn't.... i was more than sad because all the people i love will be here exept her! And i know her she wasted the chance of her life to come and see me playing fucking football!" he said with anger and throught the bottles of the water in the ground. Cody grabed his hand and told him "Man chill the fuck out! Calm the fuck out! Maybe you're wrong....." "No, Cody i'm not wrong...... she's just stuborn sometimes!" "She just want to make you happy! She loves you! Now shut the fuck up and focus on the game...." Cody said and they both stop talking and were watching the game.

 

Chapter 4: Because We Can

The week passed very fast. Pauline was buzy everyday with school and after that the trainnings. She managed to keep to herslef that secret and she was proud of herself at this point.

During the week she talked with Jesse everyday about everything exept Saturday. The next of the Because We Can Tour will start on 20th of Septebre in Brazil. It was the day that Jesse heard that Pauline had never been to a Bon Jovi consert before. He was very suprised. He thought she had defently had been to more than once consert.

Saturday morning Pauline woke up in noon, like always. She had a great breakfast and took all the energy she needed for the competition. Her parents would love to come and see her but it's forbidden. her mother was more nervous than Pauline was. She had already wished her good luck more that one million times. Pauline knew her mother and she couldn't blame her for nothing.

That day Pauline called Jesse. She was really nervous about it and she knew that Jesse has a unique reason to calm her down. She wanted to hear his voise like crazy. They talked more than an hour and Jesse made it, he calmed her down. When Pauline told him that she must leave him to have lunch Jesse told her goodbye and hung up.

He left the phone on his desk and got up. He looked to the bed. On it was his uniform. The yellow pants with the dark blue shirt with the 34 number. Next was his helmet along with the other protection. He singed again and left the room.

Walking down the stairs and walked to the living room he saw his two younger brothers watching TV. "Hey guys! What are you watching?" Jesse asked and sut next to Romeo. "Cartoons! If you want to change the channel it's ok!" Jacob answered. He was older than Romeo and he understands some things. "No, i don't want to change the channel! I want to watch this with you if is that ok." Jesse said and looked to his brothers who nobbed their heads in agreement.

They watched a cartoon that Jesse never had seen before. When he was at their ages cartoons were a lot diferent. The story of the cartoon was describing Jesse's sutiation. Even the cartoons were with him. He must admit that he liked the cartoon very much.

While the three youngest Bongiovi's were watching cartoons Dorothea walked in the living room. She was shocked when she saw the three of the four favourite man sitting together and watched TV. She knew that Jesse was a great big brother even he's 8 and 10 years older. "Boys lunch is ready!" she said to her sons and left. Romeo turned off the TV and went to the kitchen followed by Jacob and Jesse.

They ate all the six of them like a family. They talked mostly about Jesse's game. Jesse told them that Pauline wouldn't come. Then Jesse saw the disapoitment in Romeo's and Jacob's faces. But he promised them that one day he'll take them out with Pauline and they forgot everything just in seconds.

Meanwhile in the Timson house Pauline preparing herself for the competition. It was really hard for knowing that her family can't come with her. Her feelings changed when she put in the t-shirt that bought this week for Notre Dame's official wed-site. She couldn't go there wearing something common. A dark blue t-shirt saying with white letters 'Notre Dame' and below that 'We are ND' with yellow lettrs. She loved it for the first she saw it and knew that this was the one. Searching a little more in the wed-site she found a beautiful grey pair of yoga pants. She couldn't say no to that and she bought it too. They arrived in Pauline's house on Friday night.

Once her bag was ready it was the time to leave. She said goodbye to her family and left the house. In the route to the court the only thing she was thining was winning. She wanted it so badly and she was ready to do anything.

She parked to the parking lot and took thr bag from the front seat. She locked the car and walked in the court. The court had been disnged for this event and it looks very diferent that Pauline used to see it. She opened the door the first locker room on her left side. Walking in they were also another nine girls preparing too. She sut on the bench and pulled from her bag her shoes. She wear them and closed the bag. She was looking around the girls she was with. Other were taller than her and other shorter than her. She didn't know none of them. They were from all over the state and they all want to win.

A man knocked the door and informed them to get ready beacuse the competition will start in 10 minutes. All the girls were nervous so was Pauline. Her heartbeat was going faster and faster. Her palms start sweating. This had never happend to her before and she didn't know what to do. She opened the bag and reached for her phone. When she found it she put the earphones in and search for one song that she needed to hear right now, that song was Because We Can.

When the intro started was the only sound Pauline could hear. She loved that song since it came out. It was one of the songs that had the power to calm her down. When she was listening that song she felt that she can do anything and that was she must do right now. Her heartbeat slowed down and she was ready to give everything she had.

Walking out of the locker room with the other girls they went to the court. Walking to a line all the girls stopped in front of the judge's table. A man that never Pauline had seen before took the microphone and said "Ladies i'm so happy that i'm in front of you right now! But let's get to the point! We're all here tonight to pick the best setter that will join the rest of the woman volleyball team of New Jersey. Winning this will not be that easy.... We'll test your setting skills along with all the other skils that a volleyball player must know! There'll be two stages! Today we'll do the first stage. That means that will test you all setting for our opposite, midle and front hitters! We'll choose the best three and in an another day will do the part two! Before we start please aplaused the woman volleyball team of New Jersey!" the ten girls aplauded the women that walked in the court.

A few minutes later the warming up had started. They had 15 minutes to get ready and get the balls. For Pauline that time was great. While she was warming up she looked around the other girls in the court. It was the time she saw Mara McDavid. She've heard lots about her. She's from Woodbridge Township. From what it seems she's taller than Pauline. Her parents were both coaches in volleyball teams in New York. Pauline could see in her blue eyes the passion to what she was doing. She was her first target if she could win her she can win anyone.

Warming up finished, ball time. The ten girls took the balls and made five couples and started. Pauline wasn't with Mara. She was with a girl from Edison and her name was Gina. Pauline liked her she had a great sence of houmor. They played together for a long time without the ball hitting the ground. When they were finished they wished each other good luck and went back to the line.

The man that talked before took the microphone again "Now, ladies warming up is finished! Let's get started!" he said and then called a name. the girl that had this name took a step forward and they gave her a ball. The competetion had begun.