The Unknown

Option numero dos

The next morning

Julie's pov

After hearing Mike's ultimatum last night, I realize I'm caught between a rock and a British hard place. On one hand, I really don't want to give Shane the satisfaction of hearing me confess my sins to Mike. On the other hand, I don't want to find out if Mike can successfully spank the truth out of me. What to do? What to do? I'm trying to decide while lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, and tossing a tennis ball in the air.

Lisa says, "Girl, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

"I know, right. It's so not fair."

Carrie asks, "If Shane already punished you, why doesn't he just tell Mike? I don't get why he wants you to do it."

"I think he knows I kinda played him."

"Ooh, this just got interesting." Stacey comes over and sits on my bed. "Do tell."

"There's nothing to tell really."

Stacey grabs the tennis ball mid-air, taking away my mindless distraction.

Lisa says, "Yeah come on, Julie. Dish."

"Ughh, fine." I sit up on my bed. "I made Shane think I couldn't take anymore when he had me over his knee, but I was faking and I think he figured it out.  So his payback is making me tell Mike, so Mike can whip my ass big time."

Carrie asks, "But why doesn't Shane just tell Mike? The result is the same."

Stacey explains, "It would make him look weak."

"Bingo," I say, tapping my pointer finger on my nose and pointing to Stacey.

Lisa adds, "And it's more humiliating making you tell Mike, 'cause then it's like you brought it on yourself."

"Ok, so now that you're all caught up, what do I do?"

Stacey states, "I think the power move is coming clean to Mike on your own. Go to him alone and confess everything. Take the beat down without complaint and never say a word about it to Shane."

Lisa agrees, "Bold. I like it."

"Yeah 'cause you're not the one getting your butt blistered."

Lisa nods. "True, but I still like it."

"You know what? You're right." I slap my hands on my thighs and stand up, gathering my nerve to march into Mike's room and sign my own death warrant. "If I'm gonna get my butt beat either way, I might as well take the high road and score the moral victory."

Stacey says, "Amen sister."

Lisa adds, "Preach."

Carrie joins in, "Testify."

"You guys suck," I say, chuckling as I walk out the door heading to Mike's room.

Mike's room

Julie's pov

I take a deep breath to settle my nerves before knocking on his door.

"Come in," he yells, sounding far away.

He must be in his bathroom. I open the door cautiously, wondering if he assumes I'm Shane. I don't see him right away, so I say, "Mike, it's me Julie."

Mike comes out of his bathroom pulling on a black polo shirt. His hair is still wet from his shower, I'm assuming.

"Oh, hey. I just got out of the shower. Give me a sec." He goes back into the bathroom and dries his hair with a towel, then I see the reflection of him combing his hair in the mirror. "Man, I feel a million times better after getting some sleep and taking a hot shower," he says, walking over to me. "So what's on your mind? Did you come to take me up on my offer?" He winks at me and smiles.