My name is Micah Minx. And unfortunately for me, I'm tied up, I'm in my underwear, and I'm in the trunk of my own car.

Being tied up, I couldn't help. The underwear on the other hand, was a decision I was quickly deciding may not have been the best.

All things considered, I guess it could be worse. Maybe one day, I'll look back on this and laugh.

Maybe I should have been scared. But being totally honest with my self, I was just plain pissed. I was mad at myself, for getting involved in such a mess. I was even angrier at the person responsible for kidnapping me. Jake was even on my list. Damn him for being so sexy! If I'd had a little more self control, I might be tied up in my car, but atleast I'd have my clothes on.

All in all, this was a bad situation. I felt a wave of panic ripple through my stomach, and reminded myself, it could be worse. I could be totally naked.

I closed my eyes, and played back the evening in my mind.

There is a monster inside of me. It feeds on anger, and grows with mischief.


I didn't set out to be this person. Well, not at first. First, it was for fun, a pass time. I had chose to make High School my own personal playground. And if she knew it or not, Marley followed in my footsteps.


Most people will believe, I've followed Marley. And, I've spent a lot of energy, making sure this is the way it appears. I don't want to be the front runner. I've molded Marley into what she has become, and for this, I feel guilty. Even more guilty than what I've done to myself.


Things evolve, on their own, when left alone.


Marley has been my rock, of sorts. My sounding board, and often times, my sanity. I needed her, she needed me. All of my secrets, up until now, were shared by Marley. We were in it together. But now, I held a secret of my own.

The most terrible poverty is loneliness,

and the feeling of being unloved.

-Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Marley and I have an inside joke about my father. We've probably damned ourselves to hell for all eternity, for making fun of a man of God, but I'm willing to take my chances. We call him the "good preacher". Some times I swear his only goal in life, is to control mine.

My mother is a non-factor. Literally. She left me and my dad, when I was in the 6th grade. She took off with another man, and never looked back.

That was the day, my whole outlook on life, changed. I didn't want to live like my mother, or my father. I heard their regrets about High School, their regrets about each other, their regrets, about me.

Maybe, if they would've just lived their lives, the way they really wanted too, they would have no regrets. Regrets are ass.

I have no regrets. I have guilt out the ass, but no regrets. My life is exciting and adventurous. I've watched my peers, going through life, doing whatever their parents, and teachers told them. And they're all unhappy.

My peers are tools. Fake. Why not say what's on your mind, and do what you feel? Is it really so hard?

Now, I'm no dummy. I know, I need an education. I have a 4.0 grade point average. Marley, on the other hand, didn't take her studies as serious as she should, but to each his own.

The weekend had come and gone, and the school was buzzing over the party at Kevin's.

There were unanswered questions. I came to the realization that more eyes were on me, than I had thought.

"Minxy? Where are you going?" Marley yelled down the hall.

"I forgot my keys." I lied, heading towards the gym. "Left them in my locker."

"Want me to wait?"

"No. I'll see you later."

I was heading down the hall that housed the varsity and Jr. varsity locker rooms, equipment room, weight room and coaches offices. The end of the hall, spilled out onto the gym, dividing the guest bleachers from the home bleachers.

I hated going into the gym, when it was dark. I stepped out of the lit hall behind me, onto the hardwoods, and total darkness.

I stood, heart pounding, waiting for my eyes to adjust to darkness.

I gasped as Jake reached out in the darkness, pulling me into his arms. His lips found mine, kissing me hard.

"Stop scaring me." I smiled.

Jake pulled us deeper into the darkness, towards the guest side of the bleachers. There was a faint red glow from an exit sign, over a side door.

Jake closed the gap between us. "You drove me crazy all day." He confessed. "I thought about us Friday, in my truck. It's hard seeing you all day, and not being able to touch you."

I leaned in, my lips close to his ear. "Crazy, huh?" I whispered.

Jake swallowed hard. "Yeah."

We both froze. Some one was coming down the hall, towards the gym. Their footsteps echoed off the concrete walls.

Jake quickly pulled us up into the bleachers, completely covered by darkness. He had pulled my body on top of his, when he sat down, on a step. I could feel his heart racing against my back. His breath steady against my ear. He smelled incredible.

"I told you, we shouldn't meet here." It was Marcus Mantley. Mr. Mantley is the high schools guidance counselor.

"Sorry."

I heard my breath catch, from surprise. I watched as Mrs. Kale reached out, pulling Mr. Mantley closer. Amber Kale is my cheer leading coach. She leaned in, kissing him.

Mr. Mantley and Mrs. Kale were both, married.

"Amber." Mr. Mantley pulled away. "Did you take care of it yet?"

"I'm working on it." She sighed. "Things aren't going as smoothly as I thought they would."

"What's the problem? There should be no problems. Get the life insurance policy."

"He has one. His mother is his beneficiary."

"Get him to switch it. We can't finish until he names you beneficiary."

"I know that Marcus." She snapped. "I'm working on it."

"Not so loud." Mr Mantley hushed her. "Meet me tomorrow." He leaned in kissing her on the forehead.

They turned, leaving the gym together, heading back down the hall. We were waiting, listening for the doors to close, that lead to the parking lot.

"What the hell was that?" Jake whispered, looking around the darkness.

His eyes locked with mine, and I knew he was thinking the same thing as me. This gym holds a lot of secrets, and we, just like Mr. Mantley and Mrs. Kale, were counting on it to hold them. I felt a panic deep down inside, and hoped, unlike Mr. M and Mrs. K, ours would be our own.

Ah, the night is callin'

and it whispers to me softly "come and play"

I, I am fallin'

and if I let myself go I'm the only one to blame

-Pink:Sober

Marley looked me up and down, as I hopped in the car. "Well, aren't you dressed to impress. Got a hot date?" She teased, pulling away from my house. "I can see the good preacher isn't home, he'd flip seeing you dressed like that."

I gave her the once over. Marley was wearing almost the same thing I was. Skinny jeans, slinky top, four inch platform heels. Her glossy black hair was wild around her pretty face, her makeup was sexy and subtle. "Mar. We're dressed the same." I sighed.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up to Kevin's house. My heart raced as Marley pulled up next to Jake's truck, and parked. He was already here. I felt my palms start to sweat, and I was having a hard time keeping my breath steady.

"Shit, you look petrified. What's wrong with you?" Marley asked shutting off the car, looking herself over in the rear view mirror.

Scared just wasn't a word you associated with Me, or Marley. We're fearless, ballsy. We have a reputation for being man eaters, although, Marley and Mike Bosley were exclusive, and I, never dated.

That didn't matter. We turned heads, and owned any room we entered. We worked hard for this kind of reaction. We craved the attention, we demanded respect, we expected fear.

"I'm fine. Let's go."

"Oh Shit! Minxy and Marley are here!" Some one yelled over the blaring music as we entered the house. "Damn, y'all lookin' fine." It was Taylor, a junior. He announced our entrance, turning every eye on us.

We walked in, unphased, looking around.

"Some one get 'em a drink." Boss ordered an underclassmen. "Asshole." He cursed under his breath.

Marley leaned her body into Boss's, kissing him hard. I had lost her. I took my drink offered and made my way around the house.

It was a large house, and it seemed every student from the tri-city area was here. Lots I knew, most I didn't, although they all seemed to know me.

"Minxy you look great." A girl smiled at me.

I rolled my eyes, continuing on. I scanned the crowd, looking for Jake.

I watched the crowded room. The mess of bodies seemed to pulsate to the music, all moving in unison. The lights were low, the room buzzed with energy.

My first reaction to the arm that just slid around my waist, was to turn and kick some one in the nuts. I have been to a lot of parties, and some asshole always tried to get fresh with me. Before I could react, I heard Jake in my ear. "You look incredible."

His body was crushed against mine, I felt his breath on my ear, his arm held me close. The room was so crowded, his embrace wasn't even noticed.

I smiled, turning to see him. He was gorgeous. Our eyes locked, and everyone else in the room, just melted away.

"Meet me at my truck." He leaned in, whispering in my ear. He pulled back, his lips barely skimming mine. He quickly turned, leaving the room.

I was left behind, wanting more. I glanced around, making sure no one had seen our little meeting. I weaved my way through the crowd, feeling excitement as the doors to the outside came into view.

"Minxy! Where you going?" Marley pulled my arm back.

I looked into her wild eyes. "I'm gonna run out to the car real fast." I lied.

"I'll go with."

"Don't be silly. I'll be right back." I turned quickly, slinking out the door. I closed the door behind me, pausing a second to make sure Marley didn't chase after me.

Kevin's house was in the country, there were no street lights. Once I left the glow of the porch lights, it was very dark. Surrounding his house was open pasture, lined with cars. I felt my way along the cars, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness.

"Hey Minxy."

I turned, feeling some one very close behind me.

"Do I know you?" I asked, looking into the dark eyes of a stranger. He was very tall, and very big.

"No." He answered taking a step closer.

I was right next to a car, just two over from Marley's. I knew Jake's was just past Marley's. I gasped as the guy closed the gap between us even more, pinning me against the car. I stood up straight, trying to not show how terrified I was. "Get the hell outta my face." I warned.

"Oh yeah." He chuckled. "What are you gonna do if I don't?"

I reminded myself the only thing I have to fear is fear its self. Thanks FDR . . . I took in a deep breath, and accessed the situation. He was big, probably not very fast. I was quick and venomous, a snake. I smiled up at him. "Where have you been all night?" I flirted.

He smiled back, leaning an arm against the car, pinning me under him. "I've had my eye on you all night." He confessed.

I felt a wave of nausea. I swallowed hard, making eye contact. "Have you now? Did you like what you saw? Wanna see more?" I whispered.

I could feel his breath on my neck, as he leaned in closer. "Oh, I'm gonna see more." He promised.

Now or never. I lifted my knee into his junk as hard as a could. For a second, I didn't think I had made contact, because he didn't move, or make a sound. Only seconds later, his eyes crossed and his mouth fell open. "You bitch." He groaned, falling to his knees, hands on his groin.

That really pissed me off. I brought my knee up, meeting him square in the jaw. Asshole left his face unprotected.

He wasn't done. Anger flooded his face, and he quickly recovered, grabbing at my legs. I could turn and run. But I couldn't really see well.

I felt him make contact, pulling my leg hard. He pulled me off balance, and I hit the hard ground with a sickening thud. I felt the air leave my lungs, and my vision got fuzzy around the edges. I wanted to scream for Jake, but I couldn't. Panic was growing from somewhere deep down inside of me. I tried to scramble from underneath him, but he was closing in.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

My heart started beating again. It was Jake.

"You can have her when I'm done." The stranger smiled up at Jake.

Jake pulled the stranger up on his feet, pushing him up against the car. Jake punched the stranger square in the jaw, pulled back, and clocked him again.

Jake knelt down, swooping me up in his arms. He carried me off to his truck, leaving the stranger behind.

"Micah? Are you okay?" Jake asked pulling the driver's side door open on his truck. He gently sat me down on the seat, looking me over.

"Yes." I lied, feeling the fear I was trying so hard not to fear at all. I hated feeling weak.

"Asshole. I know that guy, he goes to Jackson. He's like captain of the weight team or something." Jake was angry. "Don't worry. Me and Boss we'll get 'em." He promised and I wasn't sure if he was telling me, or himself.

"Thank you." I tried to make my voice strong, even though it came out a little shaky.

Jake looked up at me. "Slide over."

I did.

"You're welcome." He climbed in, closing the door behind him. "Let's get outta here." He started his truck.

Man is no match for women

where mischief reigns.

-Honore de Balzac

Here's the thing; High School blows. I feel pretty confident that most teenagers feel this way.

Day after day, of the same classes, filled with the same people, talking about the same thing. Ugh. I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a pen.

Grades aren't an issue for me. Not even my advanced classes can hold my interest.

Idle hands are the Devil's playground.

"We'll be there. Right Minxy?" Marley asked me.

I hadn't been paying attention. "Um. Sure." I answered looking around the table. Everyone had been waiting for my answer.

Conversations continued and Marley leaned in, close to my ear. "Holy Shit. Pull your head out of your ass." She smiled at me.

"Shut up. Where are we going?"

"Kevin is having a party tonight. We're going." She told me, brushing my hair back, behind my shoulder.

I sighed. Another party.

"Jake? Are you going tonight?" Marley asked Jake as he sat down across from us.

"Where?"

"Kevin's."

Jake shrugged. "Who all is going?" He locked eyes with me. I couldn't look away. I felt a shiver of excitement race down my spine.

"Everyone."

"Micah?" He asked winking at me.

"Yep. She's going." Marley smiled getting up from her seat to return her lunch tray. I rolled my eyes at her, she thought she was so clever. "Want me to take your tray Minxy?"

"Nope. I've got it." I got up, following her. "You shouldn't have done that. What if I can't go?"

Everyone at school had normal parents. I, did not. My dad, Alex Minx, was one of only three Preachers in town. He was strict, controlling and nosy. Not that any of this held me back. It was still a pain in the ass.

It was known, I was not allowed to date. My father has absolutely forbidden it. Under no circumstances was I to date, until I graduated from High School.

"Wanna run out to the parking lot real fast and get a smoke?" Marley whispered looking around the cafeteria.

There were only 150 students or so, in our whole High School. Teachers rarely monitored the students the way they were supposed to, making it very easy to sneak out, whenever we wanted. Marley and I abused this weakness, a lot.

"Sure. I'll meet you at your car, I'm gonna go grab my jacket." I watched her slink out the door.

I quickly grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair and started off for the doors, giving one more glance around, to make sure I was unnoticed.

I had made it through one set of doors, and was in the small foyer between the interior and exterior. My heart was racing with excitement. Hearing the interior doors close behind me, I paused, looking out the small window making sure the coast was clear outside. I reached out for the set leading outside and gasped as some one grabbed my arm. I hadn't even heard the doors open behind me.

I turned, coming face to face with Jake. "Geez Jake. You scared the shit out of me." I panted, clutching a hand to my heart.

"Sorry." He smiled at me.

"No you're not." I challenged, smiling back at him.

"I need to talk to you." He nervously looked around.

"What's up?" I tried to act casual, even though my heart was pounding wildly in my chest. He smelled incredible.

"I don't know if I can stay away from you, anymore." He blushed slightly, taking a step closer.

I swallowed hard, feeling a little light headed. "I don't know what to say." I whispered, locking eyes with him.

"Say you feel the same." He whispered back, closing the gap between us even more.

"You know I do."

I've had lots of adrenaline rushes, but all paled in comparison to this. I leaned my body against his, and heard his breath catch as my lips met his. I seemed to melt into him, feeling my jacket slip through my fingers to the floor. I pulled him closer. He didn't resist, kissing me harder.

So quickly, I didn't even realize it was happening, Jake had pulled away, and was leaning down to pick up my jacket. The confusion cleared, when I heard the exterior door being pulled open. I shot a glance at Jake as he handed me my jacket. His hand held mine longer than necessary.

"Here Micah." He winked at me.

"Thanks." I blushed, as Marley walked up.

"Hey. Where the hell have you been? I thought you were going to meet me at my car." Marley bitched, hands on her hips.

"Sorry. I went back for my jacket and got side tracked by Kinzy. Then I was rushing out the door, and I guess my jacket slipped off my bag. Jake just brought it to me." I lied.

Marley shrugged and continued on into the school. "Y'all coming?" She yelled after us.

Jake and I hesitated. "Promise you'll go tonight?" Jake asked, placing his hand on the small of my back, leading us back through the doors.

"I'll be there."

Here in lies the problem. I wasn't allowed to date, even Jake knew this. I could only imagine that's what has taken me and him so long to finally come forward with our feelings for each other.

Jake leaned into my ear. "I can keep a secret if you can." He whispered, as if he could read my mind.

I slightly shook my head yes, feeling the excitement bubble inside me. I loved secrets.

For your hands are defiled in blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies;

your tongue hath muttered perveseness.

None have called for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity;

and speak lies;

and conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:3-4

They say, hindsight is 20/20. I say, foresight is blinding.

My name is Micah Minx, and I'm on the verge of destruction. But don't feel bad for me, I assure you, it's all self inflicted.

I am my own worst enemy and yours.

"Minxy. Don't get all nervous on me. This is going to work." Marley pulled me from my thoughts.

I locked eyes with her. I was nervous. We've never done anything like this before. I nodded, trying to tame the butterflies in my stomach. I studied her pretty face, trying to channel her fearlessness.

"Let's do this." Her golden brown eyes held mine. She pulled open the door to the Coaches office.

Coach Greene looked up from his desk, hearing the door. "Hello ladies. How can I help you?" He asked, leaning back in his chair.

I locked the door behind me, meeting his curious eyes.

"Minxy? Marley? What is this?" He asked, a smile playing on his lips.

Marley seductively walked over to his chair. "We want to talk to you." She smiled at him.

"Sure." Coach Greene was getting that look in his eyes. That hungry look. He subconsciously licked his lips, giving me and Marley the once over. He stood up from his chair, walking over to the window that over looked the gym. He reached up, pulling the blinds closed.

I felt the rush coming on, and I fell in line with Marley, closing the gap between us with Marley. We were now standing directly in front of him.

Marley seductively reached up, and played with the collar on his shirt. "We heard, through the grapevine, that you were amazing." She whispered, leaning in close to his ear. "Minxy and I decided we'd like a little of that action."

Coach Greene swallowed hard, a sheepish grin on his face. "You heard right. What do you girls have in mind?"

I pushed record on The Flip, and set it on the desk, just behind Coach Greene's back. He misread the move, the way I knew he would, and wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me close.

"Wanna do this here?" I seductively asked, leaning into him more.

"Where ever you want." He replied, reaching out for Marley.

She let him pull her closer. "Is this where you do all the girls?" She smiled at him.

"Yeah."

I gasped as Marley raised her knee right into Coach Greene's junk.

He crumpled into a heap at our feet. "What the hell?" He yelled through his pain. Coach Greene reached out to grab my ankle.

I pulled away. "Tsk. Tsk." I shook my head. "Don't ever touch the shoes." I stepped over him, retrieving The Flip.

"Coach Greene, the girlie's have been complaining, about your wondering eye, and grabby hands. We suggest, you stop, or we're going to the school board with the footage we just captured of you, attempting to have relations with us." Marley threatened.

"You two approached me."

"You know that doesn't matter. One more slip up, and you're done. We've got you by the balls." I told him, unlocking the door.

Marley followed me out of the room, closing the door behind her. "That went well." She smiled.

"We're going to hell." I told her.

"No. He's going to hell. He likes to sleep with little girls." She reminded me.

Coach Greene had dominated the rumor mill, with claims he blackmailed our peers into having sex with him. This didn't set well with me and Marley.

It didn't take us long to come up with a plan. We knew he'd fall prey to us, they all did. We were beautiful, fearless, brazen. Every man's fantasy.

Marley and I lived for these games. And a small part of me wondered if I would ever outgrow them. I loved the adrenaline rush. I craved it.

We're our generations new adrenaline junkies. Faster, harder, better. We got it one way or another. We played with peoples lives, like they didn't matter.

And for this, I was fearful. I didn't know, how far we were willing to go, to get the rush. We keep pushing the limits, setting the bar higher and higher.

One day, we will be held accountable.

"Here comes Jake and Boss." Marley whispered.

I felt the color rush to my cheeks.

"If you want him, why don't you take him?" She asked me, watching my face. "He's been waiting for you."

I looked over at her, rolling my eyes.

"Come on Minxy. He never dates, he never takes his eyes off you. You're beautiful, he's gorgeous." She prompted, lowering her voice as they approached us. "Don't be a pussy."

She was right. I was a pussy.

Boss wrapped his arms around Marley, pulling her close. "Hey babe."

I locked eyes with Jake, and felt the usual current of electricity that seemed to flow between us. "Hey."

"Hey." He smiled at me.

I wanted Jake. And for him, I wanted to play for keeps.