Title: Authentic Made

Rating: Rated M for language, sexual situations and violence. Read at your own discretion.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to 8 Mile or any lyrics within this fanfiction. I am not making any money from the writing of this story.

Summary: This is a three part story that takes place before, during and after the movie 8 Mile. It follows the ups and downs of Jimmy Smith Jr and his best friend Lea Williams.

A/N: I wrote this song a long, long time ago and am in the process of getting all my stories on . I did manage to run it through a spell check finally and apologize for any grammar errors! Please review! It makes my heart sing. Enjoy!

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Detroit, Late 1984

"I'm going to kill you, you stupid bitch!" A loud, angry voice screamed through the small trailer - causing thirteen year old Lea Williams to sit straight up in her make-shift bed. Her heart fluttered in her chest as the screams got louder and pots clanged against the kitchen walls.

"Fuck you, Larry! You get the fuck out of here! I'm sick of your shit! You aren't my fucking husband I can fuck whoever I want!"

"Not while I'm paying your bills bitch!"

Maria, Lea's mother, yelped in pain as a strong, rough hand came in contact with her face, sending her falling to the floor. There was no mistaking the sound of her mother getting slapped in the face and the cries that followed. It had been the morning routine for nearly a month straight.

Lea pulled her covers up to her neck and sank back into the mattress on the floor. As long as Maria and Larry were fighting - he was leaving her alone and she was thankful. She hated her mother - for all that she put her through, a different, drug addicted man every month - a cold and damp trailer that barely had electricity.

Lea glanced out the small window in her room, seeing the cool gray sky that threatened snow. Their trailer had to be below freezing - since Larry 'forgot' to pay the bills yet again their heat had been cut off two days ago.

"Fuck you!"

The sound of her mother being slammed against the wall caused her to jump again, nervously. She wasn't sure how much longer this would go on - or if this guy was going to kill her mom. A part of her didn't really care but she was scared.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Rabbit.. you need to go check on that girl next door."

Jimmy Smith, Jr. opened his eyes slowly, it was 7:32am. His mother, Stephanie Smith, was standing over him - holding his baby sister, Lilly, on her hip. She stared down at him with a somber look on her face, almost worried about the little girl that lived in the trailer beside theirs. She knew all too well what that girl went through - that was life living on 8 Mile.

"Rabbit. I can hear Ms. William's boyfriend screaming at her all the way over here. I think he's hurting her and Lea could be in trouble. Go over there and check on her."

Jimmy stood up from the couch quickly, the fourteen year old also had to grow up quick and he was the only one who cared enough for Lea to watch over her. They had been friends since they were in six and they both had a rough life.

"I'm going to kill that bastard.." He grabbed his coat from the floor and threw it on - slamming the trailer door as he left.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Lea jerked her head from the bedroom door to the window, surprised to see Jimmy come into view. He yawned slightly, pecking on the thin glass. It wasn't the first time they had met this way. She crawled over to the window and lifted it up - ushering him inside quickly. A harsh burst of icy air flooded the small room - causing her to shiver.

"I'm calling the police you stupid piece of shit! You're going to jail!"

"Are you alright?"

Jimmy held Lea at arm's length, running his hands over her arms to check for bruises. Only a few weeks ago he had come here and found her bruised and broken because Larry came to visit and her mother was out fucking some other asshole. How a mother could continue dating someone that nearly beat her daughter to death was beyond both of them - another reason they hated Ms. Williams.

"Come on, get some stuff - we are getting out of here."

Lea looked up from the floor slowly - a look of pure heartache on her face. Jimmy hated that look - it brought him to his knees in front of her. He brushed her long strands of dark hair from her face and frowned, looking into two matching pools of blue. One day he would get them both out of this shit hole.

Detroit, 1988

Jimmy looked up slowly, hearing a front door slam twice - echoing through the alley. He watched his best friend, Lea Williams, march across her small front yard - middle finger raised high in the direction of her abusive stepfather.

"Don't bring your fucking bitchy ass back here tonight, Lea! Go stay at one of that stupid nigger's house!"

She wasn't listening, she didn't care.

"Fuck, I hate him." She growled, now standing in front of Jimmy. She pulled a cigarette from her pocket and fumbled for a light, looking up to meet her friend's eyes.

"What did that fucker do to you?" He demanded, moving a hand gently across her red cheek. He looked down at her wrists, thick red marks on each of them. Bastard.

"Nothing." She lied, jerking her face from his grasp.

"I swear to god I should have killed that bastard the first time he hit you." Jimmy growled, pushing past Lea - only to have her grab his arm in protest.

"Just, forget about it, okay, Rabbit? I'm alright - were going to be late."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Future said something's going down at lunch today, Sol and Wink are putting a few battles together."

Lea shifted her book bag as they walked, talking about their classes, Jimmy's past two winning battles and their friends, Future, Bob, Sol and Wink. He had skills like she had never heard before, and even though she'd never let him know it - she knew he was going to go far with his talents. A smile crept to her lips as she looked over at him, blowing a thin stream of smoke through the air.

"Who you up against this time?"

"Some guy Future knows. He thinks he's hot shit.. it's going to be great slamming him."

"Well you know I'm there in the front seat."

Jimmy nodded, smiling at her before waving towards a guy who was sitting outside of the school. Future, along with Sol, DJ Iz, Wink and Cheddar Bob sat on the steps in front of Detroit Capital High School, a bag of weed in Sol's lap as he rolled a joint - oblivious to any authority figures around him.

"Yo, man you gonna get caught with that shit and sent off." Lea assured, grabbing the half-empty bag of marijuana from his lap and putting it in her own pocket. The legal system in this part of Detroit was something to laugh at, luckily.

"Hell no girl, this shit is for my glaucoma." Sol assured with a laugh, smoothing out the rolling paper. "I got a prescription." Jimmy slapped hands with Future and the rest of his friends, laughing at Sol. They had all been friends since before they could remember - and that's how it was always going to be.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Can I have the attention of the class?!" Mr. Cocas yelled, slamming his book down onto his desk. The loud kids ignored the middle-aged man, talking and throwing paper through the classroom. Lea sat in the back, drumming her fingers on the desk as she looked around. Jimmy was in the desk beside her - holding his head up desperately trying to remain awake. Sol, Future and Cheddar Bob were beside him, trying to hide another bag of weed from prying eyes as they made their profit.

She shook her head, laughing to herself - unable to understand how any of them had managed to make it to their senior year.

"Ms. Williams? Perhaps you can answer the question on the board." Mr. Cocas asked, narrowing his eyes at the class. She glanced down at her notes and back towards the teacher, "Twenty-seven?"

"Very good - I'm glad to see SOMEONE is paying attention."

The class snickered around her, "None of us can afford to pay attention!" One mystery student assured.

Lea met Jeanine Scott's glare from across the room, narrowing her own eyes. Jeanine had been a bitch since the first day of kindergarten, long before Jimmy had moved to Detroit, or Future and Sol had broken out of their shy spell. The petite and almost perfect girl turned back to her cronies and giggled, occasionally glancing at Lea from the corner of her eye.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"I hear her step dad beats her." Jeanine whispered as she leaned against her locker, looking down the row towards Jimmy and Lea. "..and her mother is never around. She's a real whore across 8 Mile."

"I think her and that Smith guy have something going on. They are always together.. someone said he was her cousin and they sleep together and everything! It's disgusting!" Renee, one of the cronies assured with a laugh. "She's probably a whore just like her mother!"

Suddenly, Lea slammed her locker door shut, lifting her book bag onto her shoulder. She wasn't going to let some dumbass bitches like Jeanine and Renee get to her.. she wasn't.. she also wasn't going to let them stand there and talk shit about her anymore.

Lea moved down the hallway slowly - never letting her eyes fall from Jeanine's.

"Look, Renee.. trailer park bitch things she can speak to us in public."

Jimmy winced as his best friend reared her fist back and punched Jeanine hard in the face - causing her to fall back into the lockers and cry out as Lea advanced on top of her, never letting up with her fist. Jeanine grabbed a fist full of Lea's dark hair and jerked with all her might.

"Oh, shit! Fight!" Future yelled through the halls, followed by Sol and Bob as a crowd gathered around the two girls. Jimmy let his books fall to the ground, pushing through the thick group of people. Once he made it to the fight, Lea was wrestling Jeanine on the ground - each getting their share of hits in.

"Ease up, scrapper.." He whispered, wrapping his arms around Lea's waist as she fought against him, throwing another punch that caught Jeanine in the jaw. She jerked out of his arms and slammed Jeanine into her locker, "You better watch your fucking back." She threatened as Jimmy grabbed her again and turned her towards him. He held her by the shoulders trying to bring her back from her rage.

"You gotta stop.. she aint worth this.."

Their eyes searched each other and Jimmy was taken back - she had never been more beautiful to him.

Detroit, 1977

"This check won't be good until the first of the month.. is that alright?"

Six year old Jimmy looked up at his mother, watching as she flirted with the owner of the trailer park. He was no stranger to her wicked ways - this was how they lived. Moving from one state to another when Stephanie left her current boyfriend or couldn't pay the bills.

This time they were running from Jimmy's father and a large debt over Stephanie's head.

"My mom's never home either.. those people from the school came to my house last week but her boyfriend told them a lie about being my dad.. It's stupid."

Jimmy nodded in agreement, shifting his book back onto his shoulder. They stood in the cold with thin coats on waiting for the bus to take them to first grade. He had never met a girl like this before - truth be known he had never really had anyone to talk to. This girl seemed nice though and she lived next door - she was so tiny though, thin and frail and sad.

"My names Lea.."

"I'm Jimmy.."

That was nearly eleven years ago - and the rest was history.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Jimmy fell down on his bed face first - exhausted. It was nearly two am and Lilly had just fallen asleep. He silently prayed that his mother would stay gone long enough to not wake her up when she came barging through the door - more than likely drunk.

He propped himself up on his elbows and turned his head to the side, watching quietly as Lea slept - smothered in his oversized sweat-shirt. The light from the street cascaded into the small room - illuminating her features softly. She looked like an angel.

"What time is it?"

Her voice came out a whisper as she moved her hand over her face to shield it from the light. Jimmy was looking down at her smiling, "It's only two. Go back to sleep."

"Mm.. where's Lilly?"

"I just got her to sleep. Mom's not here yet... probably laid up at some guy's house. She doesn't even care if Lilly's here by herself."

Lea closed her eyes and motioned for Jimmy to lie down beside her. It was time to go to sleep and for once not worry about life's troubles. He kicked off his shoes and crawled under the blanket beside his friend, letting all of his worries melt away until the morning.

A week later.

"I'm going out!"

Lea slammed the door loudly as usual and made her way across the yard to Jimmy's - her mother was in the back with 'some guy' trying to get her thrills before her husband got home from one of the many bars in Detroit.

"Not tonight, mom! Damnit! It's Friday and I'm not staying home.. call one of the babysitters!" Jimmy yelled, storming out of his house quickly - his mother got on his heels.

"I have a date tonight! I need someone to watch Lilly! I don't have time to call anyone!" She screamed, causing the baby to start crying. "Damnit, Rabbit! Look what you've done now!"

"What I did! Fuck, mom!"

Lea brushed back a strand of hair with her fingers, staying out of Mrs. Smith's view. When that woman was angry there was no stopping her - and Lea 'really' didn't want to be caught in the cross fires tonight.

"Did you say fuck me!? You have no respect for your own mother! Don't you fucking come back here tonight, Rabbit!"

Stephanie walked back into the trailer and slammed the door shut.

"Mother? Is that what you fucking are?!"

He turned the corner and spotted Lea sitting on the curb placing a lit cigarette between her lips as their eyes met. She was wearing dark flared blue jeans and a sleeveless black tank top underneath her coat; her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Suddenly, all his thoughts of his worthless mother disappeared and he smiled - watching as Lea stood to her feet and crushed her smoke beneath a black leather boot.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah."

Lea moved her body with the upbeat music - her arms above her head in a sexy dance that left 'the boys' drooling at their table, always. A smile formed on her glossy lips, causing Future to laugh and turn back to Jimmy and Sol.

"She knows what she's doin', hell.. don't even look at her! Don't look!" He laughed, watching Jimmy bend his neck to get a better view. Lea's eyes opened slowly and she licked at her lips, turning her back to the table to give them a better 'view'.

"Damn."

All five guys muttered together, finally pulling their gaze away from her so she would come back to the table - undefeated, and loving it. It was fun 'getting under the boys skin' sometimes. It kept life interesting.

Lea grinned, sliding back into the booth beside Jimmy. She took a long drink of his soda and leaned back against the chair, "You better stop doin' that shit, girl.. cause one of these nigga's to bust a nut."

They all laughed loudly at Future's comment, ordering another round of sodas.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Damn, look at this shit.."

"If it aint good ole' Uncle Tom and his Klan!"

Papa Doc laughed, pointing at Lea, Jimmy and Cheddar Bob.

"Why don't you go away, Papa Bitch?" Cheddar asked.

"Where the fuck do you think you at, whiety? Look around you and tell me who needs to go away?"

Lea scanned the club, realizing that Jimmy, Cheddar and herself were the only white people to be seen.

"Fuck this, let's just get out of here."

She stood up to leave, pushing past Papa Doc as she went.

/Yo, listen up.. Lea is a flea, nasty like a maggot/

/Momma is a whore, and you be runnin' with this faggot/

/Whitey thinks he has skills, but he could never be like me../

/Ms. Williams be on 8 Mile, givin' head fo' free!/

/Poor broke ass bitches, go take the fuckin' bus../

/You wigger better go, leave the rap battles to us../

"Fuck you, bastard." Jimmy growled, pushing Papa Doc as he followed Lea out of the club.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

They stood in the darkness of the parking lot - watching as a lamp-post flickered above them and then went out completely.

"Fuck those free world bitches, you know Papa Doc can't rap, Lea."

"I don't care what he can do.." She muttered, leaning her head into his chest. She got tired of everyone at school calling her names and ragging on her life. She would kill for a 'normal' life.. whatever that was.

Jimmy sighed and wrapped his arms around her back, holding her close to him. He knew what it was like to have an 'unstable' life but it seems to bother Lea more than it did him. She went through a lot trying to defend herself and her mother, which was hopeless.

He placed his lips against her temple and sighed again - wishing for the day when they could get out of this shit hole.

"Rabbit.."

"Yeah."

"I hate it here.."

Her shoulders were tight with tension, sorrow and grief over her shitty life. Graduation was in a few months so at least she wouldn't have to deal with high school much longer, but the thought of being stuck in this town for the rest of her life - was depressing. Plus, Jimmy had mad talent and he would make it big one day; she was afraid he was going to leave once that happened.

She wouldn't be able to make it without him in her life. He was everything to her.

"Don't stress about all this, Lea. You're better then all this bullshit." He assured, placing his hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes as a few tears fell past her cheeks - his arms instantly going around her.

"Lea, baby.. please don't do this. You know I hate it when you cry."

He frowned, lifting her face to meet his. She nodded slightly, feeling his lips against her cheek to kiss away the tears. He continued to kiss down to her jaw line, surprised when her lips parted and pressed themselves against his.

It wasn't the first time their lips had met - but it was somehow very different. A small, almost unheard moan escaped Lea's throat, causing Jimmy to tighten his grip around her and deepen the kiss with his tongue.

"Hey.."

Lea's head snapped back so fast it could have easily broken her neck as Future walked out into the parking lot, watching the couple break apart like the plague as Sol and the others emerged behind him.

Jimmy's eyes locked with Future's, silently begging him to keep quiet.

"Yo, you alright girl? Fut' put Papa Bitch in his place in there and we's headed over to Wink's house for a party."

Sol smiled at Lea as she moved away from Jimmy and nodded. "You know I don't let that bitch bother me." She lied, putting on her 'tough' guise in front of the boys.

"Great. Alright, come on we footin' it over to Winks."

"I'm playing this wicked slow song in a minute, bitch. You better go grind with Lea." Future ordered, pointing to Lea who stood across the room talking to Sol and Cheddar Bob.

"I don't know, man."

Jimmy ran a hand over the back of his neck. The party had been going on for nearly two hours now and no matter how bad he wanted to dance with Lea - his brain wouldn't allow his legs to move.

"Yo, Lea!"

Future smiled at Jimmy as he waved her towards them, grinning at the nervousness that suddenly came to his friend's face.

"Don't be a pussy, B-Rabbit."

"What's up?" Lea asked, looking the two guys over.

"This fool ain't gettin' no play.. dance with him?" Future suggested, clapping his hands together as Lea took Jimmy's hand and pulled him to the middle of the room. "Okay."

Jimmy stared at her in disbelief as he walked towards the crowd of teenagers dancing to the music. A very sexual song quietly played in the background as she slid herself against him, moving seductively against his body. He traced his fingers down her arms, sending chills onto her warm skin as he placed a hand on her rocking hips, clutching the fabric of her jeans.

The music was like thunder in his ears and before long everything had melted away and there was only Lea. This creature moving with him, her body pressed so dangerously close to his - he was afraid she could feel his erection slowly forming between them.

He didn't know how in all the years he had known her - he was seeing her for the first time.

Lea turned around so her back was against his chest, his warm breath on her neck - causing him to grit his teeth and hold her against him with one hand placed on her lower stomach. Slowly, he moved his face down to the bend of her neck - taking in the sweet scent of vanilla.

"Damn, girl.. I need a drink.." He whispered against her ear as he clung to her, never letting their rhythm stop.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Lea tilted her head back and drank down her sixth shot of Bacardi, slamming the shot glass down on the table between herself and Future. Wink narrowed his eyes and filled the shot glass again, "Yo, this is the last. You fools are drinkin' up my mom's liquor."

Jimmy laughed, stealing the shot from Lea's hand and gulping it down.

"Who the fuck is that?"

Cheddar climbed out of his seat and went to the window, scanning the driveway for a vehicle. Suddenly, headlights flooded the basement - causing drunken people to break apart and panic.

"Fuck, that's my mom!"

Wink jumped to his feet and started gathering up the liquor bottles, watching as everyone hurried to get their belongings and get the hell out of dodge - as fast as possible. Wink's mom wasn't someone you wanted to deal with.

"Shit, Wink you said she was gone until Monday!" Future yelled, straightening up the room with his friend. The rest of the party was long gone, ignoring Wink's mother as she yelled at them and continued to ask what was going on.

"Just help me get this shit up, man!"

Jimmy leaned back in his chair and laughed, scanning the room for Lea. She was by the door - waving him over. If they were smart they would leave with the crowd - avoiding one of Wink's mom's many lectures. Without a thought - he stood up on skanky legs and went towards the door, disappearing outside before anyone realized it.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Shhit..."

Lea laughed wildly, holding onto Jimmy's shirt for support as they walked down the street and back towards the trailer park. He had one arm around her - half dragging her across 8 mile.

"Fut and Wink are gonna be so busted.. damn they are going to be pissed that we left.." She continued, pulling herself up straight to walk.

Jimmy kept his arm around her - helping her towards her front door. She would more than likely pass out in the next few minutes, and he wanted to make sure she was somewhere other than her lawn.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Lea stumbled into her room quickly, grabbing Jimmy by the shoulders so she wouldn't fall. They both burst into laughter and fell onto the bed beside each other gasping for breath. Lea pushed herself up on her elbows and looked over at him, marveling at the way the light fell on his face. Before either realized what was happening - they were kissing.

Jimmy ran his fingers down her side, idly slipping a hand into her shirt. She moved closer, deepening the kiss while he pulled her towards him; a slight moan escaping his throat as she advanced on top of him.

She nibbled at his neck, grinding her hips into his as he cupped her ass in attempts to hold her closer. He slid his hands under her shirt and removed it - leaving her sitting on top of him in a black bra.

This was, by far, the most amazing thing they had ever done.

"Rabbit.. what are we.."

Jimmy sat up slowly and pushed Lea back on the bed, advancing on top of her. He kissed her again, working with the fly on her pants. He was a guy and she was this beautiful creature in front of him and he had never wanted her more than he did this second.

"I want you.. so bad.."

Lea took in a breath, unsure of what to say - unsure of what to think. Her mind wandered in and out of rational thought as Jimmy pushed her jeans down her thighs and licked at her navel. Her fingers linked through his hair as she moaned deep within her throat - feeling his tongue slide into her.

"..oh, god.."

After a few moments of pure bliss, Jimmy sat up and removed his shirt - looking down at Lea in all her beauty, her chest was heaving in anticipation - her eyes pleading with him to continue.

She leaned up and found his mouth again, bringing him down on top of her as she undid his pants - working the button loose from its loop painfully slowly. Once his jeans were around his ankles, Jimmy pushed Lea back down on the bed and kissed her slowly. A surprising shock of sobriety passed through them both as he pushed he knees apart and positioned himself at her opening.

Lea gasped, pulling Jimmy down to her - feeling him slide into her core. He remained completely still as the sensations took over his body. He was feeling everything at once, and the look on Lea's face was taking him over the edge. This was what he had waited for - forever - the moment he lost his virginity and to Lea of all people.

"..are you okay?"

Lea opened her lust filled eyes, nodding as he pulled back slightly and thrust inside her. He moved at a slow pace, kissing and nipping at her lips as she tightened around him. "God, Jimmy..." She was whimpering now, the emotion in her voice almost dangerous.

Jimmy increased his pace slightly, amazed at how good -this- felt. She was moaning with every thrust as he rocked his hips, finding it difficult to remain at a steady pace.

The sound alone was torture.

Lea felt like she was on fire, never letting his gaze fall as they stared into each other's eyes. He wrapped an arm underneath her waist and raised her hips - poured years of secretly craving her into every thrust. "Jimmy.." She pleaded, clinging to him as if she were falling. He lowered his head into the bend of her neck, feeling her tighten around his dick as he slammed into her harder, hearing her soft cries as she came and fireworks exploded behind his eyes as his body gave out, collapsing on top of Lea breathlessly as his own orgasm took over.

"You stupid whore!"

Lea opened her eyes quickly, squinting as the bright evening sun reflected off the fallen snow, lightening her bedroom. She blinked several times, trying to adjust her eyes as she sat up - her head suddenly pounding.

The events of the previous night came rushing back to her and she smiled at the thought - Jimmy had left about an hour after their 'sexcipades' to go check on Lilly and she pulled on her clothes and fell asleep. Now Bruce, her stepfather, was standing over her with a dreadful expression on his face.

"Get the fuck up now, Lea." He bent down and grabbed her by the arms, jerking her up out of the bed. Her hair fell around her face in tangles and she tried to jerk away from him. "Don't fucking touch me, Bruce. I'm not your fucking punching bag - that's my mom's job."

Bruce smacked her hard across the face, causing her head to snap to one side. "Did you know your mother was fucking some nigger downtown for crack? Why didn't you fucking tell me you bitch!" He dug his fingers into her arms and threw her against the window - busting the glass.

"I don't even talk to her, Bruce! How could I have known!"

"You're a whore just like her! I saw your sorry ass boyfriend leave this morning! In MY HOUSE! You're a whore just like your fucking mother!"

Bruce threw Lea into the wall and smacked her in the face again, watching as she fell down to the floor and winced in pain. "You're going to be so fucking sorry.." She assured, trying to move out of his reach but he grabbed her again and pulled her close to his face, "You think that pussy ass boyfriend of yours is gonna do shit? Fuck him. I'm going to kill you stupid bitch."

Lea kicked Bruce hard between the legs and watched him back away quickly, falling to the floor with his balls in hand. "You fucking bitch." She kicked him again in the ribs and grabbed a fistful of his balding hair, moving his face up to meet hers.

"Fuck you, you stupid bastard." With that she spit in his face and slammed his head against the wall, pushing past him and out the front door.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Hello?"

"Yes, I need to speak to a Jimmy Smith? This is the state police department."

Stephanie looked up from Lilly, watching as her son turned white as a ghost. He clutched the phone in his hand until his knuckles were white and then dropped it to the floor, "Rabbit? What's wrong?" She wondered, sitting Lily down in her playpen and walking over to him.

"It's Lea.. I've got to go... someone's got to go get her.."

"What has that wild girl got into now?"

Jimmy turned to his mom, anger and pain and fear all mixed in his blue eyes. "Her step dad beat the shit out of her and she's at the police station... she needs someone to pick her up.."

"You can take my car." His mother assured, fishing her keys from her purse. "What?" Stephanie smiled, hoping that her offer would at least show her son that she cared for him - even if her actions usually didn't.

"Just don't wreck it, alright?"

Jimmy took the keys from her quickly - before she changed her mind and moved to the front door.

"Thanks, mom."

"The police went to her house and found Bruce unconscious on the floor. Lea told them everything and they took him to jail. It's crazy.. that fucker..."

Future shook his head in disbelief looking up at Lea who sat quietly at the lunch table, staring down into her mashed potatoes. A deep black bruise had formed under her eye and on her left cheek - causing gossip to float around the school quickly all thanks to Jeanine. She hadn't muttered a whole sentence since Jimmy had picked her up the night before - unwilling to believe her own mother could be so heartless.

"You're gonna be alright though, right girl?" Future asked, reaching his hand out to cover Lea's. She looked down at their hands and nodded slightly, not really sure how she felt about anything anymore.

"Come on, Lea. I gotta talk to you." Jimmy nudged her up from her seat and took her hand - nodding towards Future and the gang before heading outside with Lea.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"We haven't got to talk about... what happened between us..."

Lea kept quiet - her eyes were so soft and vulnerable. Her heart was laid out in front of him now.

"I know we were drinking and things were a little foggy at first but.."

Jimmy took in a deep breath, trying to collect his barring. He wasn't sure what to say or what she was feeling but something had to be done about the situation, they couldn't just...

"Forget that it ever happened," Lea assured, wrapping her arms around herself. "We were drunk, it obviously didn't mean anything - just two very drunk bodies moving together.."

Silence overwhelmed them, giving Jimmy a second to think before he nodded in agreement - never opening his mouth to protest and state his true feelings.

"I mean it was just our first time.. there will be other first times, with many people.. experimenting.. and everything.. What we did was stupid.. and it meant nothing.."

She was rambling now - trying to fight back tears at the thought of Jimmy not giving a damn. When everyone else could care less, he was the only one that ever gave a damn about her. Lea looked up and smiled at him faintly.

"Fuck that, Lea. It means everything and you know it." A long pause passed between them before his lips parted again, "I'm in love with you.."

He leaned over and kissed her suddenly, moving his tongue against her lips for access. He had dreamt of kissing her, holding her in his arms. Lea returned the kiss slowly and smiled at him, "I love you to."

Two months later.

Lea walked into the school bathroom slowly, closing the door behind her. To her surprise, Jeanine was leaning against the mirror with her head buried in her hands. A few loud sobs escaped her throat as she tried to calm herself - glaring at her company.

"Are you alright?"

Jeanine looked up, wondering if she had heard right.

"What do you care? Just leave me alone." She hissed, turning to look at herself in the mirror. Her makeup was smeared; mascara running down her cheeks from previous tears.

Sighing, Lea walked over to her and handed her some tissue, asking again if she was alright. Jeanine looked at her like she was crazy, but took the offered tissue and fought back another sob. Things were far from alright.

"I caught my boyfriend cheating on me last night when I went to tell him I'm pregnant. When I went home to tell my mom she kicked me out of the house.." Another - louder - sob escaped her.

"Sorry to hear that.." Lea assured, handing over the rest of her tissue. She and Jimmy had been going out for two months now and things in her life seemed almost perfect compared to what Jeanine was saying.

"What are you going to do?"

Jeanine took in a breath and threw away a used tissue, turning to look at Lea.

"I don't know yet. I've got some money saved up.. I guess I'll get an apartment. Everything's just falling apart."

A bell rang through the hallways loudly - telling the girls that it was time for lunch. Lea and Jeanine exchanged glances as they walked towards the bathroom door and entered the hallway - ready to go their own ways.

"Thanks Lea, for being here - you're the last person I expected to care."

Lea just nodded, assuring her that she was happy to help and wished her luck. They moved away from each other - Jeanine going to her locker with a wicked smile on her face as Lea walked up the hall towards the cafeteria.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Hey baby."

Jimmy kissed Lea sweetly as she sat down beside him; flipping off the rest of his friends as they 'awwed'. Lea smiled and grabbed one of his fries, turning to the others.

"You'll never believe what just happened to me.."

Future, Sol, Cheddar and Iz looked at her curiously as she told them about her encounter with Jeanine in the bathroom.

"Shit, that girl is probably lying just to get some damn attention. She was dating one of those Free world bitches a few months ago and I heard him saying she was a fake ass trick."

Jimmy laughed at Future gossiping - nearly choking on his fries.

"I don't know, man. She was crying and everything."

Suddenly, Wink walked up to their table and took a seat - passing out some fliers from a new club was coming into town. He grinned over at Lea and Jimmy, "This place right here is the shit - ladies. I want you all there Friday night, we're gonna party and get drunk as fuck!"

"That's all you ever think about, Wink. Damn." Future muttered, returning to his food. Sometimes Wink got on his last nerve - always claiming to 'know' big stars, or people that could get them all 'big deals'. He hardly ever pulled through for them - especially Jimmy - who had the most potential.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Friday.

Jimmy tilted his head back as he downed another shot - the others cheering him on. He had won two battles in the parking lot when they first arrived and now it was time to celebrate.

"Hey, Jimmy, isn't it?"

He looked up slowly, surprised to see Jeanine standing at their table. She was wearing a short black dress, with her hair curly around her face.

"What's up?" She continued, smiling down at him. Future and the others had disappeared seven shots ago - finding their own girls to party with. Cheddar had asked about Lea for most of the night, but once drunk enough he too forgot that she wasn't even there.

Jimmy continued to stare at Jeanine, marveling at the way the dress she wore clung to her body. He mentally smacked himself at the thought of Lea, but damn the girl in front of him was fine.

"Did Lea tell you I got my own place? You know.. I could really use a roommate, if you ever decide to move out of the trailer park." She giggled, running a hand over his chest as he stood up.

"It's getting late.." He muttered, looking around the club. Wink and Future were on the other side of the room fighting over something while Sol and Cheddar stole their girls. Priceless. He returned his gaze to Jeanine, who nonchalantly took his hand and lead him out into the now deserted parking lot.

"Let me give you a ride home, Rabbit."

He nodded slightly and walked with her to her mom's car.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Where are we going.." Jimmy muttered, peering out the window. Jeanine remained quiet - pulling down an abandoned road not far from her apartment. She had secretly wanted him since school had started, and now that he was dating Lea Williams - well that was even better.

"I just wanted to ask you something.. before you go home." She assured sweetly, parking the car off the road. Jimmy turned and looked at her, smiling slightly. He had lost all grips of reality earlier that night - going shot for shot with the well-known alcoholic Cheddar Bob.

"Well what do you want to ask.."

Jeanine smiled, pulling her seat back as far as it would go before crawling over the seat and straddling Jimmy's lap. He leaned back and looked at her, trying to process what was about to happen.

"What are you doing?"

She smiled, "Nothing." She placed her arms around his neck, pushing him back into the seat. Her hips moved slowly over his - causing him to close his eyes at the feeling. He knew this was wrong, but it felt so damn good.

"Come on, Rabbit. You know you want this."

"No.. fuck, you aren't Lea." Was his answer as he removed her arms from around his neck and desperately tried to move out from under her. She just smiled at his struggle and leaned down - placing her lips forcefully against his.

Jimmy finally gave in and kissed Jeanine back just as passionately. Her hands were all over his body, in his hair and on his jeans. He pulled back slightly and looked at her, breathing deeply as she worked his jeans open and pulled out his dick. In one quick movement he was inside her, causing him to moan loudly against her lips.

"How the fuc..."

"No panties.." She whispered, grinding her hips as she moved up and down like a pro. He leaned back in the seat and watched her, lust and passion filling his senses. This shouldn't be happening but it was too late now. He held onto her hips as she rode him, bringing them both to a quick orgasm.

"What the hell are you gonna do, Jimmy?"

Future looked over at his friend - who was sitting on his mom's car with his hands over his face. He had called him that morning - spilling his guts about the 'after party' with Jeanine.

"Lea's never going to forgive me.. I really fucked up this time."

"I don't know, man. I don't know what to tell you - you need to just go talk to her."

Jimmy stood up and walked over to Future, slapping his hand twice in their '313 handshake'. He didn't know what he was going to do when he saw Lea, he couldn't even imagine telling her what had happened between him and Jeanine the previous night.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

One month later.

"Yo, B-Rabbit. What's going on with you man? We was supposed to meet at The Shelter last night and battle some clowns."

Future walked up to the table and sat down beside Jimmy, looking him over - he looked like hell. Keeping a secret as big as he was - from someone he cared about as much as Lea, was killing him.

"I'm in love with her, Fut. I.. I can't hurt her..." His voice was barely a whisper and cracking with emotion as he talked, looking desperately towards Future for some kind of answer. All his friend could do was pat him on the back and assure him that everything would somehow work out in the end.

"Hey, Jimmy."

Jimmy turned his head to look at Jeanine, "Hey."

"Can I talk to you for a minute? It's important."

He pushed himself up from the table and walked with her into the hall - watching as Future argued with Cheddar to stay put. Jeanine sighed and placed her hands on her stomach, looking up at Jimmy.

"Listen, I know this is going to be unbelievable.. but, I'm pregnant."

Jimmy's mouth nearly hit the floor - clenching his fists together as he took in her information. She -had- to be joking.

"What?" Was the only word to past through his lips as he desperately tried to remain calm. One mistake was costing him his entire life - his dreams of being a rapper, his girl - and not to mention best friend.

"Please, fucking telling me you're joking."

"I took the test last night.. and you're the only one I've slept with.. since my last period." Her voice was barely a whisper as they talked, keeping an eye out for anyone coming down the hall.

"Fuck.."

Jimmy wiped at his face frantically as he walked up the road from the bus stop - ridding his cheeks of any fallen tears before he saw Lea. He wasn't sure what was going to happen but whatever it was - he couldn't let his mistakes keep eating away at him. Now Jeanine was pregnant - and he couldn't just keep something like that from Lea.

He took in a deep breath and made his way across her small lawn, raising his fist to knock on the trailer door. To his surprise, Lea opened the door before he could knock - greeting him with a smile and hug.

"Hey, baby."

He wrapped his arms around her body tightly, never saying a word as he held her. He was so afraid that this would be the last time he ever got the chance to hold her - and he never wanted it to end. In the back of his mind he knew that this would be the end of them and just the thought alone caused a sob to pass his lips.

"What's wrong, Rabbit?"

Lea held him at arm's length and looked him over, curious as to why he was so upset. Suddenly, her own problems didn't seem as serious and she hugged him again, running her hands down his back as they moved inside.

"What happened, Jimmy? Please, tell me."

They sat down on her couch looking at each other, trying to find the words to say. In all his life he had never been as scared as he was right then.

"Lea, baby.."

Jimmy reach out and ran his hands down her bare arms, never letting his eyes fall from her own.

"Lea, I gotta tell you something.. something happened.. and you're never going to forgive me but.. I can't keep it inside anymore.."

The muscles in her arms suddenly became tight as she watched him fall to his knees in front of her, almost pleading. He placed his hands on her sides and looked up into her eyes, tears falling freely down his own cheeks.

"Lea.. please,.. I am so sorry.. I never meant for anything like this to happen.. please you have to believe me.."

"What is it, Jimmy? What did you do?" She whispered, almost afraid of the answer. In all the years she had known him nothing like this had ever happened before - she had never seen him cry before.

"I don't know.. I didn't.. I was drunk and she.. I was so confused.. Lea, baby I'm so sorry.."

"Who?"

"Jeanine.. that night, at the Chin Tiki.. You stayed here to watch Lilly for me.. I won a few battles outside.. we started drinking and things just.. got out of hand."

Lea pushed Jimmy away from her and stood up, "You've got to be kidding.. This is a real fuckin' sick joke."

"Baby, please.. please Lea.. It wasn't my fault.. I didn't mean to.. it was an accident."

She stopped pacing and looked at him, a look of pure rage in her eyes.

"An accident, Jimmy? She slipped, fell and landed on your fucking dick? Get the fuck out!"

Jimmy dodged a pillow, then her lighter - trying desperately to go to her as she screamed obscenities. Once she stopped screaming he put his hands on her arms, trying to hug her.

"Don't touch me. Don't fucking touch me, Rabbit!"

Lea slapped him hard across the face, causing his head to snap. He cringed at the sting of her palm, stepping back out of reach as she came towards him again with her fist.

"I wish I never met you." Her voice dripped with venom.

"You wish you never met me?! It that what I really fucking mean to you, Lea? I fucking love you."

"You don't love shit!"

She pushed him back towards the front door, demanding that he leave. He had cheated on her - and now he thought he could say he loved her and it would change everything.

"Fuck you, Rabbit. You want to fuck that whore? Then go fucking be with her!"

Lea slammed the second door and locked Jimmy out, sliding to the floor with her face in her hands. Everything had gone wrong and now the only person she trusted had hurt her the most.

One week later.

Jimmy looked up as Wink sat down at their lunch table, surprised to see how upset his friend was. His eyes were red and it looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks. His mom had been giving him hell, Lea had completely stopped talking to him and Jeanine was going around school telling everyone that they were officially 'together'. It was hell.

"Man, you wanna go party tonight or something? Get some of this shit off your mind?"

"No, Wink. I don't want to go fucking party."

He stood up from the table and walked away, Future and Cheddar Bob in tow.

"You gotta do something about this shit, dawg. We can't have you like this forever? Have you tried talking to Lea?"

"No, Fut. She won't answer her damn phone.. hell she probably disconnected it or something.. fuck I don't know."

Future sighed and put an arm around Jimmy's shoulders, pulling him down the hall and away from Cheddar as he desperately tried to 'mack' on one of the lunch ladies.

"You gotta do somethin', Jimmy."

"What am I gonna do? There isn't shit I can do. Hell, everything is fucked."

Jimmy looked down the hallway, noticing Jeanine walk out of the girl's bathroom. She smiled slightly and waved, causing him to pull away from Future.

"I don't know how to make this shit better, Future."

Before he could say another word, Jimmy was halfway down the hall - walking towards Jeanine. Future just sighed and turned back to Cheddar Bob, who was watching from the lunch line with a sad look on his face.

"Don't even stress about this shit, Cheddar. Jimmy will figure out something."

Cheddar just nodded and went back into the lunchroom with Future.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Hey.."

Jeanine smiled, "Hi, Jimmy. How are you doing?"

"I don't know.. you heard about things with Lea. Shit's falling apart."

She nodded, knowing all too well.

"You know if you ever need a place to go.. I've got my apartment.. and I'm still looking for a 'roommate'. If you were smart you'd get out of that trailer park, get a job and get away from Lea. Now that things are so complicated.. they'll never be right between the two of you."

Jimmy just nodded, taking this all in. He did need to get out of eight one o - and it seemed too good to be true that Jeanine was offering her apartment to him.

"I'm going after school for an interview with this pizza place downtown.. maybe I'll stop by your place if that's cool?"

Jeanine smiled, taking out a pen. She wrote her address on his palm and nodded, "That sounds great."

"Alright, I'm gonna get back in here.. but I'll see you later."

"Later.." She called, waving as he disappeared up the hallway and back to the lunchroom with his friends.

This was working too perfectly to her advantage. Jimmy and Lea were as good as finished - and she couldn't blame him for wanting her instead. Plus, he thought she was pregnant with his kid AND he was getting a job.

Jeanine grinned as she disappeared back into the bathroom and pulled out her pack of birth control, taking the last one of the month. At least she had taught Lea Williams a lesson - no one ever messed with her and got away with it.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

One month later.

Jimmy lifted a large box filled with his belongings into the trunk of his car, watching as Sol, Future and Cheddar carried a few more boxes out of his mother's trailer. He was -finally- getting out of this damn trailer park and it felt good. He would be living with his girlfriend, Jeanine up on the north side of 8 Mile in their apartment.

It had turned out that after a few sonograms Jeanine had been mistaken of her pregnancy, but by then she and Jimmy had slept together countless time and started dating.

He had only talked to Lea once in the past month, hoping they could work out their problems but in the end - it just wasn't happening. She told him that she had been in love with him, and now she just couldn't trust him anymore.

Sighing at the thought, Jimmy helped Sol lift the last box into the truck and turned to look towards Lea's trailer. She quit school and was now working as a waitress downtown, saving up enough money to get as far away from 810 as possible. She kept in touch with Cheddar and Sol sometimes, but overall their tight group had slowly fallen apart.

"I guess that's it, guys. Tell Iz his ass should have come and helped." Jimmy assured, slapping hands with Sol 313 style. He repeated the handshake with Future and Cheddar, taking one last glance at Lea's house. In the back of his mind - and in his heart - he still loved that girl, more than anything.

"Don't be a stranger, Rabbit. You know your ass has to battle at The Shelter sometime." Future assured, breaking his thoughts of Lea. He just nodded, closing the truck quickly.

Cheddar pushed himself off Jimmy's car and walked up to him, "What about, Lea? Rabbit."

Jimmy looked up at his friend slowly, wondering the same thing. It felt wrong leaving the trailer park without Lea - let alone her not being there to say goodbye. It felt wrong lying beside Jeanine every night and thinking about Lea when they fucked. Everything in his life felt wrong but he had to get out of there - Lea was never coming back to him, and half of him didn't blame her. It was just time to move on, or try to at least.

"What about her, Cheddar?"

Cheddar Bob frowned slightly, not expecting that to be his answer. He shrugged and slapped hands with Jimmy, nodding towards the street.

"Peace out, Rabbit.."