Max's Pov

Beep...Beep..

As quickly as I could, I shut the alarm clock trying not to wake Jeb up. I bit my lip while sitting up, today the bruise on my stomach would be extremely swollen which means, I'd be limping all day long. I grabbed the headboard as I got up of bed. I headed towards the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I gasped at what I saw, since yesterday's beating on my stomach, I forgot all about the slap mark he left on me, I also saw that I had a black eye and a cut lip. I clenched my jaw. I took out the concealer from the cabinet and applied it all over my face. I rubbed it all over my face as I tried to make it blend through my skin color. Once I was satisfied how I looked, I put it away and began brushing my teeth. I had to hurry up since I still had to cook Jeb's breakfast and change into my baggy clothes. Yes, baggy. Since I don't want anyone to see my bruises, I hide them as best as I can. I cant use up all of the concealer so baggy clothes help a lot.

Once I was finished in the bathroom, I grabbed my clothes and changed as fast as I could, trying to not bruise up my stomach anymore then it already was. I looked at the gauze and decided it was ok, I didn't have to change it right now, but maybe when I come home. Once I finished I grabbed my stuff and slowly walked downstairs for two reasons, 1. My bruises duh? and 2. I was extremely anxious on knowing if Jeb was downstairs. If he is, I'm screwed since I don't have his food ready. As suspenseful as it seemed I turned the corner and let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding once I saw he wasn't downstairs...yet. That being said, I took out the eggs, bacon, bagels, and sausages. I decided on cooking the eggs with the bacon at once, and on a different pan the sausages. Since I didn't want to run out of time, I decided to heat the bagels inside the microwave. Bastards gonna eat what he gets.

I stirred the eggs once they started sizzling and turned the bacon around so the other side could get fully cooked. Same goes for the sausages. As the microwave was about to hit 0, I opened it, trying to make the least amount of noise. I served Jeb his orange juice and put it on the table. I realized the eggs, bacon, and sausage were all ready and put them on a plate. I put his bagels on another plate and put that also on the table. As I was doing this, I heard footsteps slamming against the floor. I tensed up and stood still.

"Move." He commanded once he was in back of me. I tried to do so, but it was as if my feet were frozen.

"Did you not hear me!? Move bitch!" He yelled and shoved me to the floor. I gasped in pain when my ribs once again moved. I took a steady breath as I tried to stand up. I cringed in pain when I felt as though my ribs were about to collapse at any second. I stood still as I waited for him to give me my daily talk.

"You know the rules," He spoke as he chewed his food, "No talking to people, No making friends. Who would even want to be your friend? You worthless piece of trash. Don't you dare let anyone see your bruises and if they ask, tell them you fell down." At that I was confused. Didn't he tell me not to talk to anyone.

"Do I make myself clear?" He asked. I nodded. He seemed to not have seen be because he stood up and slapped me. My head whipped to the other side and I held my cheek.

"I said, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!" He yelled.

"Y-yes s-sir." I replied.

"Now go, you worthless piece of shit." At that, he pushed me towards the door. Thankfully I had all my stuff that I needed, but it still sent a whole new round of pain towards my ribs. He slammed the door shut and I began walking...or limping towards the bus stop.

Once reaching the bus stop, I noticed the bus was already pulling up. I waited as the people filed inside and once everyone had done so, I headed inside also. As I passed a seat, I realized Fang and Lissa were talking to each other. Lissa once seeing me smirked. She had known the type of relationship me and Fang had. Or used to have. That was until the popularity over threw Fang as my bestfriend. He looked at me blankly and rolled his eyes as he continued back to his conversation he was having. I gulped and ignored the slight pang I felt in my heart. I realized that there was an open seat and headed for it. I sat in it and looked up the window. I took out the book I was reading and tried to tune out everyone else as we headed towards hel-I mean school.

Finally arriving, I went to my first class.

Social Studies.

Thankfully I was really good at social studies and always sat in the back where I didn't stand out. Mr.P greeted me and I nodded. He didn't take it personally every time I didn't reply back. He grew accustomed to me not speaking which helped me a lot. If someone else tried talking to me or asking why I didn't talk, he stirred them away from me and sent me a wink towards my reaction. I smiled back, thankful for what he does. I headed towards the back and sat in my regular seat. I took out all my supplies that I needed, along with the textbook that seemed to weigh a million pounds. I began doodling on one side and everyone started coming inside. I ignored the usual glare I got from the girls and the lustful stares from the boys which I always get confused on. I mean, I'm not pretty at all. So WTF? Like really, give it a rest guys, don't think you would want to date an abused girl. Not that Jeb would even let me, if he ever found out I did date. Off with my head.

Once everyone was ready, as if on cue the bell rang. Mr.P headed towards the front of the class. And began speaking,

"Good morning everyone. Today I want you all to meet a new student we have gotten. Iggy? Would you like to introduce yourself?" He asked. I, confused tried to find the new kid. I realized the kid was sitting right next to me. He stood up and headed towards the front.

"I'm Iggy, yeah I know weird name. Anyway, I came from Washington and I like making bombs. That's it." At that, he headed back towards his seat, right next to me. I wanted to tell him he isn't the only person with a strange name. I mean, theirs Fang, and Maximum. Welcome to the club kid! I sighed deeply. I had a huge headache and all I wanted was to get a good nights sleep tonight. That's probably not gonna happen, I don't even have the slightest clue what Jeb has in mind for today. I bit my lip trying to shut out the fearful ideas he might have in store for me.

"Alright class, today we will be working on a group project. I have already picked groups. If I hear any complaining I would like you to exit the room. And if anyone has a problem with the group, then I guess you can do this project alone, which I advise you is not a good idea. Its a very difficult project and I assure you, you will need all the help you can get." Mr.P spoke.

I bit my lip when he mentioned group work. That means that we would have to go to other peoples house and coming home late. Which Jeb will not like. I thought about the partners I would get. Hopefully I get J.J, I mean, she and I don't talk, barely actually, but she seems pretty cool and chill about me. She knows I'm not comfortable with speaking, which in some ways are true. I don't speak in front of people, but around Jeb if he asks me something, I need to respond. Its not a want to, its a have to. I made the mistake on not responding once, and lets just say I couldn't walk for about a week.

"On that I will hand you each any everyone of you a sheet of your group and I want you all to get together, and speak to where you're going to meet. I suggest on certain days you meet at different houses, so on the day of representing the project, you're all used to moving it and another reason is because I want each and every group member to edit somethings on it. If you have ideas, speak with your group and then do it. But I want you all to participate. Now after reading the sheet get with your group and then I'll tell you what the project is about. Iggy, I had received news of you beforehand so you are paired up. Alright, Go." As Mr.P spoke, he was handing out the sheets so now everyone had one. I looked down, dreading who I would be partnered up with. I searched for my name and finally found it.

Maximum, Iggy, Nudge, and Fang.

My eyes widened. Fang? I was going to be paired up with Fang!? No, No, No. I cant. I c-cant! I motioned Mr.P to come to me and he nodded. One he was infront of me I wrote on a loose piece of paper.

Can I go to the bathroom?

He nodded and I sprinted out, trying to make it to the bathroom before my panic attack was full on motion.

"Hello, its me"

Chapter 2...whoopee! Anyway, sorry for the short chapters, its gives me more time to edit. Hopefully you liked this chapter. I swear I try to edit so everything makes sense! So I'm sorry for any mistakes!

Bye

Peace

...Out

~BlueJay8083