palexforever- Thanks for the review. Um, sure you can kill Chad?

The Swedish Mystery- Haha. I'm glad you liked the banter. I didn't know if it would work out the way I wanted, but I guess so. Thanks for reviewing

Alex.Nunez- Thanks for the review!

degrassijayandalex- Whoa! I gotta tell you, I was not expecting the first statement of the review to be "Well actually i hate palex". Haha! But thanks for the review, and don't worry, Jay at least will be in the story again. And about your feeling? Read on.

gammie220- Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked it

ScreamsInTheDark- Wow, I'm happy you thought the dialogue was some of the most convincing you've ever read! Thanks for the support

And now to GreysAnatLuver, lala59, withloveemi, Water Queen 17, and CassieCakes. I'm just gunna say that I wish you would have reviewed. Even if you just typed in 'good' (or 'bad' haha). Oh well, but please review

Thanks everyone, and now on to the story.

Don't own.


Looking up carelessly, Alex's eyes quickly widened with surprise…

"What do you want?" Alex whispered, both anger and fear displaying on her face.

There was no one around besides Paige, but Alex still felt the desire to keep her conversation with him quiet.

"I'm here to get my money!" Chad bellowed unnecessarily loud, causing Paige to look up from where she was. It was 7:30, and both girls were getting ready to go their separate ways.

Alex quickly exited from behind the counter and walked away from Paige, Chad following closely behind. Getting about 20 feet away, far enough away that Paige couldn't hear what they were saying, but close enough that she could see them clearly, Alex turned back to Chad.

"What money?" Alex asked, keeping her distance from Chad in case he decided to lash out.

"My money!" Chad said, as though that cleared up the confusion. "Your damn mother don't have any left, and I need some. Give me my paycheck." Chad demanded.

"Bu-but I can't!" Alex protested. "We're behind on the rent, and we need to pay up, or we'll be evicted! I don't even get my check until next Friday."

Chad took a threatening step forward, "I need it!" He shouted, getting another look from Paige who was starting to get worried. Though she didn't like Alex, she didn't want some guy to hurt her.

Alex looked down momentarily as she reached into her pocket. She only pulled out some change. Definitely not enough for any beer.

Seeing all that she had, Chad reached out and grabbed her wrist and twisted it slightly. "I need it" he repeated in a lower voice. This was not good.

"I don't have any money Chad! This is all I have!" Alex growled, trying to convince him to release her wrist. Trying to pull back her arm only resulted in Chad tightening his grip and twisting it more while pulling her closer to his body.

Alex yelped in pain.

"What's going on?" Paige's voice suddenly interrupted the conflict.

"None of your business kid. I'm her dad, and she needs to give me money for…groceries." Chad said, his eyes never leaving Alex.

Paige quickly dug into her purse and pulled out 30 dollars. She held out the money to Chad, who still hadn't released Alex's wrist. Alex was looking back at Chad with hatred displayed across her face, embarrassment for the attention she was receiving, and also pain.

"Is this enough? Alex let me borrow some money a while ago, and I guess I owe her some…" Paige lied unconvincingly.

However, the lying had no effect on Chad who quickly let go of Alex, pushing her away and turning and grabbing the money from Paige. Looking back at Alex, who was rubbing her injured wrist, he said, "These paychecks are now mine."

He intentionally bumped hard into her should as he passed her on the way out. In a heartbeat, Paige was at Alex's side. She gently took Alex's wrist and brought it up closer to her to inspect it.

"Does it hurt?" Paige asked quietly.

"I'll pay you back" Alex blurted out quickly. For some reason, that was what first came to her mind.

"Hon, its fine. Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Paige repeated.

"I need to go." Alex turned quickly and started out the door that Chad had exited only moments ago.

"Alex! Wait a minute!" Paige called as she ran to catch up with her. Alex kept walking, and Paige reached out and grabbed Alex's arm and spun her around. Immediately, Alex hissed in pain. Paige let go, and stepped back, finally understanding.

Both girls looked at one another. They were now outside. Paige sighed. "Alex, is he the one who did that to you?" She asked, referring to Alex's fat lip.

"Look… Just forget what happened, okay? I'll pay you back from the paycheck I get next Friday." Alex stated.

"Alex! It's just 30 dollars okay? I'm trying to ask you if you're okay!" Paige shouted.

Alex scoffed and turned her head, looking out at nothing specific. "Just 30 dollars?! Where I come from, that's not 'just'. You don't get it. You'll never get it, so just leave me alone. We're not friends. You're Paige and I'm Alex, and we come from completely different lives." She turned around and headed over to her jeep in the parking lot.

Paige didn't move from her spot. "Alex, you can't go back there." She called out.

"Yes I can. I always do, Paige."

"Alex, please! I can't just ignore this! If he hurts you, you have to call the police!" Paige pleaded.

"No Paige, I can't!! If I call the police, you wanna know what will happen? Social Services will come and see that my Mom is a neglectful drunk, and her boyfriend is an abusive drunk. Then you wanna know what will happen? I'll be put into foster care! So no, I won't call the police, and neither will you! Now just forget what happened and keep your mouth shut." And with that, Alex got into her jeep and sped off.

Paige stayed standing there, her heart breaking for the girl she always had hated. But now, she felt something…


Sorry, I know it was short, but whatever.

Come on kids, review

-IAO