Another chapter. Please leave a review. Updated: Nov 14, 11. Words: 1287.

.?/|?_..-…_

Monique won't stop talking. I guess she fills the void of no one else talking. Max is looking depressed, and Dylan looks pissed and Monique looks so excited like I told her Christmas is coming two weeks early. It's annoying. We're a fun bunch of dramatic teenagers. "I've been waiting to see this movie for years. Years, James. Thank you for taking me to see it," Monique says, hanging on to my arm like it's a life preserver. And I don't have the heart to shake it off.

"No problem, Monique," I say and look over to where Max and Dylan are having a hushed argument. I flinch once Dylan's hand goes to Max's arm and squeezes, hard. Max's face is out raged and she pulls her arm from his grasp, turning to walk away. But he pulls her back with some force and I have the urge to go over there. To beat the fucking shit out of him for handling her like that. But Monique is talking to me; and all I smell is burnt popcorn and tried to make out what he's whispering in her ear, but I can't hear anything. Not a fucking thing. Max looks over to Monique and I, like she knew I was watching. Her eyes are glassy and I can see her shaking. Monique pulls me along, offering to buy me a soda. Dylan sullenly follows, and Max ghosts around us. Afraid to make any sudden movements.

We're going to see some stupid romantic comedy. Most teenagers go here to make out, and I don't see that happening with any of us. Monique is a year younger, and I don't think I could do that do her considering I'm pinning after her best friend. Dylan looks like he's ready to kill someone. And Max is curling into herself. Dylan made a fuss about me sitting beside her, so she's sandwiched between Monique and her abusive boyfriend. And I'm sitting beside this wonderful girl that I'm not interested in. and I think I don't want to break her heart. But I know it's going to happen.

._._._._._._.

We all carpooled in my car. I've already dropped Monique off at her house, and next is Dylan because Max lives closest to me; which I wouldn't have known if I didn't have her in my sociology class, because she seems to have slipped under my radar until this point in time. Dylan gets out, mumbling a thank you and slamming my door shut. Leaving Max and I alone in the car. And I'm itching to say something about what happened tonight. But that dead look in her eyes scares me, so I keep my mouth shut. Don't touch the radio. Try not to look back at the beautifully sad girl in my backseat.

"Did you see that?" her voice is a whisper and I strain to hear it. I nod silently and she whispers, "Shit."

I almost laugh at the reality of all of this. A friend in an abusive relationship. What the hell do I do? Do I do anything? "Is that the first time?" my voice seems so loud in the cramped car. She's curled herself in a ball, snuggling up to the left window. I wish I could see her face. I wish she would tell me how to help her.

"N-no," her voice is clouded with tears. "God no," her voice cracks and she takes in a choked breath. My heart stills. I can't let her go home a crying mess. Her parents will ask questions. And I'm sure she doesn't want anyone to know. "I'm so fucking crazy to let this go on as long as it has."

"Max," I say my voice calm. She begins to sob and I pull into the empty laneway, thanking God that my parents are at some art function. I turn off the car and get out of my seat, opening her door. Helping her out of the car. She is a blubbering mess. "Shh. It's okay. You can stay at my place."

She trips a lot as we make our way up the stairs. Her voice is scratchy. "Thanks, James," she breathes out as I help her get her shoes off. I smile and nod, getting her settled on the couch before turning the kettle on and running to get her some comfy clothes. I hear thunder and then it's really dark. And I hear whimpering.

"Max?" I ask and someone grabs my arm, small fragile fingers. She's pressed against me. Her heart is racing. Hell, my heart is racing. The wind shakes the house. "Hey, it's okay. Let's find a lighter," I say fishing my phone out of my pocket. I hold her hand tightly, feeling her body shaking. "Calm down. It's okay. Nothing will get you."

She takes a big shaky breath. I smile when I find a flashlight. I hand her a t-shirt and some jogging pants of mine. And I hand her the flashlight. And I promise to stand in front of the door until she's done. I hear water running. I try to focus on anything but what she's doing in there. I hear clothes hit the floor and gulp. My fingers twitch. Goddamnit, I hate being a teenage boy.

"My mom told me to stay put. She says there's a huge storm coming off the lake. Stay away from windows," she says, coming out of the bathroom and shining me in the eyes with the flashlight. "Sorry. Thank you again, James."

"Call me Iggy," my voice is gruff and I walk in front of her, trying to hide myself from her. My t-shirt drowns her tiny frame, the sweatpants hanging loosely. "Would you like a glass of water?" please say yes, let me get away. If only for a minute.

"Sure," she says, sitting down on the couch. Her eyes are red and swollen and when I'm in the kitchen I look for another flashlight. "Hey, Iggy?"

"Yeah?" I call out, hitting my head on a door. I walk into the living room with a glass of water and a new flashlight. She's looking at me blankly. "What can I do for you?"

"Monique doesn't know," she whispers. "She's my best friend and she doesn't know that my boyfriend uses me as a punching bag," her voice is soft and she's vulnerable as she looks up at me. Her face is soft. "I really don't want anyone to know. He already talks about it with his buddies. I don't need anyone else knowing. Please, Iggy. Don't tell anyone. Take it to your grave for me. Please."

I close my eyes and sit down beside her. "You have my word, Max. I'll be quiet. Unless something big happens. I'm not going to stand by and let him hurt you. You may not know me well, but I'm protective over my friends," and crushes I add silently. She nods, her hair falling all over the place. "You play the perfect part so well. How long has this been going on?"

Her hands grasp my t-shirt she's wearing. She's nervous. Her knuckles go white and I reach out and smooth her hand out. "Too long," she whispers, closing her eyes. I sigh, my heart dropping. "Since we first started dating."

My heart stutters in my chest as her phone goes off. She looks down at it and frowns. "It's him, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do," she breaks off in broken breaths. And the phone slips from her hands and I pull her closer to me. Surrounding myself with Max. Maxmaxmaxmax. I don't think I've ever been so close to heaven.

._.-_._._._-.-_.-._

Please leave a comment below. I'm proud of this baby