"That movie was GREAT!" Bijou exclaimed as we walked out of the theatre.
"Yeah, I thought it was cool." Stan said.
"Oh, please, Stan. I saw your eyes glued to the screen the entire time. You were so like, totally into it." I laughed. Just then, my cell phone started ringing.
"Hello?" I answered
"Honey? Hey, it's mom. Listen. Your father came over here to speak with you and I told him you were out with some friends. He didn't like that too much and now he is going to get you. Just come straight home now." My stomach dropped
"How long ago did he leave?" I asked her
"About 2 minutes ago. He should be there any moment. Just hurry."
"Ok, mom. I love you, bye."
"Bye, Baby." I hung up the phone.
"Stan, we have to go." I started rushing to my car.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
I froze. My dad stood not 2 yards in front of me.
"I thought I told you I didn't want you going out." He looked over at me.
"I thought I could because I finished everything and have nothing left to do-"I tried to explain.
He slapped me across the face, hard enough to knock me back. Bijou and Pashmina gasped while everyone else's jaws hit the ground. "Don't you EVER TALK BACK TO ME! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN STUDING INSTEAD OF FUCKING AROUND AT THE MOVIES!"
"Sir, there isno need for violence." Maxwell told him, walking towards me.
"I will do whatever I want! She is MY daughter! I bet all YOU want is to get into her pants, huh!"
"That's highly inappropriate and I will be forced to call the authorities if you refuse to leave." He reached me and held on to my shoulders. I really felt protected for once in a very long time.
"Ok, I'll leave." He started stepping backwards. "Oh, and kids, I'll deal with you later." And with that, he left us to stare after him.
"Oh my God, Sandy! Are you ok!" Bijou yelled as she and Pashmina ran towards me. I just nodded my head and walked towards my car.
"Who's driving with me?" I asked as I got in. Maxwell started walking towards the car and got in. I turned on the car and headed home, not sure if the girls were staying the night.
"Thanks, Max, back there, I mean…"
"I had no idea what he did to you, Sandy. Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"I don't know. I figured I only have another 6 months and then I don't have to see him ever again." I smiled at him.
"How long has he been doing… that to you?" He asked
"I don't know. He did around the time my evil step mother came into the picture."
"Is she a bitch to you too? What does she do?"
"She provokes my dad. Mostly. Her and her children are the most "perfect" family ever. Or so says my dad. But I shouldn't be putting this all on you. I'm fine, thanks to you, and it's over with." I put on my best fake smile, but he saw right through it.
"You really need to stop that." He sighed
"What do you mean?"
"Those smiles. I know they are blinding the others from your hurt but it doesn't fool me. We've known each other since we were, what, 5, 6 maybe?"
"Yeah, I know. I just don't want to draw more attention to myself at school. I know I may sound like a brat, but I hate the spotlight. I really do."
"I know. And you're not a brat for it. Your personal life gets spread around like a rumor. I hear about it almost every day. Kind of sad actually, they said this morning that I was a football player, they got it all wrong."
"What?"
"I was the one who was "flirting" with you on the way to school. Remember?" We laughed.
"People are so stupid, it's ridiculous." I told him smiling.
"Now that's better."
"What?" I looked at him
"A second ago, that was a real smile." I smiled again, not being able to contain it.
"Well, we're here." I parked the car and got out. We were about to go into the front door when is swung open.
"Sandy! Oh, my Baby! I am so sorry! I couldn't stop him! Did you get hurt!" She rambled as she pulled me inside
"Shh, mom. You're going towake upthe neighbors! I'm fi-"
"She might have a bruise on the side of her face, Mrs. Nancy." Maxwell told her
"Oh my! I'll go get some ice." She ran off to the kitchen while I sat on the couch.
"Why did you have to tell her?" I asked him under my breath, "She gets hysterical if anything like this happeneds."
"I just want to make sure it's taken care of. Knowing you, you'd probably just put make-up on it." He laughed. "Here, let me see." He put his hand to my face and turned it so he could see it. "Well, I'm no doctor, but I think it will be fine." He smiled
"Thanks." He kept his hand there and we just kept looking into each other's eyes. We started leaning in. Our lips nearly touched when…
"Oh, Sandy!" My mom came running down the hallway. Maxwell and I pulled apart fast and sat up straight. "Now, did he do anything else, dear?" My mom asked me.
"No mom, Maxwell stopped him from doing anything else." I answered as I smiled at him
"Oh? Maxwell, dear, what did you say that could stop such a horrible man?"
"I didn't do anything, really, I'm sure anyone else would have done the same…"
"He told dad that if he didn't leave, he would be forced to call the authorities." I smiled at him
"Oh, Maxwell! That was so sweet of you! Thank you, dear!" She hugged him. "Now come Sandy, let me clean that mess up." She said walking back to the kitchen. I sighed, and got up.
"Thanks, Maxy." I smiled and left for the kitchen.
