Warning: afew light swear words & violence
Standing at the corner, Max waited patiently for Joey to come, but Twenty minutes later he still wasn't there "What on earth is taking Joey so long, we were meant to meet me at this corner so we could walk together...maybe he's sick" Max thought to herself as she started making her way towards his house
"Thank goodness he told me where he lived yesterday & this is such a small town" Max whispered to herself
Spotting his house Max picked up the pace & started Jogging "I'm gonna be late to school at this rate" Max said as she got to the door, catching her breath first before knocking
"Hey Joey, are you home" she said pushing the door open but as she did she could hear yelling
"You ungrateful little bastard, I have done everything for you & you cant even stay home for one afternoon to look after your sister" A deep voice yelled as the sound of someone hitting the floor was heard
"I told ya yestaday...I wanna spend some time after school with a friend" the younger male said in a pained voice as Max snuck around the corner watching what was unfolding
" And how many times do I have to tell you...You dont...need friends" The man said punching Joey in the stomach repeatedly, "I have to do something or else he's going to kill Joey" Max thought as her eyes widened & then narrowed in anger
"Leave me alone...Dad, I havta...get ta school" Joey said as he coughed & spluttered "You dont have to go to that stupid place" his father said as he held onto the back of Joeys jacket collar
"Let...Me...Go" Joey said pulling against his Father grip, pulling back swiftly Joey's Father punch him straight in the face, knocking him to the ground
"Joey! No! Are you ok" Max said as she ran in & knelt beside Joey who looked up at her blurry eyed "M-Max is that you, you need to get out of h-here" Joey stuttered
"No, Im going to protect you" Max said as she stood up with her arms spread out to her sides "Dont Max, he will hurt you" Joey pleaded as he got up onto one knee "Nobody hurts my friends" Max growled
"So...You're Jo's "friend"...Now get out of my way...This boy needs...To be taught a lesson" Joey's dad said as he neared Joey with his fist raised "Leave him alone, I wont let you harm him" Max said with a blush
Trying to push Max out of the way, she grabbed his arm & flipped him over onto his back knocking him out "I told you Leave Him Alone!" Max growled putting her foot on his chest. Turning back to Joey, Max knelt down next to him again
"Are you ok Joey, look at your face" she said as she cupped his cheek & caressed it with her thumb "I'll be fine, Thanks Max, can you give me a hand up" he said putting his hand out
Taking his hand & carefully pulling him up onto his feet Max & Joey shared a tender moment as they stared into each others eyes while still holding hands, blushing slightly & turning her head away Max let go of Joey's hands "Um...We better get to school or else we are going to be late" Max said slightly Panicked
"I dunno, if I should go to school with this shiner, maybe I should have the day off" Joey said sadly, "What about your Dad, should I ring the police" Max said as she looked at him almost regretting what she did
"Nah he'll come right once he wakes up, but maybe I should go ta school, he can be grumpy when he wakes up" Joey said as he snuck out the door, letting Max out first
As the two friends walked to school Joey looked at Max "Y-you were really brave for sticking up for me to my dad, he can get really violent when he's been drinking, Thank you Max" Joey said kissing her cheek
"We are friends Joey, I will protect you at any cost" she said blushing "Where on earth did you learn that move, my Dad weighs heaps" Joey asked as he remembered what she had done to him
"I've taken Self defense classes for three years & that was the first move that we learnt" Max said smiling proudly "Well done you, that was so cool" Joey said smiling
Getting to the school the pair met up with Tea & Tristan & Yugi "Woah Joey, what happened to you" Tristan gapped pointing at his black eye "Who do you think did it, Tristan" Joey said sarcastically
"Did you do that to him Max?" Tea asked in concern "No, of course I didnt" Max said putting her hands on her hips "Leave 'er alone guys, it was ma Dad that did dis & Max protected me" Joey said putting his hand on her shoulder
"Thank you for protecting Joey, Max" Yugi said with a big smile "I never like letting my friends get hurt" Max said smiling at Joey "Hey, has anyone seen Atem, he didnt come home last night" Yugi asked looking around
"Yeah, I haven't seen Loretta yet either, she's usually here by now, I'm starting to get worried guys" Tea said looking around as well
"Um...Guys, your not going to believe this, but I just found Atem & Loretta" Tristan said pointing past them, as the group turned around they all gasped letting their mouths drop open, there was Atem & Loretta walking onto the school grounds together hand in hand
"And where have you two been" Yugi asked as he walked up to Atem "I messaged you & told you where I was last night" Atem protested
"Oh? Did you" Yugi said looking sheepish "Yes! I did, check your phone" Atem scowled as Yugi got his phone out of his pocket & checked his messages
"Oh, sorry Atem, I was worried when you didn't turn up last night & didn't know where you were" Yugi said giving Atem a small bow "When I went to drop Loretta off last night, her sister was talking to me & we talked for a bit too long & had to stay the night, but I slept on the couch, if you were wondering" Atem said narrowing his eyes at Yugi
"At least you are safe, now we better get to class" Yugi said as he turned to Atem "Come on you two lovebirds" Tea said taking Loretta's hand & dragging her away from Atem as the tips of his fingers slipped out of hers