So, new chapter, its shit but yeah lemme know what you think

Alex's POV:

I thanked Ms. Munroe for giving us a lift before starting to walk inside. As we approached the door I could hear shouting so held Max behind me slightly. Literally as soon as we walked in the door and into the kitchen my dad threw something at me but it missed as I ducked and went straight through the window. I glanced out noticing Ms. Munroe was still there in her car so I bent down behind the counter with Max.

''Listen to me Max, you go outside and don't come back. You go down to the ice cream shop yeah and wait for me to come and get you, don't say anything to anyone until I'm with you'' I looked at Max's face, he looked like he was about to cry.

''But Lexi'' he said shakily.

''Hey bud, look at me'' I tilted his chin slightly so he was looking at me. ''I'll be fine, just go I don't want you getting hurt'' I said and he nodded. I pulled him into a hug before telling Max to go as he ran for the door and I stood up to face my dad who was currently on a rampage around the living room whilst Mum had just passed out onto the sofa drunk. 'Fuck' I muttered.

''YOU'' He shouted pointing at me and I gulped. I didn't want a repeat of yesterday; my head was still hurting as it is. ''COME HERE'' I just shook my head as he started to walk towards me. ''DISOBEDIENT LITTLE WHORE'' he said as he cornered me against the wall.

''What do you want!?'' I spat at him.

''Don't fucking talk to me like that'' he went to hit me but I ducked as he hit the wall. ''BITCH'' he screamed as he kicked my leg causing me to fall to the floor in pain as I clutched onto my leg.

''Piss off'' I snapped at him but that was a bad move, he kicked my stomach as I rolled over from the impact crying out in pain. I wasn't going through this again. I grabbed his leg and pulled with as much force as I could making him fall onto the floor. I quickly got up and limped to the door just as he was getting up.

''Get the fuck back here'' he yelled as I went out the door I knew he was following me so I started to run ignoring the pain that was coming from my leg and stomach. I had to keep going, I wasn't going to stop until I reached Max. When I got there I leaned forward trying to catch my breath before I looked up and saw Max with Ms Munroe. Fuck I thought to myself before limping over. I instantly pulled Max into my lap and rested my head on his shoulder.

''Alex what happened?''

''Parents were fighting, I had to try and stop them before they broke something other than the window'' I quickly lied but then noticed her expression as she glanced down to Max. ''Before you ask I sent Max out because I didn't want him in the middle of things''

''Alex your brother is so young, that was probably more dangerous than him staying at home'' Hah yeah if only, I thought to myself before looking up.

''I knew you were still there'' Now that part wasn't a lie.

''Why were you limping?'' she questioned as I widened my eyes slightly in shock. Fuck I forgot about that.

''Never get in-between a fight between your parents when they are at the stage of throwing things at each other. I had move out the way and ended up hitting my shin on the table'' I quickly lied and she looked at me before dropping the subject and offering me an ice cream which I quickly declined.

Max moved slightly on my lap and as he did so he elbowed me in the stomach slightly causing me to wince but luckily Ms. Munroe was too busy looking out the window. ''Max I'm gonna go to the toilet real quick'' I said before he scooted back onto the seat as I got up and walking to the bathroom trying my best not to limp. Once I was in there and noticed no one else around I looked into the mirror and lifted my shirt slightly to expose my stomach which was covered in a blackish and purple patch. ''Fuck sake'' I mumbled to myself before walking back out into the main shop and sitting back down next to Max.

I noticed that it was starting to get darker outside and it looked like it was going to rain. Ms Munroe however was just staring at me. ''What'' I snapped a littler harsher than expected and I saw her face flash with hurt for a second. ''Sorry'' I mumbled.

''Don't worry about it...'' she said but I knew she was thinking about something else.

''Just ask me'' I said.

''I was just wondering about something Max said'' she looked down before looking up to meet my eyes. I nodded my head motioning for her to go on. ''When he said about you getting angry and then becoming sad'' she spoke quietly. I instantly looked down at Max shooting him a glare and he just looked up at me but when he met my eyes he looked away.

''What about it'' I said as I turned back to face her.

''What did he mean by it?'' She asked raising her eyebrow at me. I didn't know what to say. I shifted slightly looking around trying not to meet her eyes as I spoke.

''Erm well'' I scratched the back of my head before continuing. ''When I get pissed off I just yeah I don't know why really'' Truth was I knew exactly why and so did Max but I wasn't going to say anything to hint at our home life.

''Alex, I know your lying to me'' she simply stated.

''What'' I said out of shock when she said that. ''Just drop it yeah'' I looked down at Max who was looking up at me with worried eyes now.

''Alex...''

''Just drop it!'' I shouted causing people to turn their heads and stare.

''Alex calm down'' she said calmly.

''NO'' I screamed before picking Max up ignoring the pain in my stomach, my leg wasn't hurting as much now so I could walk fast. I stormed out the shop into the now pouring rain and started towards our house. Ms. Munroe didn't even come after me for a change; she just sat there completely shocked.

By the time we got back Max and I were both completely soaked. We snuck into the house avoiding my parents and Justin who were nowhere in sight and headed upstairs to the bathroom that was connected to my room. ''Come on let's get you out of these clothes'' I said to Max as I started to help him undress and turn the shower on and checked the temperature. Max looked at me before getting in the shower to warm up. I would wait until he was out before I had mine so for now I sat there waiting in my wet clothes. I couldn't be bothered to change out of them. By the time Max was done I was literally shaking I was so cold.

''Alright Max, stay in my room and lock the bedroom door yeah?'' I asked and he nodded knowing the drill. I didn't even bother taking my clothes off I just dived straight into the shower I would take them off once I was in. The water stung slightly because of the change in temperature as it hit my bare skin but eventually it stopped and just became relaxing.

Eventually I was changed and sat in my room with Max. ''You hungry bud?'' I asked him and he nodded. ''Alright I'm going to get food, when I leave lock the door behind me and don't let anyone in okay?'' I wasn't risking anyone hurting my little brother. He had a sad look on his face but nodded anyway. ''Okay then'' I got up and walked to the door as he followed. I stepped outside until I heard the click of the lock and went to the kitchen.

Dad was sat in front of the tv with a beer in his hand now. I had no idea where mum and Justin were but that was technically a good thing. I tried to creep into the kitchen without him noticing but the floor board creaked and his head snapped up as he looked at me his eyes darkened as he got up and walked towards me. I had nowhere to go; I had backed into the wall. Damn I have to stop doing that. I thought to myself.

''I told you that you would pay for earlier'' his voice was low as he gripped my wrist tightly. I just closed my eyes waiting for it to be over but that didn't escape the cries as they escaped my lips.

Max's POV:

I could hear Lexis's screams from downstairs. I knew what daddy was doing to her. I wanted to help but she would be mad that I left the room and then daddy would hit me too. I curled up on Alex's bed with my teddy as I tried to block out the noise from downstairs. I didn't know what to do.

It was a while later and the screams had stopped after the front door slammed. I was waiting for Lexi to come and save me but she still hadn't come. There was a ringing noise coming from Alex's phone so I picked it up and didn't say anything.

''Alex?'' The voice sounded familiar but I still didn't respond until I heard Alex's faint voice from the hallway.

''M...Max'' she called and I got up walking to the door with the phone still in my hand as I unlocked it. I didn't know what to do when I saw Alex standing there with a plate of food so I just cried as she walked in locking the door behind her and sliding down the door. ''Shhh M..Max it's o...o...okay'' she spoke to me but then she noticed the phone in my hand. She picked it up and quickly pressed a button before putting on the floor besides her.

The next few days passed slowly but on Sunday night it happened again. I was in Alex's room and I could hear her screaming downstairs. I didn't want her to be hurting anymore so I reached up to the lock and walked towards the stairs looking down into the living room where Alex was on the floor with daddy standing over her. The next thing I remembered was waking up in Lexis's arms. She was looking down at me with tears coming down her face.

Sonny's POV:

I didn't know how to react to Alex's outburst earlier. I shouldn't have let them walk home in the rain I knew that much for sure but I was too shocked to do anything else. I was not sat at home trying to mark students work but I couldn't focus. I knew something more was going on then Alex was saying and I was worried. I decided to ring her.

It rang for a while before someone picked up but no one spoke. I just heard their breathing on the other end. ''Alex?'' still no response until I heard a quiet voice in the background before footsteps and what sounded like a lock clicking and a door creaking open. The next thing I heard I didn't expect. I heard crying, it sounded like Max and that was when Alex spoke.

''Shhhh M...Max it's o...o...okay'' her voice was faint and it sounded like she had been crying too. The next thing I knew I was listening to the dial tone. There was something up and I knew it.

S: Alex, what's going on

A: JUST FUCK OFF

Was all she replied after around 10 mins or so and that hurt, I was only trying to help. I didn't text back after that or for the rest of the weekend. I was not looking forward to Monday. Having Alex in my homeroom and lessons was just going to make me even more annoyed with her.

On Monday morning I was sat at my desks as students began to arrive. As usual Alex wasn't here yet. It was at that moment that she walked into the room with her hood up completely ignoring me and going to sit besides Taylor. I watched as Taylors face turned to shock before concern and anger as she pulled back Alex's hoodie slightly. It was then that she just pulled Alex into a hug and held her. I swear I could hear crying but why should I even care.

''Miss Russo, hood down now'' I said and Taylor looked over at me glaring and just shook her head. ''Oh so you would like to join her in detention Taylor?'' She just glared at me again before turning back to Alex in her arms. ''Russo hood down now or get out'' I snapped and Alex seemed to jump at my voice. She pushed herself up gripping the desk as she started to walk towards the door. It was at that moment I knew she was crying. Taylor got up and walked out behind her. I knew that I should see what's wrong but at the moment I was too pissed to care.

I looked out to the hallway to see Alex sat on the floor covering her face with her hands, hood still up whilst Taylor knelt down next to her obviously trying to calm her down. It was then that I realised something was really up. I sighed looking down at my desk and when I looked back Taylor was helping Alex to her feet before they walked off. I knew that their first class was English so I would just wait until then to ask about it. Soon enough the bell rang and Taylor came to the door late but no Alex. I told her to wait outside.

''Alright guys, just recap what we were doing last lesson and I'll be back in a second'' I spoke to the class as I got up and walked to find Taylor. ''Why are you late'' I said bluntly.

''I was with Alex'' You could hear the anger in her voice as she spoke.

''Where is Alex?''

''She's outside in peace crying to herself'' That made me pause slightly before I spoke up again.

''Why is she crying?''

''None of your fucking business, you don't care anyway'' She spat at me.

''She was the one who told me to fuck off'' I spat back at her feeling the anger start to build inside me. ''Why should I fucking care when she won't tell me anything!?'' I said raising my voice now and Taylor just glared at me.

''YOU DONT UNDERSTAND DO YOU?'' She screamed at me. ''SHE DOESN'T TELL ANYONE BECAUSE SHE CAN'T, SHES SCARED OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN. FUCK SAKE ARE YOU BLIND OR WHAT'' She finished before turning and starting to walk away.

''What do you mean?'' I said quietly not realising Taylor didn't hear me. I turned back to my classroom and walked in to find everyone staring at me after the screaming match outside.

The rest of the day passed quickly. I tried my best to focus on teaching but I was struggling. I was just about to pack my stuff up when my phone buzzed. I quickly looked down at the message.

A: Can you get Max for me please?

S: Why should I.

A: Please... I can't do this right now

S: What's going on Alex?

A: Please just get Max for me

I didn't respond after that, I just went out to my car and drove down to Max's school. I walked into the playground but couldn't see sign of Max anywhere. I walked up to the doors and into the office. The lady at the desk looked up and smiled at me.

''How can I help?'' She asked.

''I'm meant to be picking Max up but he wasn't in the playground'' her face fell slightly when I mentioned Max.

''Follow me'' she said as I walked through a door and followed her down the hallway. ''Max was acting a bit strange today and when we asked he just started crying. All he would say is 'I'm sorry Lexi' he wouldn't speak to anyone'' I was even more confused now as she opened and door for me and let me walk in. Max automatically looked up and when he saw me just ran into my arms. I wiped his tears with my thumb before picking him up.

''What's wrong Max?'' I questioned.

''Lexi is hurt'' he sniffled and I wonder what he meant by that.

''What? Who hurt her?'' I asked and he just shook his head. I put down my phone and texted Alex.

S: What the hell is going on!?

A: Don't ask, please just look after Max for tonight

S: Why should I?

A: Because you're a good person and you know when something is up

A: So please just watch him tonight

S: What about you?

A: Don't worry about me

S: But I do

A: Please just don't

I sighed and looked down at Max who was waiting patiently. ''Looks like your spending the night with me Maxy'' I said as I picked him up again.

''What about Lexi? You can't leave her!'' He cried and started to struggle in my arms.

''Hey Max, calm down she's going to be fine'' I said as I rubbed his back slightly trying to calm him down before I took him back to my house and he went straight to bed obviously tired. I couldn't sleep at all that night. I just kept thinking about Alex.

*Next Day*

I was sat in my class room waiting for the kids to come into homeroom which started in roughly 10 mins. It was then that Alex walked in like the day before with her hood up and just went to the back of the room. ''Alex hood'' I stated and she just ignored me. ''ALEX! Hood down!'' I shouted this time but she still didn't do anything. I walked up to her this time. ''ALEX PUT YOUR HOOD DOWN'' I shouted standing right in front of her and she suddenly started to shake as she moved back slightly falling off her chair but that didn't faze her she just kept moving back until she was backed into the corner on the floor with her knees brought to her chest.

''For the last time Alex hood down!'' I shouted.

''P...please d...don't hurt m...me'' She whispered.

''What?!'' I shouted more out of shock then anger and that was when I heard her crying. At that moment I heard the classroom door open and I looked up to see Taylor who instantly ran to Alex's side and pulled her into her arms as she looked up at me.

''What the fuck did you do'' she growled at me.

''I didn- I just told her to take her hood down'' she muttered something under her breath before she turned her attention back to Alex. I was so confused right now, what did I do? Why did she think I would hurt her.

''Shhh Alex it's okay'' Taylor said to Alex trying to calm her down and wipe her tears. ''Come on don't do this Alex, we'll go back to mine'' Alex's crying stopped but she was still shaking.

''Taylor, Alex. Tell me what the hell is going on'' I stated firmly as Taylor looked up at me before shaking her head and Alex followed. ''Fine, I give up. Suffer in silence'' I said and walked out the room but not before I heard Alex's sobs again.