Chapter 7. We're making progress :P Stay with me guys! It's gonna get real good soon... x

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

I speed-walked home, my back pack smacking into my side, my head down and my stomach in tight knots.

They were coming back.

The memories...

I watched the scene unfold before me. I knew something was wrong, but no one would tell me what. I waited, my right hand holding the picture of Speckle the fish I had drawn in school, and the left holding Mrs Clapham's hand.

I didn't want to hold her big, sweaty palm, but she wouldn't let go.

I waited, shifting impatiently from foot to foot.

"Mrs Clapham-"

"Hush, Maxy, hush."

"But-"

"Hush."

I glared at her, but shut up. She seemed on the verge of tears.

I was stuck at the very back of the crowds, before a man came through the crowds and looked straight at me.

"Is that her?" He asked. He was wearing a green uniform.

"Yes." I said. He looked at me and raised his eyebrows. "Is that him?" I pointed at him and looked at Mrs Clapham.

"Ignore her. She's just a bit cheeky."

The guy nodded.

Then somehow, he and Mrs Clapham got me home where I was put in bed and told to stay put.

I got impatient again after fifteen minutes, and went exploring. I wondered where my Mum was. She might be teaching late. I sighed and went to colour in Speckle.

"Maximum?"

I snapped out of my reverie and found myself at the door of the house, staring at a red-faced Jeb.

"You're late." He said. His voice was low and uneven.

"You're drunk."

I pushed past him, heading for my room, but was held back by a strong grip on my arm.

"Get off me." I hissed, trying to pull away. Jeb pulled me back roughly so I smacked against his chest. "Didn't you hear me Jeb? Get your filthy hands offme!"

I shoved him backwards and he stumbled, catching himself using the doorframe. I glanced to my left where Iggy and Gaz were standing in the doorway, watching the scene anxiously.

That was just before a large fist connected with the side of my face and I stumbled into the wall, a burning sensation moving down my neck as it snapped back. I heard a distant shout, and knew I was on the verge of passing out. Forcing my eyes to stay open, I pushed myself up with one shaking hand, squeezed it into a fist and threw it out at Jeb's face, the fury in me coming through with the force.

Jeb grunted and fell back.

I watched him drop, little mercy in my heart. He remained motionless for several moments, before he groaned and roared.

"Get out of my house, you filthy bitch!"

"Gladly." I was shaken, but tried to sound strong. I glanced at Iggy and Gaz again, and they moved to my side quickly. "Bastard."

I shoved the boys out of the house for the second time in only a few days, half of my face throbbing. The memories were threatening to come back.

But I refused entry. I couldn't let myself cry in front of my brothers.

Maximum Martinez never cries.

Ahh. I felt like I was Max punching Jeb when I wrote this. I get a bit emotional sometimes :P hope you liked that one. It's slightly more dramatic though. Hope I managed it okay :/ x