Chapter 9

Alex pushed the contents of her salad around as Harper babbled about auditioning for the school play.

"You know pushing it around isn't going to make it disappear." Dean said as he watched his girlfriend play with her lunch from the seat beside him.

She sighed before slipping a forkful of lettuce into her mouth. "Happy?"

"I'll be happy when you finish it." He told her gently. He burrowed his eyebrows as he watched her stand. "Where are you going?"

"To get a water."

"I can go for you." He offered.

"No, I'm perfectly capable of getting myself a water." She snapped bitterly.

"Okay." Dean nodded. He knew she didn't mean to yell at him; she was frustrated.

Alex walked across the cafeteria to the vending machine in the corner. Guilt swam in the pit of her stomach for snapping at Dean. He was only trying to help and he had been amazing throughout all of this. She slipped a dollar into the slot and glanced at the drink selections to find the correct number. A large hand rested on her shoulder, causing her to flinch. She spun around quickly and her breath caught in her throat when her eyes met Mason's.

"Hello Alex." He smirked.

She attempted to walk passed him, but he backed her into the vending machine. Her stomach bubbled with nausea as he pressed his body against hers. "Get away from me."

"I can't do that." He whispered in her ear; his hot breath sending unpleasant shivers down her spine. Her muscles tensed as his hand rested on her hip, squeezing it tightly.

"Get away from her!" Dean's voice boomed throughout the cafeteria, capturing the attention of nearby students. He stormed towards Mason and latched onto the back collar of his shirt. He pulled him away from Alex and shoved him.

"Dean." Alex gasped with shock. The veins in Dean's neck protruding. Alex stepped in front of him before things escalated. She knew he was seconds from punching Mason. She placed a hand on his chest. "Let's just go sit back down."

"Hey, it's not my fault you can't keep her satisfied." A smirk stretched across Mason's lips as he taunted Dean.

Dean grunted as he lunged. Alex tugged at his arm. "Dean, it's not worth it."

"What's going on over here?"

Alex whipped her head around to find her younger brother approaching the scene. "Nothing. It's fine, Max."

Max narrowed his eyes at Mason. He took a step towards him and pointed his index finger in Mason's face. "You stop harassing her. Stay away from her."

Mason threw his hands up defensively. "She's the one who can't stay away from me."

Alex squeezed Dean's hand in an attempt to calm him. She watched as her brother clenched his fists and she feared what he would do. Dean could handle a fight against Mason, but Max was not as strong. She reached out to pull on his arm. "C'mon, Max."

"I have all the proof right here." Mason's smirk grew wider as he reached into his pocket. A pair of lacy black underwear dangled from his hand.

Alex froze as her eyes gawked at the undergarment in his hands. Her stomach plummeted. Sweat beaded on her forehead, yet goosebumps painted her skin. Her throat closed. Those were her underwear; the ones she wore the night of the party. She felt Harper's hand on her shoulder. Alex shrugged it off as bile rose in her throat. She darted towards the nearest garbage can as the contents of her stomach spilled from her throat.

Dean's heart hammered with rage. He clenched his jaw tightly as his eyes examined the article of clothing in Mason's hands. It was as if Mason had a death wish; he pushed Dean further and further every time and Dean was almost positive he could kill Mason with his own two hands. He was about to lunge at Mason when a small groan snapped him out of his fury. He whipped his head towards the sound to find Alex racing towards the garbage with a hand clutched her stomach. All thoughts of attacking Mason escaped his mind. His only concern right now was to make sure that Alex was okay.

He dashed to her side and gathered her curls back as she vomited into the garbage can. His other hand rubbed soothing circles on her back. Harper stood on the opposite side of her watching with shock written across her features. Everything had happened so fast; one minute Alex was getting a water bottle, the next Dean was running from the table, and the next Mason was taunting them with evidence and Alex was vomiting.

"Thank you for this souvenir, Alex." Mason grinned, fully aware that the entire cafeteria was watching the scene.

Alex's stomach lurched. There was nothing left in her stomach, leaving her to dry heave over the garbage.

Max dove towards Mason, swinging his fist to his jaw. Harper's eyes grew wide as a gasp escaped her lips. She latched onto his arm and pulled him back before he or Mason had the chance to do anything else.

"What in the world is going on in here?" Mr. Laritate shouted as he entered the scene. His eyes darted from Mason, one hand holding a pair of underwear and the other pressing against his red jaw, to Harper holding back a fuming Max, to Alex who was bent over a garbage can with Dean holding back her hair. The principle could not piece together what had possibly occurred.

"He won't leave Alex alone!" Max yelled through gritted teeth as he pointed an accusing finger at Mason.

Mason feigned shock. "Mr. Laritate, Alex came to me. Her boyfriend and brother just can't handle the fact that she's a slut."

Max grunted and took a step towards Mason, but Harper tightened her grip on his arm.

Alex had finally stopped gagging, but she remained glued to her spot.

"I've had enough of this! Miss. Russo, you need to settle your boy problems outside of my school!" Mr. Laritate shook his head in disapproval. "Max, Mason, in my office now."

"Max, don't say anything." Alex warned her brother in a strained voice.

Max frowned in displeasure, but nodded his head. "I won't."

Mason winked at Alex before he exited the cafeteria behind the principle.

Alex swallowed the lump in her throat as her mind tried to process the last five minutes. She felt everyone's eyes burning her skin. Her breath shallowed. "I…I need to get out of here." She whispered to Dean and Harper before she practically ran out of the cafeteria, the click of her boots echoing throughout the unusually quiet cafeteria.

Dean followed his girlfriend's footsteps. He found her at the end of the hallway, sitting on the floor with her back against the wall and her knees drawn to her chest. Her hand rested on her heaving chest. He walked towards her and kneeled before her. Her panicked eyes met his. "I…I can't breathe."

"You're okay. You're having a panic attack. It's going to pass. Deep breaths, in and out." He said soothingly. He gently took her hand and brought it to his chest. "Follow my breaths. In and out, in and out."

Alex focused on the gentle rise and fall of Dean's chest. The burning pressure in her chest began to subside. Her lungs seemed to finally fill with oxygen. The room began to stop spinning. Her hand fell from his chest to her lap as she rested her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.

Dean scooted himself over so he was against the wall beside her. He reached into her lap to take her hand in his and intertwine their fingers. After a moment of silent, Dean turned his head to look at Alex. "Do you want to tell me what's going on in your head?"

She turned her head to face him. "Those…those were my underwear from that night."

Dean gently ran his thumb over the top of her hand. "I had a feeling they were."

"When I woke up I couldn't find them. My jeans were ripped and I was bleeding and I couldn't find my underwear." Her voice shook as she recalled herself searching the room frantically and hysterically. "I…I thought I just couldn't find them, but he took them."

Dean frowned. He was glad she was opening about what happened, but the more he heard, the more his heart broke and his blood boiled. Guilt swam in the pit of his stomach as he recalled storming off and leaving her at the party alone. "I hate myself for leaving you there. If I…"

"Stop." She interjected softly. "I don't want you to blame yourself. I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault."

"You know it wasn't yours, right?" Dean asked. Her silence made his stomach ache and he searched her eyes for evidence to dispute his assumptions. She closed her eyes for a moment. "Alex…"

"I… don't remember leaving my drink anywhere, but I must of. I should have been more careful. I should have realized he was dangerous too. He was so possessive and jealous."

"Just like I should have stayed at the party with you, but you don't blame me. Even if you left your drink unattended, it doesn't make it your fault. It didn't give anyone the right to put something in it. And he tricked you into thinking he was a nice guy and even if you realized he was dangerous he may have found a way to do what he wanted to do anyway."

Alex leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. "I just want him to go away and forget everything."

Dean wished there was some way he could grant her that. He brought her hands to his lips and planted a soft kiss to the top of her hand. "I know and I wish I could make that happen, but you will get through this."

Alex tilted her head and rested it on Dean's shoulder. Dean turned and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. The two sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying one another's presence, for the rest of the lunch period

Thanks for reading! More drama ensues next chapter. Review!