What If?

Chapter Ten

Bruises and Ice Packs

(One week after the E) Saturday night, Emma's house

Shay was at Emma's house one week after the ecstasy escapades. Spike told Emma over the phone that Shay could stay because they were staying another night at Snake's parents house and that there was money on the table for pizza or whatever.

Emma grabbed the cordless phone, "I think we should just get some food. I would say, 'Let's get some alcohol instead.' But, considering we've been partying for the past, like week and a half, a relaxing night sounds pretty good."

Shay laughed and sat on the couch, "You are right. I like to party, but it's good to have a day off every now and then."

"Should we call anyone over?"

"How about just Ellie and Alex? The guys can do their thing, and we can do our thing."

"Sounds good. You call them, and I'll order some food. Pizza or Chinese?"

"Hmm...Chinese. Order a lot. I'll pitch in if you want."

'Alright. Go call."

"I am. I'm going outside to smoke a cigarette and call them."

Shay got up and walked outside. She pulled out her cigarettes and lit one. She put the pack down on the step and sat next to them. She dialed Ellie's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, El. It's Shay."

"What's up?"

"Nothing really. What are you doing tonight?"

Ellie laughed, "Not partying."

"Neither are Emma and me. However, Emma's parents are out for the night. So, you and Alex should come over. We can have like a girls night."

"Sounds cool. Can you pick me up?"

"Sure. I just gotta call Alex and let Emma know."

"Alright. See you soon."

"Bye."

Shay hit end, and then dialed Alex's number.

"What's up?"

"Not much. What are you doing toight?"

"Nothing. What are you doing?"

"Sleep over at Emma's. Girls only. The guys can go do what they want."

"Sounds cool."

"Need a ride?"

"Sure."

"Alright. Be there soon."

Shay hit end and threw her cigarette. She got up and walked back in the house, "Em? Where are you?"

She heard Emma answer, "I'm upstairs! Come on up!"

Shay headed up the stairs looking for Emma. She stopped at a room and walked in, "Who's room is this?"

"My parents. I'm looking for something."

"What?"

"Well, I know I said a relaxing night would be nice...But, in order to relax we need an herbal supplement."

"And you'll find that in here?"

"Yea. Snake had some when he was going through chemo."

"Interesting. Need help?"

"Sure. Look in my mom's draws."

Alex opened up a draw on the small dresser. She moved around some shirts and then her hand hit something, she pulled it out. It was small book like box with a lock on it. She put it back down, closed that draw and went to the next one when she heard Emma yell, "I FOUND IT!"

"Alright, good. I gotta go pick up Alex and Ellie." She pulled out some money, "Here's fifty just in case."

'Alright thanks."

"See you in a few."

Shay left and drove to Ellie's house. She saw Jay's car parked out front of the apartment. So, she went in. She knocked on the door and about two seconds later Sean answered, "Hey, Shay. Come in."

When Shay walked into the house she saw Ellie sitting on the couch, "Hey Shay."

"What's up?" Shay asked looking around for Jay.

Sean smiled at her, "He's in the bathroom."

Shay tried to look clueless, "Who?"

Ellie laughed, "Oh, you know who."

When Ellie finished, Jay walked out of the bathroom. Sean laughed, "Speak of the Devil."

Jay walked up to Shay and gave her a big hug, "What's on for tonight?"

Shay looked at Ellie, "You haven't told them?"

"And break their hearts?"

Shay rolled her eyes, "Wimp. It's girls night. So, you men are allowed to sit in front of the T.V. with your hands down your pants and burp without saying excuse me. You know, the whole male bonding thing."

Jay shook his head, "We can do that any night." Jay looked over to Sean, "How about a strip club?"

Ellie jumped off the couch and walked over to Shay, they both yelled, "NO FREAKING WAY!"

Sean laughed, "He is kidding you know."

"Whatever. We need to pick up Alex. So, call Craig. Tell him and Spinner to get their asses over here. Spin is with Craig right now so it'll be easy to get in touch with them. No strip clubs, no strippers, no porn, no whores. Just, behave." Shay said and then kissed Jay.

Ellie nodded, "Same goes for you Sean."

Sean gave Ellie a kiss on the forehead, "No worries. I only want you."

Shay and Ellie walked out to Shay's car, (She has the convertible back). They got in and drove to Alex's. Shay was about to beep the horn when she noticed Alex was hiding in bushes. She got a bad feeling, "El, stay here. Something's wrong. Get out your phone. Just in case." Ellie nodded and pulled out her phone. Shay got out of the car and quietly walked over to Alex's hiding spot.

"Alex, what's wrong?"

Alex had her head down, she slowly pulled it up. Her left eye was all red, and was slowly turning black and blue. Shay could see that there was a little bit of blood on her lip and Alex's neck was kind of red. Alex looked at Shay, "When we got off the :winces in pain: phone. I told my mother where I was going. Her boyfriend decided to tell me I couldn't go. So, I told him I was going :winces in pain: and that I didn't care what he said. So, he punched me. Then, he tried to choke me. I kicked him in the balls and he punched me again. He punched me so hard I fell and my leg hit the coffee table. My mother got him to stop, and she told me to go to my room. I nodded my head, but headed for :winces in pain: the front door instead."

Shay put her hand on Alex's chin, to see what other damage was done, "Come on. Sleep over Emma's tonight. You can stay with me after that if you need to." Shay helped Alex up.

Ellie was looking out the window, wondering what was going on. Her mouth dropped when she saw Alex. She opened her door to help.

"Alex what happened?"

"SHHH!" Shay whispered, "We're trying to get away without her mom's boyfriend noticing."

Shay and Ellie got Alex into the front seat of the car. Alex was having trouble walking. Once they were all in the car, Shay pulled away from Alex's house, "I'm going to stop at a store to get some ice packs and shit. Alright? You two can stay in the car. I'll get some cover up, too. Well, if you want me to."

Alex nodded, "Please? I'm all out."

Shay looked at her quickly, "This has happened before, Lex?"

"Yeah. A few times. Never this bad though."

Ellie just stayed quiet. She didn't know what to say.

Shay slammed her hands on the steering wheel, "Parents are so fucked! Seriously! They can give you to strangers without even a second thought! They let their boyfriends beat up on you! They lie! And people say kids have issues."

No one said anything after that. Shay pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot, "I'll be back in a few minutes. Someone call Emma and tell her what's up."

Ellie nodded, and grabbed her phone.

Shay slammed her door and walked into the store. She grabbed a cart. She went over to the pharmacy section. Shay grabbed 3 first aid kits and 2 boxes of the "press her to activate" ice packs. Then she walked over to the make-up aisle. She grabbed a few different shades of cover up, both liquid and powered. She went over to the candy section, and grabbed a lot of candy. Candy was her vice. It helped her when she was aggravated. She walked over to the drinks and grabbed a bunch of different caffeinated drinks. She glanced in her cart and decided she was done. Shay pushed the cart to a register. She took out everything and waited for the cashier ring it up.

The cashier glanced up at her, "Having a good day, miss?"

Shay looked at him. 'Kinda cute,' she thought to herself. She smiled, "Not really."

"Sorry to hear that." The cashier just scanned the last item, "That'll be $99.80." (I know it seems like a lot but most good first aid kits are a lot of money...and then make up...so yeah.)

Shay reached in her pocket and pulled out some bills. She flipped through some twenties and pulled a hundred dollar bill, "Here."

The cashier took her money and gave her back the change, "Have a nice day."

"You, too." Shay pushed the cart of all the bagged stuffed to her car. She opened the driver's side door and pushed the button to pop the trunk. She noticed that Alex was asleep. She pushed the cart to the trunk and Ellie got out.

"Jesus, Shay. You were in there for 10 minutes and you bought have the store."

Shay laughed, "I'm a fast shopped."

Ellie helped her put everything in the trunk, and left out a box of ice packs.

They both got back in the car. Ellie pushed the middle of the ice pack, making it cold, and turned in her seat. She looked back to Shay, "Should I put it on her eye or leg?"

"Use two."

Ellie nodded and did the same thing with another ice pack. She put one on Alex's eye and the other on her leg.

About 10 minutes later, they were back at Emma's