Disclaimer: I don't own Max Ride

Chapter 7

It had been two weeks since Dylan hit me and everything was fine. He hadn't done anything bad since that Friday night. Actually he'd been sweet, like really sweet, and it made me wonder if he remembered something. Over those weeks I had avoided Fang as much as I could, even refraining from going over to Ella's house.

Though I did my best to not talk to him, Fang always seemed to show up at the worst possible moments. One time he had wrenched the supplies closet open to one of Dylan's and mine heated make out sessions, exposing us to the flooded hallway. All he did though was give me a knowing look and walked away.

Dylan began to really hate Fang and when he saw him he tensed and I felt like he'd take a swing at him unless I took his hand and pulled him day Fang realized that I had to keep Dylan in check, a note landed on my desk in one of the classes I shared with him. It read I told you that you shouldn't have to watch him, -F. I glanced behind me just to meet Fang's penetrating stare.

Other things happened and I took them all in stride. Though I didn't let it show, I actually thought about what Fang said about leaving Dylan. I had heard enough stories about abusive boyfriends to know it never ended well. And I seriously did have a mental battle with myself. At one point I had gotten so confused that I barely ate anything for two days. Dylan hadn't noticed. Fang did.

In all honestly that right there should have told me that I only had one choice. I mean seriously, my boyfriend doesn't realize I barely ate and Fang does. I'm with Dylan practically all day and I don't even talk to Fang.

But I didn't listen to my inner voice, which is why I'm here. When I say here I mean at a party with Dylan. I made sure to stay by him all night though, monitoring the amount of alcohol he consumed. It was still pretty early, about 9ish when I had to go to the bathroom. I debated whether not I should leave Dylan alone even for five minutes, but I really had to pee. Of course I had only counted the time it took to normally use the bathroom. Not the time it took for a bunch of alcohol filled drunks to go to the bathroom.

I ended up waiting to use the bathroom for fifteen minutes. I knew when I returned to Dylan's side that something was wrong. I glanced nervously out of the corner of my eye at Dylan as he downed yet another beer and roared with his friends. I thought about stopping him, since he was my ride home. Nudge had decided to go out with Iggy tonight. I think they went bowling. I wouldn't even consider taking her away from her fun though.

Finally after about five more drinks, Dylan deemed it time to go home at 12:30. Now I knew that I really shouldn't get into the car with Dylan, or that I at least shouldn't let him drive, but when I offered to drive he shot me a glare and told me to get into the car. Apprehensively, I climbed into the passenger seat next to Dylan. I had barely shut the door before we were off like a rocket.

"Dylan," I said quietly. "I think you should slow down. We're way over the speed limit." Even though he heard me, he didn't slow down. I didn't say anything else after that, just buckled my seatbelt and clenched my hands onto the seat. As I watched the street my house sat on fly by, I finally thought to end this. "Dylan, I mean it this time. Slow down before we crash. You're drunk, let me drive," I said nervously as he swerved over the yellow line that divided the street up.

Dylan laughed. "What you don't like this?" he said as he swerved again. "I thought you were a dare devil. Guess I was wrong." He laughed again as he took a sharp turn to the left. I finally realized where we were headed. The only place out this far of town was the cliff.

In summer it was a fun hangout for all the high schoolers. On hot days when the water was high, we'd all jump off into the water below. It was also used for other recreational uses that I'd rather not mention, but since it was to cold to go swimming, that left only one choice. When I glanced into the back of the car I caught a glimpse of a sleeping bag. That was the last straw.

Turning to Dylan I said with all the confidence I could muster, "Dylan you will stop this damn car right now or we're through." That got his attention. He slammed on the breaks and I flew forward bashing my forehead on the dashboard.

I recovered quickly and jumped out of the car before Dylan could say anything. I started going through my options for a ride home when the driver's door slammed shut. I watched warily as Dylan stalked around the front of the car purposefully. When he reached me he leaned in really close and practically growled, "What did you just say?"

I shrunk back against the car and kept my mouth shut. He seemed pacified by my silence and he crushed his lips to mine, immediately tugging at my shirt. I pushed him away roughly, deciding right then that I had to break up with him. I couldn't do this every time he got drunk. When I voiced my thoughts though, I became short of breath.

At first I thought I was just worried about his response. Then I realized it was because Dylan had driven his fist into my stomach. "Mind saying that again?" he whispered in my ear. There was a challenge in his voice though that got me going.

"I want to break up. I can't deal with you every time you get drunk," I repeated raggedly. My head snapped to the side and burst into pain. I bit my tongue to keep from crying. I wasn't that weak. He hit me a couple more times in the stomach so that I could barely breathe and once more in the face.

Grabbing my wrists painfully, Dylan reeled me into him and whispered in my ear, "This isn't finished." After that he swung me around and pushed me to the ground. I watched as he jumped into his car and drove away, leaving me alone on the side of the road at two in the morning.

Well that escalated kinda quick. To be honest I have no idea where I'm going with this story and this chapter was just an impulse write. Still working on longer chapters. Sorry for any mistakes, I kind of rushed it. Review please.