Chapter 16: Running, screaming and fainting

"Pretty loud isn't it?" Matt yelled at me over the music.

I nodded. We were at Jake Mills' house, the guy who was hosting this party. Party of the year my ass. This is pathetic compared to the ones I remember crashing with Tori and Lissy.

I looked around the room we were in. It was packed. Some people (mostly girls) were wearing fancy dress I noticed, though not the traditional kind. They had turned angels, devils, vampires and other stuff like that into sluts. I wonder what those poor mythical creatures would say if they seen themselves portrayed like that.

Cow was an angel tonight. It's funny really. For once she's showing just how much of a slut she really is. Right now she's sitting in the corner making out with my brother. Believe me, an image that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Right then our host came around and somehow managed to fit himself between Matt and me. He completely ignored Matt and turned to me.

"Hey Agnew."

"Hi." Jake Mills was a senior at school, who also played on the football team (don't ask me what position. I don't understand sports). According to Matthew, his parents had just handed him the house keys tonight and told him to have a good time.

"So you having fun?" he asked me sliding closer. I had to admit he was good looking, but his reputation as a player and his annoying attitude was enough to turn me off. Besides, I already have the best boyfriend ever, who should be here, and better have a damn good reason as to why he's not.

My eyes scanned the room. For a second, I could of swore I saw someone with brown skin, just like Seth's. When I looked again, it was gone. Probably just the lighting in here.

"Oh yeah I mean this party is like so cool you know. Best I think I've ever been too." I heard Matt snicker. From Mills' smile, I take it he didn't understand my sarcasm.

"I'm not surprised. I throw a great party." he said, leaning in to kiss me. I pushed his face away. "Oh, wanna play hard to get do you?"

"No. I don't want you at all. Go and fish somewhere else Mills. I'm sure there's plenty of girls here that would be willing to sleep with you but I'm not one of them."

"You're a little bitch to tease me like that." He growled at me.

"Oh yes because this is the first time I've seen you all night but somehow, maybe through my great telepathic powers I have been teasing you."

"I know you want me."

"Get over yourself."

"Well you know what Agnew? I can just do whatever I want and get away with it."

"No, you can't." Matt said from behind me. His tone was firm and almost a little scary. He didn't play any sports, but he was just as big as Mills, which meant that the threat carried out. "I don't think she wants you around."

Mills glared at him, then stood up. "You'll regret this Agnew. Every girl wants me, including you, you just don't know it yet." he stalked away. I turned to face Matthew. "Thanks, I owe you. I don't think he ever would have gone away if you hadn't been sitting there."

"It's fine. That guy really gets on my nerves. He used to bully me when we were in grade school."

"No way. What happened?" I tried to imagine a young Matt being beat up by Mills, which seems impossible if you look at Matt now.

"My older brother found out. He wasn't to happy."

"You have an older brother?"

"Yeah, he's in college. He took Mills out of it. Got himself in loads of trouble but it worked. Mills rarely comes near me now."

*****

"Are you sure you have to leave me here?"

"Yes. Sorry Bronte, I have to be home by one and it's almost now."

I was leaning on Matt's car door, talking through the open window. "Go then. I don't want to be the one who get's you in trouble."

"Bye Bronte. I probably won't see you until after the break so happy early birthday."

"Thanks Matt."

"See you later." I stepped back from the car and watched as he drove away. Smiling, I went to make my way back to the house. Maybe I'll go find Heath and beg him to drive me home….

I walked on, almost falling when I stumbled, but something caught me. Arms.

"Hey Agnew." A drunken voice said. Oh God.

"Get off me Mills."

"No. It was you who came looking for me."

"Your insane, and really pissed. Let me go."

"No one out here to hear you scream." he sang in a horrible voice.

"GET OFF ME!" I yelled, trying desperately to remember the "lessons" Rhys had given me, Tori and Lissy back in Sydney. We hadn't taken it seriously, but I remembered enough.

"Use your elbows. Sorer and more effective then punches because they're unexpected."

I jabbed both my elbows back into his ribs. He seized in pain and let go. I took a step away from him.

We both stood facing each other. I screamed as loud as I could.

"Jesus Agnew, shut up! No one can hear you with the music anyway."

He was right. I was going to have to take care of this on my own. I couldn't run, he was blocking my way. I couldn't move backwards far, there was cars, he'd trap me.

"Didn't I tell you Agnew? We could of done this the easy way but you just had to be awkward."

"Move forwards, not backwards. He expects you to go backwards."

I screamed again. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my keys in my left hand. The points showed through my knuckles.

"For fuck sake Agnew I told you not to scream!"

What he hadn't realised was that it was supposed to be a distraction. I ran forward, punching him in the ribs with my left hand. He screamed in pain and fell to the ground. I dropped the keys and ran as fast as I could towards the house. Where is the house again?

I heard him laugh from somewhere behind me. "Lost Agnew? Serves you right you fucking little bitch."

I stopped. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. Okay. Calm down. You can do this. The yard wasn't that big. Breathe Bronte.

There had been lights right? At the front door? I spun in a full circle but could see no lights. He must have turned them off.

I jogged forward. There was no lights anywhere. And he knows this area a lot better than I do.

"That was a dirty trick you played on me Agnew. I think you should be punished don't you?"

He was in front of me. Right in front of me. He stepped forward and slapped me. I tasted blood on my lips.

I turned sideways and ran again. I heard him run after me. Luckily I was faster. I didn't even know I could move like that.

I turned another corner and collided with what felt like a brick wall. My knees buckled but arms caught me. I had a strong sense of déjà vu.

"Let go of me!" I screamed, pounding my fists against his chest. I attempted to kick him too but he lifted me just before I could.

"Whoah, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself." the voice was deep and rough but also kinda gentle. And it was obviously not Mills.

I stopped squirming. "Please help me." I whispered, trying to fight the urge to cry.

"Help you?" the voice asked softly.

"Mills. He's been trying to, trying to....." I choked back and couldn't bring myself to say it. I felt so tired and scared.

"It's okay Bronte. It's okay." he soothed, instantly reminding me of Seth, which made me feel a little better.

"Ag-new. Ag-new. Where did you go Agnew?" Mills called from somewhere. I felt my rescuer shake slightly.

"I'm going to put you down for a minute Bronte but then I'll be right back okay?"

I nodded. I was lowered to the ground, my back against the wall. I lifted a hand to my mouth. Blood covered my fingers.

"Let me see." The voice said. He was back. He crouched down, tilted my chin up and inspected it carefully. "It's just a busted lip, but all the same I think we should get Leah to look at you."

"Leah?" I could feel myself go sleepy and I instantly wanted to go to sleep.

"Yes. She'll look after you."

And that was when I fainted.

A/N: I wonder can anyone guess who B's rescuer is. I think it's quite obvious but.... Thanks for all your reviews guys! And please do it again, mainly 'cause it makes me feel good. :) Thanks for reading!

the pen fatelle: I know.

LovelyLady: Thanks sooo much for reviewing.

Sara McCarty Cullen: I don't think they will be making up anytime soon. Luke is the real jerk. Thanks for reviewing and reading!

xXPassionXx: I think it's the actual site 'cause that happened to me last week trying to read someone's story. Either that or both our computers are broke. :) I think you should see in about two chapters how Heath feels about B and Seth. I had that convo running through my head all last night. It's quite funny.

jewlzncoolz: I know i'm just so evil aren't i? Lol sorry.

GurlCullen17: lol thanks for reviewing.

EmmettLaughedAtMe: LOL. Cow shall be creeping her way back in i believe. I am quite the violent person, i admit, bring on the blood and guts! They have a fight in one chapter, not sure which one though. And i can just imagine him trying to stand up against Seth lol. And Embry! Quil has Clare remember? And i shall not tell you any of my plans, i'm just going to let you wonder and go crazier. XD There's a reason both Embry and Leah get quite a few mentions in this story but i shall keep it to myself 'till i see how this story turns out.