Chapter Six:

Melissa sighed as she sat down at lunch. She leaned her chair back against the wall behind her and turned her music up louder. She looked back at Rex and saw him staring off into space, his thoughts full of sadness, pain, and…

Suddenly, Rex caught himself and thought about something else, like the gross cafeteria food he was poking at.

Melissa narrowed her eyes. Rex was hiding things from her, and she hated it when people did that.

"What's wrong?" she murmured.

Rex looked up, startled, and she read, Just thinking about a quiz, pass over his lips. She nodded, tasting a lie on her tongue; she nearly gagged at the salty taste.

Something wrong? He asked looking concerned.

Melissa shook her head quickly and sat forward ion her chair. She snatched an apple off rex's untouched tray and bit down on it, savoring the juice running in her mouth. Her pleasure overcame her headache for a brief moment.

She took another bite, wanting more release.

"So…" she said her mouth full. "Where'd you get the bruise from?"

Rex glanced at her before murmuring, "I told you, nowhere."

Melissa glared at him. "Rex, we both know you don't get bruises from nowhere." She could feel Rex's mind revolting aganist the question while also trying to cover up the answer.

"I can't tell you." He finally returned.

"Why?" she probed.

"Long story." Rex shook his head. Melissa had to bite in her lip to keep from screaming.

"I can find out for myself." Melissa threatened through clenched teeth.

Rex gave her a funny look. Then his eyes turned to her hand, which was gloved, for the moment. His eyes widened and fright raced through his mind. "No." he breathed.

"Tell me." She commanded her need to know and anger overcoming all other emotions.

Rex shook his head. "No." he moaned again.

Melissa heard a roaring in her ears that had nothing to do with the music screaming lyrics. She was so mad.

"Rex, tell me now!" she growled.

"No!" Rex was inching away from her staring with wide eyes.

"You leave me no choice then." Melissa snarled. She ripped off her glove and lunged at Rex, making him push his chair backwards in revolt. She connected with the bare skin on his arm and thoughts flooded through her.

Somebody was hurting Rex.

Somebody that wasn't Timmy Hudson.

Someone that was closer to him.

Someone he didn't want Melissa to know.

Rex was in pain!

But before Melissa could find out who the mystery person was, the connection between them was broken,

Rex had stood up and ran out of the cafeteria, pale as death, betrayal pounding with his brain, along with pity for her. She hadn't known he would have heard her thoughts too.

But Rex was in danger!

She didn't know who caused it, but when she did…

Nobody hurt Rex.