Hey guys! So I still feel bad about abandoning you guys! But I'll try not to do it again. I can't promise though because I have a really busy homework schedule and all that. Just don't you forget about me! Isn't that lyrics to a song? It wasn't supposed to be. Okay, I'm gonna stop acting like Nudge and get on with it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or any songs that I use in this Fanfiction. They belong to their rightful owners.
Chapter 8: I'm Okay. Or I will be... eventually...
Max POV:
I glanced quickly over at Angel who was fast asleep on her side of the mattress. I had finally stopped shivering. I really thought I was a goner that time. I couldn't do that to Angel. I didn't want her to go through what I went through. Ever. I decided that as soon as I could I'd talk to Social Services, get Angel out of here as soon as I could. Even if it meant we couldn't be with each other anymore. I would give up my sister to save her life.
I guess I should explain; when we finally made it back from Nudges, Jeb was waiting for us at the front door. I somehow managed to convince him to let Angel go to our room and just hurt me. And hurt me he did. He punched and he kicked and he smashed plates and cups and beer bottles over my head. I was on the brink of unconsciousness when he finally we to bed. It was then that I started to cry. Not just silent tears, but big fat ones that were always accompanied by sobs. Thank god Jeb was too drunk to notice. And if he did her didn't care. It was only a few minutes later Angel came out to help me to our room. She started crying at the sight of me. She probably thought I was dead. But the sobs hitching in my throat said otherwise.
As she helped me crawl to our room – she basically dragged me – I hadn't stopped crying. After awhile she fell asleep. But I had so many reasons to stay awake. If I was asleep who could protect her? If I fell asleep who would protect me? But there was another thing that was bothering me. And that was that someone had seen. Not Angel. Someone else. Iggy. He lived next door and could see the whole thing. He looked frozen in horror. I couldn't blame him. But now he was in danger too. If Jeb found out that they knew... I didn't even want to think about it.
I really thought that I was going to die. I had given up hope. And that's what scared me the most.
When it became time for us to get ready to go to school I woke Angel and moved with as little movement as possible to get ready. I was in so much pain. It took Angel and I almost 20minutes to do my consealer. Every time we thought we were done we'd spot another bruise. They were nasty ones too. The ones that start off black and blue. I looked like I'd just been painted by a 3 year old.
I can't really remember much of what happened that morning. Though I do remember Fang helping me walk to my classes and to morning break. Yea we had another assembly today. Only this one was only for the talent show. They just had no other way of making sure everyone came.
Anyway it was almost my turn to go up. I didn't know if I could sing. My throat was pretty scratchy from all that crying last night. I glanced over at Iggy he still wouldn't look me in the eye. I knew he felt guilty for not doing anything. But what could he have done. Nothing, that's what.
I took a deep as they called my name. I told the band what I was singing and then turned to face the school. "My name's Max and i going to be singing I'm Okay by Christina Aguilera."
I'm OK
Once upon a time there was a girl
In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home
Never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm
Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Everytime my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK
I often wonder why I carry all this guilt
When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
The echo of a broken child screaming "please no more"
Daddy, don't you understand the damage you have done
To you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so, so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
It's not so easy to forget
All the lines you left along her neck
When I was thrown against cold stairs
And every day I'm afraid to come home
In fear of what I might see there
Bruises fade father but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK
I'm OK
I often thought of Angel's mom when I heard this song, but as I sung it I realised that I thought of my mom too. The one that left me. I looked up to see thee wide-eyed teary faces of every kid in my school looking at me. Okay not every kid. There were some who didn't seem to care. But there were only 5 kids who knew this was real. And they were all fighting back tears. But even expressionless Fang had to let a few slide.
The applause slowly started, but soon got louder and louder as almost every kid joined int. If only they knew. Then, like the Flock, they would be clapping. They would be crying.