When Hearts Collide

Chapter Six

Joel's P.O.V

The next two month went bye bringing summer closer and bringing Max and I closer as well. Over the past two months we've shared our first kiss, our first slow dance, and our first movie night. It was all perfect. Now two weeks away from the end of school we are still going strong.

Mark and I have started talking and become friends. He explained why he did what he did. He told me that he was embarrassed that he was gay and that he didn't want his buddies to try to beat him up. He told me how bad he felt that he's hurt me and that he wanted to be my best friend other than Haley. Now we are all ok and it doesn't hurt to hear his name or look at him anymore.

For once in my life at this school as a Junior everything is going good. I'm really happy and I'm not faking smiles anymore or telling people that I'm fine when I'm not. Because for once I really am okay. I've gained friend and real friends not the people who would drop me in an instant if they found out about my baggage. I've also been learning more about Alyssa and why she's so... well you know Alyssa.

Alyssa was beaten and raped when she was like 12 so she pretends to be happy and stupid to hide it. She showed me her wrists and they were completely scrapped up and some of her cuts were still fresh. I could see how deeply she dug into herself and all I could do is hug her as she cried. She cried because she felt bad that she'd never told anyone. Not even after or happened her parents would ask and she'd lie to make sure that her older cousin didn't get in trouble.

Today was the day that marked that we only had 10 days of school left, so my friends and I decided to go to the arcade after school and eat pizza and play games. Max and I were sitting in 7th hour waiting for the bell to ring so that we could go put our books in our lockers and get to my car as fast as humanly possible. Then the bell rang and we were out of the door like lighting flashes.

Once at my car I unlocked the doors popped the trunk so everyone could put their book bags back there then closed it and jumped in the car. After starting the car we were off to the arcade for some celebration. I had Max, Alyssa, Haley, and Dan with me and Mark had Samantha, Adrianna, Curtis, and Destry in his car. Yes we invited Mark.

Once we got to the arcade as paid for the buckets full of 6,000 game tokens and three pizzas, I noticed that Mark pulled Max aside. I followed them and his behind a big wooden shelf.

Mark's P.O.V

When we got to the arcade I pulled Max aside to talk to him.

"So Mark what did you want to talk about?" Max asks me so clueless.

"I'm only going to give you one warning! Got it?" I tell him looking him in the eyes trying to intimidate him.

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything to you." He says still clueless.

"Stay away from Joel, he is mine. You got that?" I say to him making my voice sound slightly deeper.

"Look dude Joel chose me and after what you did to him I think that he deserves to be happy. He is an amazing guy and I can't watch you hurt him again." He says suddenly more sensitive and caring. But I was about to let the nice guy act fool me.

"I think that he deserves someone who can take care of him and love him. Properly. Not just because Haley is paying you to, you're smart but not that smart." I say with a laugh loud enough for only a mouse to hear.

"Haley isn't paying me and I don't need her to like you would. I'm with Joel because I actually love him. Joel is the only person that I know whose actually worth falling for here." Max says and at that Joel steps out from behind a bookshelf.

"Max... y... you ll... love me?" Joel says stuttering.

"Of course... Do you love me?" Max asks.

But before Joel could answer "Joel I've been in love with you since you sent me that email. I was just scared because I'd never felt this way before."

Joel's eyes filled with tears, I couldn't tell if they were from joy or sadness. "You what? How can you say that? As for you Max, is Haley paying you to go out with me?" He asks fighting back tears.

"No she's not paying me to go out with you. I'm with you because I want to be with you and because you're important to me. I love you Mark can tell you that but it means nothing if he's lying. He's trying to get you to break up with me so he can break your heart again." Max says.

Joel's P.O.V

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Mark and Mac were fighting over me trying to tell me who to be with. My anger boiled over, "I cannot believe that you two would be this selfish. Did you ever think that I was happy with you Max or, that I was happy with just being friends with you Mark. Of course you didn't because all you two can think about is beating the each other out of my life. You know what, when you two decide to act like adults about this you know where to find me." I say tears still welling in my eyes but not one escaping. Then I just left and go home to be alone and reevaluate this relationship.

A/N: Hello my little chiclets I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks to everyone who is reading and if you could do me a huge favor and tell people about this book!! Like, Comment, Follow Me, and Vote!! Love you bye!