The Night We Met by Ruero

Chapter 11: Trip End

I was teetering on the edge of the balcony, the drop below making my stomach churn. Derek's grip on my shirt was tight, his knuckles white with rage. Angelica was desperately trying to pull him back, her face a mask of fear and desperation.

"Derek, let's just talk!" I shouted, my voice shaking with a mix of fear and desperation. "We don't need to do this, man!"

But Derek was too far gone, his eyes blazing with drunken fury. "You think you can just talk your way out of this, you fucking prick?" he slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol.

I saw no other way out. Summoning every ounce of courage, I headbutted him. Pain exploded in my skull, but it was enough to make Derek stumble back. I took the chance and scrambled away from the edge, gasping for air.

Derek roared and lunged at me, tackling me to the ground. He pinned me down, his fists raining blows. I could barely see through the haze of pain, knowing he was about to break my jaw.

"Stop, Derek! Stop!" Angelica screamed, but her voice was lost in the chaos.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Angelica spot my phone. It was still recording the timelapse of the stars, capturing everything, also Derek. She grabbed it and yelled, "Derek, stop! If you don't, I'll send this to the teacher, and You'll get expelled."

Derek froze, his fist inches from my face. He turned slowly to look at Angelica, his face a twisted mask of shock and rage. "Give me the phone," he growled.

Angelica's finger hovered over the send button. "Go back to your room and leave us alone," she said, her voice shaking but determined.

Just then, Sam appeared at the top of the stairs, looking bewildered. "Did I miss something?"

Derek hesitated, then decided to back off. He shot a murderous glare at Angelica and me before storming down the stairs. Sam rushed over to me. "Bro, are you alright?"

I struggled to my feet, my head spinning. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, but then I saw the blood on my hands. "Shit!"

Sam's face went pale. "What the hell happened here?"

Angelica looked terrified, her eyes wide with shock. "We need to get you to your room and bandage that asap."

They helped me inside, and Sam fetched the first aid kit. Angelica was saying sorry over and over, tears in her eyes. "It's not your fault," I reassured her, wincing as Sam cleaned the wound. "I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Sam tried to lighten the mood. "Damn, now you're a real man, dude. Going one-on-one with Derek? That's no joke."

I tried to smile, but it hurt too much. Seeing the tension, Sam excused himself to the bathroom, leaving Angelica and me alone.

She was almost in tears. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. This is all my fault."

I shook my head. "It's not your fault. Are you okay?"

She nodded, taking the spray I offered for her bruises. "I don't want to ruin your relationship," I said softly. "Maybe it's best if we stay away from each other."

Angelica sighed, her eyes sad and hesitant. "Maybe There's nothing left to ruin, Ethan. I think Derek is kinda toxic. He never lets me go anywhere without his permission. I can't even have female friends. He argues about everything and hits me when he's angry. I keep hoping he'll change, because I love him, but he never does."

I listened, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. "Um Angelica take it as a advice. If he hurts you again, you should leave him. You'll regret it in future if you don't."