The Final Straw- A Reddie Fanfiction

Chapter Seven

One hour later...

Philip paced up and down the corridor outside of Rachel's office. He was gathering his courage. He wanted to see her, but he also didn't. Trying to avoid her for the last few months had been painful, but he'd had no choice. It was worth it if it kept Max happy.

It had been two months since it had happened. He could feel the large bruise on his shoulder burning through the material of his school shirt. It had yet to heal. It was still painful, the colours still vibrant. He winced every time he lay down to go to sleep at night, every time he slung his bag onto his shoulder. The memory of him falling, or rather, being pushed against the cabinet, played over and over in his mind. This had happened because he had wanted to protect Rachel. And he would do it all again to protect Rachel.

He hadn't told anyone, how could he? How could he tell anyone what Max had done to him? Especially Rachel.

He didn't want to go for this meal with Eddie and Rachel tonight. He had been avoiding them for months. It wasn't that he didn't want to see them. He really did. But his Auntie could read him well. She would get the truth out of him whether he wanted to give it or not.

As the bell rang for the end of the day, Philip walked into the office.

He was surprised when there was no sign of Rachel or Eddie waiting for him when he got there. Instead it was Kim, who was cleaning the sofa with stain remover and disinfectant spray. She looked up at him, offering a warm smile.

"Hey, Phil, you ok?" she asked

"Yeah-uhm- I was looking for Rachel" he replied

"Oh, she's been taken to the hospital, she's had the baby" Kim explained

"Is she ok?" he panicked

"She's fine, so is the baby. I can take you over to see them in a bit if you like?" she offered

Philip nodded.

Kim paused as she took in the look on Philip's face. Something was troubling him; something had been troubling him for months now. Rachel had said to her on multiple occasions recently that she was worried about him.

Before she could ask him, Max entered the office. Philip tensed, his stomach suddenly doing back flips. If it wouldn't have made him look suspicious, he would have run out of the office without looking back.

"Ah, Philip. I was looking for you. A word, please" he requested

Philip followed him out into the empty corridor. He watched as Max gave him his best false smile.

"So, what did you say to Rachel this morning?" he questioned

"Nothing" Philip mumbled

"Really? So why did I have her having a go at me this afternoon?"

"I don't know, Sir"

"You better not have said anything. If I find out you have, you'll be in a world of trouble. You know what happened was an accident. You tripped over your own two feet, didn't you?" Max threatened

Philip nodded quietly. He knew he hadn't. Max had pushed him, but he had no proof.

"Good. Now your Auntie has had her little brat, I'll be having words with the LEA. She won't be in a job when she comes off maternity leave"

"You can't do that! It's not fair!" Philip argued

"You should have thought of that before you refused to do what I asked" Max smirked

Philip watched as he walked away. He hated Max Tyler, for many reasons.

"Everything ok, Philip?" Kim asked, standing beside him

Philip couldn't stop his lip from trembling. He could feel the bruise on his shoulder pulsating, determined to be seen. He couldn't keep this a secret any longer, not with his Auntie's job now on the line. He had to stop Max before it was too late. And he was the only one who could do that.

"Philip?" Kim prompted

Philip met her gaze.

"Kim I-I need to tell you something. About Max"

"Ok..." she nodded hesitantly

"Let's go to my office, yeah?" she suggested

Philip nodded, following her down the stairs.