Nightmares to Reality

Prologue - It's Nothing New

Help me...

"Max, it's nothing, just don't worry about it." He sighed and touched my shoulder, which causes me to flinch. He takes it off. "Sorry." He looked down. He looks back up with a smile. "You know, we should go to the fair, like just you and me. Yeah?" I shrugged but then nodded. He smiled and the bell rang, meaning for us to go to class.

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That stupid high pitched bell rang in art, meaning for us to get going home. I went over to my locker and started unlocking it. Opening it, I put my stuff in and something touched my side. Daniel. He laughed and looked at me. "I scared you!" I laughed and felt my side. "That hurt!" He left.

The cold air pushed against me, sending shivers down my body. It's freezing out and Max needs to hurry up. The doors open, no Max, just little kids. Again, this time it was Max. "What, think I forgot?" I pushed him playfully as he laughed. "You know, you should come over." Thoughts went through my mind.

The thoughts were so dramatic, just like everyone here. They went away and I decided. "Yeah, sure." He smiled and we started walking to his house, talking away.

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We got to his house just when his mom was leaving. Damn it! "Come on, I have video games upstairs." I followed him up to his room. To my surprise, it was clean. "Hey, I know it's usually messy but you could've kept it to yourself!" Oops...

He put on League of Legends and threw me a controller. While the game was loading, I had a day dream.

"A.J ARE YOU OKAY?!" I snapped out of it and looked at Max. "Yeah, why?" He looked confused and worried. "You're crying." I wiped my face to see, indeed, I was crying. I got up and ran to the bathroom. I locked the door, but I wasn't quick enough for Max's dad. He came and slapped me in the face. Locking the door after I fell to the ground.

"You know, I never liked you with Max, you're not enough for him. But you're perfect for me!" He grabbed my neck and threw me into the wall. "Max!" Banging was heard on the door, also yelling from behind it. "Derek, open the door and let her out!" "Please dad, let her go!" He let go and left the bathroom.

I laid there, coughing. It was getting bad that blood started to come up. "A.J, come with me dear." Mrs. Madero said, helping me stand and walk to her private bathroom. She set me on the counter, beside the sink and told Max to watch me up while she talks to her husband. Max looked so worried and ashamed.

He searched the med kit he pulled form under the sink, rushing to find an icepack. I touched his arm and he looked at me, tears forming in his eyes. "I should've known, I'm so sorry A." I got down and hugged him. His tears soaked my sweater. Shushing him as I rubbed his back, telling him I'm alright and nothing's happened.

He pulled off and I wiped his tears. Mrs. Madero came back and apologized for his behaviour. "He's drunk, he doesn't know any better." I nodded. "It's fine. Is it okay if I crash here tonight?" She nodded and smiled. "The only place you can sleep is Max's room, is that okay?" I nodded. We headed up to Max's room.

After she set up a place for me on the couch, she left, leaving Max and I alone. "A, you know you don't have to sleep on the couch." I shook my head. "I want to." He sighed. "Okay, well good night." I replied with the same thing and he turned off the lights.

I was wide awake still, not being able to sleep because I'm scared Mr. Madero is gonna come back. I got up and went to Max. "Max?" He grunted and looked at me. "Can I, sleep with you?" He nodded and moved over. I laid down, covering myself with the blanket. He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tight, I liked it. I, soon enough, fell asleep.