Coward

Chapter Sixteen

The sun was beginning to sink behind the hills when I found my self sitting in the back of Shane's truck again. As the country side races past us my thoughts stray to Max. I haven't spent much time with him lately. I frown I'm going to miss the guys but I have to do this for them. I asked Shane to drop me off at Dan's and soon the truck slows to a stop outside the small surberban home. I smile at Crystal and Steph as I say a fearwell.

Crystal waves, "I'll text you my address and stuff."

I don't have time to reply as Shane drives away and I turn towards the house. I take a deep breath and walk towards the front door. I knock and wait patiently for Dan to open it. Soon light spills out onto the door step and I look up to see Dan dressed in a t-shirt and some fat pants. He smiles when he sees me and quickly pulls me inside.

The door shuts behind us and I become aware of how cold it was outside. I grimace at Dan when I see his swollen nose, "shit."

He nods his head but his eyes turn hard. "Who's truck was that that dropped you off?" He demands.

I shrug, "Shane's."

He sniffs the air like a dog. He raises his eyebrows, "you've been smoking weed with Shane?"

I smirk, "you know him?"

He grits his teeth, "he's on my rugby team."

I nod my head and ignore Dan's obvious jealousy. "Hey, um I wanted to talk to you about something."

He nods his head and walks over to the couch, I follow him and sit down on the smooth leather.

"I'm going to hang out with some other people for a while," I say slowly.

"Why?"

"To give everyone some space and time away from me."

"Why?"

I look at him helplessly, "I can't do this to you guys."

He doesn't reply for a long time, "do what?"

I take a deep breath and try to keep my voice steady, the pot has disappeared from my system and I no longer feel giddy. "Destroying your friendship with Mason and Max."

I see him tense at the names, "so you're leaving because of that."

I nod my head and force a smile, "yeah, I am."

He doesn't reply for a long time so I just sit there and stare at him. After around seven minutes I stand up and walk over to the door. I open it and step outside and close the door before quickly opening it again. "Do you know where my car is?" I ask as Dan's shocked face appears over the side of the couch.

He shakes his head, "I dropped it off at yours after school."

I smile sadly, "goodbye Dan, I'll miss you."

He nods and I close the door and start a cold walk to my house.

I pull the sleeves of my jersey up over my wrists and wrap my arms around my body to try and conceal warmth. "At least I'm wearing clothes this time," I mutter under my breath.

"I really wish you weren't," a voice said from behind me.

I turn around quickly and I come face to face with a familiar set of dark brown almost black eyes. I keep my arms wrapped around me, "you look familiar?"

He laughs, "yeah so do you."

I smile, "I'm Belle by the way."

He nods his head, "Josh. Now what is a pretty thing like you doing out hear alone."