Violet

Chapter 10 - Leaked Photos

- You don't know my brain the way you know my name -

I was sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor, my breath caught in my throat. Max was pacing around the room, deep in his thoughts. Minutes ago an anonymous number had sent me a photo of me and Max having a private moment. Max had told me before that people weren't allowed to know about us. Not that he told me why. I hadn't thought anything of it until now. This person could do anything with this image.

Max stopped pacing and turned to me. Terror was etched on his face.

"Nobody can see that photo! Delete it from your phone now!" Max was almost stuttering. He sounded terrified. Was I really... that bad? Could he not bare the thought of anyone finding out that he was in love with me?

"Okay, okay just... why are you trying to hide-"my sentence was interrupted by Zoe, storming into the room. Her eyes were bulging with fury. Pissed would be an understatement of how she looked right now. She went right up to Max and shoved her phone right up in front of his face.

"Are you serious?! Are you freaking kidding me right now?! You're dating her?! Do you know how this could affect us all?! Do you know what this means?!" She yelled numerous questions at him repeatedly before slapping him across the face at full force. He staggered backwards slightly and stared at her, shocked. My expression was identical. I would've never expected someone as shy and quiet as her to snap like that. Max's expression soon morphed from shock to anger. He got closer to Zoe and held her up by her jacket. He walked out the room, forcing her out with him. I heard yells of rage coming from Zoe, though they slowly faded away as they went further down the stairs. I wanted to go after them... to try and get Max to calm down... but I couldn't. I was frozen with fear and still hadn't properly taken in everything that had happened, including my dad's death.

After a little while, I finally mustered the courage to go and find Max and Zoe. I peered behind my door and glanced around. No sound. Nobody upstairs. I stepped down the stairs, cautiously taking in all of my surroundings. I still barely new anyone here so I couldn't trust this place at all. Not that I'd ever get to meet anyone. I'm determined to escape from this hell hole as soon as I can.

As I reached the bottom of the staircase, I heard low mumbling coming from the kitchen. I tiptoed quietly towards it, being careful not to make a sound. I peered my head behind the door frame and saw Max and Zoe. They were embraced in each others arms, Zoe leaning her head against Max's chest. I still didn't quite understand their relationship so I didn't know what to make of this. Max placed a gentle kiss on Zoe's head and mumbled something into her hair that I couldn't hear. Zoe gave a light giggle in response. Were they... in a relationship? I turned away from the door and stormed out to the garden, clenching my fists in rage. Tears welled up in my eyes. This must've been why he didn't want anyone to know about us. He didn't want his real girlfriend to know that he was cheating on her with some freak who has nobody. Some girl who has completely given up on life. Some girl who is hopeless... and hopelessly in love with someone who doesn't want her. He's just like Kyle.

I sat on a patch of grass next to a rose bush. There I cried my heart out into my black ripped jeans. Once again my soul had been ripped, crushed, and broken... and it was all thanks to a single boy. I couldn't believe I had let myself fall for someone again at a time like this. Especially someone as flawless as Max. As I continued to weep, a hand touched my shoulder. I turned my head in alarm. 'Speak Of The Devil' couldn't have been a more accurate term.

Max gave me a warm yet concerned smile and kissed my cheek.

"Everything okay, Vee?" he asked.

There it was again. That same damn feeling I got every time he used that nickname for me. Right now I was annoyed by it. I stood up and pushed him away from me, onto the dirt.

"Is everything okay?! Are you shitting me?! No it's not okay! Do you really think you can use me like I'm some sort of toy?! What did I ever do to you?!" I yelled angrily.

He gave me a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?" he questioned in confusion.

"Cut the crap, Max!" I snapped. "I know that Zoe is your real girlfriend." To my surprise, he burst out into laughter. I stood in shock and stared at him.

"What's so funny?!" I growled eventually.

He grinned and pulled me down to the ground with him, turning over to pin me to the dirt.

"Zoe's my sister, jelly brain" he chuckled, followed by a smirk.

I blushed with embarrassment. Why had I been so quick to assume shit? I guess that's what happens when you have bad experiences with relationships. I felt like a complete asshole. I looked away, not knowing what to say. For some reason all I wanted to do was burry myself in a hole and cry. To my surprise, Max gently lifted my chin, making me face him and kissed me softly. It was a long, passionate kiss that made me forget about all of my troubles and worries in that one, sweet moment. He pulled away and gave me a warm smile. My insides melted.

"I love you and only you. Got that?" he said with a grin.

I smiled and kissed his nose. "Got it."

He stood up and held me bridal style. I blushed and clung onto him, giggling softly. He showered me in kisses as he carried me into the orphanage. I muffled my laughs in his shirt as he kissed me in some places that tickled. I grinned, managing to push his mouth away from my shoulder and began placing what were unintentionally quite sloppy kisses up and down his neck. After just under a minute of this, I could tell I was putting him in some heat as he gave a low moan. He carried me into my room and pinned me to the bed, letting me proceed for a little longer. I knew this wouldn't end well so I sat up and pulled away, trying to stop him from continuing to get closer to me. It's not that I didn't want him. I just wasn't ready. I was scared for multiple reasons.

"Max, we can't, we've already done too much, who knows how many photos that guy could've just taken of us" I whispered to hi quickly.

"But I..." he hesitated, I could see what he was trying to say. What he didn't want to admit.

"Go in your room and..." he knew what I meant straight away. He gave a slight nod of embarrassment and walked out into his room to get out of his heat, if you know what I mean.

I sighed and glanced out the window.

There was someone out there... I just knew it... and whoever they were...

They had more tricks up there sleeves.

- You don't know my heart the way you know my face -

To be continued..,