The Fighters

Chapter 5

SONG - "The Night We Met" by Lord Huron

Dylan POV

I rushed outside, tears pooling my eyes. I ran down the street, not taking any notice of where I was going.

What went wrong?

I was concentrating so hard on what had happened with Blaise, that I didn't notice a figure walking out of a small bakery until I bumped into them.

"Oh sorry I didn't see you there." I looked up so see a middle aged woman staring at me. She had short brown hair that was greying, a friendly smile, and she was wearing a blue scarf that brought out the colour in her eyes. I wiped my tear stained face and was about to apologize for running into her.

"Are you alright dear?" She asked with concern clear in her blue eyes. She placed a supportive hand on my shoulder, and gave me a motherly look, like she could see straight through me.

I sniffled, trying to compose myself, but the foreign look she was giving me just made me want a hug.

And you know what she did.

She hugged me.

"I'm- I'm just so- so done w-with everything," I sobbed, "Home is just so hard, and then I met this boy and he was so nice to me and said all of these nice things and I actually though that he might like me. Then he tried to kiss me b-but I didn't know if it would complicate things or if I was just easy, so I stopped him and then he got angry and then I left and he said he wanted nothing to do with me. And I probably sound like such a girl right now because I only just met him... but I thought, I just thought that..."

"Oh dear. Oh dear," the stranger sighed, hugging me tightly in her small frame. I breathed in her scent, which smelt like oranges and sweet tea on a hot sunny day.

"Oh god," I said pulling back to wipe my eyes and let out a small chuckle, "I'm so sorry, that was so rude of me to dump my problems on you. You probably have somewhere to be and-" I was cut of when she shushed me.

"My goodness, you have a lot of problems for a girl your age," she said, giving me a once over. "What's your name?"

"Um-ah, my name is Dylan," I said, looking down at my feet.

I still just couldn't believe I had just said all of that to a complete stranger.

"I'm Maggie," she smiled warmly at me. "Do you want to have coffee with me?"

I smiled, "That would be lovely actually Maggie."

"Well he sounds like a downright asswipe," Maggie said. I laughed, watching as she smiled at my sudden outburst of laughter.

I had explained to her everything that had happened in the last few days, excluding the parts about my mother and sister. In the span of about an hour, she had become someone I knew I could talk to and trust. Not to mention she also gave some great advice.

"I don't think you should ask for a new partner though sweetie," she said, turning serious.

"Why not? I can't work with him, not after what just happened!" I exclaimed.

"Well maybe you were partnered for a reason. Do you not believe in fate?" She asked.

"Well..." I trailed off.

"Don't you believe that we were put here for a reason? That there is one person you are meant to be with? That everything happens for a greater purpose?"

"I spose so," I was still unsure of where she was going with this.

"Maybe you and this guy were meant to be partnered for a reason. Maybe he is the one that's gonna lift you up and get you going, maybe not."

I shrugged, "Maybe."

"Besides, he doesn't sound that bad, after all he did help you up right?" She smirked.

"And he let you have the icecream, and carried your books, and complimented you, and..."

"Alright, alright!" I smiled, and she gave me a teasing look.

"I think he could be something good. You should definitely hold on to him Dylan."

"Thank you Maggie. You have no idea how much better you made me feel... Do you think we could talk again sometime?" I hoped she would say yes, because now that I've met her, I can't imagine not being able to talk to her.

"I would love that more than you know," she said, an emotion flashed in her eyes... sadness?... before she covered it and gave me her phone number.

"Do you need a lift home? It's getting dark,"

"No Maggie, I'm sure I'll be fine. I live near here anyways," I assured her, before giving her one final hug and bidding her goodbye.

As I walked home I thought about what I was going to say to Blaise tomorrow at school.

Hey... sorry about yesterday... truce?

No, too nonchalant.

Hi Blaise, we need to talk.

No, sound like I'm about to break up with him.

Hey... I'm really sorry about what I said yesterday, do you think –

"Dylan! Where have you been you twat?" I looked up, startled to find my sister sitting on the porch swing.

"O-o-out," I stuttered, and rushed to get inside before her, but she blocked my way once I got up the steps.

"Brea... I need to do my homework and –" I was cut off when she slapped me.

"I bet you've been whoring around haven't you, slut!" She yelled in my face, her hot breath that smelt like vodka and beer invading my space.

"No, I was with a friend... I swear!" I said, trying to keep in the tears threatening to spill.

"Brea!" I heard another voice yell, and I cringed at the scratching sound.

"Yes mother!" she yelled back, turning around to head back inside. I waited until she was shutting the door when I kicked my foot out to stop it from slamming.

I heard her uneven footsteps make their way down the hall before I made a run for my bedroom.

I sighed when I threw myself on my bed, rubbing my still puffy eyes.

I really needed to stop letting them control me.

My thoughts wandered to Blaise.

I wonder what he's doing right now.

Is he mad at me?

Of course he is, he wouldn't have said that stuff if he wasn't.

Does he hate me?

No... Does he?

Maggie said he might like me... Does he like me?

Do I like him?

Wait why the fuck did I just think that! I just met him.

I can't like him... Can I?

I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts overwhelming my mind, but I soon found they were still going back to Blaise.

Blaise.

I started to feel guilty. The look on his face after I walked out of his room showed nothing but hurt and sadness.

Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh.

I had to stop. I had to stop letting my fears and insecurities get in the way of someone who actually made me happy. I had let them and my family control me for too long, and I wanted to be free.

I wanted to live.

I had finally made up my mind.

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