Being Nice Is For Losers (DISCONTINUED)

_-*7*-_

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair and sighed as Riley dashed out the door after the bell rang. I had tried asking her what was bothering her a few times today, the few times I saw her, but she still refused to tell me.

I gathered my things and met Lucas in the hall. "Where's Riley?" he asked.

"Still avoiding me, still won't tell me what's going on," I said, getting more and more frustrated. "I just want to know what happened and if she's okay or if I fucked up and need to fix whatever it was that happened and-"

"Max, breathe. You're rambling again." I had a habit of that. No matter the emotion, if it was strong I was bound to speak as quickly as my thoughts passed. Half the time I would stumble over my words and make no sense.

I sighed and nodded. I ran my hand through my hair once more before catching a glimpse of Riley. Before I allowed myself to back out I ran after her and grabbed her wrist to stop her. "Okay enough of the bullshit what the hell is going on? You're avoiding me and I want to know why." I demanded.

"It's noth-"

"Bullshit. Come on Riles, since when do you avoid me? Since when do you not tell me what's going on?" She stayed quiet, refusing to look at me as she kept her hair covering her face so I couldn't see the emotion in her eyes. "Did I fuck up?"

"If you don't leave me be you just might." My grip on her wrist loosened and my jaw slacked open. Her words hurt enough to feel it in my chest. She tugged her arm away and when she turned away from me the anger behind my hurt emerged. I grabbed the back of her shirt and pulled her back with a little too much force. By accident, she ended up behind me so I had to turn around to face her.

"What the fuck Riley!? What happened to you!?" I exclaimed. Surprise washed over her face before it was masked with a glare.

"I fucking changed Max! For two years you weren't here! I barely had anyone! People got worse and I had to learn to fight for myself the hard way!"

"I'm sorry! That's not my fault! You know damn well I would give anything to change that! But pushing me away isn't going to fix anything! I'm supposed to be your best friend! I'm supposed to be there for you! I'm supposed to fucking protect you from this hell!"

"I don't need you to fucking protect me anymore! I don't care anymore! Be fucking proud! I'm the next heartless bitch around here! Won't be as good as you though will I?"

"Heartless bitch? Where the fuck is this coming from!? What the hell did I do!?" This time she stayed quiet and looked away, balling her fists. "Answer me!"

"Nothing Max! Just leave me alone," she said through gritted teeth.

"You know what, fine. Don't say I didn't fucking try." I wanted so badly to hug her, to take the words back, to promise her I'd always be there. I almost thought she'd give in, hug me, say she was sorry, but she didn't. She turned on her heel and walked away without another word.

Lucas turned his gaze away from Riley to look at me in what seemed to be pity, fucking pity, before glancing over my shoulder at something and catching up with Riley. Well, that was just the icing on the cake. I felt a tugging pain in my chest and I wanted to drop to my knees and let all the hushed tears I made myself hold back my whole life fall, but I didn't. I masked my pain and finally realized a crowd had gathered around.

My lethal glared shot daggers at each and every one of them. Most looked scared but only a few ran for cover. "Go the fuck away before I beat the hell out of all of you!" I snapped, my words spewing venom that sent them running to their classes, all but one that is.

Cole moved from behind me to beside me, he must have been who Lucas looked at. "Are you okay?"

"Just fucking peachy," I said and turned to walk away. Cole didn't protest, he only followed beside me. Maybe I shouldn't push him away, from the looks of it he and Nate might be all I have left.