Striker

Eh

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My father was in and out of the house all weekend. I wasn't complaining at all. It actually gave me some time to finish homework from the first day and be able to heal up without having to take another beating for my mistakes. It was now Monday morning and I was leaving to walk to school. My father started his job today, so he'll thankfully be gone for most of the day today, also. 

I walked out of the house and saw an unfamiliar truck outside. I looked at it curiously, rolling my eyes as I saw who it was. 

"What are you doing here, Striker?" 

"I didn't want you falling again on the way to school." He smirked at me. 

I rolled my eyes again and walked away. I heard a huff and the sound of someone hitting something. 

"Get in, Aella. I wanted you to ride with me today." I looked to see Max sitting in the passenger seat of the truck. I decided it wouldn't be bad with Max being in there, so I walked towards the truck and got into the backseat. I smiled as I saw Brute, Pete, and Noah sitting in the back. 

"Looks like you'll be sitting on my lap," Noah said. I blushed and looked down. 

"You know what guys, I am actually fine with walking, its really not a big deal." I said, hoping they would just let me walk. 

"No way, sweetie. There's an extra seat in the front. You can sit in the middle. Come here." Max said, jumping out of the truck and picking me up to put me in. 

"Don't talk to her like that, Noah." I heard a gruff voice say as I took my seat in the middle. I was thankful, but when I realized it was Striker who said that, I was confused. 

"It's fine, Noah. I know you were teasing." I quietly said, glowering up at Striker through my lashes. I didn't appreciate him trying to take up for me. Something about him just irritated me. I saw Striker clench his jaw, then give a warning look to Noah through the mirror. He really is rude. 

As soon as Max got in, I scooted closer to him, wanting to be as far way from Striker as I could get. Max put a comforting arm around my shoulder the remainder of the ride to the school. Soon we arrived and everyone got out. Max lifted me out of the truck and put me down outside of it. 

"Your face looks better." I heard Striker say to me, as I was throwing my bag over my shoulder. I was going to respond, but instead just nodded my head as I started to feel stares directed towards me. 

Shit. Shit. Shit. I thought, realizing I forgot my hoodie. I had no way of covering my face from these people. 

"What's wrong?" Striker asked, looking at me. 

"Nothing, I just forgot my hoodie." I said, hiding my face is Max's shoulder. 

"You don't need it. Your face is beautiful, no point in hiding it." Max responded, wrapping his arm back around my shoulder as I still tried to remain hidden. 

"Here, I had an extra one in my truck. Take it, but give it back after school. You don't get to keep it." Striker said. I looked up surprised, but thankful. He was actually being nice, sort of. I gratefully took it from his outstretched hand and put it on. Max put his arm back around my shoulder as we headed towards our math class. I looked back at Striker to see him glaring at Max. He turned his glare to me before heading off in the opposite direction. 

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Classes went on as usual, all of them boring. I found out Striker was in my 7th period. Of course he's in the only period that Max isn't in. He didn't talk to me, though. So it wasn't all that bad. Brute, Pete, and Noah are in that period, too. They sit around me and are actually hilarious. 

It was finally the end of the day and I walked out of the school with Max. He was stopped by some other guys he was friends with and told me to go ahead to the truck. I stopped at my locker first to put my stuff in there and then headed in the direction of the truck. 

I heard heels clicking behind me and soon after my hair was yanked back. I flew to the floor with the force the yank had behind it and looked up to see three girls around me. I cowered back, not wanting to get hit, but received a kick to the stomach by one of the girls. I scooted back against the lockers, trying to get away. 

"Stay away from Striker and the boys. They aren't yours. They never will be. Just look at you, why would they want anything to do with you? You're just a dumb slut. If you continue to go near them, our next meeting will be a lot worse than this." The blonde one sneered at me. She wore a good bit of makeup, and has expensive clothing on. I didn't recognize her from any of my classes, and had no idea who any of them were. 

I stood up to just walk away, but the two other girls grabbed me. The blonde one slapped each side of my face, before the other two let me go. "Just in case you need to know just how bad it could be." She said, before they walked off. 

I put my head down and walked off in the opposite direction of the boys. I had no idea if they were even still waiting on me, but I didn't want to be around them for the time being anyways. I should've just kept to myself as usual so I wouldn't be in this mess. I don't need more violence than I already have in my life. Theres only so much I can take. 

I made my way home and went inside. I wrapped up my ribs since they were throbbing again, then pulled up my hair and changed into my sweats and a tanktop. I was starving, so I warmed up some canned beef stew. We really didn't have much to eat here. I need to go grocery shopping soon. 

I sat down to eat my food when the doorbell rang. I groaned, getting up to answer it. 

"Why are you here? Again?" I snapped.