Striker

Struck.

I woke up at around 6 in the morning, still laying on the floor from last night. My whole body was aching and I did not want to move, but needed to. I slowly made my way to the shower and let the warm water soothe me slightly. I got out and began taking care of my body. I was covered in bruises from my neck down. My face only had a black eye and slight bruise on my cheek. He didn't hit my face too hard last night. 

I wrapped my ribs again, rubbing cream on my body to try to soothe the pain. I then took Tylenol and put some in a baggie to take with me to school. I placed it in my bag with my other school supplies and began getting ready for the day. I made sure that my eye was not visible at all and did not forget my hoodie today. I then quietly and quickly left to head to the school. 

I completely forgot about Max and Striker giving me rides now in the morning and it only dawned on me when he came into class late looking pissed off. Let's just say I got an earful from him for that. Other than that, classes went on as usual. Boring, but entertaining with the guys around me. I was very thankful for the fact that I met them. 

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A couple weeks passed with me getting closer than ever with Max and the boys. They came to my house after school and stayed for a couple hours and made sure to include me in their plans. Striker was never pleased when I was around them, always being rude to me or not talking. I didn't have another run in with the girls, though, so I took that as a win on my part. 

I was getting ready for school now. It was a Thursday and I was so thankful that it was. One more day until the weekend. I was also thankful for my father working more due to the fact that I have not been sporting any bruises for a little over a week now. 

I walked out the door and saw the familiar looking truck waiting for me. I opened the door, smiling, thinking that Max and the boys would be waiting for me. To my disappointment, it was only Striker in the truck today. 

"Where are the boys?" I asked, curiously.

"Not here." He gruffed. 

"Obviously, Striker. Why are they not?"

He ignored me and just kept driving to school. I was getting annoyed because I did not want to have to face the school day alone. 

"Will Max be here by first period?" I asked him, hoping for a response this time. 

"Don't know."

"Well, then, can you take me back home please?" I said, knowing I would not survive the day without him. I knew nobody else and really did not want to even try to go. Taking a personal day wouldn't be bad at all. 

"No. I'm not being late because you're a bitch baby that can't handle one day by herself." He snapped at me, pulling into the parking lot. "Now get out of my fucking truck."

I didn't hesitate to get out and I made sure to slam the damn door as hard as I could. I can not stand him at all. I just want this day over with. 

The periods drug on until it was finally lunch, which I was usually excited for. Oh god, where am I going to sit? I hated that I wasn't sure. I have become so dependent on Max and that's not good at all. 

I walked into the lunch room and grabbed an apple, paying the lunch lady for it. I turned to walk out but my arm was grabbed by someone. I quickly jerked away with as much force as I could, hating that someone was grabbing me. I turned around and realized it was Striker. 

"You are still sitting with me. Come to the table." He said. I rolled my eyes, really not in the mood for him. 

"I'm fine. I'd rather sit on a toilet or something, not with you by myself." I snapped. I did not like him at all. He annoyed me to no end.

"You are coming. Max will be here soon with the guys. So come sit. Now." He demanded. I rolled my eyes again and followed the orders, hoping the boys wouldn't take too long to get here. 

I was sitting there for a good ten minutes and Striker had not said a damn word to me. I was so bored and wanted Max here more than anything. I started to say something to Striker when the girls that beat me a couple weeks ago came up to the table. The main one sat on top of Strikers lap, with the other two sitting on either side of him. 

"What do you want Julia?" He asked. Hmm, so she has a name. Apparently she does know Striker very well, too, from the looks of them.

"Baby, why are you sitting with that skank?" She asked, seductively biting her lip. At least, she thinks it looks seductive.

"Waiting on Max to get here." He said to her, taking her lip in between his teeth. I gagged a little, but they payed no mind to it. They started a heavy make out session and I was done sitting there. I began to get up when my saviors came. 

"Aella!" Max yelled, grabbing me in a huge hug. 

"Goodness Max, its only been a couple days." I said, laughing. 

"Yes, but we missed your beautiful face." He replied, pinching my cheek. I heard a scoff behind me and turned to see it was none other than Julia. I ignored her, knowing damn well what her and her girls could do and wanting no part in that again. 

"Problem, Julia?" Max asked her. I yanked his arm, silently pleading for him to shut his mouth, but he didn't catch it. 

"It's just, I am worried about your eyesight is all." She replied. Her girls started giggling like the loyal girls they are. I watched as Max slowly became unhinged. He went to leap across the table at her, but someone had beat him to it. 

Striker? He had his hand around her neck, squeezing it to where she was clawing at his hand. 

"Do not disrespect my boys. That includes Aella. Next time you do, I will not hesitate to kill you." He growled out. I was surprised. Where did this come from? He's never cared before about insulting me. Of course, maybe it was just because she had insulted Max, or tried to at least. 

He released her from his hold and she scurried out of the lunch room. 

"Thanks, man. If you wouldn't have, I surely would have." Max said to Striker, giving him a pat on the shoulder. He just grunted in return, turning to glare at me. I put my head down hoping he would not say anything, but of course he had to. 

"Learn how to fight your own fucking battles. I don't need to get into a fight because you're to much of a pussy to stand up for yourself." he said, still glaring my way. I felt like punching him in the face, kicking him, making him feel the pain his words continuously give me, but I didn't. I cowered behind Max, asking him if we could leave now. We started to walk away when I heard one of the guys tell Striker he needed to lay off of me. Of course, his reply was a grunt. Nothing new there. I was ready for this damn day to end.