“Rex!” Alex called from outside the school after biology. “Where are you?”

“Over here,” I called from the football field.

She came stopping over. “God, I never would have guessed you’d become such a fucking jock. This is crazy. I miss the freaking baggy pants.”

“Oh shut up Alex. What do you want?”

Her expression fell. “I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Yeah, I’ve been at your house for nine days. Mom’s back early. I have to go “home” before I get murdered.”             

I grabbed Alex’s hand and dragged her across the school.

“No way. I can’t send you back there. You’re happy. You talk with my mom and dad. You and Mia do girl shit. You do girl shit. You guys even went shopping together. I’m not letting you go back there.”

“I appreciate the enthusiasm. Really, I do. It’s… nice, but not reality Rex. I have to go back for a while.”

“For a while?”

“Nothing. Complicated.”

“Alex,” I warned, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Sorry Rex. Last thing I’ll say.”

“Fine, but I want your whole story. We haven’t talked since you told me about your real life at home, and I want to know everything. Right now, or you aren’t leaving.”

“If you knew you’d never let me go Rex. And I do have to go back.”

“You have my word. Tell me, and I’ll let you make your own decisions.”

“Your word?” She cocked an eyebrow. I looked at her newly dyed layered hair and nodded.

“My word.”

“Let’s go.”

I followed her over to a set of benches. She threw her backpack on the floor and stomped on it before sitting down. She always did a small act of violence when she was overwhelmed. I sat down next to her.

“So, I told you my mom is schizophrenic. She’s been sick since I was little. It’s my job to take care of her, but she’s nuts Rex. I love her, but she’s nuts. The only good thing is when she’s around my dad doesn’t hurt me as much. If she’s gone or in another room he’ll act up, but if she’s there I’m safe. So, I need her. She can’t go anywhere. But keeping her around is like a full-time job. It’s exhausting. I’m exhausted! Anyway, my mom may be nuts, but my dad’s fucking insane! I hate him. I hate him with every fiber of my being. I’ve thought about leaving a lot, but always chicken out. Where would I go? It’s my family. I can’t just leave. Leave my mom. I don’t know. Something holds me back. My dad … is violent and…”

“Obviously,” I snapped gesturing to her side.

“That’s fucking nothing Rex, and if you don’t keep it together I’m out.”

“Fine. I’m together.” 

She side eyed me but continued.

“He’s never touched me but…” Alexa watched me carefully as I felt the innocence of my world start to shatter. “His friends do. He pays off debt like that,” she shrugged, completely immune to it. “It’s fine when they don’t do creepy shit. I bit a guy once for freaking choking the hell out of me and trying to do all sorts of weird shit. My dad was pissed but dealt with him. His wrath was better than Mr. Creeper. Mr. Creeper never came back. Thank God. Rex, I don’t think I should tell you anymore. I don’t want to corrupt you. Your life is so nice and for some reason I give a crap about you. You’re about the only person. I will say this though. Other than the burn I have no scars really. Minor stuff, but nothing really serious. So, there’s that. I hope it helps.”

She stood up and I abruptly grabbed her hand. She turned around to face me. Her pink striped hair whipped around, blocking her face. Blocking the vulnerability, I know would show there.

“I’m so sorry. I care about you Alex. You know that right?”

I felt Alex’s hand shake in mine. “I know.”

Then she jerked away and ran off. By the time I got home from practice that day her bag was gone, and she was at home. An empty, helpless feeling settled over me when I noticed the house was empty. Her presence was loud, and without it felt like something was missing. Plus, knowing what was going on at her house and being helpless to stop it was like a dagger to my heart.

I stomped off to my room, feeling empty and guilty for not being able to help my best friend. I passed Mia’s room. Her door was cracked open. I heard her crying, so I set my backpack down and gently pushed her door open.

“Mia,” I said quietly.

“Oh Rex!” Mia sat up immediately and wiped the tears off her face.  “What’s up?”

“You were crying.”

She waved her hand flippantly. “Oh, it’s nothing bro.”

Mia never hid her feelings. Ever. She liked the attention. I frowned.

“Mia, I can’t deal with you too. Can one damn female just tell me how they really feel? GEEZ!” My hands balled into fists.

“Okay, okay chill out Rex. I feel sad for Alex. That’s all.”

My shoulders slumped, and I sat next to her on the bed.

“Me too Mia, me too.”

Alexa’s voice snaps me back to the present in an instant.

“What the fuck with this detail Rex?” All eyes are on her. She is pacing the room like a crazy person “I mean what the fuck asshole, huh? You’re doing this to get back at me you stupid fucker.”

“Alexa,” Sam whispers and Alexa turns around to glare at her, so intensely that Logan puts a hand on Sam’s thigh protectively. Of course, Sam pulls it off and frowns at him.

I grin. “I’m telling the story. Like I was asked.”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“You used to be so nice.”

I laugh bitterly. “Oh, I’m still nice, but I’m around you so I’m just trying to keep up. Nice only got my heart broken with you.”

“I… you… “She glares at me again. I take a chance and look over at Gunner who looks thoroughly amused, and the dude never smiles.

“I’m telling the rest of the story,” Alex snaps. “The rest is mine.”

“Oh, come one Alexa,” Dana jumps in. “You’ll leave so much stuff out. Rex is being honest. He’s not being mean.”

“Shut the fuck up Dana. I’ll be honest okay. I swear, but I don’t want to hear anymore from Rex.”

I feel that fire in my body again. Every muscle tightens like a bow ready to lash out.

“Hard to hear what you left behind, huh? Hard to hear that I was a person with real feelings for you. Who gave a shit!”

I expect Alexa to fight me and defend her honor and all that, but she doesn’t. She simply stares at me, empty.

“Yeah.”

With one word all of our mouths drop, including mine. I clear my throat.

“You tell it then.” She nods and begins her story.

The story of what it’s like to live in hell.