My face stung from where his hand had collided with my face. I was unable to speak. I was hurt, shocked. Why did he hit me? I grabbed my coat & ran out the door. I wouldn't cry in front of him. I kept running, I didn't stop until I reached home. I stood outside, composing myself. Wiping my eyes. Taking a deep breath I unlocked the door with the spare key & headed inside.

Mike was sat up doing what looked to be homework. "Hey." I smiled, okay it was fake but who could blame me? My boyfriend just hit me.

"Claire, what's happened?" Damn it, why did you have to notice. The tears were returning. My lip quivered. "Who's hurt you?" His voice had worry & anger in it. I dropped my stuff & fell to the floor. Crying loudly, I couldn't hold it in. Mike sat beside me, wrapping his arms round me. Rocking backwards & forwards trying to calm me. I was hoping he'd put this down to my depression.

He pushed a piece of hair from the side of my face, I flinched a little. It still really hurt. "Tell me who it was." he whispered as I tried to calm down. My breathing was unsteady & I could barely talk. I couldn't tell him who it was.

"I banged my face." I lied, wiping the tears. "I've had a tough day as well. That's all."

"Promise me?" he looked me straight in the eyes.

"I promise." I whispered. A small smile appeared on his lips, hugging me once again. We just stayed there, I soon fell asleep.

***

"Is Claire in?" a voice woke me up. I was on the sofa.

"Yeah, come in Tony." My body froze. I shut my eyes again & pretended to still be asleep. I felt someone shake me. Vic's voice whispered, telling me to get up. No. No. No. I didn't want to face Tony. Maybe he was coming to apologise though? Don't be silly, he's come back to hurt you again

"Shut up!" I shouted at the voice in my head. Making Vic jump back a bit. I sat up, apologised to him & mumbled a hey towards Tony. It was soon just me & Tony alone, I didn't enjoy his company right now though. "Thought you would of been at school."

"You didn't come in, I wanted to make sure you were okay." he smiled at me. Hello, are you stupid or something? You hit me last night. What do you expect me to do? Run up to, hug you, kiss you? I don't damn well think so.

"I don't feel so well." I lied. Hell I lied a lot. Who cares?

"I'm sorry baby." he whispered.

"For?"

"Hitting you." I spotted Vic stood there, a flash of anger crossed his face. I didn't say anything. "I didn't mean it, I don't know what came over me." He sounded like he was going to cry. Call me a fool, but I hugged him. Telling him it was okay & I forgave him. I looked to see Vic still stood there, his fits were now clenched beside him. "Get to school, I'll see you at prom."

***

"Oh Claire, you look beautiful!!" Natalie gushed as I emerged from my room & walked downstairs. There was still no sign of Tony. Where the hell was he? He was suppose to be here an hour ago. Before I had chance, Vic pulled me into the kitchen. "Why didn't you tell me Tony had hit you?"

"Because it was an accident Vic." Here we go again with the lies. For once maybe one day I would be able to tell the truth. Just not now. I told him to forget about it. Hopefully he would listen. I was just praying he hadn't told Mike. That would not end well.

"Tony's here!!" Mike called. Vic looked at me. I could tell he was going to say something but he chose not to.

"Have fun alright, you look stunning" he smiled, kissing my cheek. "You call me if you have any trouble." I nodded. He linked his arm with mine & led me out the kitchen. Tony was stood there, in his suit looking perfect. His smile was evident. "You look amazing." he said.

"You scrub up well Perry." I grinned. He twirled me around before placing one single kiss on my lips. A flash of a camera making us pull apart from each other. Natalie shrugged before linking up with Mike. Oh they were perfect together. She was happy, Mike was happy. Everyone was happy. There was just one thing, what happens if he hits me again?

***

"Mike, no more for me." I placed a hand over my glass as he went to pour a little more alcohol in it. I had no idea how he got it in but he did. Trying to act sober was hard. We had been sat around as a group, laughing about silly things, remembering memories, dancing. Tonight was actually perfect.

I felt so happy, not fake happy either. Proper, true happiness. Tony hadn't left my side, he was the perfect boyfriend tonight. "Anyone seen Jaime?" I called out over the music.

"Sorry doll, he hasn't arrived yet." I sighed, hurry please Jaime. I wanted my best friend. "I love you." Tony whispered into my ear as he linked his hand with mine.

"I love you too." I smiled at him, he pulled me closer kissing me like never before. It was rushed. I knew he had, had a lot to drink. Thank you Michael. That was probably it. He hand danced up & down my thigh as we pulled away. A devious smirk on his face, I knew what he wanted. He was going to have to wait.

I was sat on the table on my own, the others had gone to have a dance. Two hands covered my eyes. "Guess who?" a voice called. I jumped up & turned around.

"Jaimeee!! You made it!" I yelled, throwing my arms around his neck & hugging him tight.

"I promised you a dance, a dance you shall get." he grinned at me. He sat down next to me & we talked about his time in the UK. "London is noisy, but I loved it. I missed you though. How's things with you & Tony?"

"Perfect Hime-Time." I beamed at him. I was so happy he made it. "You don't have to beat his punk ass, as you put it, yet."

"I hope I never have to either." he laughed, taking a big drink. "Come on, dance time." he took my hand & led me to the dancefloor as a slow song started. He pulled me a bit closer to him & we had our dance. I glanced over to my left, to see Tony stood against the wall. Glaring at us. I flashed him a smile, hoping to cheer him up. He just ignored it & walked off outside.

It seemed like forever till the song ended. Jaime wouldn't let go of me, squeezing me gently as he hugged me. Someone really did miss me. "You're going to crush me." I giggled, oh god I giggled.

"Sorry pumpkin, I just missed you lots & lots." he grinned. "So how was the dance?"

"Perfect." the others joined us, each of them hugging Jaime. "Guys, leave my best friend alone." I pouted, pretending to be jealous. He stood next to me, wrapping his arm across my back, pulling me closer. I looked up at him, a big grin on my face as he looked down with that cheeky grin. "Picture, stay there. I need my camera."

We both laughed a little, not moving. "Alright, one second...." The camera flashed. "...done." She looked down at her camera. "that is the best picture of the night." she gushed.

"You look stunning by the way." he whispered in my ear, kissing the side of my head. Then I remembered. Tony.

"I'll be back in a few." I smiled, detaching myself from him. I headed outside. Tony was sat on the wall, he looked pissed off. I was hoping it wasn't because of me or Jaime. We were only friends. Very close friends, okay sometimes we pushed them boundiaries but Tony knew that we were just friends.

***

"Don't you fucking dare Cesar Antonio Soto Perry" I screamed, throwing a plate at him.

"Don't what? Speak the truth!" he spat, slamming his fits onto the table.

"The truth? He's my best friend you daft little shit." Oh he was testing me right now. This is how it had been for the past 2 hours.

"Friends don't act like you two." He picked up the pan from the table, throwing it in my general direction.

"You know what? Fuck you Tony. You're mood swings are pissing me off. A month ago you ignored me on movie night!" I yelled, my voice cracking as tears fought to come out.

"I did no such thing." raising his voice to match mine. He walked around the counter, backing me into the cupboard. "You are a slut Claire." he spat. My hand collided with his face with a loud crack. I didn't even care right now.

"I hate you." I yelled, pushing past him. His hand grabbed my wrist. He pulled me back, pushing me against the wall hard. Okay, now I was beginning to get scared.

That's when he did it again. Not just once this time.

It lasted nearly all night.