I woke up with my head on someone's lap. I knew instantly where I was. I was back home, although I have no idea how I got here. I tried to sit up, grabbing my ribs as pain ripped through them.

That's when I remembered.

“all you had to do was listen to me!”he shouted in my face before standing up, his foot colliding with my ribs.

I could feel the tears beginning again, I put my head back on the lap & tried not to cry. Each time I took a breath it hurt. “Try not to move sis.”Mike's voice suddenly appeared. He was stroking my hair.

“How did I get home?”I questioned, speaking quietly but loud enough for him to just about hear me.

“I brought you back. You weren't answering my calls, I was worried so I came round. You were in Tony's arms, his house was broken into.” That's not how I remembered it. I slowly eazed myself off his lap. Wrapping my blanket around me, I made my way into the kitchen. Everywhere hurt. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

“Fuck..” I muttered seeing the bruising on my face. What made him turn against me? What did I do wrong exactly? All these thoughts ran through my mind as I reached for the vodka in the cupboard. Pouring myself a glass, I threw it down. Feeling it burn my throat. I didn't care what time it was, I didn't want to feel anything. I took the bottle & went back and sat on the sofa.

“Please don't...”his voice trailed off as I shot him a look. Don't even start with me today. “Mom and Dad are back tomorrow.”

“Great...” sarcasm dripped from my voice. I can't believe he believed Tony. “Mikey?”

“what's wrong?”he smiled gently at me.

“No-one broke into his house...”my voice dropped a lot. I couldn't believe that for once in my life I was about to tell the truth. He looked at me with a questioning look. Did I really have to spell it out to him? “It was Tone....”my voice cracked.

“He did this?”anger suddenly hit him. I nodded. I can't believe I've done this. “I'm going to kill him.” Before I had chance to stop him, he was out the door.

What had I done?

***

I didn't care if it hurt me, I ran the short cut to Tony's. I got there before Mike. I was glad. I knocked on his door. Praying he'd open up, I heard Mike voice walking up the road. “Tony Perry, you are a dead man.”

Just then the door swung open, I pushed my way inside. Shutting the door, locking it. “I'm so sorry baby, he knows.”

“Who? What?”was he acting stupid? This was not a time to act stupid. “Oh you mean, because of these?”he softly replied, running his thumb over one of the bruises on my face. He turned and opened the door, he was soon pinned to wall by Mike. I didn't want him to hurt him.

“Mikey please, don't.” I pleaded with him. “Leave him alone please, just go home. I'll meet you there.”I placed my hand on his arm as he still held Tony against the wall. He didn't even look scared, Within a split second, a fist collided with Tony's face & Mike let him go. “Touch my sister again & I swear to god I'll kill you.” He turned and left without another word. This wasn't the end of it, he wasn't letting Tony go that easily.

I sat beside Tony on the floor, leaning my head on shoulder. He put his arm round and pulled me closer. “I'm sorry.” I said, breaking the silence.

“It's okay beautiful.”his voice seemed calm, he placed a kiss on the side of my head.

*** time lapse: 3 days ***

“Claire, you sure about this darling?”Vic's voice snapped me from my thoughts.

“Yeah, just pick me up afterwards.” I smiled and climbed out the car, heading into school. Truth is, I didn't want to face school. I wondered what everyone would think. Natalie was stood by the school gates, she smiled at me & hugged me lightly as I approached her. I looked over her shoulder, I saw Tony there. 'I love you' he mouthed to me.

'I love you too' Natalie let me go, leading me into school. Everyone that saw me, gasped, muttered, laughed. I didn't ask to be beaten up by my boyfriend 3 days ago. I bet they didn't even know the truth. An arm snaked round my back/waist. I looked to my right to see Tony. His smile was only just visible. His eye bruised, his nose slightly bruised.

Well didn't we look a right pair, both with bruises. He held onto me tight, he seemed protective but I couldn't tell. “You still look beautiful.”he whispered as we took our seats in Math class.

Mike was sat a couple of seats in front of me, to the left. He was watching intently. I felt bad, he just wanted to protect me. I didn't want the boy I loved to be hurt though, even if he did hurt me. His eyes never left us. I got up mid lesson, to put something in the bin. On my way back, I sat to my brother. “Please don't hate me.”

“Why would I hate you?”his voice was raised a little bit. A few people turned to look at us. I frowned at him. “I'm disappointed, I thought you would stay away.”

“I can't though Mikey...”I placed my hand on top of his. “..I love him, he loves me. I really love him, I may go as far as saying I'm in love.”

“How do you love someone like him?”he turned to look at me.

“This is one time Mikey, I promise. He won't hurt me again.”I flashed him a reassuring smile. I hoped to god I was right. I rested my head on shoulder and sat there the rest of the lesson. Vic had been great, I could tell he wanted to beat the crap out of Tony but he also knew how much it'd hurt me. Whereas Mike, would just go ahead and beat the crap out of him.

***

“Baby, come sit.”he tapped the space between him. I was on way to see Mike for my lunch. He was taking me to my favourite place. His way of trying to make me feel better.

“I'm sorry, I'm meeting Mike.”I smiled, kissing his cheek. He grabbed my wrist, pulling me down onto his lap. His lips placed on mine, the kiss deepened as I ran my fingers through his hair. I pulled away, needing some air. “Please don't ever leave me. I love you baby.”

“I won't, I love you too.”with one last kiss he let me go. I couldn't help but smile. Was he really coming back to me? I looked back to see him smiling at me. It was the same smile he used to give me all the time, the smile that told me he really did love me.

He did love me. He really did. That's all I needed to know to make the heartbreak go away.