Xailey laid in Aiden’s bed waiting for him to get home. The lights were off and her eyes were clenched closed. Her head was throbbing and she could taste the dried blood on her lip. Her whole body ached and her ribs screamed in pain with every breath. The incessant pulsing in her ears drowned out all other sounds, including those of 2 car doors closing and the muffled giggles of a girl coming down the hall.

Suddenly the door flew open and a blinding light burst onto Xailey’s face. The shocked gasp of Becky Waller brought her back to reality as she squinted at the doorway. The combination of the glaring light and her swollen eye impaired her vision, but she could make out 2 distinct figures.

“Aww, Shoot! Could this night get any worse?â€? She mumbled as she hoisted herself off the bed. “Wow, I’m really sorry. i should have called first,â€? she croaked as she slid the window open.

Aiden stood there speechless watching the one girl he had always vowed to protect crawl out his window all bloody and bruised.