Chapter One

At 17 most girls are worried about prom. They're worried about boys and grades, but Jay was worried about who she might run into during everyday life. She was scared of her own shadow all because of some premature decisions she really had no understanding of.

Jay and Tiara were making the walk home from school like they did every day. Jay was preoccupied with her thoughts before Tiara interrupted her, "Jay, why don't you hang out with us after school anymore?"

"Tiara, you know I'm avoiding some people right now. I'm just trying to lay low long enough for him to forget me. As soon as I know everything is clear, I'll go back to hanging out with you guys."

Tiara and Jay had been best friends since they were in diapers. They went back to the good times and bad times, but Tiara couldn't seem to understand why Jay was running from her nightmare instead of confronting it.

"Baby, you know Max will never forget you. As a matter of fact, he asked about you yesterday. I started to," Jay cut Tiara off.

"What did you tell him? You didn't say anything did you?" Jay's brown skin became heated at his name. Fear was eminent on her face.

"No, why are you so scared of him? Why don't you just tell him you're done?" Jay stopped walking and looked at Tiara in a bit of confusion. Tiara saw how Max had been verbally aggressive, but she had no clue about anything else.

After Max knocked Jay down the stairs of his apartment, she knew he was no good for her. She had decided to leave the one man that had controlled her life for so long. Jay also knew that if he could find her, he would force her back to his place.

"You can't run forever. It's better that you tell him you quit in person or he'll keep assuming you two are together." Tiara seemingly had an answer, but she didn't know all the variables. This meant she couldn't possibly know how to truly deal with the problem.

"Thanks for being such an optimist Tiara," Jay responded sarcastically. "If you only know what would really happen," she murmured under her breath. Both girls slowly approached their apartment building before heading in. Both girls separated at the top of the stairs, Jay headed to the left and Tiara headed to the right.

"Mom, I'm home," Jay yelled through the house. She found her mom sitting at the table across from Max.

"Honey, Max came over. He hadn't seen you in some time. Why having you been going to your tutor?"

"I've been busy mom." Jay hadn't told her mom that she and Max were dating. Her mom was clueless and enjoyed being kept that way.

Max sat at the table in a cool demeanor. His glasses sat on the table while his brown eyes roamed her body. Jay could see the anger behind the façade. "I was concerned about her. She stopped coming to see me and I thought she had given up. I am so sorry for bothering you Ms. Grace," he responded with an All-American tone.

"Can I talk with you outside?" Jay's voice wavered with anxiety. She walked with him outside and leaned against the wall.

"I missed you," he whispered in her ear. She took a step back and tried to assess the situation.

"I thought we were done. Why are you here?" She tried to put on her big girl face, but it was failing.

"Are you done?" He rubbed his fingers through his auburn hair. "It's Friday, you should come to my place this weekend. I can get your mom to agree."

"I'm not going anywhere with you. You must think I'm stupid or something." Jay started towards the door, but Max snatched her back to him. His face pressed against her face.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, but you need to change it."

Reviews

[annie lee]

This is very interesting; you set up the scenario quickly and clearly. The fact that Max is at her home when she returns elevates the reader's apprehension. The reader is, at this point, involved and hopes that Jay is brave enough (and strong enough) to turn Max away. Do not be afraid to share your writing; I see real expertise here. You built the scene, you sketched your characters and their conversations filled in the rest. We are all here for exposure and help; so do not be intimidated.