Suffer In Silence

*Dakota's POV*

*****Time Lapse*****

It's been a few days since the run-in with Stephanie and that girl Laney. I feel less scared knowing that I won't have any more trouble from Laney, she seems quick to react violently, but I've seen that she can be quite reasonable too. I really hope that she and her group are around next time Josh harasses me, I'd rather them get rid of him over Stephanie any day. Both the school and my psychiatrist had decided that I need a few days off school, to recover both mentally and physically. Today is Monday, my first day of work at the music store, and my last day before I go back to school.

I take a deep breath and walk into the store. I've barely walked a few steps before Max is all over me, squealing like a little girl. "OH MY GOD! you look AMAZING! LOVE what you've done with your hair, that whole shaved half of the head thing really suits you!, I don't know how you managed to make it look so dainty yet rock at the same time", he laughs and hugs me again. I giggle at the absurdness of his behavior, "thanks, I see your power is compliments" I laugh awkwardly at my bad joke, he giggles and blushes. "Um... So I wasn't sure what to wear, since the application form only said not to dress like a slut haha", before I can say anything else, he quickly explains. "Yeah that part was by me, I thought it would be funny, since we don't really have a dress code, but it's really awkward when employees dress whorish. It's directed at both men and women, so don't worry" he laughs nervously.

I can already tell I'm going to like it here, it's a great working environment and working with Max will be so much fun. I have a strong feeling that he is going to be a forever-friend, not one of those you lose touch with. "Don't worry Max I thought it was funny too" I assure him with a grin, so he knows I'm not lying just to make him feel better. "OK! let me show you around, I asked you to come in early so you wouldn't have to learn while there's customers around...", he explains. I make sure to pay attention to everything he shows and teaches me, and surprisingly, I don't tune out into a daydream once, which is a first for me....

*****Time Lapse*****

"So... How was your day?" Andy lazily drawls as he saunters into my room, closing the door behind him. I bite my lip trying not to squeal with excitement as I bounce on the spot. Finally after a few agonizing seconds I launch myself at him, hugging him and jumping up and down. He laughs and joins me in the jumping, but soon breaks away, holding me at arms length. "Much as I love this, would you care to sit down long enough to tell me why we're so excited?" he says, chuckling.

"Well.... I had work today for the first time ever!, it was SO amazing!. Max showed me the ropes over and over so I'd know it off by heart when the store opened. Somehow he made it funny and interesting each time so I wouldn't get bored haha, you really should meet him, he's awesome!".

*Andy's POV*

I watch, with a hot feeling of jealousy, as she starts searching through her little backpack. I'm glad she doesn't seem to be noticing how I'm reacting, because if she did she'd see that I've tensed up, and try as I might, I can't stop clenching and un-clenching my jaw. The way she's talking about this Max guy, the way her eyes light up when she says his name, I don't like it.

What if she likes him more than she likes me?, what if she... falls for him?... I'm snapped out of my thoughts when she snaps her fingers in my face. "Hellooooo? earth to Andy?, ah! you're back!, now, look what I got you!", she thrusts a CD into my hands. I look down to see that it's the latest Motley Crue album. My lips curve into a smile and I hug her tight, I can't believe she did this for me!. "Oh my god, I thought these weren't even out yet!" I say, still shocked. "Their not" she giggles, "but their already in stores ready to be released next week, and since I work at the music shop now, I had early access", she explains with a proud smile. "Oh but you can't tell anyone, I could get in trouble...".

I laugh happily, "don't worry, I won't breathe a word, it'll be our little secret" I reply, pressing a finger to my smirking lips. She giggles and hits me with a pillow, and after a brief pillow fight, we pop the CD into her CD player, and spend the rest of the afternoon rocking out to the Motley Crue album like total fucktards. It's the best afternoon I've had in a long time. I can't help but wish though... that I could hold her... like, really hold her......

Notes

Let me just say that I'm SO FUCKING SORRY that it took so long to upload a chapter, and that it's so short, please don't kill me.... pretty please?... *rolls onto back exposing my vulnerable belly like a puppy*

So anyway, finally chapter 19 is up! (technically 22). It's really more of a filler, but felt necessary to the story, I like to let things develop on their own , forcing it always makes it seem so... fake, if that makes any sense haha

Please let me know what you think, if you think it sucked, or didn't make sense, whatever you think just throw it my way, I respect you guys' opinions so much.

Ch. Title Credit: We the Kings - Say You Like Me