With a pillow over his face and the blinds that blocked the sun, Noah lies on his bed, deep asleep.

It was already late in the afternoon, but he was so tired from last night that he could sleep for more days straight.

The quiet buzzing sound was what finally woke him up, pulling the pillow off his face and looking over at his phone which rested on his night stand. He let out a groan before taking it, looking at the message.

"You awake?" -I

"I am now. 😪" -N

"Oh, sorry, dude. 😓" -I

"Nah, don't worry about it."
"What's up?" -N

"Just wanted to see how you were doing, I know taking me home wasn't the easiest thing in the world. 😅" -I

"Haha, it wasn't too difficult. 🤣" -N

"Alright, lol."
"Btw, Don't think I haven't forgotten what I saw last night."
"About your arm.." -I

"Right.." -N

"You're keeping your promise, right?" -I

"You know I never break a promise." -N

"Alright, text me when you're on your way." -I

"Will do." -N

Noah let out a small sigh as he placed his phone down. It's not that he didn't trust her, he just didn't want her to be sucked into his problems.

But she was going to find out sooner or later; Iv's a lot of things, but an ignorant idiot is not one of them. Whenever she wants to know something, she won't stop until she does so, she's stubborn in that sense.

He sat up, stretching his arms above his head as he let out a yawn.

'Some coffee would be nice..'

Even if it was already way past the afternoon, he continued with his usual morning routine. It was already starting to get a little dark out, so he grabbed his winter jacket and scarf; then over to the door.

To his complete surprise, when he opened the door, someone stood in front of him, arms crossed with a cold and deadly glare.

Alexa..

And she was not happy..

"Oh, Alexa, I was just about to-"

His words were cut off short when she slapped the back of her hand against his cheek, sending a wave of shock and fear down his body.

She pushed him back into the apartment, closing the door as she pulled out her phone, showing it to him. "Care to explain what the fuck this is?!?"

Noah's eyes quickly widened. On the phone with as a picture from last night, of him having a good time at his birthday party. Iv had her arm around his shoulders, winking at the camera as he gave a bright smile.

~Happy 23rd BDay!!! 😝🥳🎉~

His blood ran cold at Alexa's icy stare, not knowing what to do; he couldn't lie his way out of this one.

Even though the truth was already deadly to him..

"... I was out with some friends, they threw me a surprise party yesterday.."

"Friends?"

Noah nodded in response, his hand over his red cheek, though he didn't look away.

She stayed quiet for a while before letting her phone fall on the couch, walking over and punching Noah's face, sending him to the ground.

A hand covered his now bloody nose as he tried to sit up, only for Alexa to punch his face again before harshly kicking his side.

The familiar metallic taste of blood returned to his mouth, along with a black eye. It had been so many times that he'd always grow numb at the feeling of pain, whether physical or emotional.

She pulled him up by his hair, tilting his head on a painful angle, facing her. "I've already told you, you don't need friends."

Punching him again, Noah fell once more to the ground, drops of blood falling on the carpet.

It was always the same schedule; receiver the kicks and punches, stay on the ground, then wait for her to apologize.

But he didn't have all that time, Iv waited for him at her apartment, she waited for an answer.

Alexa kneeled down time his level with a growl. "You'll pay dearly for keeping in contact with that fucking slut."

"Don't c-call her that..." Though his words were a mutter, they reached Alexa's ears, getting a glare from her.

"Isn't that what she is?"

"N-no, she isn't.. Iv is an amazing girl.."

Another kick to the stomach, knocking more air out of him. "Don't you dare say that bitch's name! She's a monster that's getting in the way of our relationship!"

"IF SHE'S A MONSTER, WHAT DOES THAT MAKE YOU?!?"

Alexa's eyes widened. Something bad changed in Noah's eyes; when he went though this, they were gray, trying to block out all the pain.

Now, however, they were filled with anger and hatred, his teeth gritting and bared at her.

"LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME RIGHT NOW!!! ALL YOU EVER DO IS TORTURE ME, HURT ME!!! YOU'RE THE READON MY LIFE HAD BEEN SO HORRIBLE, THE REASON I'VE WANTED TO DIE FOR YEARS NOW!!!"

Anger.

That's all he felt right now.

He hated her, for all the suffering she has caused.

And he wanted to end it.

Standing up straight, he glared daggers at his worst enemy. "I want nothing to do with you ever again, we're over!!!"

Without waiting for any reaction, Noah ran past Alexa and out of his apartment.

The weather was a mix of rain and snow but he only wore his thin green hoodie; the winter winds didn't help either. He didn't know where he was going, what he would do.

He just ran.

He ran as far from her as she could.

...

Well...

There was one place her could go...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So Monday then?" Iv said as she wrote on her calendar, talking to Lola through her phone. "Yeah, I'm free that afternoon too."

"Alright, you can come over to my place, we can finish the dress then."

"We should have enough t-" Iv looked at the doors when someone knocked. She wasn't expected anyone, and Noah hadn't texted he was on his way yet. She stared at the door for a few seconds before speaking. "Give me a sec, L."

She walked over to the door, her eyes widening when she opened it.

Noah.

He stood in front of her, tightly hugging himself as he heavily shivered, cold and wet. Tears desperately streamed down his face as his lip quivered.

"I-I'll call you later." Before Lola could speak, Iv had already hung up and let her phone fall.

Noah began to sob as he fell forward, Iv catching him in her arms. "Noah?!"

"I- I can't- I c-couldn't do it anymore..!! I c-can't take it..!!"

"Hey, hey...!" She closed the door before carefully sitting down as he buried his face on her shoulder, sobbing and crying.

She gently began to pet his hair, worry overtaking her as she kept him close, resting her head on hers as she tried to comfort her frightened friend.

"It's okay... I'm right here..."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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