awake7

�What�s going on here?� she asked, fighting the giggles. Mark began to laugh at Scottie, who was crying once again, his face red, the veins protruding from his forehead. Tiffany shook her head, unable to speak.
�They�ve got a joke with the milk they�re not sharing.� Tiffany and Scottie laughed even harder. Tiffany fell out of her chair and onto the floor in hysterics. Nadia couldn�t hold in her laughter anymore at that point, and burst into her own fit of hysterics.
�There IS no joke with the milk,� Tiffany and Scottie said in unison. They stopped laughing and looked at each other, then began giggling again. Mark shook his head.
�I�m definitely missing something,� he said between giggles as he opened the refrigerator. Finally, they pulled themselves together, Tiffany heaving a heavy sigh. A smile remained on her face. Mark shook his head, hiding his laughter behind his glass of milk. Tiffany pointed at him, shaking her head, and he lost it. His milk sprayed across the counter as he began laughing again. Nadia laughed at him as she wiped off the counter. He set his glass of milk down and sat at the table, crossing his arms over his chest, staring at the full glass in front of him. �Can you guys get straightened up so I can drink my milk in peace?� Satira laughed silently, and Tiffany stood, her laughter consuming her. Scottie followed her, looking behind him at Mark and Satira as he walked toward the front door.
�I�m leaving!� she shouted. �Ya�ll are crazy!� She laughed as she opened the front door. Scottie ran into her, since he wasn�t watching where he was going. He looked down at Tiffany. Her face was suddenly dark and angry, her fear obvious. His face registered confusion. His eyes followed her gaze. Jeff was standing in the doorway. He smiled down at her, his features suddenly hardening as his gaze fell on Scottie. Scottie looked up at him, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes flashing.
�Hey, baby,� Jeff said, the sarcasm dripping from his chin as he reached out to stroke Tiffany�s cheek. She turned her head, avoiding his touch. His eyes darkened. �Where�s my warm welcome?� he asked.
�Why don�t you go somewhere else and play �go fuck yourself�,� she snapped, turning. Scottie let her past, but Jeff�s arm caught her, spinning her around to face him. He pulled her close, and planted a kiss on her lips. She bit him, drawing blood. He pulled back, and she wriggled out of his grasp, trying desperately to get away. Scottie stepped in front of her, blocking the doorway, and she ran back to the kitchen. With shaking fingers, she dialed 9-1-1. Satira�s face became concerned as she listened to the conversation. She stood, Mark and Nadia close behind as she ran to the doorway. Jeff had Scottie pinned to the ground, leaning all his weight on Scottie�s neck. Scottie�s face was twisted, his face turning purple from the lack of oxygen. In one swift motion, Mark pulled Jeff off of Scottie and threw him up against the wall with one arm, pinning him in place a foot off the ground. Satira heard sirens in the distance, and prayed they were for them. She knelt, helping Scottie up. He sat up, wheezing, unable to catch his breath. His throat was bruised, his face still twisted in pain.
�You okay?� Satira asked. Nadia helped steady him as he nodded, still trying desperately to find oxygen. Satira looked over her shoulder to see Tiffany balled up in the corner, rocking back and forth in a trance, tears flowing from her eyes. She sniffled, and Satira pulled her close.
Jeff swung, catching Mark in the gut, knocking all the wind out of him. Mark doubled over, then retaliated, his right fist connecting with Jeff�s face with a loud smack. Jeff swore before throwing another punch, which landed against Mark�s chin. Mark spun, landing on the ground with a thud. Scottie stood, rushing Jeff, They crashed into the wall, knocking a picture to the ground, the glass shattering. Jeff�s spine connected with the corner of the doorway, and he groaned loudly. Scottie was panting, lying on the ground. Jeff got to his feet after some difficulty, and Mark�s eyebrow rose.
�What, you want more?� he demanded, his fist landing a blow on Jeff�s cheek, throwing him against the wall. Before Jeff could react, Mark threw another punch, making contact with Jeff�s stomach, causing him to double over. Again, Mark punched him in the jaw, then again in the stomach. Jeff groaned, his voice low. Still doubled over, he charged Mark, sending them both into the couch. Satira cringed as she watched Mark�s head smack against the wall. His face twisted, his hands going to the back of his head.
Scottie�s face was still twisted as he got to his feet, his elbow catching Jeff in the stomach. Jeff doubled over once again, then threw all his weight into a punch, catching Scottie in the ribs. Scottie lost vision as he crumpled to the ground, desperately trying to catch his breath. Mark growled as he threw Jeff to the ground, finally getting an arm around his neck, holding him down. Jeff struggled against him, to no avail.
Tires screeched in the driveway, and officers ran into the house, grabbing a hold of Scottie, Jeff, and Mark. Scottie face contorted in pain as he struggled against them, managing one last punch at Jeff, catching him in the jaw.
�That�s enough,� the officer holding him said roughly, jerking him backward. They handcuffed Scottie, Mark and Jeff. With much difficulty, the officers hauled Scottie, Mark, and Jeff out of the house. Satira ran after them, trying to explain the situation.
�You know where the police station is?� one of the officers asked, interrupting her. She scowled and nodded. �Well,� he said, rather rudely, �you can meet us there. I�m sure they�ll just love to hear the story.� Her eyes narrowed, and Nadia put her arms around her, holding her back just in case she lost her temper. She managed a smile at the officer and dragged Satira back into the house. Mark struggled one last time against the officer, to no avail.
�We�ll meet you there,� Nadia called as Mark got into the car and he nodded, his face grim.

***

Nadia bit her fingernails nervously, and Satira shook her foot, her legs crossed. They both looked angry. Mark and Scottie appeared in the waiting room, and they jumped up. Nadia threw her arms around Mark, who pulled her close, softly kissing her neck. Satira smoothed Scotties hair, asking him if he was okay.
�I think so,� he said, rubbing his ribs.
�Can you breathe okay?� she pressed. He shrugged.
�Where�s Tiffany?� he asked, his eyes darting around the room, searching for her.
�I left her at the house, in case anything happened,� she said. He nodded, wincing as he took a deep breath. �You�ve got a huge bruise on your throat, Scottie,� she said, gently running her fingers over it.
�What the hell happened?� Satira whirled around, breathing a sigh of relief. She ran to Scott, and he wrapped her in his arms.
�Jeff showed up and they beat the shit out of each other,� she said.
�Everyone okay?� She pulled back to look at him.
�I don�t think Scottie is. But you know how he is � he won�t say anything�s wrong.� Scott�s face became concerned.
�What happened to him?�
�Jeff had him pinned, and was basically trying to choke him to death,� she said slowly, glancing over her shoulder. Scottie was sitting down, obviously trying to control his breathing. Scott nodded and went to him. She watched as they talked. Her eyes went to Mark and Nadia. She watched Mark tuck Nadia�s hair behind her ear and lean down, gently kissing her. A smile played on Satira�s lips as she took in the scene around her. It was ridiculous. �Hey, guys?� They all turned to look at her. �I think we need to get back. Tiffany� all by herself at the house.� They nodded and stood, following her out to the car.

***

�Tiffany?� Satira�s eyes darted around the house, not finding her best friend. Scottie slowly walked up the stairs. Satira could hear his wheezing from the kitchen. She shook her head, grabbing Scott�s arm and pulling him closer to her. �I seriously think we need to get Scottie checked out,� she said. �Listen.� Scott�s eyes moved around the room as he focused his attention on the sounds of the house.
�Is that him?� She nodded. �Yeah, we need to get that checked out,� he said, nodding slowly.

�Tiffany?� Scottie said softly as he opened her bedroom door. She was curled up on her bed, her eyes open. Her foot wiggled, shaking the bed. �You okay, baby?� She shook her head, tears spilling onto her cheeks. His face fell as he sat on the bed behind her. �What�s wrong?� She shook her head, hugging her pillow tighter. He sighed. Trying unsuccessfully to hide his pain, he lay down behind her, wrapping his arm around her as he pulled her close. �Tiff?� She shook her head, now crying audibly. He shushed her, rubbing her arm. �It�s okay. I�m here now,� he whispered into her ear. He watched her eyes close, then kissed the crook of her jaw. He stayed there until he was sure she was asleep, then stood and silently exited the room, closing the door behind him. He winced as he walked down the stairs. Mark, Satira, Nadia, and Scott were crowded at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at him expectantly. �She�s okay. She�s asleep now.� They nodded, Satira letting out a breath.
�Scottie,� Mark said slowly. �You need to see someone about that wheezing.� Scottie shook his head, waving it off.
�I�m fine,� he insisted, his voice hoarse.
�You�ve got no say in it,� Scott said firmly. �Better safe than sorry.�
�What about Tiffany? We can�t just leave her here.�
�I�ll stay,� Satira said. He sighed.
�Fine.�

On to Part Eight