I squeezed in between them just as he threw his punch right into my shoulder.

It didn't hurt at first. It was numb. Charlie was closing his eyes, probably expecting the blow. When he felt none, he opened his eyes.

I took a deep breath as he saw me in between them. I didn't touch my shoulder, cause that would cause him to flip. But he already knew.

He moved away from Marshall and gently but firmly grabbed me.

He was frantic. "Oh god. Oh god. Are you okay? Where is it? Joanna, I..... Say something!" He said searching my body.

I closed my eyes and tried to endure the pain. It hurt like mad, but I had to remain calm. For Marshall.

But when his hand lightly brushed my shoulder, I let out a soft whimper.

And that soft whimper was too much.

He ran back to Marshall and shoved him back into the wall. He lifted his fist to punch, but I softly grabbed it.

"Charlie, please..... Can we go home? Please", I begged.

His fist was shaking in anger, but he gave into my disappointed eyes.

He slowly let Marshall go.

"Joanna... I...." Marshall began.

Charlie shut him up with a glare that could kill.

I walked back to car. Charlie was trying to keep up with me, but when I was angry, I was fast.

I got In the car and slammed the door. He got in next to me.

He gently touched my shoulder and tried to reveal the wound. I pushed his hand away.

"Can we just go home?" I snapped.

He drove us home in silence. I walked up to the apartment with him right behind me. I had to open the door with my left arm, because my right shoulder hurt so bad.

Charlie noticed and tried to open it for me. But I beat him to it.

He did the same with the bedroom door, but I wanted to do it myself.

"Just let me help you", he said, as I opened the door.

"Just leave me alone", I said.

"Please.... I want to help", he whined.

"I don't need your help".

"I know it hurts. You cant even move your right arm", he said, starting to cry.

"I'm fine", I said.

"Please.... Let me see it", he said walking over to me.

I walked farther away. "Why do you always have to ruin everything! I'd be better off anywhere but here!" I yelled.

He let his tears roll. "Are you saying you want to leave me? Is that what you're saying , Jo?"

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just don't know",
I said.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry", he sobbed.

I started to cry too. I grabbed my pillow. "I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight", I said, walking out.

Charlie's POV
I collapsed in my bed. It reminded me of my dream. Except she wasn't screaming for help. She was pushing me away. And that was way worse. I wanted to help. I wanted to make things better. I wanted to ease her pain.

I knew how much pain she was in, even if she tried to hide it. And I would've done anything to take her pain away.

I lay in my bed for hours, trying to sleep. But looking over at the empty bed kept me up. I wanted to hold her and kiss her.

I silently got out of bed and went to the couch. She was sound asleep.

I slowly sat down and carefully lifted her head onto my lap. I heavily sighed.

I took her silky hair out of her ponytail and stroked it. It was so relieving to hold her again.

I whispered to her peaceful face. "Joanna, I.... I love you. I love you so so much. I... I'm sorry. I promised you no one would get hurt. And you did.. And it's my fault."

My tears started To roll again. My shaky hand slowly drifted from her hair to her shoulder. I gently rubbed her neck. Then I slowly pulled back her shirt. I closed my eyes as i did so.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to look, but eventually my eyes opened.

I had to clasp my hands over my mouth to keep from whimpering and wailing.

My lips were quivering. I gently stroked the ugly wound. She was hurt, and it was my fault. My Joanna was hurt, and it was my fault.

But I wished I had shown Marshall how much that hurt me. I wished Joanna hadn't stopped me from showing him. But she was right. I shouldn't have freaked out and started a fight. But when he mentioned her weight, I couldn't hold back. No one was allowed to insult her. She was mine, and she was perfect.

As I stared at the mess I had caused, I could only only speak. "I'm so sorry", I whispered, letting my forehead fall onto hers.

"This is all my fault. I'm so sorry", I whispered.

I knew that if she was awake, she would tell me it wasn't a big deal and to let it go. And I would say okay, because I wanted to. I wanted to let it go. But I knew I couldn't. And why? I didn't know.

I gently brushed my lips across her forehead. I was surprised when she faintly mumbled my name.

"Charlie", she mumbled again, this time less audible.

"Yes? I'm right here", I answered.

But then I realized she wasn't awake. She was dreaming... About me.

She looked a little distressed and it led me to wonder what was happening in her dream. Was I saving her? Was I protecting her? I could only hope.

Her hand fidgeted slightly.

"No", she softly gasped.

I studied her face for a long time while she tossed and turned throughout her dream.

She looked so scared, I was debating whether or not to wake her, but then I remembered I wasn't supposed to be holding her.

But then her eyes fluttered open, as though she was struggling to open them.

She stared straight ahead of her for a moment, as though paralyzed by fear.

Then she saw my face. She gasped. "Charlie? Are you okay?" She asked, sitting up.

I stared at her strange. "Yes?"

All of a sudden, she grabbed my shirt and pulled it back. I wasn't exactly sure where this was headed, but I was not about to stop it.

Once the left part of my chest was visible, she sighed with obvious relief and let my shirt go.

"What?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"I had a dream...." She explained ,"You had a gun. And you were angry. You came at me and pointed it at me. I put my hands up to defend myself, but then all of a sudden, the gun was in my hands. I didn't mean to, but I pulled the trigger. And I shot you ". Her face remained pale and expressionless.

I looked down at my chest, which was still vibrating from her touch. "You shot me here", I said,"And you were afraid it was real".

She looked at me for a second, then she clutched my shirt tight. She buried her face in it. "You don't know how it felt. You were helpless and in pain, and it was my fault". She sat on my lap and faced me.

I brushed her shoulder with my thumb. "I know exactly how it felt".

She scowled. "Don't".

"Joanna, I'm sorry. Please just forgive me", I begged, snaking my arm around her thin waist.

"I will, if you make me a promise", she said.

I lifted my eyebrows.

"Stop protecting me", she announced.

My eyes widened. "No, please. Anything else. Please".

She shook her head. "You need to step back and let me take my own blows".

"But it's my job to protect you", I whined, rubbing her waist.

"Not from my friends", she said.

I buried my face in her stomach and groaned.

She brought my face up and looked in the eyes. "Please baby?" Then she bit her lip. I stared at it.

"That's not fair", I said, my eyes still on her lips.
She brushed her lips softly against mine. I tried to kiss her, but she pressed her finger onto my stinging lips.

"Not until you promise", she said.

She knew how to make me do anything, and it was obnoxiously sexy.

"You've got one cold heart", I said, smirking.

She kept her eyes on me.

I couldn't resist. "You're too irresistible", I whispered, biting her lip.

"Is that a yes?" She asked.

"Fine", I grumbled.

She grabbed my hair and kissed me. And it was almost worth the promise I made. But not quite.

"I'm sorry about what happened. I just couldn't take it", I said, kissing her again.

"It's so weird", she breathed ,"To see two different sides of you. The one where you're angry enough to kill and your veins bulge. And then when your touch is so soft and gentle and your words....." She looked me in the eyes.

"You're the only one who gets to see that side", I smiled.

She looked down. "I know. And I love that, but then no one understands. No one understand why I love you so much. They think I'm crazy", she whispered.

I lifted her chin up and saw her eyes glittering with tears threatening to spill. "And maybe you are. But that doesn't matter. No one needs to understand. Hell, I don't even understand. But that's what makes it so perfect", I said, rubbing her chin.

"You have such a way with words. You make it all sound so easy", she said, smiling.

"And it is. It's just you and me. Always", I whispered into her ear.

She closed her eyes. "What happens if we fight again? Will we just let ourselves break again? What if we grow up and realize we're not who we thought we were?"

"Awe baby, don't cry", I said, tucking her hair behind her ear, "I'm not going anywhere. And you don't have to worry about growing up. I don't think I could if I tried."

She looked up at me. "What if I grow up?"

"Then don't. Promise me you won't", I said.

"I promise I wont grow up", she said.

And that is why I love this girl so much it hurt.