Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They all belong to their respected owners.

This had been posted on tradingxyesterday when I lost my account info, but it's on here now.

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Hot tears stung her eyes as she walked down the uneven sidewalk. A few broken pieces of furniture. Some holes punched in the walls was what she was coming from. She didn't remember he ever being able to be so mean and hurtful. It was the alcohol. It had to be. She couldn't understand how he expected her to be perfect. What was perfect anyway? And how could she know what he wanted? She wasn't a mind reader.

Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest. Head down. A few tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes. She had reason to cry. She had almost gotten thrown through a wall by her boyfriend. Her hands were shaking, her hair a mess. Her throat was sore from the yelling.

She didn't have a clue where she was going. She was just letting her feet take her wherever they wanted to go. Anywhere but there. Anywhere but home. Home was the place she was supposed to feel safe. That wasn't going to happen. Not tonight. Not in the future. Not anymore.

Feet stopping; this was the last place she expected to be. But she was here. Her tears had cascaded like waterfalls down her cheeks. She was sure to look like a total mess. She lifted her hand slowly. The door paint was peeling under her knuckles as she rapt on the door.

A shuffle inside. A light bang followed by a curse. The door slowly opened.

"Layla?" He looked like he just got out of bed. Hair was sticking up in all directions. His shirt was crumpled. He was blinking profusly as if to clear his vision. His voice was husky.

He saw the state of her, a frown appearing on his face. "What happened? Did he hurt you?"

A shake of her head. "I didn't know where to go, Warren."

His expression softened as he stepped aside. She walked in, sniffing and wiping her cheeks. He stood in front of her, not sure what to do in such a situation.

"He threw a chair at me."

Warren swallowed. Will had been his friend for years. That sounded like him. He had changed since their school times.

"He...I could have sworn he was going to throw me into a wall."

The tears were coming again. She needed comfort. When one man in her life let her down, she went to the other. She felt safe with Warren. She always had. But who had she chosen? Will, the perfect one. Turns out he wasn't so perfect.

Warm arms surrounded her. She fell into them like she had a million times before. Warren never fell to anyone expectations. He was perfect.