Town of Broken Girls

Memories

Iris POV

I bury my head into Maxine's shoulder to hide the fact that I'm crying, but I can still feel everyone staring at me.

Maxine: Alright, can y'all not be rude and stop staring? The presentation is over, everyone just leave!

I lift my head up to look at Maxine.

Iris: It's fine, you don't need you to defend me.

I whisper so that no one else hears me.

Maxine wipes the tears from my eyes. She turns around to look at everyone else.

Maxine: I'm serious, everyone get out of here!

People start getting out of their seats and walking away.

Iris: Thank you.

Maxine: No problem

Maddie: Max, are you coming?

Maddie tugs Maxine's arm.

Maxine: I think I'm gonna walk Iris home.

She looks back at me.

Maxine: As long as that's okay with you?

Maddie's face goes red with annoyance.

Iris: I'd like that

Maxine helps me out of my chair and we start to walk towards our houses.

---------------------- Time Skip ----------------------------------------

Maxine POV

We get to Iris's house and open her door for her, 'cause I'm a gentleman.

Maxine: Do you want me to come in?

Iris: Yes please, I don't want to be alone right now.

I walk over to her and sit next to her on the couch.

Maxine: So, that video was... intense

Iris looks away from me and her eyes start to water again.

Maxine: Hey! It's okay, I know you wouldn't do that.

She turns to face me, tears are running down her cheeks.

Iris: EXCEPT I DID DO IT!!

Her yelling makes me flinch, I've never heard her yell before.

Maxine: I mean, that wasn't REALLY you.

Iris makes eye contact with me.

Iris: Maxine, that was me,  and I don't regret what I did.

She doesn't regret it? She literally sewed a guy's mouth shut.

Maxine: What do you mean?

Iris: Watching that video... It made me remember

Remember?

Maxine: Remember what?

Iris: Remember how AWFUL that guy was! How he treated me like a servant! How he would touch me without consent! He deserved what I did to him!

Oh shit, that must feel awful. I want to make her feel better, but I genuinely don't know what to say.

Iris: I know you don't understand, but...

Maxine: You're right, I don't understand, but I'm still here for you.

Iris smiles a bittersweet smile.

Iris: Thank you.