Maxwell's POV
I forced myself to stand, wiping blood and tears and dirt from my face. My whole body hurt, but I had to move. Had to get to the playground. Olivia would be waiting.
I ran, and stumbled through the alley, past the library, toward the playground. My vision was blurry with tears, my breath coming in painful gasps.
What am I going to do? What am I going to do?
When I finally reached the playground, I saw her immediately. Olivia was on the swings, kicking her legs back and forth, her ponytail swinging behind her. She was wearing a yellow sundress today, bright and cheerful, like a little ray of sunshine.
The moment she saw me, her face lit up with a huge smile. She jumped off the swing and ran toward me, arms outstretched for a hug.
But her smile disappeared the instant she got close enough to see my face.
"Maxwell!" She stopped right in front of me, her eyes going wide with horror. "What happened? You're crying! Are you hurt?"
