It just wasn't possible for Addison to be friends, or anything else she wanted to be, with Dylan. Her emotions were already beginning to run too deep, Dylan had been beginning to rely on Addison too much and Addison had started to become just too familiar with the Willis'. By sacrificing her friendship with Dylan she would also have to sacrifice her friendship with Niamh, something that actually made Addison's heart hurt at the thought because sweet, smart and brilliantly funny Niamh deserved so much more.

She tried to stay away from the Willis', which meant avoiding the library when she knew either Niamh or Leo would be there. Even though she tried not to, Addison found that she really missed the time she spent with them. Niamh was always on hand with countless film references and was the only person who was allowed to mock Dylan's taste in music and Leo was a great kid who was great to talk to about books. Addison had lost count of the number of conversations he'd had with Leo, most of them based on obscure topics because they both seemed to love documentaries on National Geographic. Eleanor Willis had welcomed Addison into her home with open arms and smiles so bright they could lighten anyone's mood; they were like Dylan's in a way.

Then there was Dylan. Dylan was... well, Dylan was Dylan.

Slowly cutting ties with the Willis' was difficult in a way and also painful but it seemed to work quite well for the first week, nearly a month after that night at Dylan's. Avoiding the Willis' would have been easier if it weren't for Chloe Phillips.

Chloe was a friend who Molly who, for no better words, creeped the fuck out of Addison. She didn't know what it was about the girl but she was sketchy, to say the least. Addison regularly wondered how on earth Molly had even become friends with Chloe. Addison had actually questioned Molly on this once or twice when Chloe had done something particularly skeevy or fucked up. She hadn't really given a reason as to how or why she was friends with Chloe which made Addison question Molly's sanity and that wasn't for the first time either.

It was nearing the end of lunch, Addison had left Brigid in the graphics department talking to Lisa. She was on her way to her locker when she spotted Niamh sitting on a bench by herself eating lunch. Her head was bent, her fringe pulled off her face with a randomly placed barrette, as she concentrated on both eating a sandwich and reading the book placed on her lap. Part of Addison wanted to walk over to Niamh, apologise to her for not really speaking to her over the past few weeks and tell her to join her tomorrow at lunch but that would mean dragging Niamh back into her life. Niamh was better off without her really. Addison was about to jog off towards her locker when she spotted Chloe and a few of her friends making their way over towards where Niamh was sat. Molly wasn't with them which pleased Addison for a second before she saw Chloe say something to Niamh.

It was clear that Niamh didn't appreciate Chloe speaking to her from the way her body was hunched in on itself. When Chloe smirked and said something Addison could not hear to Niamh, her face crumpled. Addison felt the last bit of willpower she had in her disintegrate. Niamh was the last person Chloe should ever insult or upset. Addison walked over and didn't stop until she was right next to Niamh. Niamh looked up at Addison, her face flashing with surprise but Addison could still the ghost of forming tears in her eyes. Addison motioned for her to stand up and Niamh did just that, cramming her things back into her bag as she did so.

"Leave her alone Chloe." Addison hissed moving Niamh slightly out of the way as she glared over at Chloe.

"Addi it's fine I can-" Niamh tried to say but a sob got caught in her throat. Addison knew Niamh could take care of herself, she worshipped enough female superheroes and fictional characters to not let anyone walk all over her. In this state, however, Addison wasn't going to leave her by herself.

"Yeah 'Addi', she can take care of herself so just walk along." Chloe sneered in that haunting voice of hers.

"Chloe, I mean it. Leave her alone." Addison said.

"Or what? What are you going to do Harper? You don't scare me at all. You might be friends with Molly but don't think for a second that I won't hesitate kicking the living shit out of you." Chloe said, sneering as she spoke.

"Of course you will Chloe." Addison snapped.

"Just run away Harper" Chloe said still with the sneer on her face. "Run away, just like everyone else in your life. Run away like mommy." Chloe snarled her sneer widening as she did so. As Addison stared at Chloe's sneering face, she could feel her blood rapidly begin to boil in her veins. Her vision practically swam with rage as her fists clenched and unclenched.

Without even thinking about it Addison, slapped Chloe as hard as she could, her hand hitting Chloe's cheek so hard that it made Addison's hand sting. Chloe's head snapped, a red mark already forming on her pale cheek.

"If you ever come near Niamh Willis or mention my mother again I will take great delight in beating you senseless." Addison snarled. She didn't realise that her hand was shaking until Niamh gripped onto it to try and pull him away.

"Addi please stop, please." Niamh begged. Chloe glared at Addison with a look of loathing. "Addi, please" Niamh said until she was pushed away by Chloe so she could slap Addison with just as much force as Addison had used. She felt her lip split as Chloe slapped her and pain burst from the backs of her eyes.

"What the hell is going on here?" a voice rang out as Chloe tried to slap Addison's face again. A ringing filled Addison's head and she could vaguely hear Niamh shouting something before a hand grabbed a hold of her arm and dragged back towards the sixth form building.