As I approach our lunch table I hear Tyler say, "Dude, she's totally using you. How can you not see that?!"

Tyler is standing but Mike is sitting down and giving Tyler a death glare. "You don't know what you're talking about. She is not to blame here! If anyone is, it's Finn!"

"How can you say..." They both see me approach and immediately their mouths zip. Tyler sits down and not another word is spoken.

"What's going on here?"

"Nothing." They nearly said the word in unison, yet once they said the words, it caused them to turn on one another, each giving their own hard-edged stare.

"Yeah, I can see that," I say sarcastically.

"How's Brynn?"

Tyler obviously wished to distract me from the problem at hand by changing the topic of conversation. I, however, didn't want to be distracted but now I have the undivided attention of everyone at my lunch table, so I take a seat.

"She's got a nasty gash on her arm, her leg and she's bruising pretty bad near her temple. The nurse said, however, no stitches, no broken bones, and no concussion. So, despite appearances, she'll be alright."

I can see Tyler's jaw clenching as I'm rattling off the results of what has happened to Brynn. He glares again at Mike, but this time Mike's features had softened.

"Sorry, that's happened to her. I imagine now that your Mom has been alerted you won't have to worry about this happening again."

When I look at Mike I wonder why he suddenly looks guilty, almost apologetic.

"I hope so but you know how these things go, Mike. There is not a whole lot that can be done if parents don't escalate it to the next level and Brynn doesn't exactly have that kind of support at home. Not to mention, we have no idea who this kid is or if he was acting on his own.

The soft look went away and the hard edge immediately returned. "What's that suppose to mean?!"

His voice actually rose for a moment but he reined himself in. "Sometimes things are as they appear. There's no reason to get all... forensic about it. Guys are stupid. He may have been put up to it as a prank or a dare, not realizing she'd actually fall and get hurt."

I narrow my gaze. "Perhaps, or someone else could have put him up to it, so that they would be free of the blame."

Mike appears visibly angry all over again. "NOT everything is a conspiracy, Finn!"

"Why are you so worked up about all this? No one is blaming you?"

He blinks for a second and I see he's struggling with something. He's staring at Tyler again but he isn't saying a word.

I look at Tyler. "What am I missing here?"

Mike and Tyler are now locked in an impromptu staring contest and it would seem neither one had any intention of backing down, but I still wanted my question answered. My gaze turns to take in the other end of the table. Koby and Terrance look at me uncomfortably as they realize what's coming next.

"Seriously, is no one going to clue me in? I've got enough drama right now. Can we dial it down a bit here?"

Terrance and Koby were obviously waiting for Tyler or Mike to speak up but when they didn't, Terrance must have decided he had enough of their nonsense.

"Oh for cryin' out loud. Tyler told us all what happened to Brynn and accused Jessica of being behind and it. Mike got all bent out of shape because him and Jessica are BFF's or something like that, now."

Mike threw his hands up in air with a 'what the f ' expression on his face and Terrance shrugs. "You needed to grow a pair, Bro. It's not like he wouldn't find out eventually."

It took me a second or two to process this new information. "You're dating Jessica?"

Tyler snorts. "He wishes!"

Mike looks like he just wants to throw down right now, but I draw his attention back to me. "Care to fill in the blanks?"

"We're... friends."

"You and Jessica are ... friends." The way we both said it, it didn't sound like either of us believed it.

"Yeah. Look Finn, say what you want about Jessica but she's not all bad. She was really hurt by you. Believe it or not she, she loves you."

Mike says that last part like it was painful for him to say and a broader picture is being painted. "How long have you had feelings for Jessica?"

The entire table seemed to collectively hold their breath. I'm guessing out of surprise that I either figured it out that quickly or that I'm calling Mike out on it.

"A long time," he admits looking down at the table unable to look at any of us at the moment.

"While I was dating her?" I know it was wrong to press but the shock of what I was hearing clouded my better judgment.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you say something? I would have never... You know me, dude. I wouldn't have dated her if I'd known you had feelings for her."

Mike shrugs, "Didn't matter much, back then. She wanted you not me and you seemed interested at the time so I wasn't going to stand in your way."

"Noble of you. Obviously things have changed. Why are you so certain Jessica had nothing to do with what happened to Brynn?"

"After our game against Central, I came out of the locker room. Nearly everyone left to go celebrating and I found Jessica in the hall, crying. She tried to pull herself together when she'd seen me, but she couldn't. She was devastated over seeing you and Brynn kiss on the court. She really believed you'd get back together with her."

"That's because the girl is delusional." Tyler piped in, earning him a look from the both Mike and I. He holds his hands up in surrender. "Just calling it like I see it."

"Mike, he isn't exactly wrong. I've had several talks with Jessica telling her that there's no way we're getting back together. That it was never going to happen. I gave her no reason to believe there was even the slimmest hope of it occurring. In fact, in our conversation before the rally, she threatened me that she'd destroy any girl I chose to date between now and graduation, so considering..."

"I get how it looks, Finn. She even tried with that little stunt in the courtyard when she kissed you but after she read Stephanie's blog and what you said about Brynn, she was force to admit you've never said anything like that about her, she knows it's over between you two but she still loves you."

"Yeah, like I said. DE-LUS-ION-AL"

"Can you seriously like not talk for a few minutes?" I say to Tyler who just shrugs and looks away.

"Then why threaten again, here in front of everyone? You heard what she said and how she more than hinted something was going to happen and I wouldn't be able to trace it back to her."

"She's hurt, Finn. That's what she does. She retaliates with words. Jessica wouldn't physically hurt Brynn. She's been hell bent on trying to prove to you that Brynn is cheating on you. She wants to prove that you made the wrong choice."

"If she's that unstable then how do you know she hasn't cracked and decided if she can't have Finn, no one can."

Tyler's words caused a slight shiver to course up my spine. Jessica pretty much said that herself, but would she seriously try and get Brynn pushed down a flight of stairs?

"She just wouldn't, okay. I know her. I trust her."

Tyler scoffed and rolled his eyes. It was evident these two weren't going to see eye to eye on this subject but I'm still team captain and I can't have a rift splitting up the team because of some girl.

"I believe you."

"You DO!" Tyler looked shocked by my declaration.

"If Mike is sure, then I believe him. I have no evidence that says otherwise, only speculation and until it's proved one way or the other, I have no reason but to believe him."

Mike smiles at me. "Thanks Finn. That ... means a lot to me."

"You better be right." Tyler evidently wished to get the last word in. I know his attitude towards Mike has every to do with him wanting someone to pay for what happened to Brynn. He wants resolution, he wants answers and so do I but until I have proof I'm not going to let Jessica come between the team.

"What is it?" Mike said looking at me; he must have read something in my features.

"Well, if it's not Jessica, the problem only gets bigger. That means it's someone else who is deliberately trying to hurt Brynn and I have no idea who that person is or if they will try again."

"We'll all keep an eye on her, Finn." Mike looked down the table to the others and they all nodded in agreement.

"I appreciate that."

However, it still bothered me that even though that was already the case she had gotten hurt and bad. What made matters worse is that I feel somehow to blame. Thinking that Brynn was somehow safer without me, was not a thought I wanted to entertain.

The bell rang and it was time for my next class.

I get through the rest of the day, feeling seriously off my game. My mind can't concentrate. I think I may have failed my History quiz. I just want to see Brynn again, to reassure myself that she's okay.

I get to my locker and start putting my books away when I see Jessica headed towards me. I really wasn't ready to talk to her. I know what I said to Mike but I still think there may be a possibility it's her and that's enough for me to keep that option open.

"Finn, can I ... can I talk to you for a minute?"

I sigh and shut my locker door. "If you can make it quick. I've got somewhere I need to be."

Jessica nodded. "Mike told me what happened to Brynn."

Just hearing Brynn's name uttered from Jessica's lips made the anger I've been suppressing want to surface. "I can't talk about this with you." I hike my bag over my shoulder and turn to walk away but she grabbed my bag, which threw me off balance with the damn boot, and I stumble backward.

I whirl on her. "Get off me!"

Jessica takes a step back at the sound of my voice. "You have to know I didn't have anything to do with what happened to her."

"I would love to believe that, Jessica. I really would love to believe that, because someone hurt Brynn and hurt her bad but I've been going over and over in my head just how much worse it could have been. She could have broken a bone, or she could have needed stitches. Brynn could be unconscious right now lying in a hospital bed somewhere or worse if she hit her head in a different way she could have been killed.

This is what's been playing in my head all day. Nightmarish images of what could have happened, and I see you now and I know what I said to Mike but my anger wants someone to blame, so I can't have this conversation with you right now."

Jessica's eyes are filled with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry. When Mike said you believed him that I wasn't involved it made me feel so good. I just came here to thank you. It meant so much to me. Thank you!"

She took me by surprise and hugged me. She sort of leapt at me so I had to put my arms around her to keep from falling backwards, but the second I regained my balance I pushed her away.

I'm about to have serious discussion about boundaries when I hear behind me.

"Let's just go, Brynn."

I turn to see Adam and Brynn standing there. Brynn turns her face away from me. She nods her head and walks away.

"Byrnn! WAIT!" I make a move to catch up but Adam holds me in place.

"Hasn't she been through enough today?"

I push his hands away from my chest and storm off after Brynn.

"Brynn, please wait!" She's walking too fast, I can't catch up and my foot keeps me from running after her, but thankfully she stops. However, she doesn't turn around.

"Byrnn, please... it's not what you think."

"It doesn't matter what I think. I just came by to let you know I won't be at crew today. Gran wants me home, she would have picked me up but she's not feeling well today, so Adam is taking me home."

"Adam?"

Adam who easily caught up to us, looks at me with an almost smug twist to his lips which looked rather out of place from his usual sad clown demeanor but I found it just as irksome.

"I'll get my Mom to..."

Brynn shakes her head no.

"Brynn, please look at me."

She slowly turns, her shoulders are slumped, her head was down but she slowly raises it and I see just how bad the bruise is. It spread from her temple and has blackened her eye, but as dreadful as it was seeing her look that way, what horrified me more was the single tear I'd seen rolling down her cheek, knowing I was responsible for it.

"Brynn, there is nothing going on between Jessica and I. She just came by to thank me for something and I wasn't expecting her to hug me just then, but please you've got to know I would never have anything to do with her."

"It doesn't matter anymore, Finn." Her voice sounded hollow.

"What do you mean?" A sudden panic started to rise within me.

She shrugs. "Your Mom has to let my Dad know what happened today. Once he get's the report and the pictures, he's going to demand I go live with him."

I shook my head in denial. "No. No you can't..."

"I don't think I'm going to be given a choice."

My heart plummets into my stomach. "We'll find a way. I'll come see you. The boot comes off this weekend. I'll drive over to your Dad's and we'll..."

She's shaking her head at me again and now the tears are flowing freely.

"I'm sorry, Finn but this, us, is over."

"NO!" I say reaching out for her but Adam chose this moment to get involved and once again stood in my way.

"Seriously, she's been through ENOUGH because of you don't you think?"

I want to physically pick this this little shit up and throw him physically across the hall. I actually grab a hold of him, but when I look past him, she's gone. Brynn pulled one of her little ninja moves on me and disappeared.

I push him away and start for the door.

"Finn!" Adam yells my name, but I don't stop. "You promised she wouldn't get hurt."

His words stop me in my tracks. Adam comes around to face me. "I didn't...

"Oh but you did." Adams anger is clearly written across his face. "You've hurt her in EVERY possible way. You know as well as I do she got hurt today because of YOU. Because you are who you are and there are people who don't like it!"

"That's not..."

"And now she's got to live with her Dad. A man who doesn't care anything about her, who just wants to control her, and thanks to YOU she's being delivered right into his hands."

"That hasn't been decide..."

"And if that wasn't enough, you got go messing with your ex-girlfriend right in front of Brynn's face? She wanted to tell you I was taking her home and wouldn't be at crew. Her only thoughts have been about you and she finds you hugging another girl."

"It's not what it looked like!"

"Even if it wasn't. Haven't you caused enough damage? She could have ended up seriously hurt today. She could have ended up in a coma or dead. Don't you care what happens to her?"

"Of course, I do but nothing is going to happen to her. I'll protect her."

"Like you did today? Time for you to face facts, Popular she's better off without you."

He said it. My worst fear, realized by Adam, but every fiber in my being screamed for me to fight back. To not believe what head knew was true and my heart didn't want to acknowledge.

"I'm not letting her go."

"I don't see where you have that choice anymore. She's out there. I don't want to keep her waiting."

Adam walks away from me and gets to the door leading out the student parking lot. He opens the door and stops a moment before walking through.

"If you love her as much as you say you do and you really want to keep her safe, you need to let her go."

Adam leaves and the door shuts behind him with that final click locking me out it feels from Brynn's life forever. I turn to see Jessica has disappeared too. I'm left only with Adam's words echoing in my head in the now deserted hallway.