Tess Cooper couldn't believe her eyes when she rounded the corner at Hillview's First Floor. Down the middle of the hallway was her boyfriend Chae, talking to the junior in the wheelchair. Tess hadn't spoken with the girl since that brief encounter the first day of school, but understood the girl had quite a reputation. What was Chase doing with her? Had they kept in touch? But why? Chase never bothered with other people, yet the conversation was too long to be a casual greeting.

Tess drew back behind the wall and studied the two cautiously. She and Chase hadn't been spending much time together lately. Their schedules kept them apart. Had Chase found someone else to replace her? Was something going on between the two?

She flinched when someone else appeared at her shoulder and looked up.

Zeke looked at her confused. "Why are you hiding?" He looked around the corner and saw his cousin in soft conversation with Alisson. He turned hack to Tess questioningly.

Tess looked away uncomfortably and shifted her feet awkwardly. "Do you know... if something's going on between them?" she asked softly.

Zeke blinked confused and shook his head. "I didn't even know they were still talking, but it's not like Chase tells me about his life."

Tess nodded in understanding. "Of course."

"I don't think you have to worry thought," Zeke continued, "they're just talking." He pressed her shoulder and headed towards his first class.

Tess sighed and leaned back against the wall, her books securely pressed against her chest. She knew she should be happy Chase was making friends. He had always been a loner. For him to talk to someone now was a big step. But did it have to be the pretty, snarky, mature girl? Despite the bad attitude, Tess couldn't deny Alisson was attractive. She couldn't blame Chase if he liked her, even if there was an age difference.

...

Alisson frowned confused when Chase approached her in the hallway. "Why are you here?" She had never seen him in this part of the school.

Chase pulled something from his pocket and handed it to her. "You left this at the gym yesterday."

Alisson took the wallet from him and stared at it before looking at Chase again.

Chase shrugged. "I thought I'd give it back to you here. I didn't think you'd appreciate it if I showed up at your doorstep unannounced."

"Thanks," Alisson said stiffly. She placed the wallet in her bag. "You didn't have to go through the trouble, she continued, "I have an appointment later today."

"I know," Chase nodded, "I heard you talking to Kai. I just thought you might need it before then."

"Alright," Alison said. She sighed. "Thanks," she muttered awkwardly, "for yesterday."

"Sure thing," Chase said. He stuck his hands in his pockets. "I should get to class." He turned and glanced at her over his shoulder. "Any time you feel the need to punch something... come find me."

Alisson stared at him a moment in thought, and nodded. "I will."

Chase nodded at her and strolled down the hall. When he turned the corner, his step halted. "Tess?" he asked confused. His girlfriend was leaning against the wall with her books securely pressed against her chest A troubled expression was on her face. "What's wrong?"

She looked up at him and smiled weakly. It seems you made a new friend."

"Hm?" Chase blinked. He glanced back at the hallway he had come from. "You mean Alisson?"

"I saw you talk to her," Tess said.

Chase shrugged. "She forgot her wallet in the gym yesterday. I just returned it."

"She goes to the gym?" Tess wondered.

"She has therapy with Kai," Chase told her, "he has his practice at Archer's place, remember?"

"Ah, I see," Tess nodded. That made sense. And Chase being Chase, he wouldn't just brush her off if he ran into her there. He might be a loner, he wasn't rude.

"And we've sparred a few times," Chase added.

"Spar?" Tess blinked, "like... boxing? With her? How?"

Chase rolled his eyes. "Her arms work fine, Tess. She can actually throw a mean punch."

"I'm sure she can," Tess muttered.

"It's a good stress relief," Chase said.

Tess nodded. "I just didn't know you were talking. You never mentioned it."

Chase shrugged. "I didn't think it was a big deal. Besides, it's not my business to talk about her personal life." He paused and looked at her puzzled. "You didn't think I was hooking up with her, did you?"

Tess bit her lip and looked away. "It's not so strange a thought. I mean... we haven't spent much time together and she's pretty. And apparently she likes boxing, something you love to do."

Chase snorted. "Tess, I'm not into her. You have nothing to worry about, okay?"

"Okay," Tess smiled relieved.

"She's alright thought," Chase admitted, "I don't mind her company. Alisson knew not to ask questions he didn't want to answer. He thought back on the conversation he'd had with Kai yesterday after Alisson had left. Perhaps compared to her, his life had been easy.

Chase was putting away the equipment he had been checking when Kai entered the floor.

"Hey," Kai said, "I'm done for the day, so I'm headed home."

Chase looked up and nodded. "Sure. I'll lock up. I'm almost finished anyway."

Kai nodded. "Sure thing." He turned when his eye fell on a small object on one of the benches. "Hey, isn't that Alisson's?"

Chase looked up and nodded. "Yeah, I guess she left it. I'll drop it off later. You have her address, right?"

"I do," Kai nodded, "you seem to get along with her. That's good. She could use a friend. She's pushing everyone away."

"I saw her in the courthouse," Chase let out. When Kai didn't reply, Chase looked at him in thought. "You don't seem surprised."

Kai shook his head and smiled sadly. "As her therapist I have access to her personal data. I know where she lives. It's not a place you live without reason." And if her address wasn't an indication, he also knew the reason she was paralyzed, but he wouldn't share those details.

"Also," Kai continued, "her emergency contact isn't a family member."

"Yeah," Chase sighed, "I figured something like that." There was a reason she had noticed his bruises that day. "Hey," he said, "nevermind that address. I'll give it back to her at school tomorrow."

"Alright," Kai nodded. He smiled at Chase. "Night."

Chase gave a nod and turned back to the equipment.

"Perhaps we should all hang out sometimes then," Tess' voice broke him out of his thoughts.

"Hm?" he asked.

"Alison," Tess clarified, "we should invite her with us. That way I can get to know her too."

Chase hesitated. "I don't know, Tess. It's not like I'm friends with her. And she's not much of a socializer. We just see each other at the gym sometimes." He didn't want to tell her Alisson had also been at court. It was something personal. Obviously she didn't want anyone to know.

"Oh," Tess frowned, "okay."

Chase offered her a smile and wrapped an arm around her. "But to make up for the fact we haven't seen each other in a while, why don't you come over after school? I'll make it up to you."

Tess blushed and smiled back. "I'd like that."

Chase chuckled and kissed her. "It's a deal then."

...

"I'm sorry," Eric dropped into the seat next to hers and sighed, "I was wrong to make assumptions. I know you don't want to talk about it, so I won't bring it up again. But if you ever do want to talk, then I'll be here."

Alisson pulled a book from her bag and placed it on the table.

"Alisson..."

"What?" she said annoyed.

"I said I'm sorry," Eric said.

"I heard you," Alisson answered.

"Will you please talk to me again?" he sighed.

"I just did," Alisson replied stiffly.

Eric rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant."

Alisson sighed annoyed and turned to him. "You know what your problem is? You think saying sorry will fix everything. It don't. You just want me to say we're cool so you can feel good about yourself for apologizing. But it don' change what you really think of me, does it? It don' change what you said."

Eric frowned and stared at his desk. "You're right," he nodded, "it doesn't change what I said. I shouldn't draw conclusion when I don't know all that much about you. But I'm only human, Alisson. I'm not perfect. I say stupid things sometimes and I can be inconsiderate. That doesn't mean I don't want to be friends with you. And I hope you still want to be friend with me."

Alisson sighed. "Why?"

He blinked confused. "Why?"

"Why do you want to be friends with me? We have nothin' in common. I ain't a charity case. I don' need no pity. So. Why?"

Eric blinked. "Why? I don't know why. Why is anyone friends with anyone? I don't have ulterior motives. I don't get extra credit. Can't I just like your company?"

Alisson snorted. "No one likes my company, Vermeer."

"Well, I guess I'm no one then," Eric stated stiffly, "you really shouldn't talk yourself down like that, you know. Beneath that constant hostility you're actually a great person. And if no one's ever seen that in the past, then it's their loss."

Alisson stared at him a moment and then let out a snort. She rolled her eyes. "You're such a dork."

"But you love me," Eric smirked.

"Don't push it, Vermeer," Alisson scoffed.

He chuckled and opened his textbook. "I wouldn't dare."

...

Somewhat reluctant, Alisson entered Kai's practice that afternoon. Kai always made her uncomfortable, thought she wasn't sure why. He was nice and patient. He didn't judge her. She couldn't figure him out.

She didn't see Chase at the training grounds, but several people were using the equipment and others were boxing. The man called Archer was also there, giving instructions where necessary.

Alisson turned away from them and entered Kai's office. He was typing something on his laptop, but looked up when she arrived. "Alisson," he acknowledged her.

She gave a nod in his direction.

"I'll be right with you," Kai told her, "just need to finish this. Can you manage getting on the table or do you need assistance?"

Alisson sighed. She did need help and he knew that very well. He just wanted her to ask it. He knew she hated to ask for help. But she was tired. She didn't want this battle today.

"Maybe we should reschedule," she said, "my arms hurt. I can barely move them." It wasn't a lie. She felt sore all over since yesterday.

Kai turned around and frowned concerned. "Let me have a look."

She scrunched her nose. "There ain't nothin' to see. It just hurts."

He sighed and rolled his desk chair next to her wheelchair. "Give me your arm." He carefully felt around from her wrist to her shoulder. "I can feel some knots. I think you just overdid your work out with Chase. I'll loosen them up for you. The rest of our session I will just work on your legs, alright? Did you do the exercises I gave you?"

She hadn't.

"You really should keep it up," Kai told her, "there's only so much we can do here during our sessions. It's important you work on it at home too."

Alisson sighed. "I had other things to worry about."

Kai only looked at her and sighed. "I'll help you up." He wrapped one of Alisson's arms over his shoulder and one of his around her waist. '"Ready?" he asked. When she nodded he hauled her over to the table. "You good?"

"Yeah," she muttered.

Kai nodded and picked up her leg, bending and stretching. After a while, he did the same for her other leg. Then he continued with rotating her feet. "We can't use the training floor today," Kai informed her, "unless you don't mind that other people are also there."

She shook her head. "I don' wan' them to stare at me."

"Alright," Kai said, "your choice. I'll ease the tension from your arms now, alright? After that we'll see what we can still work on." He took her arm and softly massaged it.

After a while of silence, Alisson glanced at him. "You didn't ask."

"Hm?" Kai looked at her confused, "ask what?"

"The other day," Alisson said while averting her eyes. She had cried in front of him, making a complete fool of herself. It was embarrassing.

Kai shrugged casually. "It's not my business and you didn't want to talk about it." He rubbed her arm some more and pulled away. "Better?"

She felt strangely relaxed. The pain was gone. Carefully she lifted her arm and moved it around. "Yeah. Thanks."

"You're welcome," Kai smiled.