(Small A/N: Thank you so so much to @ostranenic for helping me fix this chapter, please please go follow them and show them some love because they gave me some great feedback! Back to the story! <333)

Maliea's POV

To say Kenny wasn't happy with me was an understatement. He didn't find out I had snuck out to attend Larusso's party through me, but that fucking picture that had been posted last night. For some reason though, he's been avoiding me and ignoring me a lot even before the party, and I'm not sure why. Lia also has stopped talking to me completely ever since she met Oliver. Other than those two, I've got nobody to talk to. Except for Anthony and his friends, I'd rather rot than talk to them. Rumors have been spreading like wildfire around the school about me and Anthony dating, which I don't understand why because all we were doing was dancing. Not to mention, Kenny would hate me for the rest of our lives if I were to date his bully! His karate friends scowl at me from across the hallway and laugh at my expense. It's gotten so bad that I've had to eat lunch in the school's bathroom. It's escalated to the point where I've had panic attacks, leading to me not even eating my lunch. It's starting to remind me of the past at my old school...

I check the time on my phone. 10 minutes to spare before the next class. Well, better get a move on. As soon as I step out, I hear an unfamiliar voice. "Hey, wait a minute, aren't you Maliea?" I turn to see a pale-skinned brunette. "Erm, yeah? Why do you ask?" Suddenly, her confused expression dropped to a malicious scowl. "So... you're Anthony's girlfriend, huh?" I scoff. I knew the picture was out there, but I didn't think people would assume we were dating. "What? No! Why on Earth would you believe-" The mysterious girl began to raise her voice. "YOU LYING BITCH. Do you have any idea how heartbroken Kenny is because of you?!" She slowly bawled up her fists angrily, getting into a fighting stance, I cringed at the sight of her fist about to hit me. Why is this starting to go in slow motion?- "WAIT, REBECCA STOP!" Somebody cried out, just in time to block the punch shooting towards me. "Don't go so soft on her Payne, she's been sneaking around with Lapusso without you even knowing." She evilly scowled in my direction, while I exchanged a confused expression back. "We're fourteen what?-" I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. "Rebbeca, give us a few minutes to talk in private. Please?" Kenny pleaded with her, while she just continued to scowl at me angrily. "Fine, we'll be over there if you need backup." She gazed over at me in disgust before walking away. The both of us decided we'd walk around the hallway, and just talk on the way to Gym class. Silence took before I spoke up again. 

 "Kenny, I'm really, really sorry-" I got out, but soon was stopped mid-sentence. "Stop, Stop! Don't apologize, explain yourself. What the hell happened Maliea?" Kenny said sternly, staring right into my soul. I gulped just at the sight of him looking at me that way. "Listen, Kenny, you know I would NEVER date him. He's bullied you all school year, and he's a mega asshole! I would never do that to you, you've been my best friend since we were babies. Please, Kenny, you have to believe me. These past few days without you talking have affected me so much, you can't believe the posters, please Kenny." Pleading with him seemed to work, as he started to loosen up. "I'm sorry to Maliea, really I am. The pressure of training has been hard on me as well lately, I should've listened to you again." I pulled him into a tight hug for reassurance. "Don't be so hard on yourself Kenny, I'm here for you."