That's it. I'm getting a new car. I couldn't afford to drive this junk anymore. In the last month, my car had stopped working at least 12 times. And this morning, it wouldn't even start. 

I kept trying to turn my engine on, and each time it was a fail. And to top it off, my parents were already at work, so asking them for a ride is not an option. 

I was getting late to school, and at this point, if this were any other day, I would have stayed home, but I had a necessary math test I just couldn't miss. I considered taking the bus but quickly scratched that thought since the bus wouldn't come in time, and I would miss the test altogether. 

I got out of my car, placing a hand on the hood and sighed a long breath of annoyance. 

"Need a ride?" I whipped my head up to see none other than my neighbour and bully smirking up at me. 

For a second, I considered just running into my house and hide away instead of replying to him. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to talk to him, and I sure as hell was not going to be stuck in the car with him for 15 minutes. 

I intently shook my head. "No, thanks. I'm good," I said, getting ready to turn on my heel and leave. But he stopped me. Somehow coming to stand in front of me before I even had the chance to blink 

I began shaking as this was the first time I had fully seen him since his return. I avoided being anywhere near him all yesterday, and now that he is so close, my head couldn't even think straight. 

He seems to have noticed my discomfort and took a step back. "Look, I'm offering you a ride, that's all. I'm not going to bite," he said, rolling his eyes. 

"I said no thanks," I say, my voice harsher than I intended. 

He opened his mouth to say something before stopping himself, cursing something under his breath. "Fuck whatever, I don't even know why I'm here asking," he finally said before heading back to his car. 

I let out a breath placing a hand on my heart. I shouldn't have said no. How else am I going to get to school? 

As much as I hated this, and no matter how embarrassing this would be, I had to go to school. 

So, I swallowed my pride and turned around and ran after him. 

"Wait," I called out. He stopped dead on his track and turned around. "I need a ride," I said, a little out of breath. He crossed his hands and smirked at me with his stupid grin, and I wanted to punch him for looking at me like that. 

"Get in," he said. 

I hung my head low, walking to his black jeep Wrangler, opening the passenger door, and hopped right in. 

- 

We drove to school silently. I avoided trying to look at him, but I couldn't help but take glances at him. 

It was odd since the Liam I knew before would have never offered me a ride. He would laugh in my face and speed off into the street, no turning back. 

I don't understand his intention, and I wasn't even sure how I felt about any of this, but I knew that this time I wasn't going to let him take advantage of my weakness because I'm done being the scared girl. 

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," he suddenly said. My eye opens wide as I stared at him. His eyes are still on the road. "The whole time I was a way I couldn't stop thinking about you, and I hated it," he said. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent. 

But the truth was I couldn't stop thinking about him either. The whole time he was away, I also thought about him. He was always there. But I wasn't going to tell him that. 

We arrived at school and quickly got out of his car and avoided the eyes on me from people staring at me and at the same time, getting out of his car. 

I ran inside the school, almost slipping on the floor. But thankfully, I didn't. I made it to class just on time and began writing the test. 

But it was almost impossible to focus on the test while Liam's words rang in my head. 

- 

"So, I failed that test," Sky said, slouching her back on the cafeteria chairs. 

"Trust me, so did I," I said, slapping my hands on the table quietly. 

"That's what you say every time you take a test and end up passing with flying colours," Sarah said, taking a bite of her apple. 

"Not this time. I- Ummm, my head wasn't in it," I said, shrugging my shoulder. They both stared at me, waiting for me to continue. 

But I hesitated. 

I have not been able to open to anyone ever. And having people like Sarah and Sky was different. I never had girl friends, but now that I do, I was not sure what I should say and hide. 

"It's nothing really," I said, scrunching my nose up. 

They raised their eyebrow, looking at me with their suspicious look. 

"You know you can tell us everything right," Skyler said. "We're your friends," 

I nodded my head, giving them both a thankful smile. It was hard to get used to, but I loved them both, and I was glad to have them now. 

"Hey, losers and Sarah," Nathan said as he took his spot next to meet at the table. 

"We all know you're the biggest loser here, loser," Sky said, slapping Nathan's arm from across. 

"And you're the biggest dork here, so I guess we both lose," Nathan said to his sister. Sky rolled her eyes while Sarah and I looked at each other, trying not to laugh. 

Sky and Nathan argue all the time, and I mean, all the damn time. It was both entertaining to watch and the most annoying thing. But we knew no matter how much they argued, they loved each other and will be there when the other needed. I didn't have any siblings, and Sarah had a younger brother, so I knew I would never be able to experience what they have, but with them, I get at least small glimpses of their love. 

"Don't you have friends your age," sky snickered back? 

"First of all, sis, you're younger than me by two months, and I finished practice early. So, I thought I would say hi to Sarah and Storm," he said, looking between us. 

We both gave a smile. Sarah kept her eyes down while Nathan's smile widened. 

"So, um Nate, how do you like lacrosse?" I asked. 

Nathan was very athletic, and like his sister, who likes drama, he joined all the sports there are at this school. Though it was the middle of the school year, the teachers were glad to take him because he was just that good at whatever he played. 

"It was good except the guy Luke was getting all my nerve," he said, and Sarah's eyes at once went up. "Ya, he tends to do that," I mumbled. 

"No, you don't get it! He kept bugging about all the little things, and it was seriously annoying," he explained. "He has some serious issues that guy even at the party he wouldn't even let go of Sarah. Right, Sarah?" he pointed at her. All our eyes turned to her. She nodded her head, giving us an awkward smile. 

I knew the last thing Sarah wanted to talk about was Luke, so I changed the subject. 

"Did you guys finish yesterday's homework?" I asked, not particularly at anyone but looked around all of them. 

Sky sighed and said: "Ya, but it took me literally 3 hours to finish it," 

"Sweet, let me copy it!" Nathan said, trying to take sky work from her, but she quickly snatched it away from him. "No, you can do your work by yourself," 

"come on, sis," he tried again. 

"no," she pulled away. 

And just like that, they began their usual bickering that was non-stopping at times. 

"What's this? A catfight," Isaac, who appeared out of nowhere, said. We all stopped what we were doing to stare at him standing there with Luke and Liam nowhere in sight. 

Isaac pulled a chair from a table nearby and sat down while Luke kept his eyes fixed on Sarah. 

"and who may you be?" Sky asked, crossing her arm. 

But he ignored her and looked at me. "We never got to finish our conversation yesterday," he grinned. 

I opened my mouth to say something, but Sky being Sky interrupted. She stood up from her chair and asked again: "Um, you didn't answer my question. Who are you?" 

He turned to look at her giving her an irritated look. He eyed her up and down, staring at her for a few seconds before he said: "Who the fuck are you?" getting up from his chair and standing directly in front of her. 

Sky looked like an ant compared to Isaac. He could squash her any second, but Sky didn't look afraid. She looked braver than anyone here. 

"It doesn't matter, does it when I asked you first," she pocked him in the chest. I could see Isaac getting angry. No one talked to him like that. 

The room was silent now. Everyone in the cafeteria was staring at them, including us. No one dared to say anything when both of them send daggers at each other with only their eyes. 

I never saw anyone stand up to Isaac before, and I don't think he was used to it either. I knew Sky was able to defend herself, but she was playing with fire now, and I knew if he could do anything right now, he would have punched her right in the face for even standing this close to him. 

****

Hello, my lovelies! How are you guys doing?

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was an intense one for sure. 

What do you guys think Liam is thinking? Are you glad that someone is standing up to Isaac? Do you guys like Sky?

Leave all your amazing theories and comments down below, and please don't forget to vote!

Lots of love,

Just another girl