"A soulmate will know what you feel like, even when you believe your own lies."

❥

"Where's Justin?", Liberty's favorite boy asks the girl he admires so much as he passes by half an hour later. "Zach and him should arrive anytime soon. I don't know why they're taking so long. Why, do you need something?" "Nothing that's important. I just hope that Monty can talk to him soon, he seemed pretty chatty." 'Great, he knows what happened..', Liz thinks to herself. How would he even know?

She was sure that she tried to be as discreet as possible. "Monty can talk a lot if he's around the right people", she shrugs acting as if she has no idea what her friend is talking about. "I'm just confused.. he's been talking to me a lot for about ten minutes before he saw Jen. He said something about how our team could improve it's solidarity by going camping. I didn't know that Monty goes camping. And you know, I wanted to talk to him about it again, but he shrugged me off when Jen came back."

Jeff Atkins loves teasing the younger girl in both ways. Now for this evening, he wants to see how long it takes for her to admit the truth. She's a good liar, for sure, but she could never resist the athletic boy. She's way too emotional when it comes to him. "Looks like you're just number two on his list", she replies bluntly but gives in and rolls her eyes when he's giving her his "I-know-what-you're-doing"-look. "She distracted you from playing beer pong with your friends. I didn't want you and Scott to lose against Bryce and Sheri."

"How many times has Justin distracted you at a party?", Jeff counters seriously and Liz instantly feel guilty. She finally understands what Jeff is feeling like seeing her with someone else even if it's just a fling. But she would never admit it if she didn't have to. "He doesn't distract me." "Are you dating now?" "What? No", she shakes her head quickly knowing where this thought is coming from, "We're just hooking up. I don't see why it's important whether we're official or not." "I don't want him to hurt you." "Jeff, he's been my best friend before. I'm fine."

One week later the boys already have their second basketball game on a Friday evening. Being not only one of many cheerleaders but the cheer captain along with her best friend Sheri, Elizabeth joins every game. Even if it wasn't for cheerleading, she would always support her friends. This time however, she sees Hannah Baker sitting in the bleachers and decides to sit with her. "Hey, is this seat taken?" "No, come sit down", she smiles at her, "Aren't you a cheerleader actually?"

"Yeah, normally, I'd be there with Sheri but I've got some issues with my knee and we thought we would see if some girls from the second team are ready for our team." "I hope it'll be better soon. Is it bad?" "Don't worry about it. I've been a part of the tennis and track team for years so I know where it's coming from." "You seem quite busy. How do you do that?", Hannah notices astonished by how the other girl is handling school, different sports teams, friends, family and more.

"I took a break from tennis and track but I have to come back soon. We're applying for college next year so I can't skip extracurriculars. It's somehow working." "Your parents must be so proud of you", Hannah smiles trying to make her a compliment but little did she know family is Elizbabeth's weak spot. "Yeah, well", Liz mutters not being able to hide her reaction, "My parents are dead and my uncle is in the army so most of the time, I'm alone anyways." "Oh, I didn't know.. I'm so sor-"

"Don't", Hannah is cut off, "Don't pity me, please. I never got to know my parents and I'm used to being without my uncle so I'm fine.. most of the time. My friends are my family and fortunately, I've found some great ones. Anyways, who are you watching?" "What do you mean?", Hannah asks surprised by the sudden change of subject. How did she do that, move on so - what it feels like - easily? "Oh come on, Han. We're girls. I used to never go to games if it wasn't for Jeff or the others or cheer." "Oh, no, it's nothing serious." "Well, I'll wait and see then", Liz decides and watches the game as well as Hannah sometimes.

"Well played", Liz congratulates Justin when they meet in the hallway to go to the next party together, "Even though I knew you'd win." "Thanks to my lucky charm." The boy grins at her when the rest of his team mates comes out of the changing rooms clapping his shoulder as a way of thanking him for the many points that they made because of him.

"Let's go, bitches", Monty shouts happily just like any other time when they win, "Come on, Justin, Els. You can fuck later. We're partying now." "Go and be jealous somewhere else", Justin laughs shoving his friend like the boys use to do. "Jealous?", Montgomery repeats looking to Justin skeptically before he exchanges a look with his best friend and they both laugh, „Hell, Ellie is hot and stuff but no." "What a compliment, Cruz", she laughs. Those are the little moments that made her happy.

As soon as they entered the party at Scott's place, the Liz kept looking to where her friends were going. Scott is not exactly one of her friends, he just hangs out with the group as they have the same friends but she's not feeling too comfortable around him. Most people admire her, some might hate her, but when it comes to Scott Reed, she's got no idea what he thinks of her. He's the only person making her insecure. That's when she'd rather be around her close friends. Whatever happens, they would always defend each other.

Both teenagers don't know why but somehow they end up talking to each other at every party like they used to before. Jeff walks through the garden holding a beer in his hand when he sees his ex-girlfriend standing alone and looking at her phone. He can tell that she's looking at old pictures of her and her brother remembering that he's been gone for four months. Two months still left. Jeff doesn't hesitate and approaches the smaller girl.

"Why don't you rather look at pictures of us?", he begins the conversation easily, "Or enjoy the party." Liz sighs. She doesn't want him to feel pity for her and he shouldn't feel responsible for her just because they've been together. That's what her anxiety makes her think when in reality, the boy only cared for the love of his life. Why would Jeff Atkins fall for me?, she's wondered ever since they've started dating. "I enjoy the party", she simply states, "I enjoy it my way."

"Is it about Will or did something happen earlier?", Jeff keeps asking and she realizes that she cannot avoid this conversation without a sharp comment. But she wouldn't snap at him, she could never. She hasn't even shouted at him when he first broke up with her. "It's four months today that he had to leave. I miss him. Sometimes a party is just not enough to distract me." "We could leave and get a burger at Rosie's", Jeff offers secretly hoping that she would say yes. He's missed her, everything about her.