A knock at the front door had my heart racing in fear as I sat at the kitchen table. What if they're back? What if they get me this time?

Dad took one glance at my panicked face and got up to answer the door without a word.

I held my breath as I listened to the door open and a familiar voice trail into the house. I instantly calmed at the sound of Liam.

"Ready for school?" He casually asked as he stepped into the kitchen with dad right behind him.

I nodded instead of verbally answering because if I did I would probably cry. Yesterday really messed me up. I barely slept last night, and when I did I had nightmares of being kidnapped. How does Liam deal with the constant threat of a whole gang after him?

I grabbed my backpack from the chair next to me as I got up, and followed Liam out, tossing a quick "Goodbye." Over my shoulder at dad.

Once we were in Liam's car he turned to me, genuine concern written all over his face.

"Are you okay?" He softly asked, reaching out to grab my hand.

I nodded to tell him I was okay, but my trembling bottom lip told him something else entirely. I wasn't okay at all after what happened.

Liam quickly leaned over and wrapped his arms around me in a warm and comforting embrace, and that's all it took for me to break down.

I sobbed into his chest for a while, and when I was done I pulled away and looked down at my lap in embarrassment. I was acting like a little kid scared of the monster under their bed. Why can't I be stronger? Fearless?

"I won't leave you alone again. I should've had guys at your house before, but after you called me last night I sent some people to watch over your house. From now on someone will always be around to keep you safe." Liam told me, guilt swirling in his golden eyes.

I shook my head, "This isn't your fault. How could you know that was going to happen? I don't understand how they even knew about us."

"I don't know." Was all he said, starting up his car a moment later. If we didn't leave now we'd be late for school and that's the last thing I needed right now.

Not a single word was uttered for the whole ride to school. It wasn't an awkward silence, but it was heavy. Filled with fear, confusion, and anger. Not towards each other, but for the whole situation.

Maybe this is the universe trying to tell us that we shouldn't be together. Steph never would have been cheated on by Leo if I had bumped into anyone other than Liam on the first day of school. And I wouldn't have the threat of a gang breathing down my neck.

Only bad things have come from us ever knowing each other. If I chickened out of kissing Liam for the game, Steph and Lisa would still be best friends. So much has changed for the worse since this all started.

I should be focusing on my grades, but instead I'm worrying about the real chance of getting kidnapped just because I'm with Liam.

But I couldn't break it off with him. I wouldn't even contemplate it. I'm happier than I've ever been now that we're together, despite all the drama that's happened. It feels right with Liam, like we belong even if the world is saying otherwise.

"I guess there's no point in pretending we're not together now that the rival gang knows about us." Liam finally spoke up once we were parked at school.

My mood lifted slightly at his words. He's right, we can be a couple everywhere now.

I gave him a small smile, "At least something good came from last night."

His eyes darkened at my words, I could tell he again was feeling bad for what happened. I guess I won't bring it up with him anymore. He obviously blames himself, even though he couldn't have possibly predicted that it would happen.

We both quietly exited the car and met up in front of it to walk into the school together, hand in hand.

People stared and whispered as we walked through the hallways, but I didn't care. They can say whatever they want, I'm just happy I can hold Liam's hand whenever I want to now.

As we neared my locker I noticed that people weren't staring at us anymore, instead a small group had gathered to watch something. And when I got closer I saw that it was Steph and Lisa, practically yelling at each other.

"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? I made a mistake but it shouldn't ruin our friendship!" Lisa yelled.

Steph laughed bitterly, "You screwed my boyfriend you whore! I'm never going to be your friend again so leave me alone!"

Should I insert myself into this situation and stop it from getting worse, or stay out of it? This really isn't my business, but they're my best friends and seeing them fight like this hurts.

"Screw you Stephanie." Lisa spat, and then turned and stormed away.

The three of us are never going to be the same again.

• • • • • • •

Our lunch table consisted of me, Liam, Steph, and Garrett. Both Leo and Lisa weren't even in the cafeteria for the first half of lunch.

But when they entered, boy did they make a scene.

My jaw dropped when Lisa strutted into the room, hand in had with Leo. The fight this morning between her and Steph was the straw that broke the camel's back.

It looked like Lisa was a whole different person as she sat down at a table with a bunch of popular girls, most of them cheerleaders, with Leo right beside her. At that moment I knew that nothing would ever be the same. I'd lost one of my best friends even though nothing happened between her and I. But I guess I chose a side just by sitting with Steph.

When I shook off the initial shock of the whole situation, my focus shifted to Steph, who sported a heartbroken face. Her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, and now they're rubbing it in her face.

"Let's get out of here." I suggested, standing and holding out my hand for her. I could tell she was seconds away from crying and I didn't want Lisa to get the satisfaction of seeing how much she was hurting Steph.

Steph gratefully grabbed my hand and we quickly exited the cafeteria and beelined it for the closest bathroom.

Once inside, Steph started sobbing, and it broke my heart. I couldn't fix what happened, I couldn't take away her pain, I couldn't help. All I could do was pull her in for a hug and let her cry it out.

What did Steph ever do to deserve this? She's a good person, she's always been an amazing friend to both Lisa and me. Why would Lisa do this?

It's like a switch was flipped and Lisa completely changed. The way she was acting in the cafeteria, fake laughing, dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder, I've never seen her like that. I didn't recognize the girl sitting there.

And I thought Leo was a good guy, up until he cheated on Steph. But even then, I thought he just made a mistake. Why is he playing along with this new Lisa? What happened to his friendship with Garrett and Liam?

"Thank you for being such a good friend." Steph croaked, pulling away from my embrace to wipe away the last of her tears.

I gave her a sad smile and went over to the sink to dampen some paper towel to wipe away her smudged make up, "You'd do the same for me."

Steph walked over to the sink too and winced at her reflection. Her eyes were red, and her whole face was puffy, but she still looked beautiful. Even in this state, she looked better than me.

"Today is the last day." I vaguely said, gently swiping at her ruined mascara with the damp paper towel as I spoke.

"What?" She questioned, her eyebrows scrunching together in confusion.

"After today you forget all about Leo and Lisa, and you move on. Feel all the pain today, but tomorrow you ignore it, don't give them any power over you anymore. They aren't worth your tears." I explained. Sure that was a little harsh, but I knew Steph, she dwells on things for way too long, and I want to make sure she doesn't get stuck on this heartbreak. 

"Okay." She agreed, her voice full of determination.

"And if you need anything, call or text me. I'll always be here for you." I told her, taking one last wipe under her eyes before stepping back and checking for any ruined make up I might have missed.

"You're the best." She replied, pulling me in for a hug just as the bell rang. Time for class.

We both went our separate ways and I met up with Liam just before our classroom.

"Is Steph okay?" He asked as we walked into the room.

I shrugged, "She will be."

"You're a good friend." He told me as we sat down at the back of the room.

I gave him a smile in thanks, but it quickly disappeared when Danielle entered the room. I just hope she leaves me alone today, I can't take any more drama.

"Hey girls, hang out at my house after school. We have a new friend and she needs a makeover ASAP." Danielle informed her friends, louder than necessary.

"Who's the new friend?" One of the girls asked.

Danielle shot me a smirk before replying to the girl, "Lisa."

My heart dropped. Not only had Lisa ditched us and stole Steph's boyfriend, but she became friends with the enemy. She knows how awful Danielle has been to me, this is unforgivable.

Liam reached out and captured my hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze. He knows just how much Lisa's new friendship with Danielle hurts me.

I really did lose one of my best friends.