Since the smoothie incident this morning things have gone pretty well. No one has pointed out my outfit, I haven't had a run in with any of Danielle's friends, it's been pretty drama free.

But now I'm on my way to advanced English with Liam, and Danielle is in that class.

I can see this going two ways. Either Danielle ignores us and keeps to herself, or she does whatever she can to make me miserable during class. There's no in between.

"Maybe I should just skip." I muttered as we neared the classroom.

Liam shook his head, "You can't let her scare you away."

He's right, but that didn't make me feel any better.

I took a deep breath before entering the classroom, and as soon as I stepped inside I was greeted by the hateful stare of Danielle and her friends.

"Since were friends, I'm gonna be a good one and tell you that you don't have the body to wear a crop top. Do everyone a favour and cover your stomach." Danielle said in a sickly sweet voice, the same tone smoothie girl used on me this morning.

I put my head down in shame and used my arms to cover the small amount of stomach that was showing. I knew I shouldn't have worn this. Did Steph and Lisa lie about how I look in it, because Danielle's comment seemed genuine.

Laughter followed after me as I rushed to my desk and I tried my hardest to block it out, but an angry male voice caught my attention.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Are you so jealous and insecure that you have to tear someone else down just to feel better about yourself? Stay away from Emma and call all your minions off of her too."

Once Liam was done talking he walked over and sat down at the desk beside mine.

"You look beautiful wearing that, don't pay any attention to what anyone else says." He said when I just stared at him in shock.

He stuck up for me, and complimented me. How long is nice Liam going to last? I don't think I could handle any other Liam right now.

"Thanks." I whispered.

His compliment helped a little, but I still felt very self conscious.

"If I didn't have to see them together all the time I wouldn't bother with her anymore. She's a terrible person for flaunting my ex boyfriend in front of me all the time." Danielle complained to her friends.

How is being friends with Liam flaunting? It's not like we're going around holding hands and making out or anything. She's delusional.

"Can class just start already?" I mumbled to myself, and as if someone was watching over me from above, the teacher walked into the room and shushed the class.

I was stuck in my thoughts for the entirety of the lesson and I was extremely surprised when the bell rang.

Liam chuckled at my startled reaction to class ending as he got up to leave and I sent him a playful glare.

"Do you want a ride home today?" He asked as we walked out into the crowded hallway.

I didn't even have to think it over before answering, "That would be great."

I feel bad that dad always has to rush to the school right after work to drive me home, or use his lunch break to drive me home, so it'll be a nice break for him. And I'm not going to pass up on some extra time with Liam.

"I'll meet you in the parking lot after school." He told me, and I nodded in agreement before we split up to go to our last classes.

I quickly texted dad to let him know he didn't have to drive me home as I made my way to my favourite class.

Art class was always a safe haven for me, and I really needed it after the day I've had. Especially since I'm almost done the painting I've been working on for our current assignment. I just need to put the final touches on it and then I'll be able to hand it in. I think this painting is the best work I've ever done.

I walked into class, leaving all the events of today behind me as I made my way to my easel, and got the paint supplies ready to finish my piece.

My mood instantly shifted to content and happy as I swirled a brush in the bright paint I picked out, and as class begun everything faded away until it was just me, the paint, and the easel.

Thirty minutes later I was completely done the painting. I smiled proudly as I put down my paint brush and examined the finished product.

The assignment we were given was to paint something that meant a lot to you, and I painted Diner Diner.

I proudly examined all the bright colours I used that perfectly reflected the Diner, and how safe and happy the painting made me feel. The same way Diner Diner makes me feel.

This one's for you mom. I thought as I gave the painting a last look over before handing it in.

Just as I reached out for the canvas I felt a presence behind me, and I didn't have time to react before black paint was splattered all over my painting.

"I am so sorry." Someone apologized and I furiously turned to face the person that ruined my painting.

One of smoothie girl's minions from this morning stood in front of me, looking genuinely bad about what she did, and my anger dimmed slightly.

I bet Danielle or smoothie girl put her up to this.

"Just go." I told her, trying my best to keep my anger at bay as I turned back to my painting to see if I could salvage it.

There was black paint splotches randomly strewn about the canvas, and I had no idea how to fix it. If I tried to wipe it off it would just mix with the paint I used today to finish the piece, but if I let it dry and paint over it the texture would be different and it would be very noticeable. My painting is really ruined.

I held back frustrated tears and I walked over to the teacher, painting in hand, to show her what happened.

"What can I do for you Emma?" The teacher asked as I approached.

I showed her the painting as I spoke, "Someone spilled paint on my painting. It's ruined. I have nothing to hand in."

She gasped at the mess of a painting I was holding up, and looked at me with pity filled eyes.

"I can give you an extension on the assignment so you have time to redo it." She finally said.

"Thank you." I muttered before turning around and heading back to my work station.

Is the reason Danielle and her friend are going after me really because I hang out with Liam? Is hanging out with him really such a big deal to her that she got all of her friends to attack me whenever they get a chance?

If so, is it really worth it to hang out with Liam? I really like him, whether it's as a friend or more, but do I like him enough to go through this bullying?

If the situation was reversed, and he was the one being picked on for hanging out with me, would he willingly go through it so he could keep being my friend?

As I sat down at my work station I really thought over the pros and cons of being friends with Liam.

The cons were easy. He's a bad boy, he drinks and does drugs sometimes, he's involved in a gang war, and he's the reason why I'm being attacked by a bunch of girls.

But on the other hand he's sweet, caring, funny, really nice to look at, and there's just something about him that makes me come back every time I try to leave.

And those golden eyes of his, I could get lost in them.

But how long will this nice Liam stick around? Do I want to go through another day like today for something that might not last?

As the bell rang I made up my mind, whatever happens on the car ride home will determine if I'm going to stay friends with him, or stay away from him.

As I walked though the hallway in the direction of the parking lot, completely forgetting about stopping at my locker, I was trying to figure out what he would have to do to make me decide that being friends with him isn't worth it.

I guess he would have to be bad Liam, or mean Liam. If he's nice Liam I won't be able to resist being friend with him.

Once I got to the parking lot I saw Danielle and some of her friends laughing and pointing at me, and that just reminded me of my ruined painting, which immediately made me sad.

I was so stuck in my thoughts before that I forgot about it, but now that I'm reminded, it's all I can think about.

Mom would've been so proud of that painting. I planned on framing it so that I could leave it at her grave without it getting ruined, so she could feel close to Diner Diner again.

And I don't think I could ever recreate the painting. It just wouldn't be the same. So now I have nothing for mom.

"What's wrong?" A deep voice asked, and I was brought out of my thoughts.

I looked up at Liam, who was looking at me with so much concern, and I shook my head as I got into the passenger seat of his car.

He slipped into the drivers side but didn't start the car.

"Talk to me Emma." He pleaded.

I sighed, "I was working on a painting in class, it meant a lot to me and as I finished it one of Danielle's friends threw paint on it. It's ruined."

Liam's jaw clenched and I could tell he was trying to keep his anger at bay as he started the car and gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

"That's messed up." He finally said as he pulled out of his parking spot.

"Yeah." I agreed, and after that it was silent. Only the soft purr of the car's engine to fill the space between us.

I kept looking over at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking, but he wasn't giving anything away. Other than slight anger, his face was impassive.

I wish I was that good at hiding my emotions. Maybe then Danielle would leave me alone because she wouldn't be able to see how much she's affecting me.

The whole ride home was tense and quiet, and when he pulled into my driveway I was actually excited to get away from him.

I said I was going to make up my mind about being friends with Liam based on the car ride home. And from this car ride all I can think is that I shouldn't be friends with him.

I muttered a quiet "Bye." As I exited his car, and I didn't wait for his response before closing the door and rushing towards my house.

I don't know what to make of the car ride home. Maybe I'll just have to let tomorrow decide what I should do about Liam.