I never thought that I would admit this but when I saw the stranger latching onto Luke's arm a few seconds ago, I was jealous. Heck, I still am and I guess that's why I am glaring into the girl's eyes.

I walk into the cafeteria, my fists closed in a ball by my sides. "Well, well, who is this?" The girl asks, looking at Luke who has his eyes on me and I know exactly why.

First off, he never heard me swear because I explained to him that I think swearing is a bad habit and that it is just plain rude. Second, he is suprised that I am jealous of the scene that was going on a few seconds before I stormed in because I am never jealous.

I know, Luke, I'm suprised too.

"The name is Grace." I say, the confidence appearing back in my system. The last time I found myself being all confident was when I yelled at my father and slapped him but ever since then, I have been like a turtle; hiding away from everyone because I have been too scared.

Now, the confidence is rising up in my body and I would be lying if I said I didn't like it because inside, I loved it.

The girl rolls her eyes and smirks at me. "So your the little bitch." The girl says and I swallow the lump in my throat and grab the girl's arm, pulling her out of the seat. The girl snatches her arm away from me and let's out a laugh.

"Something funny?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at the girl and she shakes her head.

"Nah, just amusing." The girl says and before I can say anything, I hear Luke's voice behind me.

"Amy-"

"Shut up, Luke." The girl who I think is Amy, says and I walk up to her and narrow my eyes at Amy.

"Don't tell him to shut up, okay?" I say and Amy snorts.

"Yeah okay." Amy rolls her eyes and all of sudden, I hear someone in the crowd shout out 'bitch fight', making me roll my eyes. Amy smirks and raises her hands in the air.

"Let's give the crowd what they want." As Amy says that, she throws her fist into my face, making me fall to the ground. I let out a cough and get up, clenching my fists as I walk up to Amy again.

"Let me explain something first-" Before I can continue, Amy throws another punch into my face and I feel something run down my lips, making me touch them to see blood.

I hate blood and the fact that Amy made me bleed makes me so angry because all it reminds me of is when my father first hit my mom.

There was so much blood.

I run up to Amy and tackle her, her head smashing against the marble floor. I begin to pound my fist into her face, making sure to at least make her bleed so that it is even but Amy didn't want that.

She wanted to make things interesting.

How? Oh, she decided to headbutt me which makes me let out a groan and lose my focus so Amy takes the opportunity to roll me over and straddle me, grabbing my hair and hitting my head on the floor. Before I black out, Luke pulls Amy away from me and the last thing I hear before my eyes close shut are the words that slip out of Amy's mouth.

"She got what she deserved."

●●●

I blink a couple of times before rubbing my eyes, stretching out my legs. I open my eyes and look around as the familiar room appears in my eyes.

The nurse's office.

I notice the principle sitting in the chair next to the nurse as they speak about something about the fight. When they notice me, the principal stands up.

"Grace..." The principle starts and I let out a sigh and rub the back of my forehead.

Damn, it hurts so much.

"How are you feeling?" The principle continues and I shrug.

"Its just my head." I say and the principle shakes his head.

"Can you remember what happened in the cafeteria before you passed out?" The principle asks and I nod. The principle nods slowly and takes the seat next to the bed that I am sitting on.

"I know you always refuse to take statements about all the violence that comes your way but I really need you to write one down since this doesn't involve Nicole for once." The principle explains and I let out a sigh.

"I really don't want to." I mumble and the principle nods.

"I know but the most important statement is the one coming from the victim and since Amy has already wrote her statement along with Nicole and Luke, I just need you to write one." The principle says and I let out a sigh.

"Fine, I'll do it." I say and the principle smiles, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you. After the nurse makes sure your okay, you can meet me in my office." The principle says and I nod. He walks out of the nurse's office and I let out another sigh.

The nurse, who I call Mandy, walks over to me with a small smile. "Are you feeling dizzy at all?" Mandy asks and I shake my head.

"No." I reply, looking down at my fingers. Mandy takes the seat next to me and crosses her right leg over her left.

"How are things going at home?" Mandy asks and I shrug.

"Okay, I guess." I say and Mandy nods. She raises her hand and feels my forehead.

"I advise you to keep your stress levels down since your head is very sore. Also, your knuckles are bruised so don't hit anything if you want them to heal quicker." Mandy says and I nod, standing up.

"Try and have a good day, okay?" Mandy says and I nod, sending her a smile.

"I'll try to. Goodbye, Mandy."

"Bye, Grace."

●●●

After I finish writing my statement about the fight, I place the pen beside the paper and lean back in my chair, letting out a sigh as I watch the principle type a few things on his computer.

When he sees that I am finished, he grabs the paper and reads it. He let's out a sigh and runs a hand through his hair. "Wow, it's Amy's first day and she is already starting trouble." The principle grumbles before typing a few things on his computer.

Oh no, she is not starting here.

"Okay Grace, would you like to be sent home for the day?" The principle asks and the same answer comes out of my mouth everytime he asks me that question.

"No, I'll be fine." I say and the principle narrows his eyes at me.

"Can I ask a question?" The principle asks and I nod. "Does your answer have to do with your life at home? Is that why you never want to leave?" The principle asks and I shake my head.

Yes, yes it is.

"No." I say and the principle let's out a sigh.

"Okay, well, just let me write you a note explaining why you haven't been in class then you can go." The principle says and I nod, watching as he writes my name and an explanation on the white slip. He hands it to me and I thank him, walking out of the office.

As I begin to make my way to class, an idea appears in my head as I look down at the slip. I make a left, walking straight to the field.

I don't have to go to class straight away if I have this.

Thank goodness.

●●●

As I lean against the tree, I close my eyes, the song Ghost by Halsey playing in my ears. My fingers tap my knee to the beat and I let out a sigh.

"Gracie?" I hear someone say behind me and I turn around to see Luke standing there with a small frown.

Just like that, I find my heart racing and my breathing become heavy as I look into Luke's blue eyes. This time, I don't find myself running because I realise that if I run again, I might lose Luke for good.

I don't want that.

"H-Hi." I stutter and Luke walks slowly over to me as he watches my reaction, like he is trying to be cautious. I nod and he sits beside me, letting out a small sigh. I take my earphones out of my ears and place them on my lap.

"Uh, I'm sorry." I start off and Luke looks at me, his eyes staring into my green ones.

"No, it's my fault. First of all, I said that I wouldn't break your heart and when I told you everything that day, your face told me that you were so broken and I didn't know what to do. I'm so sorry, Grace, I'm such a fuck up and I just really like you and I just want you to hear me out-"

"Luke, calm down." I smile and Luke runs a hand down his face.

"Sorry."

"Well, you can explain everything now." I say and Luke nods. He breathes in a deep breath before letting out a sigh as he looks at the football team that are running laps around the field.

"Two years ago, my father was in a car crash where he suffered from brain damage, a broken leg and a burned arm which was caused by the car which went in flames." Luke begins and I nod. He doesn't look at me at all but I know why. I can tell that Luke is hurting by all this and he doesn't want to break down in front of me.

"The doctors said that he would be in a critical condition for a while but if he did what the doctors told him to do, he could at least live a normal life and not be stuck in a hospital bed forever. One night though, my mom began to feel a lot of pain in her stomach and my mom was pregnant at the time which was why it was so important to get her checked out. When my father heard about it, all he wanted to was see my mom and when he tried to get out of the bed, he made himself worse." Luke explains and I don't say anything, I just let him continue.

"My mom lost the baby that night and when my father heard about that, he went insane. Now, my father is really sick and he needs one thousand dollars for the surgery that could either save him or kill him. My mom is going to pay half the money since that is all she has at this moment and I'm going to pay the other half if I actually get the money from my friends." Luke says as his head turns to look at me.

"But the feelings I have for you don't have anything to do with the dare. I actually really like you." Luke says and I nod.

"Why didn't you tell me this at the start?" I ask and Luke shakes his head.

"I was too focused on my father to remember. The day I took you to the football field was when I knew that I should tell you and thats why I did. I know it's a little late to explain all of this but if you can, please forgive me." Luke says and I let out a sigh.

After everything, I don't know what to say. Luke only got himself into this because he wanted to save his father or at least give him a chance. I can't be mad at him because of this... I just can't.

"Fine." I say, a small smile on my lips and Luke grins, placing a hand on my cheek. He brings his face closer to mine and before his lips touch mine, he stops.

"But I need you to help me."

"With?" I ask, moving away from Luke so I can see his face. Luke holds my hand in his and sighs.

"I need you to meet my friends but you don't have to say anything, I'll do the talking." Luke says and I let out a sigh.

"Please, Gracie, I really need this money."

If Luke at least gets a chance to save his father, I can't let the opportunity slide. I couldn't help my mom but at least Luke gets to try and I guess that's what matters.

"Okay." I say and Luke smiles and brings my face close to his, my eyes slipping shut. Luke's hands run my thighs and back down, making me feel... I don't even know how to explain it but the moan that escapes my mouth obviously tells me that I like it.

Luke pulls away and smirks. "Now, that was hot." Luke says and I hide my face into his chest, my chests heating up.

Well, I guess that's one way to make a girl blush.

I might as well be a walking tomato since I blush way too much.

"Oh you two look cute." I hear someone say behind me and I look behind me to see none other than Amy.

"Please get lost." I say and Amy rolls her eyes.

"Little miss goody-two-shoes over here." Amy says and Luke groans.

"Go away, Amy. Your not wanted."

"Not yet." Amy says with a wink before walking away and I look at Luke with a frown. He pecks my lips and smiles at me.

"Don't worry about her." Luke says and I nod.

Something tells me I am going to be running into Amy a lot now.

Great.

●●●