As I left the janitor closet, my mind won't pay attention to any of the classes I attended. If my class were with Chase, he would smirk or wink at me. Because of that I received many death glared from the girls around. I ignored all of them even Chase for that matter. They already know that he is a part of our group, still they won't stop making a big deal about it.

"Why are you all red again?" Ashley asked as we made our way towards Leah's car where the rest of them stood.

"I'm not," I denied, trying to hide my face from her.

She eyed me carefully and then she whispered-shouted, "You kissed." It wasn't a question, rather a statement. Even though she whispered, all our friend's head turned around and looked at me. I blinked and felt the blush rising on my cheeks, making me more red. How does she know? They all looked at me and raised their eyebrow. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Chase smirking at me.

"W-what?"

"Ashley said you kissed?" Laura asked as she rounded me.

"No, I don't know what she's talking about." I shook my head, but felt more color reach my face.

"You definitely kissed." Ryan pepped in.

"Who kissed who?" A voiced asked. I snapped my head towards the voice along with the others.

My eyes widened as I saw Liam coming towards us. "He's so hot," Leah muttered. I looked at her in disbelief whereas Alec glared at Liam.

"Hey," Liam said as he came and stood beside me.

"Hey." I smiled and gave him a side hug.

"Liam," Ashley called. She walked towards us and gave him a hug. "You came to pick us."

"I told you, didn't I?" He said, smiling at her.

"I suggest you take your hands off my girl," Jason threatened him in anger. Liam looked at him and raised his eyebrow.

"Your girl?"

"Yes, my girl."

I looked Ashley and widened my eyes. She gave me the same scared expression.

"Uh, Liam. This i-is my boyfriend, Jason," Ashley stuttered. Liam isn't only protective of me, but also Ashley. Her parents never took any interest in her life, so Liam made it a point to be there for her.

"You have a boyfriend? Why didn't you tell me?" He demanded, looking at Ashley, ignoring Jason.

"Why does she have to tell you?" Jason asked, angrily. Shit! I went to Liam and placed my hands on his chest because I could feel anger radiating from him.

"Jason," Ashley warned.

I turned around and stood in front of Liam and smiled at other. "Uh, guys. This is my brother Liam."

They all looked at me, shocked. Even Jason's mouth hung open. They looked at me and then back to Liam and then again at me.

"He's your brother?" Alec asked in disbelief.

"Not only my, but Ashley's too. Since she doesn't have a sibling," I explained.

"Oh? I thought..." Jason trailed looking uncomfortable. I just saved your ass, boy.

"Yeah. What you thought was clearly wrong. And as you're her boyfriend, we need to talk." Liam ordered. Jason nodded. Ashley went to him and kissed his cheeks. He smiled down at her in relief. "Well, before I came I heard you talk about someone kissing someone. Mind telling me what was that?"

I froze. I looked at Chase, who tried not to look scared, but I could see slight fear in his eyes. He acts casual, like nothing is the matter while I froze, not moving an inch. Please, don't open your mouth.

"Yeah. We were just asking Chloe, who did she kiss?" Leah blurted. I looked at her with the biggest glare I could muster. In fact, not only I, but Chase and all the other looked at her. Leah looked to see everyone glaring at her, that's when she realized her mistake that she blurted out in front of my brother about my kiss.

"What?" Liam shouted and turned me towards him. "You kissed someone?"

"Uh..L-Liam, it's.." I couldn't form a sentence.

"Who is that guy you kissed or that guy kissed you? Who dared to touch my baby girl?" He looked around our group and settled his eyes on Chase who was looking anywhere but here. Liam looked back at me. "Chloe? You do know that boys spread germs, right?" He tried.

I rolled my eyes at him. When we were young, Liam used to tell me that boys have some kind of germs in them, so that I would stay away from them. But when I grew up, I came to know he used to say that because he didn't want a guy near me. After all he was a boy too, but he said that brothers don't have such germs. I was small, stupid and naive, so I believed him. He's such a joker.

"It doesn't work now, Liam." I said flatly.

"But why? You used to believe before," he whined.

"That's because I was small and believe everything you said."

"Fine. Just tell who kissed you?" He said darkly. I looked at him and shook my head.

"So you admit that you kissed?" Ashley asked with a smug look on her face. I looked at Liam and nodded. He clenched his jaw and groaned. I smiled at him.

"Let's go home. And you," he pointed at Jason. "Follow us. We have a lot to talk." With that Liam turned on his heels and went into his car. I saw Jason visibly swallow.

"Don't worry. He didn't bring his gun," I patted his back.

"Gun?"

"Yeah. Gun." I gave him a small encouraging smile. "Just be yourself and he won't touch you."

Jason looked at Ashley for help, but Ashley shrugged her shoulder and went in Liam's car. I walked back towards Chase while everyone looked at Liam.

"Make sure he doesn't know what you did? I think he already has a pretty good idea who kissed me. I'll come to your grave as many times as I can." I smile sweetly at him.

I turned around and went home with Liam while Jason followed us along with the others. I think they are going to wait at Chase's house for Jason to come and then interrogate him.

"Liam?" Ashley called from behind.

"Yes?" Liam answered not taking his eyes off the road.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Yes." I looked at Ashley to see her face fall. I blinked at her to tell her that she doesn't have to worry. I'll talk to him. She frowned, but nodded.

We reached home and Liam send us to his room because he knew if we go to my room, Chase will be there.

"What do you think? What is he going to do?" Ashley asked as she paced in front of the door.

"Don't worry. I'll talk to him if anything goes wrong." I assured her.

Later after 15 minutes, Jason came up and told that he wants to talk to Ashley. I nodded and gave them privacy. Just as the door closed Ashley bombarded him with question.

"He doesn't want us together," I could hear disappointment in his voice. What?

I went to my room and saw Chase sitting on my bed. "Chase? What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?"

He ignored my question and asked, "What did your brother say about Jason?"

I looked down. "He wants them to break up."

"Why?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I'll talk to him." Just then there was knock on my door. Startled, I pushed Chase in my closet. I know he'll be able to hear me talk to the person, but I don't have a choice. "Come in."

Liam entered and sighed. "I guess you know."

"I do."

"So?"

"Why?"

"I can't let anyone hurt Ashley," he said and sat on my bed. "Her parents already did that. It's my job to make sure no one hurts you or her."

"Jason is not going to hurt her," I reassured him.

"I don't know him."

"I do. They have been together for two months now. She is happy. She started changing. You have to trust her. If she won't make mistakes, then how will she learn? Jason won't hurt her or break her heart, I know." I sat next to him. "Give him a chance."

He looked at me and sighed. "I'll try." I grinned at him. "But that doesn't mean I'm letting you go off the hook."

"What do you mean?" I asked, unsure.

"I'm not letting any guy come near you." He said firmly.

"Liam, why?"

"I'm not going to making the same mistake again by letting you go anywhere. Last time I did, you ended in the hospital and..." His voice broke slightly at the end. I sat straight and looked down.

"It was my fault. I should have listened to you," I said quietly.

"No," he said, quickly. "It's not your fault."

I stood up and looked at him. "It is my fault. I was stupid to think we can go out at that time. You warned us, but I didn't listen. I should have tried hard," I cried.

"Chloe-"

"No, Liam. I said it was my fault," I snapped at him. "I hate myself for that."

I didn't let him speak anymore as I ran out of the room to my car. I heard him call my name, but I didn't listen. I got in and raced towards the only place I knew, no will come. I parked the car at the side road and went to the clearing. I sat down and cried.

Why? Why me? Why her? Why didn't I listen? Why do I have to be so stubborn?

I screamed and shouted. I feel weak. I dropped down on my knees and let the tears fall freely. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Startled, I stood up and turned around.

Chase stood there with a worried expression. He came near me, but I backed away. I shook my head.

"Chloe?" He started.

"What are you doing here?" I shouted at him. "How did you know where I was?"

"I followed you here. I had to make sure you were okay," he said, gently.

"No. You shouldn't have come here. Go away. I don't want to talk to anyone. Just go away," I yelled at him. Tears started falling again.

"I'm not leaving," he said, firmly.

"Please, Chase. Go away," I pleaded him. He came closer, but this time I didn't back away. I didn't have the energy to. He pulled me in a hug and smoothen my hair. I grabbed the front of his t-shirt and cried.

"Shh, it's fine. You're fine," Chase said in my ears.

"It's my fault," I cried.

"No, baby. It's not your fault," he said and kissed the side of my hair. I didn't say anything and cried in his chest.

I don't know for how long I cried, but there were no tears left by the time I was done. I rested my head on his chest and sniffed.

"You okay?" He asked, softly.

I nodded in his chest. He tightened his grip on my waist. I didn't notice that we were already sitting down. I leaned back I looked at his shirt that I ruined. "Sorry about that," I said. I didn't even recognize my voice from the crying. It was hoarse and weak.

He looked at his shirt. "Don't worry."

I sighed and leaned back in his arms. I felt safe in his arms. "I come here when I'm upset."

"Did you come here after Jeff...you know," he asked, unsure.

"Yeah."

He didn't say anything and we sat there in each other's arm, mostly me in his arms. I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt his hands move up and down my back in comforting manner.

"We should head home. Your brother was worried when you ran out." Chase broke the silence.

"Yeah. I don't want him to stress." I agreed. We got up and went towards our car. "I'll drive home in my car." I said when I saw Chase was heading towards his car, taking me with him.

"No. It's not right for you to drive in this state." He shook his head.

"Please, Chase." I gave him my puppy dog look.

He eyed me carefully before saying, "Fine." I smiled at him and opened my side of the door. "Chloe?" He called before I could get in. I looked at him and raised my eyebrow. "Thanks for Jason and Ashley. Jason really likes her. I won't be surprise if he confesses his love for her."

I smiled at him and nodded. Ashley is my best friend. I'll do anything for her.

**

Once we reached home, Chase forced me to enter my house because I wasn't getting out of my car. Who will when they know their brother is sitting there, angry. But Chase forced me and now we are standing there with Liam pacing the floor.

"You scared me. What were you thinking? If I didn't see Chase leaving your room after you snapped at me, I wouldn't know where you were," he snapped at me. I flinched and took a step back. Liam saw this and came towards me.

"Sorry." I said and looked down.

He stood in front of me and pulled me in a bear hug. I sighed and hugged him back. "Don't you dare scare me like this again."

"I'll try."

Liam pulled away and looked at Chase. "Thanks for getting her back safe." He smiled at Chase. Suddenly, his expression changed. "I still want to know what the hell you were doing in Chloe's room. Like I had talked with Jason, we are going to have a talk too."

"Y-Yeah," Chase stuttered. I smirked at him. Geez! He's scared of my brother. Chase glared at me and then smiled at Liam. "I'll go home now."

He was about to leave when my phone rang. It's weird, I don't get calls at this time of the day. Chase looked at me, confused. Liam had the same expression. I checked the caller ID and it was unknown. "It's unknown." I said to them.

"Hello?"

"Chloe? It's so nice to hear your voice," a heavy familiar manly voice said. The color from my face paled.

No freaking way.