"Thank you so much for coming, Claire dear." Principal Payne says, "It was a pleasure having you here."

"Thank you, and thank you for the meal." I kindly reply.

Liam and I walk out the front door, hand in hand. I don't remeber when we had started holding hands, but I honestly really liked it. Despite Liams hand being signifigantly larger than mine, our hands fit perfectly inside one anothers.

Once we reach the car, I say, "Thanks for bringing me here, I shockingly had a good time."

"The New Years Party will be even better." He tells me.

"I don't doubt it," I respond.

"Speaking if the party, I want you to come with me." He says, " As my date."

I don't know what to say for a second, then I admit, "Louis asked me... I said yes..."

His car comes to an abrupt stop."Louis?! Are you insane?! He's going to hurt you, Claire! Louis is not who you think he is!" Liam yells.

"I'm sorry, all Louis has been is nice to me, and before tonight you've treated me like trash," I spat.

"Have you ever thought I was trying to protect you?!" He screams.

"From what?!" I holler back.

"Myself!" He yells, diverts his attention back to the road, and we head toward my house.

My heart sinks at what he said... himself... Liam's no monster, sure he can be rude, but he's not a monster. When we stop at my house, I finally get the courage to say it,"You're not a monster."

"You don't know me, Claire. All I do is hurt people." He says.

"I don't believe you" I tell him.

Were still in the car. I'm looking at Liam, but Liam isn't looking at me. Hes facing out the window.

"You should really get inside before your Dad gets mad" He tells me.

"He won't care. He's almost never home anyway," I say.

"He is now," Liam concludes.

"Its not like he cares about me any more," I say.

"He doesn't care about you any less either," Liam tells me.

"He hasn't cared about me in a while" I admit.

Finally, Liam looks at me. I look into his brown eyes that hide so much pain and suffering. I see his eyes divert to my lips. This puts butterflies in my stomach.

"Do it," I tell him.

"I can't. I'll go too far, I'll mess-"

"No you won't. Do it." I say to him.

Liam caresses my cheek, as his lips move closer and closer to mine. My lips tremble, I want him to kiss me. At that moment, he kisses me. His lips taste smokey and sweet. I feel like a million lightning bolts are coursing through my veins. I love this feeling. I don't want it to end.

(A/N :This was intentionally a short chapter because if the huge step taken by Cliam in it. Tee Hee c: Hope you like it.)