In the event of a fire drill, the entire school congregates on the football field. Sophia and I were practically the last ones to make it outside. Luckily, no one noticed because we came in through the back.

We made a short attempt to find Drake and Seth in the crowd. However five seconds in, Sophia complained that everyone was much too tall for us to continue the hunt. We ended up surrounded by underclassmen, which was fine by me. I've had enough attention from our class today.

I was peering over people's heads, attempting to find Drake and Seth again when I felt Sophia's hand brush against mine. I ignored it at first because it passed so gently, but when it happened again, I knew it was deliberate.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, throwing her a disapproving look. Sophia's nose wrinkled, and her hands met her hips.

"I thought the whole point of me breaking up with Chris was so that we could try being an us. But you won't even let me hold your hand!" She whined.

My eyes bulged out of my head, and I immediately threw my hand over Sophia's mouth. She was practically screaming death warning.

For five blissful moments, I had completely forgotten how this whole fiasco began. After three years of constant abuse, Sophia breaking up with Chris is going to be what gets me killed. I had days to live now.

"Sophia, can you please quietly tell me exactly what you said to Chris?" I instructed, slowly removing my hand from her mouth. She rolled her eyes at me but nodded regardless.

"I told him that I didn't think we were working out." She explained with a shrug. "I didn't do much talking after that because he started yelling at me about absolutely nothing at all."

Anger flared up in me at the image of Chris screaming at her. If he had put his hands on her, I would've charged in there; regardless of the bruised ribs.

I took deep, calming breaths before focusing on the problem at hand.

"So he doesn't know about me?" I clarified, and Sophia's eyes narrowed.

"No, but if you want me -"

"No!" I blurted, shaking my head. "You don't have to."

Something changed in Sophia when I told her no. Her shoulders slumped, and her eyes turned down.

"Listen, Avery if you don't want to be with me, you can just -"

"Sophia!" I exclaimed, interrupting her lament. I took her by her shoulders and pulled her close to me. Her eyes wandered everywhere except to meet mine. I trailed a hand from her shoulder, up to her neck, until I reached her chin and I could guide her to look at me.

There is no greater pain than when the person you love thinks that you don't want them. That massive miscommunication leads to both parties growing heavy hearts. To not be desired is heartbreaking, but not knowing you are is worse.

"There is nothing that I want more than to be with you." I breathed, gripping her reassuringly. Sophia's eyes skipped back and forth as they searched mine. "It's all I want right now. But to do this here, at school, is dangerous. The person who is hurting me, they are dangerous."

I felt Sophia relax in my hands, but her eyes still searched me beseechingly.

"Then tell me who they are Avery. Let me protect myself." She urged, gripping the wrist of my hand that held her chin.

The urgency in her eyes made me want to confess my deepest and darkest secrets. But my self-preservation knew better.

I opened my mouth to lie but fortunately didn't have to because the fire marshall's started to usher people inside. Sophia and I dropped our hands away from each other as people began pushing against us to get to the doors.

As we moved with the crowd, I glanced over at Sophia to make sure I hadn't lost her. I saw her expression had returned back to the somber one it was earlier.

The ache that reverberated through my chest was too much to bear. The disarray was wild enough to where I deemed it safe enough to grab Sophia's hand in mine.

I would have done it even if it wasn't safe; her smile was worth it.

"How'd you find me anyway?" Sophia asked, swinging our hands back and forth.

"There was this girl, Gabby Perez. She was the one who pulled the fire alarm," I admitted sheepishly. I thought that Sophia would be upset with me for doing something so stupid, but if anything she was delighted.

"Gabby?! I love her! I'm surprised she only pulled the fire alarm." Sophia chuckled with a shake of her head. Why am I not surprised they already know each other?

"Do you have any normal friends?" I joked, knocking shoulders with her. And just as they were mentioned, Chris and Seth's backs appeared in front of us. Sophia's mouth curled with mischief before she sprinted towards them, and sprung herself onto Drake's back.

"Surprise!" Sophia cackled as Drake struggled to hold on to her.

"Look, Sophia," Drake grunted, still searching for her legs, "As much as you and Seth want to believe it, jumping on someone's back is not the way to greet them."

"Sure it is!" Seth exclaimed, running over to me with open arms. I gave him a pointed look and took a few steps backward. He shouldn't do that if he knows what's good for him.

"Sophia, I don't know why you like Avery. She's no fun." Seth grumbled, pouting like a toddler.

I punched him mostly because he was being too loud, but also because he was being rude.

Seth yelped dramatically before walking over to Drake with an expectant look in his eyes.

"What do you want me to do?" Drake asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Carry me to my class. Duh." Seth claimed with his hands on his hips.

"Do I look like a pack mule to you?" Drake asked incredulously. Seth smirked at Drake, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Carry me, or I'm telling Ethan." Seth threatened, and we watch Drake go pale. Blackmail: The only way to get what you want.

Drake exhaled a defeated sigh before opening his arms for Seth. Seth grinned cheekily, before jumping onto Drake.

We were able to walk down the hallway for a few moments before an angry roar stopped us in our tracks.

"Sophia!" Chris growled as he shoved past people to get to us. I had long before hid behind Drake. I was all too familiar with that voice and that tone.

Seth slid out of Drake's arms, turning towards Seth defensively. Sophia made no move to remove herself from Drake's back, but it was clear her mood has soured.

"What do you want?" Sophia drawled, not even bothering to look at Chris.

"Is this who you left me for? Drake Weston?!" Chris fumed, pointing an angry finger at Drake.

The whole hallway went silent, and all of their eyes had turned towards us. Don't these people have a class to get to? This isn't the circus.

Sophia scoffed, and Seth let out a small chuckle, both of which had me instantly panicked. The best thing to do right now would not be to poke the already angry bear. Chris doesn't need any more encouragement to start swinging.

When Sophia didn't respond, the veins in Chris's forehead only became more defined.

"And now you're hanging out that disgusting dyke?! What are you doing with yourself, Sophia?!" He shouted, now pointing his finger at me.

At that Sophia jumped off of Drake's back and stormed into Chris' space. I wanted the time to feel flattered that Sophia felt the need to protect my honor, but there was none.

Somewhere in the middle, some of Chris' friends had shown up and begun to surround us. Seth was right there next to Sophia, but we were still overwhelmed. Drake was too busy holding me behind him and keeping me safe to join in.

"Watch your mouth, Chris," Sophia warned, glaring up at him.

Chris took a daring step forward, and a choked sound escaped me. I pushed against Drake, silently begged him to let me pass. He looked down at me to shake his head before shoving me behind him again.

Luckily, Seth was just as enraged as I was about Chris' encroachment and decided to wedge himself between the two. He pushed Sophia towards Drake, allowing him to put her behind him with me.

"You need to leave Sophia alone Matthews." Seth hissed, bumping Chris with his palm. Chris snarled at Seth, and two of his friends began to circle them in. Seth was strong enough to take on Chris alone, but he can't take on three guys at once.

I put all of my strength into tearing away from Drake and ran to stand by Seth's side. I heard him mutter a few curses, but he focused on what was important; keeping Sophia safe.

For a while, just stared, waiting for the other to make a move. I knew it wouldn't be Seth or I. Then it would be all of our fault and none of theirs. However, I still couldn't be sure we'd be safe even if Chris threw the first punch.

'What do you all think you're doing?! Get to class!" A voice suddenly boomed, breaking the tense silence.

The bystanders began to scramble around us to get to their class, but we all held our ground without a single flinch from any of us.

"Seth. Avery. We're going to class." Drake finally decided, grabbing my arm to pull me away. Seth slowly backed away from Chris, his eyes scanning for any sudden movements, before falling into place beside us.

Chris's glare on me was murderous. It held the promise for something painful later on.

"This isn't over Sophia!" Chris yelled from the other end of the hallway.

Sophia scoffed without looking back, gripping onto Drake's arm tightly. I shook my head, a stray tear falling from my eye.

It was never going to be over.

Δ

"Can you believe him?! I can not believe I dated that sorry excuse for a human being!" Sophia gagged from beside me as I read my textbook.

It sucks that she is just now seeing that, but at least she sees it now. Acknowledging it three years ago would've been nice, but beggars can't be choosers.

As I attempted to do the Shakespeare reading we were supposed to be doing, Sophia decided that it would be a better use of her time to rant to me about all of the horrible things Chris does. I already knew so many of them, so I did my best to tune her out and continue my reading. It didn't seem like something that needed a response anyway.

"Avery are you even listening to me?!" My mistake.

I looked up from my book to give her an encouraging smile.

"Of course Sophia," I assured and her nose flared.

"Now you're lying to me!" She huffed with bunched eyebrows.

"Ms. Helms, would you like to answer the question that I've asked you about five times?" Mrs. Dean suddenly chastised from the front of the room.

"'Of course," Sophia answered confidently. "Shakespeare ate 20 apples, at 30 miles per hour, while fighting the American Revolution and solving the equation for gravity."

"Pardon me?" Mrs. Dean questioned. Trust me, Mrs. Dean, you're not the only one who needs to hear that again.

Sophia took a deep breath. "Shakespeare ate 30 apples, at 30 miles per hour while-"

"Oh, nevermind Sophia. Just pay attention please." Mrs.Dean dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Once the room fell silent again, I shot Sophia a confused glace, wanting an explanation for what just happened.

Sophia shrugged. "That's the answer I give whenever I'm asked a question, and I'm not paying attention." She explained. "It's got Shakespeare for English, numbers for math, some sort of war for History, and gravity for science. I haven't figured out to incorporate Spanish yet, but I'll get back to you on that."

I tried to keep it in, but I couldn't contain the laughter that bubbled in my chest. Mrs. Dean shot us another dirty glance, and I held up my hands in surrender between giggles.

"You're something special Soph, I hope you know that." I sighed once I finally pulled myself together.

Sophia smirked at me, leaning back in her seat.

"Tell me something I don't know." She challenged, finally opening her textbook. I gazed at her longingly as she read.

How about that I'm in love with you?