A week's gone by and the three days that Amethyst needed on bed rest were done with in the fastest time. They've called Caleb, Katie, and everyone else and they understand. The dance is tomorrow, but Liam and Amethyst have been avoiding each other like crazy.

When you've been staying in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with a guy you have unresolved sexual tension with, and vise versa, it's best to stay away from each other and hope it goes away on its own.

Amethyst's been outside walking around the cabin and trying to avoid Liam by staying outside everyday, and he's tryna to the same by staying inside the whole time. Unfortunately, staying away can only do so much for them.

To be fair, the whole staying away thing doesn't really work when you're sitting so close to each other. It doesn't matter how fat away they plan to sit from the other. They always find a way of being close to each other somehow.

Which brings us to where we are now. The plan was for Amethyst to stay in her room, but there was a new action movie that Amethyst has really wanted to see, so she decided to sit in the living room. Liam's plan was the same, but too was redirected by the action movie.

So that's how they got here. Sitting a few inches away from each other and trying not to have a whole breakdown because of it.

Liam: So... You figure out what colors you're wearing?

Amethyst: Nah. You?

Liam: I think so. Maybe a black hoodie and grey sweatpants.

Amethyst: Mhm. Cool.

Amethyst grabs a hoodie from off the back of the couch and puts it on. Now, there wouldn't be a problem, but...it's Liam's hoodie. Liam stops eating and side glances at her before going back to eating and watching the movie.

Liam: That's my hoodie.

Amethyst: Hmm?

Amethyst looks down and sees the hoodie is a few sizes bigger than her.

Amethyst: Oh. My bad.

Liam: It's good.

Amethyst: Are you...ok? You seem a little...

Liam: What!?

Amethyst: Compressed. Angry. Dare I say constipated?

Liam stops eating and just gets up from the couch looking angry. He walks to the kitchen and starts cleaning his plate.

Liam: I'm fine!

Amethyst: Whoa! Ok. Not angry. Constipated? Is that it? Can big man not poop~? Can't do your duty~?

Liam just leaves his dirty dishes in the sink and just goes to his room. Before he slams the door he yells out the door.

Liam: I CAN POOP JUST FINE!

Amethyst follows him laughing and sticks her head in his room with a large grin.

Amethyst: Are you compressed? Are you too frustrated to express emotion? Do you need cheering up?

Liam: NO!

Amethyst giggles and decides to poke fun at his earlier statement.

Amethyst: I thought you said you weren't angry~!

Liam: I'M NOT ANGRY!

Amethyst: Frustrated? Is it because of the hoodie? I can take it off-

Liam: I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DAMN HOODIE!

Amethyst: Ok then! Let's revisit the angry feeling.

Liam: MY GOD WOMAN! I'M NOT ANGRY!

Amethyst: You seem to be pretty angry to me.

Liam: I'M NOT!

Amethyst: Did I...do something?

Liam: NO!

Amethyst: Then why the hell are you mad?

Liam: I'M NOT! WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!?

Amethyst: I don't have a problem, but you seem to be the one with a problem. Are you ok?

Liam: I'M FINE!

Amethyst: You don't seem fine, you seem angry.

Liam: JUST SHUT UP!

Liam grabs a glass vase off a table and throws it at Amethyst. The vase makes direct contact with her fact and...the results aren't good. Glass shards stick out of the right side of her face; most of them sticking out of her eye.

When she sees Liam trying to get close her, all she sees is her father.

Liam: Ame...I...

Amethyst: S-STAY AWAY FROM ME!

She runs downstairs and doesn't even think twice about leaving. She just... leaves. Running back the way they arrived, she just keeps running. Yes, it took them 2 days to get there. Yes, she's only in a baggy hoodie and shorts. And yes, she's aware she's not wearing shoes, but when one needs to get, one goes.

Liam's looking at the blood in the hall only now just realizing what he's done. Once again, he's fucked up. He runs down the stairs forgetting all his stuff there except his phone. He immediately hops on the bike and starts riding after Amethyst not knowing how far she's gotten on foot.

Surprisingly, she's gotten very far. Turns out, running track in middle school really DID have a positive impact. She runs into Tugg's Knockout and runs into the medical aid department of the club. Amethyst sits and waits on her main aid, Amelia, and grabs a pair of scissors.

Amethyst cuts her hair almost completely, and gets some product to wash out the flame hair dye. Amelia runs in and drops everything when she sees Amethyst's face.

Amelia: What happened!? Why are you cutting your hair!?

Amethyst: 1. Personal shit. 2. It's time for some badass improvement. Please get the glass.

Amelia: R-Right!

Amelia picks everything up and and starts using some tweezers to get the glass out of the right side of her face. When she finishes, she puts a cotton patch on Ame's eye, and when that's done, Ame immediately goes for some spare clothes are changes quickly getting ready to go out and fight.

Amelia: Are you sure you're good to fight? What happened?

Amethyst: Relax, Meli, I'm good! And yeah, I'm good to fight! The 'what happened' is a fucking prick named Liam Sacramento. Make sure to do fight call tonight.

Amelia: On it!

Amethyst runs out to the ring, and takes her boxing gloves from her trainer's hands.

Amethyst: PHOENIX IS BACK BITCHES! GIVE IT UP!

The large crowd goes wild seeing their favorite juvenile return after her long absence. The announcer steps into the ring and holds up on of Ame's hands.

Announcer: Our Juvenile Jaguar has returned! Tell us, how do you feel now that you're back!

Amethyst: I FEEL LIKE KICKING SOME ASS! SEND MY OPPONENTS MY WAY BECAUSE I'M BACK AND I'M NOT LEAVING ANYTIME SOON!

The cheering gets louder and Amethyst gets way more hyped than she was before.

Announcer: You've got one fight tonight, Phoenix, what are you telling him?

Amethyst: STEP UP SO I CAN BEAT YOUR ASS ALREADY!

Announcer: You heard her! Step into the ring: LIAM SACRAMENTO!

Amethyst: SACRAMENTO!?

Liam awkwardly, after struggling, gets into the ring and stares at his feet the whole time.

Announcer: Alright! I'd like to get your opening words before you fight.

He holds the Mic in front of the purple haired fighter, but doesn't get a response. Instead, everyone watches her as she takes of her gloves, throws her towel to the middle of the mat, and kneels where she's standing.

Amethyst: I'm throwing in the towel. It's a forfeit match. You win by default.

She walks out of the ring and starts walking out of the club.

Liam: WHAT!? HELL NO! GET BACK IN THIS RING AND FIGHT ME DAMMIT!

Ame stops and turns back to Liam with the iciest glare her left eye will give.

Amethyst: You are in absolutely NO position to make ANY kind of demands.

Amethyst walks off leaving Liam shocked still standing in the ring.

Announcer: Trouble in paradise, little man?

Everyone laughs and Liam just sits on the mat looking more defeated than before.

Liam: You all wouldn't be laughing if you all were me...

Announcer: Ayo, what happened, little man?

Guy #1: Yeah, I mean, this is the happiest we've seen her in, like, ever.

Liam: Yeah, before I fucked it up...

Guy #2: You wanna talk about it?

Liam: Well...at school, her and her sisters are always called 'The Freaky Five' which really doesn't make sense because they're, like, really cool! They've been staying with us for the past few months, and-

Guy #3: And you've grown quite fond of our little sis, huh?

Liam: I- Uh- Well- I- Uhm- I mean- Well, yeah!

Guy #4: Well, how many times have you messed up so far?

Liam: So far I've messed up twice. This being the second time.

Guy #2: Start talking.

Liam: Well, the first time was after the court hearing. I got mad because she lied about how many years she's been in and out of juvie. To be honest, I knew I didn't have any right to get mad, but when she said she trusted me then lied I thought...I don't know...I just...I thought...

Guy #4: You thought she didn't trust you at all? Is that it?

Liam: Yeah. I've had friends, but they were always fakes. I know that's not fair to bring up considering the fact that Ame's never really had friends so I don't think she even understands the whole concept of it, but...I don't know. In a way, I'm more like her than I think. After what I did at the courthouse, she must've thought I was like everyone else just like...just like I did...

Woman #1: You get it now?

Liam: Mhm.

Woman #2: We get we're you're coming from, bro, we do, but you've gotta understand something. Coming from a background as...traumatic as Phoenix's, trusting people isn't easy no matter who you have and don't have. You've had a pretty good life right? Good family?

Liam: Yeah.

Woman #2: You've had actual friends before, yeah?

Liam: Yes, ma'am.

Woman #2: An in tact social life?

Liam: Yes.

Woman #2: Now, try being Phoenix for a day before she met you. Shitty family, constantly bullied and ridiculed, everyone hates her and she doesn't know why. The only thing she can do to survive is lie because who's she gonna go to? She can't even trust her own parents let alone other adults. While you're able to do things freely, all Ame knows is: Fake it, lie, survive. Fake being ok, lie about being ok, and survive in a world where not even the people who are supposed to serve and protect us will help her and her family.

Liam: I...didn't think it was that bad...

Guy #1: She chose to trust you. She never trusts anyone. Why do you think that is?

Liam: Because... Because everyone always let her down, but...but I was the first person to see her. Like, really see her. Not as a freak... Not for how she fights...but...but for her. Right?

Guy #3: Yeah. Now, why don't you tell us about fuck up number two?

Liam: I... Over the past few months I've come to a very personal realization.

Guy #2: Your in love with Phoenix, right?

Liam: Well, yeah. See, I didn't really think about hee like that before I held her while she was bleeding out in my arms. All I could think was: 'I fucked up. I fucked up. What the fuck do I do? She's gonna die!' Then when she died and apparently came back to life I was like: 'Damn! She's amazing. I want that one.' The hospital kept doing tests on her and she was sick of it, so so had the idea to just...leave!

Woman #2: Bold! I like you, kid!

Liam: We couldn't go back home because people would look there first, so I took her to a cabin me and my brothers go up to every year for winter break. Nothing happened so get those smiles off your faces! Anyway, we stayed there over the past week. Over this past week, I've been trying to plan out ways to tell her...well...you know!

Guy #4: That you love her~!

A group if female fighters coo at him and he glares at the mat.

Liam: Please stop that. Anyway! I was frustrated and today, before everything, she kept pressing to see if I was ok! I appreciated it, really, but I was just so damn emotionally constipated! I go to my room to cool off, right? Don't get me wrong, under any other circumstances, I would've jumped at this, but not today. She just kept pressing and that's when things turned into a shit show...

Woman #3: What happened, red?

Liam: There...There was a glass vase on a table close by. I- I didn't even think! I was- I just grabbed it and threw it! I heard it hit her face! I snapped out of my shit, but by the time I did and when I opened the door...She was just looking at me... Shards in her face, blood steaming down her... She- She looked so scared...of me... So afraid... And it was my f-fault...

Everyone looks in shock in the boy shaking and crying uncontrollably in the boxing arena.

Liam: I...I must've reminded her of her dad s-so- so damn m-much...I hurt her! J-Just like...Just like he did! I...I didn't mean to...I swear! I would never want to... Not her! Never! I'd never want to hurt her! I didn't mean to...

One of the guys picks Liam up off the ground and slaps him across the face. Hard. Two more guys have to step in to hold him back from hitting Liam anymore.

Guy #2: THE FIRST STEP OF BEING A MAN IS KNOWING WHEN TO ADMIT YOU FUCKED UP! YOU DID THAT! THE SECOND, AND MOST IMPORTANT, IS TO FIND WAYS TO FIX IT! USE THAT HEAD AND THINK! YOU'RE NUMBER ONE IN HER LIFE! ACT LIKE A NUMBER ONE! GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE, AND YOU DON'T GO HOME UNTIL YOU APOLOGIZE AND SHE ACCEPTS!

Liam: And if she doesn't?

Guy #2: THEN YOU PROVE TO HER YOUR SORRY UNTIL YOU PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY OF HER BELIEVING IT! NOW, GET UP AND GO, GO, GO!

Liam: But-

Guy #2: I SAID GO, RED!

Liam: YES SIR!

Liam gets up and quickly runs out of the club. He looks up at the sky noticing that he's been down there for quite some time. He texts Amethyst a quick 'Where r u?' before jumping on his bike and riding around the city. As expected, after riding around for the rest of the day, he doesn't find her.

One thing he's learned about her is: If she doesn't wanna be found, you won't find her. He stops to get some food, and checks his phone to see he finally has a message from Amethyst: 'Fuck you'.

Liam: Upper case F...Upper case...Up... Up! She's on top of the hills in the meadow!

He stuffs the rest of the food into a doggy bag, and runs back outside and jumps onto his bike not even giving himself a chance to breathe. Liam drives faster than usual and makes it to the meadow. He looks around and sees Amethyst sitting under a tree with her knees to her chest. Not really surprising since she doesn't have a coat and it's winter.

Liam decides to go around so he doesn't upset her more, and picks up some unfrosted lilacs. He walks up behind her and taps her shoulder. She looks behind her and Liam sees the same look of fear as before. Before she can run off again, Liam grabs her hand and holds her in place.

Liam: Wait! Please!

Amethyst: G-Get off of me! L-Let me go!

This is the first time, Liam's actually seen what it's like to see Amethyst look so...vulnerable. He knows it's his fault. Not wanting to harm her anymore, Liam lets go of her hand. She backs away from him shaking and Liam drops to his knees crying.

Liam: I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean...I didn't...I...I didn't...I'm so sorry... I didn't want to hurt you! I didn't mean to hurt you! I'd never want to hurt you! I promise! Please forgive me! I'll do anything! Please d-don't h-hate m-me... Please...I-I don't...

Amethyst drags Liam to his feet and gives him a tight slap across his face scratching the side of his face with her nails. When he looks up at her she gives him a swift kick across the right side of his face. He spits out blood and three teeth into his hand.

Amethyst: There. Now were even.

Shivering, she starts walking away not even looking back at Liam. He staggers to his feet and runs to catch up to Amethyst who walks right past the bike.

Liam: Aren't you gonna get on?

Amethyst: Hell no!

Amethyst keeps walking down the street. Cold. Low-key hungry. Angry. Annoyed. Close to beating Liam's ass. Liam follows her on the bike and keeps trying to convince her to get on.

Liam: Please get on the bike...

Amethyst: Fuck off!

Liam: Just get on.

Amethyst: No!

Liam: You're being unreasonable! It's cold out here!

Amethyst: D-Don't care!

Liam: You're shivering.

Amethyst: I'm shaking in anger.

Liam: You're lying.

Amethyst: Shut up!

Liam: You're not angry, you're hurt. I'm sorry, ok?

Amethyst: Sorry won't help my eye heal faster.

Liam: Look, I know how much I hurt you-

Amethyst stops walking and looks at Liam with an emotionless face and a forced smile.

Amethyst: Do you? Do you really?

Liam: I...I think...

Amethyst: You think? You think you understand. You could NEVER understand! For just one day! One day! You would not survive in my shoes! Being me!? You can't handle that! You would NEVER understand the shit that I went through!

Liam: Listen, I-

Amethyst: NO! YOU LISTEN! ANSWER ME THIS! HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU THINK I'VE TRUSTED IN MY ENTIRE 15 YEARS OF BEING ALIVE!?

Liam: I...don't know...A few?

Amethyst: NO! NOT A FEW! ONE! YOU! YOU HAD A FATHER FIGURE, YET MINE WAS SHIT! YOU HAD CALEB, I HAD NO ONE! YOU HAD JACOB, I HAD NO ONE! YOU HAD A STABLE FAMILY DESPITE THE FACT THAT NONE OF YOUR FATHERS WERE THERE! MY FAMILY WAS ON THE VERGE OF KILLING OURSELVES EVERY DAMN DAY! SO TELL ME LIAM, HOW THE FUCK COULD YOU EVER UNDERSTAND!? HOW COULD YOU EVER UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH IT HURT!? WAS IT TO MUCH TO ASK THAT I GET ONE GOOD THING IN MY LIFE!? HUH!? APPARENTLY, IT IS! 'CAUSE EVERYTHING NICE THAT I GET, I CAN'T HAVE FOR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT ALL GOES TO SHIT!

Liam just looks down the whole time not even having the balls to look her in the eyes because he knows she's crying and he knows that if he looks at her everything's gonna fuck him over more than it already is.

Amethyst: Y'know, I actually thought of you as my first friend...My only friend. But hey! Nobody wants to be seen with a freak, right? If you didn't really wanna be friends with me you could've just told me I wasn't welcome to stay with you...

She tries to walk away, but Liam grabs her sleeve and stops her from leaving.

Amethyst: Let go, asshole!

Liam: I...I can't pretend to understand everything you went through...because I don't. I don't know how much you went through. I don't know how much it hurt you. I don't understand, but I want to. It's my fault for lashing out. It's my fault for hurting you. It's- It's all my fault...I know.

She doesn't move, so he walks closer and pulls her into a hug. Amethyst starts crying, and Liam runs his hands on her back. After a while, Amethyst finally hugs him and he holds her.

Liam: I...I'm sorry...I was frustrated and...and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just made everything worse, and no matter how many times I apologize, I'll never really feel like I've earned the right to be around you.

Amethyst: Dumbass! You...You're a dumbass! All you are is...is...a dumbass! You're dumb!

Liam: I...I know.

Amethyst: You're... You're just dumb!

Liam: I know.