"Why did you bring me here?" Audrey leans on my shoulder, feeling the effects of the alcohol.

"Because, Audrey, you're a stiff. You don't have fun."

"You have too much, you could benefit from being stiff." I snicker at her response, and she rolls her eyes while pushing me away. "Grow up."

"Fun Audrey would laugh at that."

"Why? It's not funny. It's immature."

"Which is why it's funny," I nudge her. "Loosen up. You're clearly not drunk enough."

"I'm not drinking anymore. I have to stay in control."

"I doubt even intoxicated Audrey Michaels would lose decorum."

"And we'll never live to find out because I don't want to be one of those girls who drink too much, climbs onto the table, and strips."

"I do that sober," I smirked.

"Who would stop me if my inhibitions were low? You?" She asked rhetorically with a hint of snark at the end.

"Yes."

"Trevor the perverse?"

"I am not."

"Now that's funny," Audrey laughed mockingly. "Do you not recall the things you've said to me since I started dating Natalia? Just yesterday, you said 'some people have a security blanket, I-'"

"I have the thought of you lying naked with another woman. Yes, I said that, but I was kidding. I don't actually imagine that— I couldn't unless I saw you both, and even then I wouldn't say it." She narrows her eyes in disbelief. "Well, only to you, but that's because we have a special relationship."

"No, we don't. I simply put up with you."

"And I put up with you. Audrey the shrew." Her mouth falls open with offense. "I love you in spite of it. That's what makes us special."

"Very well," she rolls her eyes and finishes what's left in her glass. "Still don't understand why you brought me of all people. Especially considering you won't get anything from me."

"I'll have you know, I'm depriving women of me until I'm through with Vivian."

"You want her?"

"Gone? Yes."

"What is your plan exactly? How have I had a part in it and I don't even know what your end game is?"

"I have a role in the greatest play ever. Shakespeare is rolling in his grave for not dreaming this one up."

Audrey smiles and shakes her head, "You get on my nerves."

I laugh at her response, knowing that if she said it sober it would've been accompanied by a glare and sashay.

"More bottle service, Mr. Bailey?" Ethan comes to our section with vodka and mixers. "Please, spend plenty of money in my establishment. Employee paychecks are actually denting my bank account."

"That's because you have too many, young Carey."

"Nonsense."

"Tony has a hand in this?" Audrey questioned.

"Yes, a small hand, however."

"Aren't you scared of getting caught?"

Ethan sighs and sits down, "Threatening me or warning me, Audrey?"

"Asking you," she scowled.

I laugh awkwardly to lighten the mood. "Everyone's friends here. Stop being on edge."

"No ones on edge," Ethan shrugged— completely on edge.

Vodka will burn a hole right through this tension.

I pour three shots and watch as they take one.

Good.

"Anyway, Audrey's interested in seeing the dancers."

"I'm what?" Her eyebrows furrow.

"Drunk enough to tip the strippers."

"Those poor girls..."

"Poor? They're happy and well paid," Ethan replies.

"We'll make sure of that," I smile.

"Hello," Ethan's lady kisses his face from behind.

"Hey," he grabs her hand and brings her around the chair.

I narrow my eyes in amusement, "Are you still on the payroll now that you two are exchanging fluids?"

"Yes."

"You're together now? She is your girlfriend?" Audrey says in shock.

"Mhm..." Ethan responds.

"Huh..." she crosses her arms.

Uh oh.

"You do plan on playing nice tonight, don't you?" I asked quietly.

"Why wouldn't I? I'm happy for him."

"Happy as ever."

"I just think it's hilarious."

Here we go...

"Should I even ask?" Ethan said in annoyance.

"Should I? I don't care but— what did this girl do to deserve you as the nice boyfriend rather than the complete asshole who treats us like we're nothing? Did you go on a wellness retreat to work out this insecurity issue you have that inhibits you from believing anyone could possibly want you?"

"Can we not rehash this?"

"Oh, you look nervous, she must be unaware."

"A dancer," I point to where one is walking past, "Audrey, we don't want to miss them."

"He pays you?" She ignores me to talk to Elizabeth. "Is that the difference? I thought arrangements like that were only legal in Nevada."

"You should go home," Ethan suggests.

"But things are just starting to get fun."

"You're drunk."

"You're welcome."

"Come on, Audrey," I reach for her hand but she pulls away.

"No— Liz, did you know that Ethan and I used to be friends with benefits? Now of course I ended up really liking him, loving him, whatever it's pointless now," she tries to muster up a smile, "he can't love anyone, he doesn't even love himself. He uses women as self-esteem shots and bandaids, and I was so angry at myself for so long for being the ultimate ego booster. I mean, people crawl on their knees for my approval, and he had more than that for me. That's why he lost interest right before I found out I was pregnant." Elizabeth's eyes became almost cartoonish as if they'd pop out any second. Audrey let her sit like this for a moment before breaking the news. "I didn't have the baby, obviously. Not that Ethan was there to make sure I got it taken care of."

"Remember why you said you don't get drunk?" I whispered to her.

"That's not even the worst part, Lyssa. He then dated my friend and flaunted it in front of me so I didn't have to question whether or not he cared about me. I'll admit, it was awful seeing them together...so, imagine my relief when I found out it was a dare. Trevor dared him to date her," Audrey laughed hysterically. "My God, I would've laughed right then and there, but I couldn't, because Ethan took naked pictures of her and gave them to his friends. That's not as good of a punchline, is it?"

Liz gives her a pitiful expression, something Audrey would hate if alcohol didn't cause blurred vision. She then looked at Ethan as if he were unfamiliar to her...

"Elizabeth," he called out as she walked away.

"Don't leave, Eliza," Audrey adds.

"It's Elizabeth," I say lowly to correct her.

"Lisbeth," she calls for her.

"You're doing that on purpose."

"I am," she laughs, "because I hate Ethan. Ugh, I feel like I can finally say it without everyone looking at me like I'm bitter and obsessed. I've tried to get past it so that no one felt uncomfortable, but God, I hate you. I hate you so much. I detest you. Especially for making me the bad guy."

"Then I hope you feel fucking better now," he huffed and got up from his seat.

"No."

And she throws up on my shoes.

"I hate concerts that have seats," I complain.

"Me too, but there aren't seats in front of the stage," Matt responds.

"Who can afford that though?"

"Me now. And there's always a shit ton of summer concerts. We should pick one and go."

"We're still down for warped tour?"

"Me, you, Zach, Ned, Frankie, Jordan— Danny says he's not standing outside for 7 hours to watch shit bands."

"He's coming. What else will he do for 7 hours."

"Amanda," Matt chuckled.

I cringe, "You've got to stop with that."

"You didn't see them," he said defensively.

"Ew, man," I laugh away the thought, and Matt stops walking. "What?" I ask as he stares off into the distance.

"Run."

"What?"

"Run!"

He turns and makes a break for it with no further explanation. My adrenaline starts pumping as I go after him. I know not to look back, it slows you down, makes you more anxious.

We're ripping down the blocks, maneuvering past people and bumping into the ones we can't slip by. Matt makes turns in hopes of losing whatever we're running from, and there's a cold sweat of fear on my neck.

I'm almost out of breath, and I use the rest to say: "what the hell is going on?"

Matt slows down, the gravel kicking up beneath his feet until he comes to a stop. He puts his hands on his knees and heaves. "Those guys..." he pants, "were following me," he motions behind him, "saw them in front of my house-"

He's tackled to the ground. It happened in an instant, but suddenly two guys were pummeling the shit out of Matt.

"Get off of him!" I haul one by their collar so their own jacket starts choking them up, but he twists around and grabs ahold of my neck. I fight him off until I'm pushed against a building.

My back hits the bricks hard and before I can recover from the impact, I get punched in the stomach. I clutch my abdomen and crouch over in pain right before I'm kicked hard as shit until I fall over.

The ground is damp. It rained earlier. I cough, trying to catch the air they knocked out of me. My head turns to the left, and I see Matt getting hit over and over by both of them. I can't lay here.

This is why Danny carries a knife.

I pull myself up and jump on the guy holding Matt down to be beaten. He budges enough to let go of Matt's arms, but I was easily thrown back on the ground. I tried to block my face but still managed to take a few punches. With one after me and the other after him, it's at least almost fair— if we ignore that they're twice our size.

I stopped trying to fight back, and Matt had to have stopped too because they backed off on wailing on us.

The guys snatched his backpack from him and dumped it out like they were expecting to find something. And when they didn't— they tossed it in a puddle.

I didn't want to look like I was getting up until they were far enough not to care. After they were out of my eye-line, I carried myself over to Matt. "Who the fuck was that?"

"I don't know."

"Anything else you'd like to talk about before our session is over?" Dr. Costner asked.

"My parents want me to go to Cape Cod for the summer."

"Do you want to go?"

"No."

"Why is that?"

"They want me to stay with my aunt and uncle, they say my cousins are really excited to see me. But, I know it's because they don't trust me to stay out of trouble."

"And how does that make you feel?" She always asks this.

"Irritated...but, I'm doing what you said...trying to put myself in their shoes."

"Good, Jace, I'm glad to hear that...but it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your feelings. Talk to your parents, try to reassure them that you're working to gain their trust back."

I nod to show I've heard her, but I'm tired of this conversation.

"Do you see any other students from my school?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, but I do see plenty of people your age. It's very normal."

"Well, obviously. Parents send their kids to therapists so they don't have to talk to them."

"Do you believe that's what your parents are doing?"

"Partly," I scoff. "Some people really need it, though."

"People such as the friends you discuss with me?"

"Yes."

"Heather?"

"No, she surrounds herself with people who need therapy so that she can feel normal."

"And-"

We hear a big crash outside of the door. I look at her and we make eye contact before she decides she should probably check it out.

"Excuse me for a moment."

I listen for her footsteps, and when they're far out enough, I walk over to her desk.

I only want to know how many people I know are also her patients. That's some sort of conflict of interest to me.

She left the key to her file cabinets on her desk. It's normally something she takes with her, but since she's only stepped out...

I pick a random one and open it to find her progress notes, unfortunately. I would've preferred some tasty diagnoses, but I sort through them all anyway until I see a familiar name.

"Ali," I smile, "how have you been fairing?"

There's a tape in her file. Dr. Costner tells me before every session that she's going to be recording, it's a legality thing, I suppose.

I find the tape player in her desk drawer and put Alison's in it.

Dr. Costner's voice is heard first: "Why do you think you're here, Alison?"

"I don't know? Because they're making me."

Let's get past the denial stage. I fast forward a bit and then press play.

Dr. Costner speaks again. "Did you believe that what they were saying was true?"

"No, I didn't understand how I was the school slut but he got to be the cool guy behind the camera. It's not fair."

Bored of that story. I fast forward some more before hitting the play button.

Alison cries, "Jace ruined everything."

Excuse me?

"Why do you blame him and not Trevor?"

"Trevor wasn't going to break up with me. I had to break up with him because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep dating him without worrying if today will be the day that what Jace said would be true."

Oh, so you're not responsible for any of your own problems? This, Alison, this is why you're here.

I shake my head and skip past this part too, stopping where I feel she'd be done talking about Trevor.

"Alex was just the nicest guy. He always asked how I felt and really listened when I needed to talk. And, even when I didn't want to, he let me sit with him in silence until I felt ready to face the world again...I thought he liked me."

Now it's getting interesting.

"I tried to kiss him on Valentine's Day, but he didn't let me. I figured he was scared of being caught, so I planned something else. I surprised him with a meeting somewhere outside of school...I guess I kind of tricked him..."

So, no sex? I think people would like school slut Alison more than stalker Sinclair.

"Why do you think you did all of this?" Dr. Costner asked her.

"I was lonely. He seemed like the dependable guy I needed in my life."

"You don't consider your father dependable?"

She scoffs, "sure, when he's not lying to me and my mom to run off to gay bars."

...perhaps I've gone too far.

I close the drawer back and lock it. I was about to put the tape player in her desk again when I realized I never took the tape out. I quickly slipped Alison's recordings in my pocket and rushed to toss the player back where I found it.

The doorknob was turning by the time I ran over to the sofa, but at least I can pretend I was just stretching my legs.

"I'm sorry about that," Dr. Costner sighs. "There was a problem with a patient down at reception."

"Is everything okay?"

"Of course," she brushes me off. "Now, where were we?"

"The other Addington students who come to you."

"Why does this interest you so much?"

"Based on what other people have said about me, do you think I'm a bad person?"

"No, Jace. You just sometimes make bad decisions."

The phone rings on my nightstand, and I eagerly pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Heather, Leo is here."

I smile, "Send him up, thank you, Edna."

I walk out of my room and stand at the top of the stairs waiting to hear the ding of the elevator.

We didn't see each other much today or yesterday, so this is making up for it.

The elevator finally opened up, and I race down to meet him halfway...only pausing when I actually see his face.

"Oh, my god..." my heart drops.

"Hey, butterfly..."

"Who did this?"

"Some guys jumped me and Matt downtown."

"Look at you..." I tilt his head up to see the hue of light bruises on his face.

"They were after him, and I wasn't gonna just stand there."

His clothes have been torn and ripped in some places as if someone threw him on the ground a few times. Those are accompanied by dirt and dry blood I hope isn't his but fear may be someone else's.

"Come on," without a second thought, I take his hand and lead him back to my room. He has to be craving comfort now...

We walk into my bathroom, and I turn the water in the tub on, adding lavender-scented bubbles. "Take your clothes off."

He nods, shedding his jacket, and then pulling off his shirt. "My mom would've went crazy if I walked in like this." Do you think I'm not going crazy?

My eyes scan the red marks down his torso. "Tylenol...I'll get you some." I tear out of the room before I start getting sympathy pains in my body. There are pills in my nightstand, cramps and headaches can't be too far off from bruised ribs and possible concussions. I would love to make him a cup of tea, but I settle for a bottle of water instead.

He's soaking in the bath when I walk in again, his back leaning against the tub as if he hopes he can relax enough to ease the aching...or at least that's what my mind is going to.

They vandalized my Leo.

"Take these," I give him the meds and water. He laughs but doesn't bother saying 'no.'

I kneel next to him by the tub, dipping a washcloth in the water.

"Thank you..." Leo says as I wipe his face with it, "I'm sorry."

"Why? You didn't do this to yourself."

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have to take care of me."

"Hush," I continue swiping away the evidence of hurt on him.

"I'm alright, really."

"Do you want to see a doctor?"

"No, it's not as bad as it looks."

"Well, we should talk to the police."

"And tell them what? I didn't even see their faces."

"If they were after Matt-"

"Butterfly..."

I sigh in frustration but know to give up. He says I don't get it, but the only thing I don't get is how there could be such a big difference between how we respond to things.

"Is this helping?"

"Yeah," Leo grants me a small smile, but I don't return it...so, he smooshes a handful of bubbles on my face.

"Stop," I can't help but laugh.

He chuckled, "Are your parents home?"

I nod, "they're asleep."

"Can you sneak me out tomorrow without them seeing me? I don't want them to think I'm violent or something."

"Violent? No, you just fight a lot."

"Not a lot."

"I'm kidding."

"No, you're not." I playfully roll my eyes and lean in to kiss my violent boyfriend. "Now you're trying to shut me up," he mumbled against my lips. "I should pull you in here with me."

"Don't you dare," I move back and stand up before he could act on it.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"To get your clothes."

There's always been a set here since the first time he stayed over. Every time he comes unprepared, he changes into the clean clothes, and I wash the ones he showed up in.

I hear the water splashing from Leo climbing out of it and look toward the bathroom door until I see him wrapped in a towel.

"You kept my stuff in the drawer with yours?" Leo questioned.

"Where'd you think I would put it?"