Lia James
"Lia, listen to me."
"Lia, is this true?"
"You were just a pawn to his plan, Lia. He never liked you. It was simple: take down Mason by taking one of his best friends and turning her against him."
"Shut the fuck up Shelby!"
Pawn. Just a pawn. Not even the king or queen, just the pawn. The user.
Everyone's voices around me turned into an echo, almost like they were voices in my mind. They made my head spin, and I felt dizzy from being overwhelmed.
I've never wanted to burst out crying more in my entire life. I kept repeating to myself that I needed to suck it up, and be calm instead of letting the pain in my heart take over. But I just keep being reminded of everyone turning their backs on me.
Or me turning my back on them.
I knew spending time with Andrew would somehow backfire on me with Mason. But I wanted to prove to him that he wasn't as bad as Mason thought he was. The constant fighting and rivalry was sickening, and I wanted it to come to an end before someone got hurt.
And here I am, getting exactly what I didn't want happening.
I look back at my group of friends. The ones who have stuck with me since I got here, and have had my back. They are all clustered in a group, separating themselves from me. I look back at them with apology written in my eyes, and they can't even stand to make solid eye contact.
I broke them. All of them.
"You guys. I'm sorry." I bow my head, looking at the ground with shame.
"You should be!" Jade storms up to me, crossing her arms like she's trying to protect everyone. "I've never liked you, ever since I met you."
She walks away, grabbing Jace's arm who gives me a glare.
"You should be ashamed of yourself." He tells me before leaving with Jade. 2 less friends I now have as of right now.
"Ryan." I look at him, the only one who seems sympathetic towards the situation.
"Lia, you know about our past. You know what the repercussions were going to be when we found out about this. I'm sorry, Lia, I can't forgive you on my behalf and Mason's. You should've been more smart about this." I reach toward him, a tear slowly trailing down my cheek.
He brushes me off, leaving the building along with Jade and Jace. Another friend I've lost.
"Shit, Lia, this is so fucked right now." Ollie walks up to me, brushing his hands through his hair.
"I know, and I'm sorry."
"The thing is, you should've said that to Mason and not me." He shrugs before glaring at Andrew, who is standing behind me. He hasn't said a word since my friends have starting dropped like flies.
Cole walks up to me next, and it's almost like he was crying. That made things even worse.
"Cole." I can't even formulate a sentence, without crying my eyes out. Tears have soaked my cheeks and my dress. My eyes burn, and I can't feel my toes. I'm just a mess.
"I can't believe you did this...why?" He glades at me with despair, something I've never seen in him before.
Cole has always been the upbeat, positive, clown and this side makes me feel like I've truly broken them. I did the unspeakable, and Cole is close with both Lina and Mason, almost as if they're triplets. He's feeling exactly what Mason's feeling, except Mason is masked with anger and hatred.
In my whole life, I've never had a friend ever hate me. I've never had them say they could never forgive me for something that I did, probably because I'm a decent friend and wont turn my back on others.
But...here we are.
Andrew has influenced me in both bad and good ways. He's taught me to be strong in tough situations, and he's taught me that you have to give everyone a chance despite first impressions. But I've also learned that he can make your friends turn against you, and play with your feelings and you won't have a clue.
I wanted to show Mason that this rivalry was just water under the bridge, and that maybe they could end up being friends in the long run. This feud, all this fighting needs to stop. All of it. I'm tired of listening to them bicker and pick at each other with the motives of hurting one another in the end.
That's all that I wanted.
But of course Mason doesn't see it that way.
Now, I'm standing in front of three very angry friends, and a betrayer in back of me. I'm in full blown tears, and no ounce of pity is displayed between the twins or Cole. They don't feel bad for me, and they shouldn't.
It's all my fault, I know that.
But Mason has to know that this feud shouldn't last a lifetime. Grudges aren't good to hold, especially if it includes old relationships. It should give people the motivation to find new and better ones.
I am not, in any way, glorifying cheating but I think these boys need to learn from one another instead of being stuck in tenth grade with the same feelings and relationship. Mason needs to just move on, and find someone that isn't willing to cheat, especially with Andrew. He doesn't deserve that.
Something in my head tells me that everything that's in my mind isn't good enough for him. He needs more, he needs to know that I'll be with him one hundred percent.
I need him, he's my best friend. He's been there since as long as I can remember and losing that will destroy me. I can't lose him, not for anyone.
With that being said, I know what I have to do.
I have to let Andrew go.
To be completely honest, I'm okay with that idea. I'm okay with leaving the person who's played with my feelings only to get back at his nemesis. I'm okay with leaving a cheater and a dangerous guy.
But if I'm leaving him for the bad parts, I'm also leaving him for the good parts. The hugging, the almost kissing, the butterflies that erupt every time I lay eyes on him. I'm leaving all that behind too, and my heart breaks at the thought.
I just need to be alone, and deal with my problems myself.
Andrew sees me struggling with my thoughts, and for comfort, he places his hand on my arm giving it a little squeeze. Now that, what he's doing, is the reason why it will be so hard to leave him. The little things that he does that makes my heart flutter, I will miss.
His hand is smacked away. "Don't you dare touch her!"
It was Mason, and he's stepped forth, scowling at Andrew who stands there calmly.
"I can do whatever the fuck I want, Butler. She's my friend. And a good one at that. So just leave us alone."
"Leave you alone? Fuck. You have no idea how much shit you are causing right now being a couple feet near her." Their vocal battle becomes a bit louder.
"You're the one who's making a scene! And it's my birthday party!" Andrew gestures to the crowd that has gathered around us, observing quietly. I even see Natalia amongst the upper class and she looks absolutely petrified.
"So, why would she be here?" Mason pointed to me. "I specifically told her to not speak to you, or even look at you for that matter."
"She can do whatever the hell she wants, and so can I. You can't stop this from happening." Andrew does have a point, but betrayal does hurt.
"Yes I can. And I will."
"Mason-" I attempt to intervene.
"Lia, don't. I'm so pissed off right now, I could punch something. Or someone." He glares at his nemesis.
"You're only going to make this situation worse by punching him."
"You're the one making the situation worse! You've been talking to Mr. Cheater THE WHOLE TIME! How could I be so gullible? All the times you said you were hanging out with that girl from the softball team, you were with him? Weren't you?"
I break eye contact, looking down at the tile floor. My actions only made it more obvious as to what the answer was. I didn't even have to say it.
"Oh my God." He runs his hands through his hair in frustration. "I can't believe this."
"I'm sorry, Mason." He tried to walk away but I grab his arm.
"You should be. After everything with you moving because of your Mom, I was eager to take you in. I wanted to spend time with my best friend ever since I moved. I told you that Andrew was a bad guy, and you went off with him like he was some kind of prince. He's not a good person, Lia! Are you that stupid? He's not going to change for you, at all. He's not that type of person. He just wants to get into your pants and leave you on the street, happily moving onto his next victim. That's all he's ever been, and that's all he'll ever be. It's a shame you don't see that for yourself."
"And you know what? Don't even bother talking to me, at all. You've got friends, lots of them. They all love spending time with you, and love you for you. So, what? You're just going to give it up for him? So, before you even try and apologize and make up some shitty excuse, just know that I'm not the only person you should be apologizing too. There are others that feel betrayed too. So, just think about that for a second because clearly you haven't been thinking at all."
He spat out those words like fire. I was the wood, being burned from the outside in, until I turn to a black crisp. His words cut me like a knife, and I couldn't help but sputter some nonsense to make him stay. But I couldn't, because he was halfway out the door, storming past the workers and almost breaking something before leaving.
"Lia." Lina looked at me, her tone as cold as ice. "This isn't you."
I couldn't say anything back to her because I knew it was the truth.
"You knew Andrew and the type of person he was, and I'm ashamed to even call you my friend. Don't you remember? Andrew ruined Mason, and humiliated him in front of everyone. He couldn't show his face in school for weeks because Andrew kept bringing up the wounds. But everyone wouldn't fight back because they were scared of him. Why? Why couldn't you just listen?"
"Now look what's happened? He's never going to forgive you." Lina walks away, crossing her arms like she's disappointed in me. Cole doesn't even have the heart to tell me what he's feeling, because he knows one more word is going to end up breaking me. He walks away silently, catching up to Lina as they both walk through the doors never to return.
The only person left in my life was the one who lied.
I turn back, my make-up practically ruined from my ugly crying, and look at him. I was betrayed by him. Mason was betrayed by me. All of my friends were betrayed by me. It was a never ending cycle and it needed to stop. I've hurt the people that I loved the most over some stupid guy? How ridiculous is that? And now I'm left heartbroken and alone.
He tries comforting me, and I had to fight myself not to give into his touch. It was warm and inviting but I knew it was all an act. It was from the beginning.
"Lia, give me a chance to explain." He forces eye contact with me, bringing my chin up and wiping away the tears that were partly caused by him.
"Why should I? All you ever did was lie. I actually thought that we had something special."
"What do you mean?" His eyes widen in surprise.
"It doesn't matter anyway. I'm never speaking to you again."
"It does matter! It always mattered!"
"Since when? Since you've been lying to me? I'm done with all the deceit." I cry in frustration. "You know, the real reason I was so keen in hanging out with you was because I knew that behind that broody, angry exterior was someone so passionate and loving. But I was wrong. You're just like every guy in my life. Fake, untrustworthy, and a downright jerk. Have a nice life." I remove his hand from my shoulder, giving him one final look of hurt before disappearing and never coming back.
***
Andrew Price
I let her go. I let her run, let her deal with this situation by herself. I knew I shouldn't have, but she didn't want to talk to me. Ever.
It doesn't matter anyway. I'm never speaking to you again.
That hurt. I didn't miss the pang in my chest, as though my heart was ripped out from my body and stabbed multiple times.
The one time someone tried to see me for who I was, is gone. I let her leave. I messed up so bad, and now I'm never going to have her again. The one person.
Ever since she fell on top of me on the baseball field in the middle of the night, I knew it was game over for me. She stared at me, with her beautiful eyes, ones I've never seen like before, and I was a goner. She was the death of me.
Our friendship had turned into something I never expected. She came into my life, bombarding every single aspect, and I never realized until now how much of an effect it had on me. I knew it was changing into something more than a friendship. I mean, I almost kissed her.
I shouldn't have let it go this far. I shouldn't have and I know that. I'm stupid.
Fuck.
I sigh deeply, trying to pick up any amount of dignity I had left, and just stood there. Thinking.
This is all my fault. I'm hurt, I'm mad at myself. I shouldn't have made that stupid plan up with Shelby.
She has to know that I had forgotten about it when I realized that it was turning into something more. That I dismissed it for the sole purpose of just wanting to be around her.
She made my day brighter, more meaningful. I woke up the next day eager to see her beautiful face and went to bed dreaming about her.
And now, she's gone. She slipped right through my fingers. All because of Mason.
"Hey, man. What happened?" Eli approached me with a concerned look, almost like he was terrified to walk up to me.
"I need to get drunk. Or high. Or something." I tried pushing past him, and he grabbed my suit.
"What the fuck happened, man? Why was Lia in tears as she left?" He looked confused.
"She found out, about everything."
"What do you mean? What's everything?"
"My plan. You know? The one where I was going to make Lia fall in love with me just to take her away from Mason because I hate him so fucking much? Then smash her heart into pieces because I'm just a stupid motherfucker?" His eyes go wide.
"Shit, man. I'm sorry. How did she find out?"
"Just my fucking psycho ex-girlfriend." I pointed to her as she started to approach the both of us. She was still a bit tipsy.
"And you want to know the best part? She invited Mason and all her friends too, just to humiliate her in front of everyone." My nostrils flare in anger.
"Just don't do anything stupid, okay? Not again." His eyes warn me.
"Too late." I tell him, thinking about the mess I've created for just one girl.
But she isn't just one girl, she's Lia James. The one who surprised me and knocked me down on my ass, and then picked me right back up.
"I'm so glad we made this plan, Andrew. Now, we can be together again. And we can finally have sex." Shelby strolls to me, biting her lip, and pulling my suit jacket towards her.
"Yeah, I don't think so." I push her off of me.
"Why not? All you wanted to do was hump and dump her right? Why are you so acting so pissy?"
"No, Shelby! And I'm not fucking pissy."
Her jaw drops as I snap at her in front of everyone. Harsh whispers and gasps crowded the room, and my parents tried making their way to me. They wanted me to stop, but I'm already too far in that I can't stop now.
"Well, shit. I didn't realize how bad you have it, Andrew."
"What now Shelby?"
"Andrew Price is in love with Lia James." She cackles, and I grab her arm in fury.
"I don't love anyone. Not even you. So, stop trying to play games and get the fuck out of my life. Now."
"But-" She tries interfering.
"Shut up Shelby! Shut the fuck up! This is all your fucking fault. I don't love you, and I never will. So go. Now."
Her lip quivers as she nearly trips trying to run to the exit of the banquet room. I rub my hand against my mouth, my heart slowly shattering into pieces knowing that everything that had happened tonight was because of her.
"Andrew, honey, are you okay?" My mother reaches me, before grabbing my face.
"Fine."
"Son, what happened?" My father puts his hand on my shoulder, looking at me with concern.
I don't need this pity.
"You guys, something bad happened with Lia. It's pretty bad and I'm not sure she will recover from it. She was forced to leave, and was practically crying her eyes out. And you can thank Shelby for that." Eli explains to them for me. I'm glad I have a best friend like him to find the words that I can't seem to find.
"Oh no. Is she going to be okay? Are you going to be okay, my baby?" She starts to tear up. Probably because she was so excited that a girl had came into my life again and started to make me happy.
Too bad history seems to be repeating itself.
"I don't think anyone is going to be okay." Eli looks down at the ground with hurt.
"I'll be right back, I need to have a conversation with Mr.Burns about his daughter."
"Jeremy!" My mother scolds him for trying to run away. "Don't you dare walk out on your son and try to make things worse. Be here for him."
"Sorry. Are you okay, my boy?"
I'm not okay. I'm never going to be okay.
"No, I'm not. I'm fucking not." I turn to face all three of them. The most important people in my life.
"I screwed up. I met a girl, I started to like her, and then I ruined it because my anger got in the way. It always does. Now, she's gone and I can't take it back."
"It's not your fault, Drew." He used sympathy by referring to me by our nicknames we gave each other back in Harrison Prep.
"Shelby is obsessed with you, and she can't seem to deal with those feelings clearly not being reciprocated. But, it's not your fault." Eli tries to reach for me, but I step back.
"I can't take this anymore." I breath out, almost in a whisper.
"What do you mean? What are you doing?" He looks at me, the same look I got all those years ago.
"I need to...to go away. I need to think about things. I can't be here right now." I manage to say, and my mother gasps. She draws tears and my father grabs her tightly. They know exactly what's happening because I did this last time. And it didn't go well for me.
"Andrew!" They all say at the same time as I run away.
I need to get far, far away from this place. It's too intoxicating and I can't seem to catch a break.
When I reach the outside, I take my phone out and make a couple of calls to the guys that know that when I get mad, I need my gun.
***
Lia James
I couldn't even make it halfway up the stairs without tripping and falling into a pool of my tears. My eyes were burning from me crying, my head ached, I was dizzy. This day couldn't get any worse.
I got to my room and began taking my dress off as quickly as possible so that I could sleep off all the emotions of tonight so that I can at least have some time in the morning. I got frustrated, I couldn't even get the zipper of my dress to go down, it was stuck. I was so angry and full of tears, that I started ripping the seam of my dress without realizing it.
It made me feel slightly better. Just the sound of the fabric tearing off the seam of the dress, I felt better. So, I continued to rip and rip and rip until the dress split into two and slid down my body.
I threw it across the room, not even bothering to put it into my hamper. I wanted to get a lighter from downstairs and burn it. But I knew that it would make things worse, and I didn't want Aunt Alex to know I'm practically going insane.
I threw my underwear across the room where my ripped dress now is, putting on a random t-shirt and shorts. I slid into bed, my pillow starting to get damp from me still crying.
I wanted this pain to go away, this feeling of my heart being ripped into pieces in front of me. The feeling of me, never being good enough for anyone, not even Andrew.
I betrayed Mason, and Andrew betrayed me. It's all one big circle of betrayal, and I'm right smack dab in the middle of it.
I feel empty inside. I feel like no matter how hard I try, no one will ever like me for who I am, and my feelings are the ones that are constantly being broken because of how stupid and naive they make me.
I'll never be good enough. Never.
I take that feeling, and I sleep on it, wishing the night to be erased from my memory for all of eternity.
~*~
Don't forget to tap the star at the bottom of the screen to vote for this chapter!
Phew! This was a really sad chapter! I'm sorry for all the moodiness of all the characters, they were all mad at each other and I wanted it to be real. I didn't want to downplay it at all.
Andrew is a player, he plays with girls emotions and I wanted Lia to see him for who he is. But since that exterior hadn't been knocked down that's the only side she saw of him. She had nothing else to compare it to, and that's why she was heartbroken.
Please leave some comments on what you think will happen next!
Catch ya on the flip side!
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XOXO