This chapter is dedicated to tiffanymariegregory for always being one of the first few people to leave votes on my chapters. I see you ;) thank you so much!!

"Wow!" Jeremy says, taking a sip from the little juice cartoon. "And why did he leave for New York?"

"His father asked him to come. Long story." I sigh.

"And he still hasn't reached out?" He asks.

"No." I tuck my hair behind my ears. "What if he doesn't forgive me?"

"You didn't actually cheat on him, Jess. People say things when they are upset. I'm sure he will understand. He probably just needs time."

I nod.

I just miss him so much it hurts. All I seem to be able to do is stare at my phone. If the damn thing had a mouth, it would tell me to look away.

"I'm planning to see Steff after school. Are you coming with?" He asks.

"Yeah. I miss her. It's weird not having her here."

"I know, right? She would have had something cheerful to say. She makes light of everything." He smiles, and my heart aches for him.

How can Steff not see the love he has for her?

"She is not gonna like it when she finds out you punched Ryan," I tell him.

I was shocked when I heard the girls talking about it in the locker room during gym class. Apparently, Ryan took it like a champ. When I saw him earlier, he had a black eye. And I felt awful for him because I know what he goes through at home.

"Hey, hottie. You ready?" Penelope Delacruz asks, sitting next to Jeremy and encircling her arms around his middle. "You promised you would help me with Pre Calc. I feel like my brain cells are dying a painful death whenever I solve an equation." She groans before turning to me with a smile. "Hey, Jess."

"Hey." I return her smile.

"You gonna be okay?" Jeremy eyes me with worry.

"Oh, yeah. Go ahead." I give him a reassuring smile.

He nods and gets up after her.

"Help me!" He mouths to me before walking away, and I chuckle.

***

I sit there for a while, watching people laughing and chatting. I look at Liam's empty seat, and I close my eyes, trying to picture him in New York. I wonder what he is up to right now.

My hands come up to trace the little heart on the necklace he gave me for Christmas. He said his love for me wasn't finite. I sincerely hope that's still the case.

My phone vibrates, making me snap my eyes open. I open the text message, smiling.

My other half,

How's it going in that hell hole? Miss me yet?

I read the text from Steff and smile.

You won't believe what happened today, details later. Miss you lots, my other half.

I text back and get up. I should get to the library and get some work done. I have been slacking on the job because of everything that's been going on.

"Crack whore." I hear Chastity Price say as I pass their table, and Brittany looks up at me with a little smirk.

I open my mouth to speak, but Ryan beats me to it.

"Fuck off!" He says, getting up.

I take a calming breath and control myself. I have no patience for their snarky remarks while my best friend is still recovering from a drug overdose. And I pray they never find out about it.

"They need to grow the fuck up already!" He says, walking with me.

I nod in agreement.

"I'm sorry about your face," I tell him. "I heard."

"Nothing new." He says, and I notice the hint of bitterness in his tone. "A friend called from New York a few minutes ago saying he saw Liam."

"Yeah." I sigh. "Ellyn told me."

Ryan frowns and raises a brow.

"Why does Elle know, and we don't?"

"Long story," I say.

"You two fought?" He asks. "I mean, you and Liam."

I fidget a little. It's strange discussing this with him, but I nod anyway.

"Yeah, but that's not why he left."

He looks at me intently for a few seconds, and I squirm. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it again.

"Was it something he did?" He asks.

"No, it wasn't him. I messed up. I keep doubting him when he doesn't deserve it. It's like a reflex. I guess I'm so used to people lying to my face and having ulterior motives, I can't seem to fully trust anyone." I chuckle and see his confusion. "Elliot was dared to date me." I remind him. "No wonder he ended up cheating. He never loved me."

"Liam loves you." He tells me earnestly. "Maybe too much for his own good." He shakes his head, looking remorseful. "You two would have been better off without me in the mix." He mutters, making me frown.

"What do you mean?"

"I am an asshole. I fuck things up." He chuckles humorlessly. "I fucked up my life. I fucked up Steff's life. Now I'm gonna fuck up..." He catches himself before saying whatever he was about to say. "I'm sorry." He says instead.

I have no idea what he is apologizing for or why he is saying this. And I am a bit alarmed he is being so grim. I am used to him joking and goofing around, so seeing this side of him is a little odd.

"Steff overdosing isn't your fault, Ryan," I tell him.

"Yes, it is. She got the pills from me. I introduced them to her. But she won't be getting it anymore, I assure you."

"She says she is quitting," I say softly. "You should think about it too."

He chuckles, making that same humorless sound.

"It's a little too late for me." He says. "That guy Jeremiah though. The guy can throw a punch. Never would have guessed he had it in him."

"He is harmless for the most part." I chuckle.

"Can't say I didn't deserve it." He glances at his watch. "I should get going. Coach has called a meeting."

I nod and smile at him.

After he walks away, I take my phone out to see if Steff has replied.

Miss you more. They moved me out of the ER and into a nicer room. I swear nurse Amber hates me. She brought me a freezing cold meal and wouldn't hear of it when I asked for another one. I don't know how anyone recovers in this place!

Her text says.

I chuckle and start typing as I walk.

This is unacceptable! How dare she not serve you a four-course meal? We must report this at once!

I hit send and shake my head with a little smile. I pick a far cozy corner of the library, where the floor to ceiling windows and the tall shelves are. I take out my physics notes and worksheets and get to working, trying not to get distracted by my intrusive thoughts.

My phone buzzes after a while, and I glance at it on the table. My heart jolts when I see Liam's name on the screen. My breath hitches and I feel my stomach churn as I open the text with trembling hands.

I have been writing and erasing texts for hours. I can't seem to concentrate on anything. You are all I think about. I hate how we left things. I don't know if you even want to be with me anymore, but I hope you hear me out. I can't stop you from choosing him. But just know he can't possibly love you more than I do. I really wanted to be the kind of guy you deserved. Please know that I tried.

I read the text over and over again, and I only notice that my face is drenched with tears when I see the enormous wet spot on my exercise book.

I abruptly get up, leaving all my stuff on the table, and I hurry out of the library. As soon as I step out into the courtyard, I dial his number with shaky fingers. It rings and rings, and I think he isn't going to pick up, but just as I start to lose hope, his voice comes.

"Jess?"

Hearing his voice makes my heart clench painfully. I open my mouth to speak, but all that comes out is a sob.

"Baby, are you crying?" His voice is alarmed.

I want to tell him I'm okay, but I can't seem to catch my breath long enough to form a word.

"Talk to me, please." He says.

"I. . ." I choke on the words. There is so much I want to say. "I didn't do anything with Oscar, Liam. I would never do that to you. I'm so sorry I said that."

There is a long pause.

"You didn't?"

The vulnerability in his voice hurts my heart.

"No. I would never, Liam. I love you too much."

"Baby," He breathes. "With Ellyn..."

"I know." I interrupt. "She told me everything. I'm sorry I didn't hear you out. I've been trying to reach you. I called you a million times! Why did you turn your phone off? Why did you disappear like that?" I ask, wiping my eyes with my sleeves over and over again.

"I didn't." He says. "I was out of my mind after you left. I thought you went back to him when you didn't answer my calls. I was so frustrated, I hurled my phone across the room, and the damn thing disintegrated. It took me a while to get a new one."

"You have no idea what I've been through." I suck in a breath and try to control my hysterics. "I'm sorry I keep doubting you, Liam. I'm so sorry. I promise this is the last time."

"I love you." He says, and my heart fills full again.

"Come back to me then."

"Nothing will keep me away. I'll take the earliest flight out."

***

After hanging up, it takes me a few minutes to compose myself. A few freshmen glance my way curiously as they pass by, but I couldn't care less. I've never felt so relieved.

I basically skip back into the library with a newfound joy and absolutely zero interest in studying. I noisily gather my things and hurry out, getting a nasty look shot my way by Miss Finch, the librarian.

The rest of the day crawls by as I start counting every passing second. I inform Ryan of Liam's whereabouts and text Steff to let her know.

When we finally leave school, I call mom to tell her that I'm heading to see Steff and ask her if I can stay over at Liam's. She doesn't seem too pleased with the idea, but she witnessed how devastated I was last night, so she doesn't say no.

I don't even care if he can't make it back tonight. I'd rather spend the night in his bed than mine.

"Jess."

I turn around to find Jayden leaning against my car.

"Jade." I close the door to face him. "Hey."

"I wanted to catch you after Calculus, but you bolted out of there. I heard Elle talked to you."

"Yeah." I chuckle. "Can't say I wasn't surprised. May I ask how that happened?"

"You can't bring two heartbroken people together and expect them not to bond." He chuckles. "We spent some time together after the letters, and it just. . . happened."

I nod.

"Well, I'm glad. You two seem happy."

He smiles.

"Yeah. Funny how these things work out."

I nod, returning his smile.

"And she said you talked to Liam's dad."

His smile falters, and he shifts on his feet uncomfortably.

"Uh...yeah."

"What did you say to him exactly?" I ask curiously.

"I basically told him I made the entire story up last year to get back at Liam for a stupid fight we had. I knew Louis's parents had all their records erased, so he wouldn't dispute me. He is a piece of work that man."

"That's really nice of you, Jayden," I tell him.

He sighs heavily.

"I only fixed what I broke, nothing more."

"It's way more than some people are willing to do," I say before checking my phone. "I need to get to the hospital before visiting hours are over."

Jayden frowns, and I realize he has no idea what I'm talking about. I fill him in on what happened, and he says he wants to go with me to see Steff.

When we get to the hospital, Jeremy is already there, and so is Miranda. She steps out once we get inside to give us some space to chat. I fill Steff in on everything that happened, and Jayden tells her about him and Ellyn. I want to tell her about my conversation with Red, but I decide to wait till it's just the two of us.

"Whoa! I miss school one day, and all this happens!?" She says with a look of bewilderment and annoyance.

"That's not all," I say. "Jeremy punched Ryan."

She gasps just as Jeremy glares at me.

"It's better if she finds out from me." I shrug.

Steff gives him a piece of her mind, and Jayden and I try not to laugh as he stands there, taking her wrath. Liam texts in the middle, telling me he will be here before eight, and I feel a mixture of nerves and excitement. It's completely terrifying how much I miss him, and the closer the second's tick, the more impatient I get.

Hello, loves. The chapter is here early as promised. I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'll come at you with another chapter on Friday.

Fun Fact: We are on our 13th month here. It only lasts five days but every four years it adds another day. Friday is our New Year so if I miss the update know that I will post on Saturday. I'm so ready to be done with 2012 (our calendar) It's been a rough year all around.

Question: Where are you from? Let me know in the comment :)

Much love,
Becca