This chapter is dedicated to ayeshabid for her continued support. Thank you for sticking with my story love, it means more than you know. Hugs and kisses

Since we're a bit late than usual, I decide to go by my locker to get my things for the first period, and Liam insists on carrying my bag as we make our way there. The fact that this is such a "coupley" thing to do makes me smile to myself.

"I wish we had more classes together," I tell him as I empty out my bag.

"Me too." He leans against the locker, and I take the chance to admire his body.

"I don't have a lot of classes with my friends either. But in calculus, Jayden and I..." My voice fades when I feel Liam tense next to me.

I rack my brain, trying to come up with another topic that can salvage the moment, but my mind goes blank, and the silence stretches out uncomfortably.

"He knows what it's like to kiss you. I wish I didn't know that." Liam finally says, his voice bitter. And I scold myself for ruining his mood two hours into our newfound relationship.

Way to start off smoothly, Jessica!

I put my bag in my locker and turn around.

"Let's not have our first fight as a couple right now when we can be doing so many other things." I wiggle my brows suggestively, and his lips slightly lift up in a half-smile.

"Things like this." He says, grabbing both of my hands and pinning them above my head against the locker with one hand.

A few pairs of eyes turn toward us, and my pulse quickens. Liam grabs my waist with his other hand and leans in to connect our lips. The kiss is slow and sensual. He purposely runs his tongue along my lower lip teasingly before sliding it in my mouth again. He kisses me till I'm gasping for air, and when he finally pulls away, it takes me a second to open my eyes and get out of my daze.

"Did he make you feel like this?" Liam asks, something dark flashing in his eyes.

I shake my head and watch as a smug smile plays on his lips.

I swat his arm.

"Was that to prove a point?" I ask.

We have definitely attracted a lot of attention with our little show, and some people are turning around to shoot us dirty looks.

Liam shakes his head, feigning innocence.

"Isn't this what boyfriends do? Kiss their girlfriends against school lockers?" He asks.

I try to keep a straight face, but I can't help the grin that splits my face. This is the second time he has said the word girlfriend.

"Not like that," I say, turning around to grab my textbooks.

"Jess, can we talk?"

I jump when I hear a voice I wasn't expecting. I turn around to find Liam and Jayden staring each other down.

Crap!

Jayden's eyes land on Liam's neck at the purple bruise, and he frowns. This is awkward enough as it is, and now it just got 100 times more awkward.

I beg Liam with my eyes not to cause a scene, and his eyes shift to me. He takes a long breath before stepping aside.

Jayden finally turns to me.

"Now!" He says his voice dangerously low, and I nod.

"I'll see you in English, okay?" I tell Liam, and he nods, giving me a peck on the lips that lingers for a second too long before turning around.

"What are you doing?" Jayden asks the moment Liam is out of earshot. "After everything he has done, Jess? You can't be serious!"

I know I must look like a moron going back to Liam after the very public humiliation I had to endure. I don't blame Jayden, but I don't know how to explain it either.

"We talked about it, Jade. He apologized." I say.

Jayden's eyes widen like he can't believe I just said that.

"Ahh, he apologized! Now it all makes sense!" The sarcasm drips off him, and I clench my jaw.

"I know it's hard to understand, but..."

"But nothing!" He cuts me off. "He is playing you, don't you get it? How many times are you going to allow him to hurt you before it finally registers? He apologized, really? I thought you were smarter than this!"

My mouth drops open. I don't know if it is Jayden screaming or what he actually said, but I am rendered silent.

The first bell rings, snapping me out of it, and I turn around to slam my locker shut.

"Well, I'm sorry for not being smart."

"No. You are not turning this around on me, Jess." His eyes are spitting fire, and I don't know how to deal with angry Jayden.

"I can't do this now. I'll be late for class." I say and walk past him.

A strange sense of guilt fills me immediately. I shouldn't have kissed him that night. God! That was so selfish.

Strong hands grab and yank me around.

"Jess, don't do this. Please, don't do this. You deserve better." Jayden says, and my chest heaves.

"I love him."

His grip instantly loosens, and he lets go of me completely.

"We have decided to be together. I'm sorry." My voice is barely audible, but I know he heard me.

He stands still, clenching his fists at his side for a few seconds before slamming it against one of the lockers and turning to walk away.

I stand frozen on the spot for a few seconds, shocked. And I finally will my feet to move.

I don't want anything to take away from this happiness I'm feeling, but the ever-looming anxiety and Jayden's reaction are like a bucket of ice-cold water being spilled on my head.

I sit through class, feeling a mixture of tension and joy, two completely clashing emotions that keep me on edge. I don't run into Steff between classes, so we don't get a chance to talk, but she texts asking for details about last night. I tell her all the major parts, and she replies with a short sentence.

We'll talk about this later.

At this point, I have accepted the fact that no one is going to be happy for us, at least for now. No one really knows what we have, and I don't expect or want them to. It's more than just feelings with Liam. We have this soul deep connection that I can't explain. He makes me feel like I can be myself, like I am beautiful and the happiness I feel when I am with him is nothing like I've ever felt before. Sure he brings hell too, but it is known that everything that brings you that much joy can also bring that much misery. You have to decide if it is worth it.

In English, I walk in before anybody else and take my seat. Mrs. Ronin has grown used to my early arrivals, so she gives me a slight nod of acknowledgment and goes back to whatever she is doing.

Students start to arrive little by little, and I watch Jeremy and Steff make their way inside. They smile and wave at me before taking their seats, and strangely, it makes me relax. I don't know why, but I expected them to be angry like Jayden. It sucks when you finally get what you want, and even your friends can't be happy for you.

Madison takes her seat in front of me and turns around with a sly smirk.

"I saw you and Liam this morning. That was the hottest thing I've ever seen, you lucky bitch." She gives me an impressed look before turning back around.

I feel my cheeks heat up. Right then, Liam walks into the room, his presence commanding attention. His fan club in the front breaks into fits of giggles as he passes them, looking at his behind with appreciation. I don't blame them. He keeps his eyes on me as he walks in and takes his seat. The smile on his face and the way he is looking at me makes me forget all about the other drama that's going on, and I smile back at him.

It's you and I. I repeat his words from this morning in my head. I had promised him we would figure this out together.

Once the class fills up, Mrs. Ronin gets on with her lecture, and I try to follow so we don't have any problems. She's been sort of nice to me after the play, and I want to keep it that way. After about 15 minutes into class, a piece of paper lands at my feet. I look over at Liam, and he gives me a goofy smile.

I pick the paper up and unfold it.

I keep replying last night in my head. I can't wait to get my hands on you.

- Your Boyfriend.

I cover my mouth with my hand because I don't want Mrs. Ronin to catch me grinning like a loon.

Passing papers, huh?

I decide to play along and write him back.

Guess what color panties I'm wearing. Nevermind, I'll just tell you. Black lace with a cut out on the back.

I throw the paper when Mrs. Ronin turns around to write something on the whiteboard. I watch as he reads it and his eyes widen. He shifts in his seat and writes something. When he passes it to me, I put it under my textbook before opening it.

Sporting a Bonner in class was not in my plans. Thanks.

I laugh under my breath and Shannon snickers from next to me. I bite my cheeks to keep from smiling as I write on the piece of paper.

Shall we dive into my bra then?

I throw it and watch as it lands next to Sanchez. He turns around to look at me, and I shake my head wildly, feeling my blood drain. He picks up the paper, and my heart starts drumming in my ears. He begins to unfold it, but Liam kicks his chair from the back. Sanchez audibly gasps and stills in his chair.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Delacruz?" Mrs. Ronin walks up to him, and I try to control my panic. I feel like I'm gonna pass out.

"Erm No, Ma'am," He says, and she glares at him before turning back around. He turns around and places the paper on Liam's desk, muttering sorry. I sigh with relief and look at Liam, who is trying his damn hardest not to burst into laughter. He opens the paper and reads it, then he turns around and grins at me. He pulls his phone out and types something. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, and I pull it out.

I plan to find out for myself when we leave class.

I straighten in my chair, feeling myself blush. Liam brings danger and excitement, but he is also my safety net. I know this might not make sense to anyone, but he makes me feel alive. And I never ever want to lose this feeling. We might not be perfect, but who is? We're still young, and there is plenty of time to grow.

We don't look at each other for the rest of the remaining minutes, and true to his words, Liam finds out exactly what kind of bra I'm wearing once we're done with class.

***

Hey, darlings! If you're reading this congratulations, you have finished the back to back chapters. I was going for a single chapter but I had to split it into two because it ended up being too long. I hope you guys enjoyed both chapters. Do you guys think Liam and Jess will make it? Don't forget to vote and comment. Let me know your thoughts.

Also, Happy Valentines day! Romance is definitely in the air.

X, Becca :)