I should've known.

I'd gotten to school an extra fifteen minutes early just to talk to him, but there was no chance of that happening now since he wasn't alone.

Maybe that's what he wanted from the beginning. For this talk to include her too. I couldn't even bare to look at her face let alone part my lips and speak to her. She had his attention all to herself, smiling up at him against his locker. I turned my back to them.

"Kaya," he called. But, I was already on my way.  I knew him well enough to expect what came next. I could hear his feet moving across the tiled floor behind me. He put a hand to my shoulder. I stopped.

"What is it, Chase?"

"I thought we were supposed to talk." His eyes scanned my face, trying to read contents in my head. But, unlike before he wouldn't come up with anything. I had more on my own mind than even I could decipher.

"You know what? I don't want to talk anymore. There's no point, so do what you want."

"Wait, what?" he steadied his hands around me. "Kaya, what the hell are you on right now?"

"Nothing Chase! Okay? I just don't appreciate being singled out in the lunch room. Obviously something that I did is bothering you, and now you decide you want to talk to me about it after you've already embarrassed me. And even now, I can't talk to you because it won't be just you that I'm talking to. We're supposed to be best friends right? Since when do we do this? We don't have these types of arguments.  And when we do, we keep it to ourselves."

My face was hot, my  throat tight. It was only after his expression changed that I knew I'd said to much. His face was frozen with eyebrows drawn close and his lips pressed together. I had to look away.

With my back to him, I walked in the opposite direction. He didn't try to stop me that time. I already regretted my words. As always I reacted too quickly. I didn't even realize that I was still angry about the cafeteria scene until I said so. This entire argument could have been avoided if I'd just waited to hear him out.

A part of me knew the real reason that I behaved that way. It was seeing her. Watching her smile and giggle at him that way. Using the same second face that she'd fooled me with. When I saw her, I heard her lies all over again. The same lies that I may have warned Chase about, if I'd only given myself just a second to cool down.

What was this?

I didn't behave like this. I'd never even raised my voice to him within the timeline of our entire friendship. Whatever it was causing this rift was coming from inside of me. It was me to blame, not him.

"Hey, I saw what happened back there." Rachel's voice came from behind me.

I continued on.

"Yeah, I know. A lot of people did."

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I will be."

"Kaya.."

"I'm sorry Rache. I have a lot on my mind right now. Everything's just so confusing, and I keep trying not to get hurt or hurt other people, but I can't figure out how or why this is happening. I don't know what to do and I'm just so tired-"

"It's okay," she took a stand in front of me. "Let's just go to class, and let everything figure itself out from there. Aly's making a coffee run during free period, so I'll ask her to pick you up a mocha cappuccino with extra cream and sugar."

I gave her the closest thing to a smile that I could muster.

"Thanks Rache."

"You'd do it for me."

I tightened my bag on my shoulders, and followed her. For the rest of the day, I had to fight the lump that was stuck in the center of my throat. When I received my English paper back, marked with a red C-, I had to blink back hot tears. I feared that the next misfortune would  be enough to break me into sobs.

At lunch, I didn't want to see anybody. I avoided the compact cafeteria in favor for the courtyard out back. With a paper bagged lunch in hand, I settled on a worn wooded bench, and unwrapped my sandwich. My phone buzzed on the table, invading the peace and harmony that I'd created for myself. And, after reading the name on my screen, there was no chance of getting that back.

Hey Kaya

From Leah.

I couldn't stomach the rest of my sandwich. I re-wrapped it in tinfoil, and stuffed it back in the bag. At first, I convinced myself that she didn't even deserve a reply. Not even worth a second glance. But, then I made the mistake of looking at the text once more.

My thumb slid over the lock screen.

What is it? I have nothing to say to you, and I'm sure you know why. Leave me alone.

I untwisted the cap to my water, and took it down, hoping to calm my nerves. I was sure I'd made my point, but then another text came in.

Please just hear me out. I'm sorry.

So was I. Sorry that I didn't notice before. Sorry that I ever let her get this far.  What does an apology even mean anymore? Why not talk about it? It wouldn't matter either way.

Come outside. Just you. I'm out back in the courtyard. Behind the student lot.

I watched the back doors while thinking over the words I'd say to her. I left imprints in the plastic bottle that I was holding, squeezing out my own frustration. I couldn't figure out how to confront her. What I wanted ask was if it felt good being a backstabbing two faced liar, but I couldn't approach that way. Somehow in the midst of her betrayal, I'd be the one to feel bad about it later.

A few minutes into reshaping my water bottle, the doors creaked open. She walked towards me empty handed, and without a trail behind her. As she came closer, I noticed her feet slowed, and her eyes shifted anywhere but my face.

I stood up so she wouldn't feel comfortable enough to sit down.

"I'm all ears," I told her.

"I know what he told you," she began, still more concentrated on the ground than me.

"I'm gonna guess that we're talking about Mason."

Her voice grew smaller. "Yeah."

I folded my arms. Just like that, and all the anger returned.

"So what do you have to say to me now? Sorry because you got caught? You may as well save your breath."

"I know I was wrong! But, I still meant everything that I said about him. He's not a good guy and you know it."

"Excuse me?"

"I bet he showed you the texts didn't he? And I'm sure he left out his own."

"No," I shook my head. "No, you are not going to stand here in my face and lie again. You really think I should believe anything you say? You've already proved yourself to be a liar."

She stood there in silence. She knew that there was nothing she could say that would matter to me. Now I was just curious to see how she'd react.

"You know what, you're right. I lied. When I came to this school a few months ago, I was scared and I was alone. I left my boyfriend of three years back home, and all I wanted was for someone to be there for me. And then, Mason was there. I thought he was really sweet, inviting me out to a party with all his friends. I just wanted to distract myself. I didn't intend on meeting you or even becoming friends."

"We're not friends anymore Leah. And that's besides the point, you still knew that he had a girlfriend. You knew, and you told me that yourself."

"I know. It was wrong. And I did try to see him that night. He pushed me away. Practically threw me into the table behind us. I didn't think anything of it then. I thought he was afraid that you would see. And then, I made the mistake of trying to talk to him about it later. You saw the texts."

Listening to her was draining. Did she not realize that she was only making it worse. Every word that came out of her mouth served as a reminder to never speak to her again.

"But I didn't listen. I found him in the parking lot the next Monday. There was hardly anyone around since we were kind of early. He threatened me, Kaya. He pushed me up against his car and had his hands around my neck. He made me swear not to tell anyone. Especially you. That's why I lied about it. I knew I had to say something but I couldn't tell you the real reason why. So I made up the story about the party, but what I felt was real. He terrified me, and I didn't want him to hurt you next."

No.

I might have believed her once but I knew better now.

"Just stop," I grimaced. Her expression changed to frantic.

"Please believe me. I am honestly so sorry for what I did to you, but I'm really telling the truth this time."

I moved past her.

"Kaya, he's dangerous!"

I left her back there, yelling only to herself. I walked through back the doors that led into the east wing. They echoed behind me, slamming shut. I couldn't believe her. I just couldn't.

I bit my lip.

But, could I believe him either?

I fell against the wall, and slumped down to the floor. I knew him. I'd felt his hands so many times before. The same hands that embraced me, and traced patterns across my face, had once held me too tight. The patterns that he left turned to hardened scars.

Yes, Leah had lied, but Mason was very well capable. I knew that more than even she did.

But, I couldn't remember the last time he'd hurt me. I'm sure meaningless words were exchanged. So insignificant that I couldn't even place them. Maybe both of us had changed. He knew better than to hurt me, because he'd seen what it's like without me. It's been killing him. I was all he ever wanted. And all I've ever wanted was for him to love me.

***

On the way home, I asked Aly to drop me off at Chase's front door. His truck hadn't pulled up yet, so I took a seat on the porch bench.

He deserved an apology for the way I acted earlier. I'd already forgiven him for yesterday, and he needed to hear that as well. I didn't want to fight with him. The air needed to be cleared once and for all.

I sat there the first fifteen minutes, browsing through apps on my phone. But, when it turned to a half hour I realized my mistake. He obviously wasn't coming straight home. He probably had Leah to tend to. I sent him a short message, letting him know that I was at his house. I was glad to get a response.

Staying at my mom's place for the night. I'm always there on Wednesdays.

I stood from my seat, grabbing my bag off the ground. That made so much sense. God, it felt like I couldn't even keep up with his life anymore.

Of course. Sorry.

I walked down the road back home. I hoped he knew how sorry I honestly was. For everything.

I turned the key in the lock, and stepped inside to an empty house. Mom wouldn't be back till six, and Aaron and Dad were at practice. It was the first time that I actually minded being alone. I headed for my room and slid my shoes off beside the bed. Then, I sat down across my laptop. It took a few seconds to power on and when it did, there was a red notification in my email. I clicked on my inbox.

From: Texas State University.

Dear Kaya,

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted as an undergrad student to our University!

My eyes skimmed over the message, and back to the beginning paragraph to read it over once more.

"I got in!"

I covered my mouth as the glee flooded through me. "Mom! Dad! I got in -"

But, I was talking to no one. It was just me. I looked at my phone. This would be the part where I called up Chase so that we could make an official celebratory trip to Wendy's. Not this time. He wouldn't be in any mood to celebrate with me. Not after today.

I clicked out of the browser, and closed my laptop shut.

Then, I called Mason.

--------------------------------------------
A/N: So there's an update for you guys! Sorry it took so long, I've been suffering from a bad case of writer's block! But I have a few questions for you guys.

1) Do you believe Leah's telling the truth?

2) Do you think that Mason is changing?

3) Is Chase in the right for taking Leah's side because of what Mason did?

Let me know what you think! I love hearing your reactions to the story!