My phone buzzing distracted me from the words I was reading.

Who's texting me at midnight? I mean sure it's Friday but still, no one texts me, especially not late like this.

I decided to ignore the text and go back to reading my new obsession, Looking for Alaska by John Green. I just couldn't take my eyes off the pages! It's an amazing book.

Another buzz from my phone spiked my curiosity even more. If someone was texting me twice at this time, it was probably important.

I unlocked my cellphone and read the new texts.

From: Lisa

Can you come get me? I'm at Devin's house and I need a ride home. I know you don't have a car but maybe your dad could pick me up?

She must really want to go home if she's asking me for a ride.

I shrugged and read the next text with the hope that Lisa will explain what's going on.

From: Lisa

Em please answer me! No one else is responding and I really need to get out of here. Please!

Oh no. Lisa must be in trouble, I need to find a way to get her home.

I dialled Stephanie's number and anxiously put my phone up to my ear.

Please pick up, please pick up!

After ringing for a while I was finally brought to voicemail. Great! Steph isn't going to be any help, she's probably sleeping.

And dad is at work, he's a surgeon so I can't get him to pick Lisa up.

What do I do?

I paced my room as I wracked my brain for any idea.

I don't have anyone's number other than Steph and Lisa. I'm not a popular girl so I can't call anyone to help.

And then an idea struck me.

I few days ago I called the home phone from Liam's cellphone, which means I can look at the call history on the home phone and find his number! He has a car so he can help Lisa out!

Although, he hates me so maybe not, but he has a good heart, I'm sure of it. If someone's in trouble he'll help them.

With my worry for Lisa controlling my body, I found Liam's number and dialled it on my cellphone.

Two rings later he picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Emma, I need a favour." I muttered, chewing on my lip as I nervously awaited his reply. If I'm really unlucky he'll hang up before I have a chance to explain.

"Why the hell would I help you?" He demanded, and I could picture the hard expression on his face.

"It's not for me, it's my friend Lisa. She went to this party and she has no way home, and I'm really worried about her." I explained.

Please help Liam. Please!

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, his tone not as harsh as before.

I sighed in relief, he's going to help. Lisa will be okay.

"Can you pick me up and then get Lisa at Devin Cook's house. I would just ask you to pick her up but I want to be there for her." I explained.

Liam sighed, "I'll be at your place in ten minutes."

And before I could reply the line went dead.

He hung up on me, but I have no right to be mad about it. He's helping me.

I quickly slipped on my adidas sneakers and grabbed my keys. I'm going to wait outside for Liam so I don't waste any time. I want to get to Lisa as quick as possible.

Realizing that Lisa had no idea about me picking her up, I shot her a quick text.

To: Lisa

Just hang in there, I've got you a ride and I'll be there in fifteen minutes. It's going to be okay.

I swear to god if Devin so much as looked at her the wrong way, I'm going to break his wrists.

After what felt like a lifetime, but in reality only about ten minutes, Liam finally pulled into my driveway.

I quickly got into the front passenger seat and told him to go before I was even buckled up. I have to get to Lisa.

The car ride was tense, but thankfully short. As soon as he pulled into Devin's driveway I jumped out of the car and rushed towards the house.

Lisa was already outside waiting, and met me halfway, embracing me like her life depended on it when we reached each other.

"Thank you so much Emma." She sobbed.

I hugged her back and walked us towards Liam's car.

I'm going to kill whoever made her cry.

We both slipped into the back seat and I told Liam the address of Lisa's house before turning my attention back to her.

"What happened?" I gently asked, grabbing her hand to comfort her.

She sniffled and replied, "We were having a good time but Devin wanted to go upstairs. I'm not that type of girl so he said some nasty things to me and then found another girl to take upstairs. It was humiliating."

I ground my teeth to keep my anger at bay. I'm going to give that guy a piece of my mind on Monday.

"You're too good for him." I told her, and I meant what I said. Lisa deserves the best guy in the world. She has a kind heart and she's absolutely stunning, any guy would be lucky to have her.

"Thanks." She whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.

The rest of the ride was quiet apart from Lisa's sniffles every so often. Seeing her upset broke my heart. I want everyone I care about to be happy all the time.

A little while later we finally pulled into Lisa's driveway and I got out with her.

"Do you want me to stay the night? We can watch movies and eat ice cream." I offered as we walked up to her front door.

She shook her head, "I just want to be alone tonight, but thank you so much Emma. You're the best friend a girl could ask for."

I pulled her into one last hug before walking back to Liam's car, my mind racing with thoughts of what I'm going to say to Devin on Monday.

I absentmindedly opened the passenger side door and got into the car, buckling up before I realize the situation. Me and Liam, in a car, alone.

Before I didn't care because Lisa was in trouble, but now all I could think about was how awkward this was.

"Thanks for doing this." I muttered, breaking the silence as he backed out of the driveway.

He ignored me and kept his attention on the road, but I didn't mind. We've been jerks to each other, I didn't expect him to say anything to me.

I focused on the scenery outside as we drove in silence, trying not to let the awkward atmosphere get to me.

I hate when I'm in a place with someone and it's completely quiet. It makes me uncomfortable and I always feel the need to make small talk. But in this case that would just make everything worse.

"You've got to be kidding me." Liam suddenly hissed, startling me.

What did I do?

I opened my mouth to voice my silent question but closed it when he jerked the car into another lane and sped up.

What's going on?

I heard screeching tires and loud engines competing for dominance as we raced down the road, going at such a fast speed that I was thrown back against my seat.

"Dammit." Liam said to himself as he briefly looked in the rear view window.

I again opened my mouth to ask him what the hell was was going on, but I was cut off by the sound of a loud bang.

Three more bangs followed and Liam cussed under his breath.

I twisted in my seat to look through the back window and screamed at what I saw. Two black cars were right behind us, and there were guys leaning out the windows, holding guns.

We're being shot at.

"Calm down Emma, my windows are bulletproof." Liam muttered as I sat properly in my seat properly.

I briefly wondered why his windows were bulletproof, because that's not normal, but my thoughts were cut off when the car suddenly turned onto a side road, causing me to hold on to my seat so I didn't collide with the door.

I glanced at Liam to see if he was as scared as me but his face was impassive as he plugged his phone into the car to use Bluetooth, and dialled a number.

"Hello?" Someone answered.

"I'm driving down South Street, being shot at. I need backup." Liam quickly explained.

"Damn, I'll send some help. Meet up at the warehouse?" The person replied.

Liam nodded even though the person on the other end couldn't see him, "Yeah, thanks Garrett."

After that they hung up, Liam looked in the rear view mirror again and turned onto another road.

"What's going on?" I finally asked, finding my voice when the fear died down slightly.

Help was on the way and the people chasing us couldn't hurt us in this car. I have nothing to worry about.

"I'll explain later." He replied, and I decided not to push it. He's a little busy trying to get away from guys shooting at us right now, I shouldn't be distracting him.

Liam again turned onto another street and slowed down a little.

Maybe we lost them?

"My car is going to be all dented now." He mumbled to himself.

At a time like this, when we were just getting shot at, he's worried about his car?

Unbelievable!

We drove at a safer speed in silence for about an hour before finally pulling into the parking lot of our destination.

Liam got out and I followed suit, looking up at a large structure; the warehouse.

"They won't find us here, right?" I asked, sticking close to Liam as he walked towards the building.

He looked over at me and rolled his eyes, but answered my question,"You're safe here."

I calmed down a little as we walked into the warehouse, and relaxed a bit more when I saw Garrett.

Now if they did find us, there would be two people fighting back and I would have less of a chance of being hurt.

"Why is Emma here?" Garrett demanded when we got to him.

"Her friend was in trouble and Emma couldn't get her, so I helped out." Liam explained, shrugging like it was nothing.

Garrett narrowed his eyes at us but didn't ask any more questions.

"Go sit over there, I need to talk to Garrett." Liam ordered, pointing to a chair in one corner of the room we were in.

I hesitated, scared to be alone.

Liam's hard expression faded when he noticed the fear in my eyes, "You're safe here. Please go sit."

I sucked a shaky breath in and nodded, before walking over to the chair and sitting down. He better not be lying about it being safe here.

I watched as they walked through a door on the other side of the room, and closed it almost all the way.

Now I'm alone.

I began to shake when the adrenaline of the situation diminished and reality hit me. I was in a car that was shot at.

Even though I'm positive it wasn't targeted at me, I was still there. What if they saw who I was and now they come after me too?

"This isn't good man." I faintly heard Garrett say.

"What if they think she-" Liam started but his friend cut him off.

"That's not going to happen. It was dark, they wouldn't be able to tell."

I shook harder when the sound of a door slamming echoed through the room.

Garrett and Liam both rushed out of the other room just as a few people walked through the door we originally came from.

"What the hell happened?" A big scary man demanded in a raspy voice.

I watched, my eyes wide and terrified as Garrett nodded his head in my direction and the three scary guys turned their attention to me.

"Who's that? Is she with them?" The same guy asked, beginning angrily towards me.

Liam stepped in front of him, "No, she's with me."

The scary guy stopped and glared at him, "How much does she know?"

Liam shook his head, "Absolutely nothing."

"And that's how it's going to stay." The guy said, giving everyone a stern look before leaving with the two other guys he came in with, and Garrett.

I brought my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, still shaking in fear.

What have I gotten myself into?

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Book cover in the media is also by EsmeraldaAvaloss a variation of the previous one! I love them both so much thank you!

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