"Where were you last night?" Sophia questioned as we sat down at our lunch table, "I texted you like 10 times."

I moved my fork around in my salad for a moment before looking up at her, "My phone died," I lied, "And I was doing homework so I forgot to charge it...sorry." I added.

"Well," Sophia drawled, taking a quick sip of her water, "I was just going to ask if you were going to come to the bon fire tonight?"

I scrunched my face slightly as I shrugged, "I don't know, Soph." I admitted, "I have a lot more work I need to get done."

A pout came to her face as she linked her hands under her chin, as if to beg, "Come on Syd! It will be fun," she promised, "Plus, the lacrosse team will be there, which means Liam will be there." a sly grin came to her face.

I looked down at my food, "What does that matter?" I muttered, afraid if I looked up she would be able to decipher my thoughts.

Sophia let out a groan, "Are we really going to pretend that you two aren't totally into each other?" she questioned, "I can feel the sexual tension from a mile away."

My head shot up with a scoff, "He's my brother's friend!" I whispered defensively, half afraid Liam was in the cafeteria, "That's it."

She nodded slowly, a narrowing her eyes at me, "Then why are you blushing?"

My hand flew up to my face, "I'm not!" I argued, "It must be the lighting in here."

Sophia let out a laugh, beginning to list more of the reasons that I needed to come to the bon fire tonight- the biggest being that she didn't want to attend alone. But as she continued speaking, something else caught my eye. 

Liam walked passed the cafeteria, the shoulder strap of his backpack clutched tightly in his hand as his eyes nervously darted around the hallway. I felt myself leaning forward to be able to see him for a second longer as he passed. 

"Soph?" I questioned, already gathering my stuff, "Can I meet up with you later?" I was up on my feet at this point, slinging my bag over my shoulder. 

Sophia looked over at me in confusion, "Are you alright?"

I nodded, pressing a smile to my face, "Yeah, just remembered I had some more homework I needed to finish up. I'm going to head to class early and get started on it."

She let out a low sigh as she stabbed her fork into her food, "Fine. But you better think about coming tonight." she warned.

"Okay," I laughed, already beginning to make my way toward the exit, "I'll think about it!"

Once out of the cafeteria, I scanned the halls for Liam. It didn't take me too long to find him, as he was the only one who looked completely on edge. "Liam!" I called once I was close enough to reach him.

He spun around, his eyes widening for a moment before they relaxed at the sight of me. He nervously shifted, watching as I approached him.

I lightly grabbed his arm, "Are you okay?" I wondered, my voice dropping to a low whisper.

He ripped his arm from my grasp, his eyes flashing in sudden anger, "I'm fine." he snapped harshly. 

I felt myself shrink back slightly as I furrowed my brow in confusion, "Liam, what-"

He shook his head, already take a few steps back, "Sorry." he muttered, giving me a final glance before rushing off down the hall.

I watched him in utter shock as he went, totally confused about what had gone so wrong. Just yesterday he and I had been completely fine. 

The bell sounded across the school, students begin to rush to their next class. I was frozen in place for a moment, running over what had just happened. It took someone accidentally bumping into me for me to finally move my feet. 

What was going on with Liam?

----

It was the last class of the day- English class, and it just so happened I had this period with Liam. He sat a few seats in front of me, and my eyes had been locked on him for the better part of the last hour. 

He hadn't paid attention to a single thing our teacher had said- that was clear. His feet continuously tapped against the floor, his hands clenched at his sides. 

I leaned forward slightly, dropping my voice so low that only he could possibly hear, "Liam." I called, which elicited him sitting up straighter, but not turning around. I let out a quiet sigh as I began to crumple up a piece of paper, ready to throw it at him.

But out teacher got to him first, "Liam," she called, breaking away from her lesson, "Is everything alright?"

Everyone stopped furiously taking down notes as they turned to look at Liam. His face reddened as he shot up from his seat, "I need to go," he muttered, not waiting for approval before rushing out of the classroom. 

Mason looked over to me, his face clouded in confusion. "I've got it." I whispered, standing up and collecting both my own bag and Liam's left behind one. 

"Sydney," the teacher announced, looking at me skeptically, "Where are you-"

I gave her an apologetic look as I made for the classroom door, "I have to go," I answered, like Liam not waiting for her response before bolting down the hall in search of Beacon Hills' newest Beta. 

I didn't have to search very hard, as once I neared the locker room, I could hear the sound of the shower running. I knew that what I was about to find wasn't going to be entirely pleasant. 

I pushed the door open ever so slightly, leaning in just enough that my voice could be heard from within, "Liam?" I called, awaiting his response. 

It came in the form of a growl, "Go away, Sydney." 

I ignored him, pushing fully into the locker room. I readjusted the straps of both of our bags on my shoulders as I made my way through the lines of lockers, soon arriving in front of Liam. "I brought your bag." I announced, lightly setting it down on the ground beside me.

Liam's head shot up to look at me from where he sat on the shower floor, his eyes flashing to the golden colour, the colour that meant he was shifting.

I met his eyes as I dropped my own bag beside me, moving to kneel in front of Liam, not caring that I was getting covered in water by the process, "Relax." I whispered, trying to draw his attention to me. 

"I can't!" he snapped, barring his fangs as he spoke. His breathing intensified as he clamped his eyes shut.

I placed my hand overtop of his, "Yes you can." I promised, "Open your eyes and look at me." When he didn't oblige, I spoke again, "Look at me." I demanded. 

His eyes sprung open, soon locking with mine. "Good," I commended, "Now breathe."

He kept his gaze locked on me, almost challenging me for a moment before he took a deep breath, working to slow it entirely. 

When he had calmed down, his fangs faded away, his eyes returning to the normal blue colour that I couldn't help but love. Slowly, I reached over and turned off the water, pushing myself back to my feet.

Liam looked up at me, his features darkening, "Why are you here?" he almost spat, his words full of venom.

I felt myself wince at his tone, "To help you," I answered softly. 

Liam jumped to his feet, a scowl coming to his face, "I don't need your help!" he snapped, his voice rising.

My face fell as I took a small step back, "You need someone's help," I argued, "Clearly."

He shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh, "Well it doesn't have to be yours." he then lowered his voice, but it still held the venomous nature as before, "I wouldn't even be in this mess if it wasn't for your brother, so just leave me the hell alone."

My face contorted in pain as I stared back at him, truly at a loss for words. His sudden burst of anger toward me seemingly coming from no where. I fought the urge to cry, instead reaching down for my backpack. "Got it." I whispered, turning so he couldn't see my face anymore, "But don't come crawling back to me when you realize you can't do this alone."

With that, I rushed out of the locker room and away from Liam. As I emerged into the hallway, I pressed my back against the wall, fighting back the tears that were begging to fall. As the final bell of the day rang, and kids began to file out of the classrooms, I pulled myself together, or at least tried to. 

"Syd!" my brother called, weaving through the crowds, "Have you seen Liam?"

I cleared my throat which had become thick from trying to hold back tears, "He's in there." I muttered, nodding toward the locker room. 

My brother grabbed a hold of my arm, carefully studying my face, "What's wrong?" he questioned, his expression becoming worried. 

I pulled from his grasp, "Nothing." I promised, shaking my head, "I'll see you at home."