Chris's eyes narrowed at me and I opened my mouth to explain what was going on, but then Jeremy appeared next to Chris, yapping away. "But I mean, what are we going to do with the formaldehyde we stole, anyway?"

His words momentarily distracted me. They what? They'd stolen formaldehyde?

"I think I have an idea for it," Chris said, staring down Isaac menacingly.

"Ah, Chris, it's not what you think," Isaac began, laughing nervously. "I wasn't doing anything suspicious."

Chris yanked Jeremy the rest of the way into the classroom and then shut the door behind him. I heard Isaac suck in a deep breath beside me. I held up my hands, trying to give Chris the best puppy dog look I could muster. There was a smack down about to happen. "Um—"

"I think you two are doing something suspicious," he accused, getting dangerously close to the two of us.

I took a step back, right into Isaac, who shoved me forward again, knocking me into Chris's hard chest. I was good and trapped. "It's definitely not what you think it is, Chris." Did he think I was doing something bad? Did he think I was cheating on him? I'm sure that's what it had looked like. But he would know better, right?

He stared at me hard, jaw tight. "I'll give you one chance to tell me the truth, Holly."

"There's nothing to tell you," I replied quickly, trying to keep my voice calm. "It's really nothing."

"It's my fault, I shouldn't have touched her," Isaac added just as fast. "I just noticed a bruise and was pointing it out, but I should've known better. She yours. She's all yours. I'm not trying to take her! Don't hit me!"

I glanced behind me at Isaac who was all but cowering. I mean, Chris was scary, but I doubt he would actually hurt the poor guy. Chris just wanted to scare him.... Hopefully. "Really, Chris. I wouldn't do that to you. You know that, right?"

Chris's lips quirked up a little, like he thought I was being funny. "Holly, I know you wouldn't cheat on me."

I relaxed slightly.

"I mean, I'm probably the best looking man in the state, so I doubt you'll leave me."

Despite the situation, I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes. Typical arrogance. I was worrying for nothing. Jeremy snickered and turned it into a cough, so he could continue to pretend that he wasn't listening in on us, which he obviously was.

"However I do know that you guys are hiding something from me," he continued, crossing his arms over his chest. It made the muscles in his arms bulge intimidatingly. "I always tell you you're a terrible liar and yet you still lie to me."

I felt my heart fall into my stomach. "I'm not lying to you."

"Just tell me what you two are hiding before I beat it out of Isaac. I'm feeling a little frustrated. Especially after seeing someone else touch my lady," Chris said, slowly cracking his knuckles, making sure each one had a prominent pop.

Isaac grasped my shoulders, using me as a shield. "We went to see Shawn! Is that what you wanted to know?"

I rounded on him, eyes wide. He couldn't just drop it like that! Chris was going to flip! "Isaac!"

"Holly," Chris started sternly as Isaac looked anywhere but at me.

Lowering my head, I turned back to him. "Please don't be mad. I really was going to tell you. Soon. Like, sometime this week soon. Once I gathered the courage."

He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. I noticed that it'd grown a little and he needed to get it cut. "You went and saw Shawn?"

"Yes," I muttered.

"Why can't you leave things alone, Holly?"

"It's because we needed to know about the gang—"

"I get that," Chris snapped, cutting me off. "I'm not telling you not to do this because I'm positive the gang isn't getting back together. It can happen, I'm aware. I'm telling you not to do this because I'm worried to death about you!"

I flinched a little, unaccustomed to him raising his voice at me. I could feel my eyes starting to water and I angrily berated myself. Do not cry. This is your fault. This isn't something to cry over. "I'm sorry," I said again and my voice broke.

He grabbed my hand. "We need to talk. Isaac, she'll be late to class."

Isaac nodded frantically. "It's fine. Take your time. I'm also responsible for this, so please don't take it all out on her."

"Don't worry, you're next," Chris warned him and then began tugging me out of the classroom.

Jeremy started to follow and Chris gave him a dark look. "Don't follow us."

"Fine," the blonde responded and pouted.

I went along with Chris with no resistance. Jeremy gave me a sympathetic look that I didn't deserve. I was in the wrong. I knew that. I deserved what was coming.

We went through the hall and I kept my head down as we passed other people, sure that all eyes were on us. He shoved open the door to the stairwell and we climbed to the fourth floor and then he went to a classroom and peered into it. Then he opened the door and pulled me in, letting the door slam behind us. I looked around to see we were in what looked to be am empty supply room. I swallowed nervously before turning to Chris.

He was staring at me, his lips pursed and his eyebrows furrowed. "What am I going to do with you, Holly?"

"I know I mess up a lot and I know I should've told you what we were doing, but you would've stopped me had I told you and I didn't want that," I told him in a rush.

"Holly."

"And I only went with Isaac because I knew it would be safer. Aaron came with us too. I really was going to tell you. I just wanted to wait until there was some solid proof—"

"Holly."

"—and I know you're worried about me and I don't like going behind your back but I'm scared, Chris, and I can't just let this be—"

"Holly!" he barked and I promptly shut up. "Stop talking."

I clamped my lips shut and could feel my eyes watering again. Chris shook his head at me and sighed again. "To say the least, I'm a little disappointed in you."

I nodded, blinking rapidly to keep my eyes dry. He was mad. He had every right to be mad. I was acting like a child. I was so embarrassed.

"Didn't I tell you multiple times to just leave this be?"

I nodded again.

"Why don't you listen to me? I'm just trying to keep you safe. I just want you to be safe."

"I know," I said quietly. I knew I was in the wrong. What did I expect to happen? I knew I shouldn't have gone behind his back and I did. I deserved to be berated a bit.

"But I am sorry that I made you feel like you had to do this behind my back, so don't cry," Chris finished quietly.

My eyes widened. "What? This isn't your fault at all! I was the one who went behind your back, Chris. You have every right to be mad at me."

He reached forward and grabbed my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. "I'm not saying I'm not mad. I should've known you were going to do what you want. You always do."

I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm really ashamed right now, if that means anything."

"You do understand how I feel, right? Shawn has attacked you multiple times and you went to see him without me. Just hearing anything about the gang sets me on edge. And yet you went to see him."

"I know," I said, clenching his shirt under my hand. "I know, Chris. Even though I knew that, I had to go. I'm scared too. I can't just let it go like you can."

"I'm not just letting it go," he responded and I looked up at him. He was frowning down at me. "I'm also investigating on my own."

"You are?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded. "I just didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about it. But I see that I can't stop you from doing so."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded. "You were acting like you could care less."

"For your sake. I don't want you involved with the gang again. Let me figure this out and deal with it. You've done enough. Look at what's happened already. You went to see Shawn— who is in jail— and you still came out hurt."

I gingerly touched the place Isaac pointed out earlier. I hadn't noticed a bruised had formed from where Shawn got me. "That was my own fault. I provoked him."

"You provoked him? Why?"

"To get him to admit that there might be someone getting the gang back together," I explained. "And it worked, he slipped. He said there was someone."

Chris froze. "There is?"

"He didn't say anything else. Isaac might have a picture of the guy. He wanted to show you."

"We'll talk about that later. How did you get that bruise?"

"Oh. He hit me with his handcuffs. It's okay though! It doesn't hurt or anything," I said, playing it off as casually as I could.

Chris gently brushed the bruise with his fingertips. "You make me worry like crazy, Holly. Next time you want to do something no matter what, tell me. Yes, I'll try to stop you, but if you go anyway I want to be with you."

I nodded, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he huffed. "And while I'm scolding you, don't let Isaac touch you again."

"It didn't mean anything—"

"I know that, but just the sight of it makes me skin crawl. I don't want any other man touching you."

I smiled a little bit. "Feeling jealous?"

He scoffed. "Me? Jealous? Of Isaac? I don't think—"

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. He tensed for a moment before grabbing my face and kissing me back. After I pulled away I grinned at him. "You've been cutting me off all day, I thought it was time to return the favor."

"I'm not done yet though," he said and pulled me back to him.

Sitting in a classroom and kissing kind of felt reminiscent. He lifted me up and onto a desk. I pulled away from him and gave him a scolding look. "I have to go to class, Chris."

"You're in class, Ms. Evers. Just call me Mr. Heywood," he replied smoothly.

"Gross," I said teasingly.

He smirked at me. "You didn't think so last year. Mr. Heywood! Mr. Heywood!" he mimicked.

I blushed and hopped off the desk. "You're a jerk! I've got to go back for Isaac's class."

He laughed and easily grabbed my arm, keeping me from running off. "Hold on. Ditching me for another man? I'm coming with you."

"I'll make him kick you out."

"Isaac won't do that. I'm sure he's more than willing to accommodate me."

"You're kind of scary when you're serious," I admitted, cautiously putting my hand in his. I rarely saw Chris get frustrated.

He seemed offended by my words. "I wasn't trying to scare you. You really shouldn't tell your boyfriend you think he's scary. Especially after letting another guy touch you so casually..."

I scowled at him and he smirked. "I guess I deserved that. I didn't mean you're scary. You're just a force to be reckoned with."

"I always have been. After your class is over we're going to have a long chat. You, me, Jeremy, and Isaac."

"Okay," I agreed. "Aaron should probably come to. He might be useful if we ever have to contact Shawn again."

Chris didn't seem to like the idea but he nodded. "Fine. Might as well tell Lance and Casey as well. I'm sure the gang knows about all of us this time around."

That was a scary thought. I didn't want any of my friends to get hurt again. "I promise I won't do anything behind your back again."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

His words caused me to catch my breath. Wide eyed, I stared at him. He seemed to catch the malice behind his words and he grimaced. "That came out rougher than I meant it to. I just mean I know you'll probably get yourself into trouble again."

"I'll tell you if I ever do anything that might be dangerous," I said, still feeling a little hurt.

He paused to kiss my forehead. "I'm sorry, Holly. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's okay. I deserved it a little."

"But when you say you'll tell me when you're doing something dangerous, I hope that doesn't mean you'll text me when you're already on your way to the danger," he added. "Right?"

I managed to smile. "I might do that."

"Don't make me get Jeremy to tail you around."

"Please don't. He'll probably take that as an invitation to join me in the shower or something."

This made Chris laugh and I felt the mood finally lighten. It was nice to know how easy it was for things to become normal again after a little spat. "Only I get to join you in the shower."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, but you always make me late."

"It's worth it."

"Depending."

"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.

I started walking away again. "Can't talk, I'm really late for class!"

"I'm coming with you!"

We returned to the classroom a little after class started and I bee-lined for the back with Chris. Isaac raised his eyebrows, as did the rest of the class who didn't know who Chris was, but no one said anything. Chris sat down next to Jeremy and I felt a little worried.

"Before I forget," I whispered at them, "why did you take formaldehyde? What are you going to use it for? Do I want to know?"

Both of them gave me solemn looks and pretended to zip their mouths close. Lance, who was sitting in front of them, scooted his chair a little further away from the pair.

Unfortunately, that did little to keep him safe, because both Jeremy and Chris began to make little paper footballs and flick them at the back of his head. I smiled to myself. Chris seemed at ease again. After a couple of minutes, Lance stood up from his desk. "Professor!"

Isaac looked at him, raising an eyebrow. He was in the middle of a lecture about home ownership, or something. It was hard to focus with Chris in the room. "Yes?"

"Heywood doesn't belong in here and he's distracting me," Lance complained.

Chris put on an innocent expression. "I'm not doing anything."

"I can't have you distracting my students," Isaac began and then Chris must've done something menacing because Isaac's face suddenly paled and he dropped his gaze to the floor. "You're fine, actually. L-let's move on."

I turned to Chris, who was triumphant, and wondered what kind of look he'd just given the poor professor. But I also thought that I was probably better off not seeing it.

"Ow!" Lance cried as Chris flicked another paper football at his head.

___________________________________________

Ah, I know, it's short! I'm sorry! It's kind of rough writing this because I feel like I'm repeating everything that's already happened! But I know you guys want it, so I'm trying my best, please bare with me! It's just rough as a writer. Hopefully I can take it in a slightly different direction than APR and ASR. It's just so hard lol.

Thank you for keeping along this far. Sometimes I read APR and I'm like......wtf is this. But then I remember I wrote it in 9th grade so I'm like ok fair deal. I should've edited it more before I published the paperback. Ahh, regret. xD

Anyway, I'm getting close to 350,000 followers on here and 4,000 on Twitter and I'm thinking of doing something fun. Maybe a contest? Maybe a giveaway? Maybe a follow spree? I'm not sure! But keep an eye out for when I hit those numbers, I'll do something fun for anyone following me :)

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