Three Hours Later

I sat on my sofa watching tv and staring at my legs. They were still red and a bit swollen. But the doctor said I'll be fine. No scarring...thank god.

John was pissed off but I managed to calm him down. Paul still seemed cold towards me and didn't show no sympathy the entire drive. I didn't blame him. Paul and John were really close. Of course he doesn't want to see his friend hurt. Especially by a stupid girl like me. He just doesn't understand that's all.

I wonder what he said to George. Hopefully he didn't threaten him or do anything rash. I sighed and got up, turning the tv off. My legs hurt as I walked but I had to get used to it for now. The doc said the pain should go away in a few hours. No blistering thanks to John.

I walked into the kitchen and kneeled on the ground cleaning the spilled water. I ignored the pain and sniffled as tears rolled down my cheeks. I tossed the small towel on the ground and began crying.

Why was I so confused!? I shouldn't have kissed George. I shouldn't be thinking of him in that way. He's my friend. Just a friend.  A loyal, supportive, funny, romantic...ugh. Stop it Lucy. Just stop it.

I love John. I fought for him so much and now that he's mine, I'll be damned if I let anyone...anyone get in the way of it. Problem is, John wasn't loyal either. He cheated. But I knew what I was getting myself into. He said he'd hurt me. He hurt Cyn.. What makes me so god damn special?

I picked up the silver kettle and looked at my reflection. I was a mess. I wiped my tears and heard footsteps come into the room. I looked up to see Paul. He just looked down at me.

"Heya." He said. I just wiped my tears and nodded.

"Hello Paul."

He sighed and kneeled down.

"Doctor said ye shouldn't be on your feet for awhile."

"Yeah well, fuck what he said. I'll do what I want."

He scoffed and shook his head. "Yeah. I know."

I swallowed and looked at him. "Why are you here Paul?"

"I wanted to talk to ye. Excuse me, need to talk to ye." He sat next to me on the floor.

"Go ahead."

"Lucy...why?" He asked looking at me. I shrugged and shook my head. He went on.

"I love you Lucy. I really really do. But...John is my friend. My best friend and I won't see him hurt. I'll do anything to protect him. Even if it means getting in the way of a relationship. Either he listens to me or not, atleast I know I tried. Look, I'm sorry I did what I did but...ye deserved it."

I stayed quiet, just listening to him.

"I had a talk with George and so now it's your turn. I'm not going to say anything about what I saw alright? But if I see anything, I mean anything.. a look, another kiss, even a conversation between you two that is innapropriate...I'm telling John. Because I won't see my friend hurt over a girl who doesn't deserve him."

"You think I don't deserve him?"

He just stayed quiet and looked at the ground. "Ye heard me. Don't make me say it again."

"You think I don't deserve him." I said in disbelief. "Paul I...how could you even say that??"

"Look, before ye came along, he had Cyn. I'll admit I'm no fan of hers either but, atleast I know for a fact she was loyal to him. She loved him and only him. She still does..the way he still loves her."

"But..he told me..."

He looked at me, his expression cold. "What? That he doesn't?? Of course he's goin to say that. You're just the bird on the side love. Wake up and realise he'll never love ye as much as he loves her!"

I felt like my heart was being torn out of my chest. "P..Paul.."

"It's true! It's about bloody time someone told ye the truth! If you're goin to be an unfaithful, lying whore then maybe Cynthia should be his girlfriend. Not you."

I watched as he stood up and stood by the counter.

"Paul...you need to understand something. I love John. I really really love him. But you don't know him.."

"..when you two are alone?" He laughed sarcastically. "I know John better than you'll ever know. So don't play that card with me Luce."

"I...I can't believe you're telling me...I can't believe you're treating me this way." I cried. He sighed and kneeled down again, his face inches from mine.

"I'm still your friend Luce. I'm just given you the cold hard truth." He kissed my cheek and got up, leaving the room. I began crying again and threw the kettle across the floor, the loud crashing filling the silence.

"Fucking hell." I cried laying on my side. I stared at the floor and closed my eyes, darkness sweeping over my conscience.

....