I couldn't resist the pic... it was too perfect and I couldn't find the one I wanted to use.

Eliza walked down the halls to English class, doing her best to ignore the pitying looks and comments. You wouldn't think Alex's cheating would still be a popular subject by that Friday, but it was. As Eliza walked through the main entrance, she saw James Reynolds standing with two boys she vaguely recognized from middle school. One was James' best friend, Jacob Clingman, if memory served her right. And the other was James Monroe.

"Hey, where's Maria?" Jacob asked James.

James shrugged. "Who knows?"

"D***," Monroe said. "I wanted to interview her about the whole Reynolds Pamphlet thing. Blew up big in social media."

"I can go find her," Jacob suggested.

"Sure, go ahead," James said. Jacob took off in the same direction Eliza was going. She was glad Monroe didn't see her. She would've gotten interviewed for sure.

She walked down the hall, stopping at her locker. She was late, so everyone else was already in class. She had just slid her books into her backpack when she heard a girl's voice cry for help from the janitor's closet across the hall. "Help! Please, hel-" The voice was cut off.

Eliza immediately ran to the closet, opening the door as fast as she could. She saw Jacob pinning Maria to the wall. Her lip was bleeding, and her cheek was red. He had her wrists pinned to wall, and who knew what he was planning on doing. Eliza suddenly didn't care who Maria was, this wasn't right. She ripped Jacob off of her, slamming him into the wall as hard as she could. "Leave her alone!"

Jacob looked taken aback. "Why do you care? She kissed your boyfriend!"

"It doesn't matter what she did. What you're doing is no less wrong. Now, get out of our sight before I get Angelica and Hercules."

Jacob went pale and took off like he was the Flash.

Eliza turned to leave. "You ok?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Eliza simply nodded and went to walk out of the door.

"Wait, Eliza!"

"What is it?"

Eliza's angry tone made Maria shrink back. "I- you know what, it doesn't matter, you can leave."

Eliza noticed the defeated look on her face. "What did you want to say?"

"I-" She hesitated. Then, words came tumbling out of her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Eliza! I didn't want to! We didn't have enough money for rent, and James made me to get money! I swear, it never went any further than us kissing, I made sure of it! He threatened to kill our daughter if I didn't! I'm so sorry, I-" She suddenly froze, her eyes widening as she registered what she just said.

"Daughter?!" Eliza was shocked as the words hit her. They had a daughter? Who- "Susan."

Maria looked down. She nodded.

"WAIT HE THREATENED TO KILL HER?! HE MADE YOU?!"

Maria was taken aback by Eliza's words, but she replied. "Yeah."

Eliza grabbed Maria's shoulders. "Maria, this isn't ok. Angelica, Peggy, and I are picking up Arthur, Mary Ann, and Cornelia from daycare. Call the daycare and tell them we're picking up Susan for a play date. Then you go home and pack. We'll have Kyla or Sunday or someone pick her up from our house while some of us go help you get out. Ok?"

Maria was in shock. "You want to help me? After what I did?"

"What you did was wrong, but it was for good reasons. Of course I'll help you. No one deserves to be in an abusive relationship."

Maria smiled at her. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Never kiss Alexander again."

Maria laughed. "I think I can pull that off."

"Now, call the daycare!"

Maria pulled out her phone and called the number. "Hi. This is Maria Lewis, Susan Reynolds-Lewis' mother. I'm just calling to say that Eliza Schuyler and her sisters are picking up Susan with their younger siblings today. They're having a play date.... Yes, thank you. Perfect! Thank you so much!... Goodbye!" She looked at Eliza. "Done. Thank you so much, really!"

"No problem, Maria. See you tonight?"

"See you tonight." Maria ran off.

Eliza hurried to class. Luckily she and all her friends had free period next.

When class was over, they all met in the hall. Eliza recounted the story with Maria. Once everyone got over their initial shock, they all agreed to help.

Soon, places were confirmed. Now all they had to do was wait.