When I got to our lunch table, I noticed that Senri and Riki weren't there yet. I waved goodbye to Bex and Jackson as they went to buy their lunches and sat down next to March. His eyes were burning and he emanated an aura of rage. I looked at him carefully and spoke softly,

"March? Please don't be angry about last night. I promise it's okay. You had no way of knowing he would say that or how it would affect me. I know you guys don't know the full extent of me situation, but please don't blame yourself. It isn't your fault."

March didn't respond and I was worried I made everything worse, until I felt him pull me into a warm embrace. My eyes widened slightly and I spoke,

"March?"

"...."

"March?"

"I'm sorry."

The maroon haired boy's apology took me by surprise,

"For what?"

"Not being there for you. Letting you take off all alone. I should've been there for you like you were there for me."

Before I could ask what he meant I heard someone clear their throat rather loudly. I looked and saw Senri sitting down,

"I hate to break up such a heartwarming moment, but I need to speak with (Y/N)."

I broke away from March and regarded the honor student with cold eyes,

"What do we need to discuss?"

I asked stoically, my eyes cold as I looked into his. I thought I saw hurt flash in his eyes at my tone before he spoke,

"I wanted to apologize for last night. My comment was out of line and I was hoping that you would come over to our house tonight and allow me to make it up to you."

I bit my lip in thought for a moment before responding,

"Alright. What time?"

The blonde's eyes visibly brightened, albeit slightly,

"After school. Would you mind driving over?"

I shook my head and he smiled coolly,

"It's settled then. Thank you."

"No problem."

I said as Bex, Jackson, and Riki showed up at the table. Bex sat next to Senri and nudged him,

"Did you apologize?"

He whispered. Senri nodded and Bex smiled brightly before looking over at March,

"Hey, March, feelin' better?"

The raven haired boy regarded his friend cautiously. March looked up and smiled slightly, casting a glance at me before he responded,

"Yeah. Thanks."

Bex smiled thinly, a tinge of jealously behind his eyes as he spoke,

"No problem."

He tone was slightly stoic. I shifted my gaze back and forth between him and March, tension choking the air between them as we sat in silence. I cast a pleading glance at Riki, Jackson, and Senri. Senri sent both boys a dangerous look while I leaned towards Riki,

"Are they alright?"

The charcoal haired boy shrugged,

"I'm not sure. I've never seen them act like this before. It's weird. Senri is sending them a warning but they're ignoring it. If lunch doesn't end soon I'm not sure who's gonna pounce first."

Riki's tone held worry as he watched his three friends carefully. Before anyone could do anything, the bell rang. March stood abruptly and grabbed his things before swiftly leaving. I hurriedly grabbed my stuff and took off after him, ignoring the calls coming from the table. When I reached March I grabbed his arm, forcing him to slow down,

"Are you okay?"

I asked worriedly. March shot me a glance as we walked,

"I'm fine."

I rolled my eyes at his terse reply,

"Don't lie to me. Something is wrong. Tell me what it is now."

My voice was hard as stone and cold as ice as we arrived at class. He sat down in his seat and sighed,

"Between Senri last night and Bex at lunch and everything else going on I guess I reached my limit of the amount of anger and irritation I can take. I didn't mean for you to see me like that. I'm sorry."

His voice was quiet as he spoke. I nodded in understanding,

"It's alright. I promise I'm not angry. I was just worried is all. I'd like to think we're friends and I hate seeing my friends in pain. I didn't mean to be pushy or pry earlier. I'm sorry about that. I just don't think you should keep pain bottled up. Let it out in a constructive way."

I said lightly, hoping he'd take my advice or at least think about it. Thankfully, he did,

"Thank you. Not many people have tried talking to me when I get... like that.... I don't want you to be afraid of me."

I rolled my eyes at his melodramatic tone,

"I'm not don't worry. It takes more than a glorified temper tantrum to scare me. Seriously though, you shouldn't keep anger bottled up. That just makes it all the harder to control and all the more explosive when it finally comes out."

March nodded in agreement, sending me a warm smile as the teacher started lecturing.

When the final bell rang to signal the end of class, I made my way to the student parking lot. As I was walking towards my car I felt my phone vibrate. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw Bex had texted me,

Is it okay if Jackson and I get a ride home from you?

Yeah

Thanks (Y/N)! We'll be there soon!

I put my phone back in my pocket and leaned against the drivers side door as I waited for Bex and Jackson. I glanced to my left and saw that baseball player from before, Kenji, and his friends all talking in a small cluster of five. From the corner of my eye I saw one of his friends point to me. I mentally sighed, hoping he'd stay over there and leave me alone. My hopes were dashed as I saw his form moving closer from my peripheral vision,

"Whatcha doin' out here all alone, (Y/N)?"

He asked confidently. I fought the urge to roll my eyes,

I should play along until Jackson and Bex arrive. It shouldn't be long now.

I thought as I responded,

"Oh I'm just waiting for two of my friends. I offered to give them a ride home since we live near each other."

I kept my tone polite as I glanced towards the walkway to the student parking lot, hoping I'd see them coming up. Kenji smirked at my response and moved closer to me,

"Well it doesn't look like they're here now, does it?"

"They'll be here soon. They're on their way."

I replied coolly, fighting the urge to go off on the annoying athlete. Kenji stepped closer to me, backing me up against the car as he spoke,

"I have an idea, why don't you ditch on your friends and come hang with me. Last time I asked we were interrupted. C'mon, live a little. I promise it'll be fun."

I shook my head,

"Thank you for the offer, but I should really wait for them."

Kenji's eyes darkened at my refusal. I began to feel uneasy and attempted to get into my car, only to have Kenji slam the door shut. My head snapped over to him and I saw the scowl on his face,

"Like I said before, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. You're going to come with us."

I shook my head,

"No I'm not. Look just leave me alone. Please?"

He tried to grab my arm but I pushed him back. My victory was short lived as one of his friends came up behind me and grabbed my arms, holding me in place. I looked at Kenji calmly and, with a deep breath screamed at the top of my lungs,

"HEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPP!"

I screamed as loud as I could before Kenji covered my mouth. I saw him raise his fist and shut my eyes, bracing for impact. After a few seconds, however, the impact hadn't come. I opened my eyes and saw someone behind Kenji holding his arm back. The next thing I felt was the two pairs of arms holding mine back had vanished. With my newly freed hands I shoved Kenji back as hard as I could, making him fall into the person behind him. I felt a pair of hands spun me around and came face to face with Jackson,

"(Y/N)! Oh my god are you okay?! When Bex and I saw Kenji talking to you we texted the others."

I nodded at the bluenette in front of me,

"Yes I'm alright. Thank you."

I turned to Bex,

"I guess it's a good thing you guys needed a ride home."

He smiled happily at me, but it faded as his eyes flicked to something behind me. He shoved me behind himself as he punched one of Kenji's friends who was charging him. Bex hit him hard enough to knock him flat on his ass. Once he was on the ground, Jackson kicked him in the stomach a few times before knocking him out. Jackson and Bex then turned their attention towards March, who had already taken out two of Kenji's friends by himself,

"Go help Riki and Senri!"

He said as we all directed our attention to the teens in question. Bex and Jackson moved away from me and went over to Riki and Senri, knocking out the one after Riki before hitting Kenji hard on his spine. The athlete cried out in pain as he slumped to the ground. I stood their in shock, unsure of what to make of the past fifteen minutes. Riki turned to me,

"Are you alright?"

I nodded shakily,

"Yeah... can we get out of here?"

The boys all nodded as they piled into my car. I quickly started the vehicle and drove away from the school parking lot, leaving five unconscious athletes in our wake.