WARNING: UPSETTING CONTENT.
Includes references to bullying, graphic fighting.

"What the h*ll is going on?", questioned Sutton.

If looks could kill, Tabitha and Jace would've been long gone.
Anvi pushed past them, once again ignoring KJ, Bolin and Luka as they called after her. Sutton surged forward and grabbed the pair, pulling them into the room.
KJ rushed out of the room, hoping to find Anvi before she went too far.
Their eyes widened when they saw all of the guests.
Jay and Cassie shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether they should help Tabitha or not.
They didn't even know what they needed to potentially save her from.
Or who.

"What were you two doing?
And don't say some cr*ap like 'she lost something and I was trying to help her find it down her f*cking bra' ", asked Sutton.

"Come on, Sutton, you're overreacting.
We're not just fooling around, we've been dating for a few weeks now", explained Jace.

Oh sh*t.

Oh sh*t.

Oh sh*t.

Sutton's jaw dropped, and her eyes opened so wide they looked like they'd pop out any second.
She looked at Tabitha, her rage boiling away.

"The f*ck you mean you're dating?"

"Sutton, I-", started Tabitha.

"I'm not even ready to talk to you yet!", she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at her.

"Sis, come on-"

"When did... this start?"

Tabitha gently shook her head.
"Sutton, don't-"

"When did this start?"

"Um, when we got back from Trish's party, I think", replied Jace.

Sutton felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest then and there.
That was the night she pleaded with Tabitha to leave Jace alone.
The night... the night she lied.
A month ago.

"You've been lying to me for a whole month?", asked Sutton.

"Woah, Sutton, we just didn't want to make things awkward-", clarified Jace.

Her problem wasn't with Jace though.
In fact, he may as well have still been at the ice cream shop, because all of Sutton's focus, her anger, her pain-that was all directed at Tabitha.

"You've been lying-"

"Oh and what have you been doing Little Miss Perfect?", interjected Tabitha.
"Lying about me feeling uncomfortable around Jace so he wouldn't date me!"

Jace's eyes widened, and he looked at Sutton with such an intense expression of disbelief.

"What?
You didn't do that, did you?", he asked.

"I-I... I... Jace, I was only trying to protect you."

Tabitha scoffed.
"Protect him?
I'm not a murderer or a scam artist!"

"No, you're a lying, slithering snake!"

"Sutton!", exclaimed Jace.

"She's been lying this whole time!
I bet you asked her to make things public, didn't you?
Let me guess, she fed you some bullsh*t excuse about not wanting to ruin the dynamic of the group-"

"Shut up!", yelled Tabitha.

"Don't tell me what to do!
We're supposed to be friends!
How could you betray me like that?"

"Betray you?
You wanna talk about betrayal?
I stayed away from Jace for you, but you still went and lied about me.
What kind of a friend does that?"

"Wait, when you kissed me that night... was it just to get back at Sutton?", asked Jace.

Tabitha shook her head and took Jace's hands in hers.

"No! No, I promise it-"

Sutton reached out and tugged on their arms, making them let go of each other's hands.
She swiftly turned to face Tabitha, her hands clenched.

"Get the f*ck away from my brother."

Tabitha was well and truly done with all of this.
She inched closer to Sutton.

"Or what?"

¤¤¤

Anvi was in the laundry room.
Most of the flats in their block had washing machines in their room, but because there were six of them, they needed to use the laundry room as well.
Anvi went there a lot when she needed some alone time, but didn't want to leave the actual building.
It was almost always empty, and there was something about the sound of the machines that Anvi found relaxing.
The scent of lavender and lemon from the detergent was comforting for her as well.

She was leaning against the wall, legs tucked close to her chest.
Her tears made her vision blurry, so she couldn't tell if there was a bug near her or if it was just lint from the washing machines. Not that it really mattered either way.

The door opened, and a panting KJ sighed in relief.
Well, he tried to, but it sounded more strangled than he intended it to.
He walked closer to Anvi, his face softening when he saw just how upset she was.
He exhaled sharply as he slid his back down the wall, stretching his legs out as he sat on the floor.
He wanted to give Anvi more room, but he was already much closer to a machine machine than he'd like to be, so he ended up moving closer to Anvi, their arms touching.

"How'd you know I was here?", asked Anvi.

"You didn't take your phone or keys with you, so I figured you'd still be in the building.
You always come here to think anyway."

Anvi groaned, letting her face rest in her hands.

"Everyone thinks I'm a weirdo for lying about having a boyfriend, don't they?"

KJ shook his head.
"No they don't."

Anvi stared blankly at him, not believing him for one second.

"Do you think I'm weird?"

KJ nodded.
"Oh one hundred percent."

Anvi frowned
"Really?"

"You were weird when you and Sutton started flailing your arms around to get me to dance at a party.
You were weird when you tried to fight me with a frying pan.
None of that is bad though.
It makes you real, Anvi."

Anvi rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"Yeah right."

"I'm serious, Anvi", said KJ.
"I wish I met you when I was at the children's home.
You wouldn't have picked on me or isolated me from group activities.
I... I think we would've been best friends."

Anvi could see how hard this was for KJ.
He never had to comfort others before.
He didn't know what the right words were, or what the right things to do were.
But he was trying.
He didn't have to come here.
He didn't have sit here.
But he did.
And that counted for a lot.

"You're not mad at me for lying?"

"Anvi, you're looking at someone who kept his entire past a secret.
I'm never going to judge you for choosing to keep some parts of your past to yourself, and I'm not going to judge you for lying about having a boyfriend."

"I didn't do it to hurt anyone.
I just wanted to seem interesting."

"Why would being in a relationship make you interesting?"

Anvi shrugged.
"I don't know.
That's what everyone wants, isn't it?
That's what everyone in school used to want.
And... I don't know, I can't explain it.
I guess, I don't think I'm ugly or anything. I'm just... I'm not anything special.
I'm not a person someone would like to kiss, or say I love you too.
I used to be alright at making friends, but then Anu... she changed during college.
She stopped hanging out with me, and took every opportunity she could to make me feel small.
That knocked my confidence a lot, and I suppose I never really got it back.
So, when Declan gave me the smallest bit of attention... I just, like, instantly liked him."

Anvi screwed her face up in disgust, before shaking her head and covering her face with her hands.
"Oh gah-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, it's really embarrassing."

"No it's not", he said.
"Did anything ever happen between you two?"

Anvi shook her head.
"No.
He didn't even know I had a crush on him. Until now anyway."

"If he, or even Anu make fun of you, we'll say something", promised KJ.
"I ran out of there pretty quickly, but I definitely noticed Luka giving Anu an intense glare.
Even Bolin looked p*ssed."

"Really?"

KJ nodded.
"I wish you would've told us she was picking on you sooner, but I get why you didn't.
You don't have to face her on your own anymore, Anvi.
For someone who says they aren't good at making friends, I'd say you're pretty amazing at it.
And, look, I don't know what to say to make everything ok, but Anvi... you're the best person I've ever known.
Ever."

Anvi smiled, some light returning to her eyes.
She looked at KJ's hand, which was resting on his right knee.
She gently placed a hand on top of his, making the boy look at her.
When she smiled at him, he smiled back, letting out a small sigh of relief.

"I feel sorry for all those kids who never bothered to get to know you, because you, KJ Jennings... are a great friend."

¤¤¤

The partygoers shouted, whilst others gasped, as Sutton grabbed Tabitha and threw her on the ground.
Tabitha dragged her down with her, before wrapping her legs around her and flipping her over.
Tabitha had fought with her brothers enough times to know how to really win a fight, but Sutton wasn't backing down.
She reached for Tabitha's hair and pulled on it as hard as she could, making her cry out in pain.

"Guys, stop!", begged Jace.

Tabitha squirmed as she batted away Sutton's hands.
Sutton managed to dodge her movements, and swiped at her face, her acrylic nails scratching her face.
Tabitha grabbed her hands and pushed Sutton away.
The pair grappled as they got to their feet, their rage only increasing.
Sutton slapped her across the face, earning a startled gasp from Luka and Bolin.
Tabitha gripped Sutton's shoulders and shoved her knee into Sutton's stomach.
It wasn't hard enough to seriously hurt her, but enough to make her stumble back.

"You cow!", yelled Sutton.

The pair continued to fight, although it was unclear who was winning.
The boys had tried to intervene a few times, but they only managed to sustain injuries. Before Tabitha could strike Sutton again, a large bucket of water was poured over them.
Gasping for air, the girls pulled apart. Tabitha coughed and spluttered.

KJ dropped the bucket, his face red with anger.

"I've just about had enough of this cr*p", he said, before turning to crowd of people. "Thanks a lot for coming, and we hope you enjoyed the entertainment.
The party is over now though, so can everyone make their way out please?"

Loud groans erupted across the room, but no one really objected.
Slowly, people started to leave.
Anu laughed as she pressed a few buttons on her phone.

"Well that was very entertaining!
Got the whole sh*t show on video", she said, holding her phone up.
"Can't wait to post-"

Someone pulled Anu's phone out of her hand, and threw it on the floor.
Anu turned around, her eyes widening when she saw Declan stomping on her phone.

"Oi!"

"You're a horrible person, Anu", said Declan.

¤¤¤

Anvi wanted to stay in the laundry room for a little longer.
Well, her plan was to wait until she was sure most of the guests would've gone, but as the time went on, she started to doubt whether the partygoers would be going home any time today.
She had asked KJ to text her when people were leaving, but both had forgotten that she left her phone upstairs.

The door opened, and Anvi exhaled softly.

"KJ, I was starting to-"

Declan stood by the door, a nervous half-smile on his face.
Anvi suddenly became very aware of the tears that had stained her face, and the redness of her eyes.
She quickly wiped at her eyes, wincing as she poked one by accident.
She tried to stand up, but Declan had already made his way over to her, and sat down across from her.

"Hey. Your friend KJ said you were here", he said.

"H-Hi."

"Weird day, huh?"

"Mhm."

"Look, what Anu did was messed up.
I only visited the area to see family, so when she invited me I thought she was just being friendly.
I didn't know she was, that you were... you know.
I can't believe she lied to everyone about you liking me."

"It wasn't a lie", she blurted out, before her brain could register what she was doing.

Declan looked stunned.
Not in an overly shocked or exaggerated way, which Anvi was expecting.
His face softened, and he gave her a sympathetic smile.
"God, that must've been so hard.
To hear her say all that sh*t, and then-"

"It wasn't sh*t.
It was true.
I know it and you know it.
That's what I was like in college."

Declan shrugged.
"That's not how I saw you."

Anvi looked up at Declan, her heart suddenly beating rapidly.
He held her gaze, and Anvi felt an odd feeling in her stomach.
It wasn't an uneasy feeling.
It was the same feeling she used to get whenever she saw Declan in the school halls, or whenever he'd smile at her.

"Really?"

"Really."

"H-How did you see me?"

"You were really nice.
Sweet.
And funny."

Right.

But not... not pretty.

Anvi sighed, before smiling.
It wasn't a happy smile though.
It was more her realising how ridiculous she was for even thinking Declan might've liked her back.

"You forgot pathetic.
I mean, you complimented me on my history presentation once and I instantly had a crush on you.
Just the tiniest bit of attention and I think I'm actually, like, wanted."

"Hey, that's not pathetic.
It's actually kind of sweet.
I don't get it.
You never used to be like this.
I mean, you were quiet, but at the start of college I always saw you laughing and joking around.
Anu... Anu really hurt you, didn't she?"

Yes, she did.
In more ways that Anvi realised.
She didn't know who she could trust after that.
She always doubted herself.
Even now.
The roommates said they were her friends, and they acted the way Anvi used to think friends were supposed to act.
But everything that happened with Anu made her doubt her definition of friendship.

"In college, most of us were just trying to do the work and get home.
I don't know anyone who had the time for drama, but I guess Anu was the exception.
It sucks that she dragged you into all that. Whatever she did, I can bet you any money she did it because of some problem she's got with herself.
It isn't on you."

Declan was right.
It was all Anu.
Every negative thing she felt about herself, was a result of Anu breaking her down. Some thoughts were buried deep, but for the most part, having her best friend turn on her unexpectedly really did a number on Anvi's self-worth.

But she doesn't have to take it.

She doesn't have to listen.

Anu doesn't get to hurt her anymore.

"So, do you think it's time we broke up?", asked Declan, which made Anvi look up at him.
"Sorry, that was a stupid joke. "

Anvi shook her head.
"No, no... it wasn't."

She laughed, and Declan smiled.
She ran a hand through her hair.

"Still can't believe I said you were my boyfriend."

"Hey, it's all cool.
Wait, what kind of boyfriend was I?"

"Oh, you were like the 'boy next door' type. We were neighbours and had a dog called Bella", she said, laughing at the end.

"Wait, really?"

"No!
Well, I did say most of that, but not the dog thing."

"I was about to say, I swear you're allergic to dogs."

"How did you remember that?"

"How could I forget?
We had to walk past a dog park on one of our school trips and you literally tried climbing the trees to get past them."

Anvi gasped.
"Oh my gosh, I remember that!"

The pair laughed as they exchanged other random memories.
It was odd.
The more Declan spoke, the more Anvi started to realise that she did like the girl in his stories.
The girl who didn't take herself too seriously.
The girl with the bright smile.

Declan turned to face Anvi.
He held his hand out, but waited until Anvi extended her hand to reach for it.

"Anvi, you've been a great girlfriend, but it's time I let you go.
Go off and make someone else the luckiest person ever."

Anvi smiled brightly, and for a brief moment, Declan's smile faltered.
He was genuinely taken aback by how happy Anvi looked.
He looked into her eyes, before looking at her face again.
He gently turned her face and kissed her cheek.
He pulled away and smiled at her.
He stood up, before holding his hand out.

"Come on, I'll walk you back."

¤¤¤

After saying goodbye to Declan, Anvi walked into the flat again.
Cups were all over the floor, with the decorations removed thanks to Luka.
Luka held a large bin bag out as KJ shovelled empty cans and half-eaten food into it.

"Where did everyone go?", asked Anvi.

"Anvi!", called out Luka, placing the bag on the ground and hurrying over to Anvi.
He pulled her into a hug.

When they pulled away, Luka smiled softly at her.

"Don't listen to anything that girl said.
It's not true.
She's just a horrible bully.
Who cares if you have a boyfriend or not?", he said.

Anvi nodded.
"I know.
Thank you, Luka."

"After you left... it all kind of kicked off.
I'll explain later, but Sutton left for some air, Jace is in his room and Tabitha went to stay with Cassie for a few days", explained Luka.

"Wow... sounds serious."

"Today's been a total mess", said KJ.

"Well, regardless of what's happened... we're still their friends.
So let's handle this mess whilst they sort out there's", said Anvi.

The boys nodded, and the three of them got back to tidying the flat.

_ _ _

Hi.

I wanted to publish this in a few days, to let the cliffhanger from the last chapter settle in, but I got a bit too excited to publish this. The next chapter might be published in a few days or so, because I haven't made a start on it properly yet.

Everything's out in the open now! Can the group mend their friendships? And if so, will everything really be able to go back to the way it was? What advice would you give to them?

KJ and Anvi's friendship is so special. They work really well together, and are more similar than they think. Also, I didn't write it because I wasn't sure where to fit it in, but in my head Luka and Bolin definitely gave Anu a piece of their minds. The others would have too, but they were preoccupied with their situation.

Declan is actually a really nice guy. I thought it was important to include that, because he was just thrown into a bad situation. He won't really be shown again, but who knows, maybe I'll change my mind and he'll make a reappearance somewhere down the line. Declan is an important character, because his interaction with Anvi allowed her to see that people actually did like her in college, despite all the thoughts of self-doubt that Anu made her feel. He may not have reciprocated Anvi's crush in college, but he still genuinely liked her as a person.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

LeMystical-Puffle

ruesbennett

1-800-PETEMITCHELL-

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