SJ's finger tapped across her phone screen with a gentle smile etched across her face. She's leaned against the old headboard, blankets covering the majority of her body and Matty's laptop playing Titanic. The most she's moved is to grab a bowl of cereal for breakfast, Matty's laptop, and use the bathroom. Other than that, she's been comfortable in the bed she calls hers half the week while texting Tom.

SJ had woken up to a text from Tom. It was a simple 'good morning' but it made her smile and her chest warm with happiness. Butterflies swarmed her stomach and while she wasn't one to immediately get on her phone the second she wakes up, she couldn't help herself but reply immediately. She feels like she's a kid again with her first crush, bubbly and happy. A pleasant reminder that even through dark times, there can be this peacefulness, happiness, innocence. It's refreshing, almost a little too refreshing.

While SJ and Tom texted away and SJ's cheeks ache from pure joy, there was this knot forming in her stomach. They aren't talking about anything important but she feels like she's really getting to know him. She can feel herself slipping and with every slip of her footing, the further she falls into a guilt-ridden swamp. It's sticky and enough to completely suck her under. It's like she's lying to him. Tom doesn't know why she went on a date with Harrison and why Harrison went out with her in the first place. He doesn't know anything about Arthur, the small bit she has been willing to tell Harrison, anyway. With Harrison knowing and Tom not, she feels like she's going behind his back and for no reason. At least before it was because it was easier, no harm, no foul but now they're texting for hours and they're friends. They had that night and he's in the forefront of her mind. Lying might be easy, the task, but the mental toll it can take can be hell and she's experiencing it.

A knock sounds on the door that's cracked open, Mikey pushing it open further. "Hey."

SJ nods at him, not really looking at him before her stare goes back to her phone. "Hey."

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Mikey asks, leaning against the wall.

"Diner was robbed." SJ rolls her eyes. "They only got what was in the register but they broke the front window so Sheryl called us all off saying the guy that owns it is getting people in to board up the window and he's ordering a replacement. So, here I am." SJ puts her phone down, about to ask why Mikey was home but when she looks up and really looks at his face, her question changes. "What the fuck happened to your face?"

Mikey chuckles, shrugging his shoulder and pushing off the wall. "Ran into a pole, Rocket. What else?" Sarcasm drips through his words as he walks over to her.

"Yeah? That pole have a few moving fists attached to it?" SJ pokes a still-forming bruise on Mikey's arm as he takes a seat on the bed.

"Perhaps." Mikey laughs, pulling his arm away. "Kicked Ian's ass."

SJ scoffs, shaking her head but there's almost a taunting smile across her lips. "Yeah, no shit."

"Why'd you ask then?" Mikey quips.

SJ shrugs. "The off chance you happened to run into a pole and had a good story."

"Sorry to disappoint, Rocket." Mikey lays back, arms going behind his head.

"Why'd you kick his ass?"

"He choked you?" Mikey says as if SJ should have known the answer. "Fucks with you, he fucks with me. I don't care how fucking smart you get with someone, no one touches you unless it's inside that damn ring and they're supposed to." Mikey's sarcastic tone completely drops as he eyes SJ, mouth in a straight line showing his seriousness and sincerity.

"You don't have to do that, ya know?"

"Always will." Mikey responds, words nonchalant.

SJ nods before muttering, "Thanks, Mikey."

He gives her a cornered smile, pulling the laptop to face him so he can see what she's watching but she switches her attention back her phone. Mikey notices and catches a glimpse of her face. She lights up from looking at the electronic screen, something he hasn't seen in years.There's something about Tom that rubs him the wrong way and maybe it's just because he's involved with Arthur but Mikey doesn't like him. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out SJ is texting him and that's why she's turned all smiley again so, despite his disdain, Mikey keeps his thoughts to himself. But then, her smile drops and she looks back to Mikey.

"What?" She raises a brow and Mikey's brows furrow.

"You alright, Rocket?"

"Always, why?" SJ asks, glancing back to her phone.

"You're in bed, usually when I protect you, you go on a rant about how you don't need anyone to protect you, you're smiling like an idiot at your phone and just stop the second you put it away. You were asleep by the time I got home and you're still here. You're never still here if you don't have to work and me or Matty aren't up or around. So, what's up?" Mikey lists off the few things he's picked up in the short time he's been talking to SJ. It's a good and a bad thing knowing someone for so long like she's known Mikey. It's harder to hide things from him.

SJ sighs, running a hand through her messy hair. "I just," She looks up to the ceiling as if the words were going to write themselves. "He doesn't know anything and I feel like I'm lying to him, ya know?" SJ says as she looks to Mikey.

He gives her an understanding nod. "Why don't you tell him?" SJ bites the inside of her cheek, dodging Mikey's stare and that silent tell gives him everything he needs. "Dude, if you fucking like him or whatever, just say it. Don't beat around this damn bush." Mikey sits up with a groan, wincing in pain. "What's the worst that can happen if you tell him?" Mikey reasons.

"He could tell Arthur." SJ counters.

Mikey just looks at her as if she's lost her mind. "I don't even like him and I have more sense to know he's not a moron." SJ glares at him and Mikey resituates, moving to sit beside her. "Okay, what do you feel guilty about?"

"Going on a date with his best friend just to use his best friend to get to Tom and having my initial plan be to use Tom himself." SJ rambles. "I mean, I feel guilty about all the Arthur shit I know but at least I have good reason to keep that fuckin' shit to myself."

"Yeah, keep your mouth shut on that, would you? We don't need a rerun." Mikey warns.

SJ doesn't say anything and Mikey knows that warning her isn't going to make her feel better. He hates seeing her like this, with momentary happiness. It happens sometimes, especially after everything with her parents and Travis and everything she's gone through since she was twelve. It's a lot and it gets to her head sometimes.

Mikey pulls the laptop onto his lap and puts an arm around her shoulders. "Hey," He starts and SJ looks up to him. "The dude likes you. He does. So, if you do or don't tell him anything, it's because you have his best interests in mind and he'll understand that." SJ forces a smile and Mikey just pulls her closer to him. "You gotta let the weight of the world off your shoulders, Rocket. It's gonna crush you one day."

"PRobably." SJ mutters, unlocking her phone.

She stares at the text from Tom. He made a joke about jellyfish which sparked SJ up on the marine biology topic. Tom, he didn't even mind. Not at all. He rolled with it and asked questions, wanting her to go more in depth about what she knows about jellyfish and why. It's a bit of a weird topic but one they're both enjoying and one SJ doesn't talk much about it. It's just so easy with him that she forgets about everything else. She forgets even when it's just texting. So, she types her reply and heads to Harrison's message thread.

"Tell him." SJ types, pressing send and immediately locking her phone, allowing Harrison to spill everything he knows to Tom.

Harrison reads the text and all he can do is look to Tom. He's seated in the chair, a smile splitting his face and eyes bright as can be. His cheeks are tinted a soft shade of pink and he looks genuinely happy. He's been looking happy all damn day. Harrison didn't even have to ask who Tom was talking to because it's obvious by the way his entire face lights up when he looks at his phone. But, now SJ is telling him to tell Tom and he has to. Harrison could wait, sure and maybe he should wait until later that night but the longer Harrison will sit on the permission to start talking, the more likely it'll just spill out of his mouth.

"Aye, mate." Harrison starts, grabbing Tom's attention. Tom raises his brows, locking his phone and waiting for Harrison to continue. "I've to tell to you something." Harrison's voice wavers just enough.

"'Bout what?" Tom asks with furrowed brows.

Harrison sucks in a deep breath and Tom grows nervous with anticipation. "You know how I went on a date with SJ?"

Tom nods slowly, hesitatence coming over him. "Yeah, 'course."

Harrison shakes his head, guilt and shame filling his veins and spreading across his face. "It was a set-up."

Tom jerks his head back with a light shake and brows knitting together. "Hell you mean it was a set-up?"

Harrison can't bring himself to actually look at Tom. "She was going to ask you out, not me."

"Why? Make me jealous or something?" Tom scoffs and for a second, he lets the anxiety ease. If that's all it is, that's no big deal. She still shouldn't have done it but she went to him the other night, not Harrison. But, Harrison's expression doesn't change and Tom gets worried all over again.

"No," Harrison shakes his head. "She wanted to distract you so you would lose. You wouldn't talk to her, so she was planning to use me."

Tom's face drops with his heart. "What?" The word comes out as a broken whisper.

"I went on a date with her because Arthur made me. He wanted me to distract her." Harrison confesses and he should feel a little better having some of the weight off of his chest, but he doesn't.

"Wait." Tom shakes his head and the broken voice from seconds before is replaced with annoyance. "She's fuckin' playin' me and you went along with it? Couldn't tell me? What the fuck?" Tom's voice increases in volume as he stands from his seat.

"She's not playing you! Before we even went on the date, she told me! She's not playing you, Tom." Harrison yells back. "I couldn't tell you! There's more to this, mate."

"I don't bloody care! You didn't think tellin' me she'd planned to fuck me over was important? You fuckin' knew and still--" Tom groans and tugs at the roots of his hair. "You let me walk around like an idiot! You're my best mate for fuck's sake!"

"Because she does like you! Tom, listen to me, ya? There's more to this, okay?"

"You lied to me!" The feeling of betrayal clouds Tom's thoughts as he yells, his only focus being that Harrison and SJ lied to him, used him for their own gain.

"Listen to me, fuck's sake!" Harrison gets up from the couch, tossing his hands out in frustration. "She can get us out of this!"

"Yeah? How the fuck am I supposed to believe that when she went out of her way to fuck around with you just fuck with me? Make sure I lose? You know, she knows Arthur and she's still willing to let me get fucked over! And you let her have that!"

Harrison just stares at Tom because he's right. Harrison doesn't know for sure that SJ can get them out of it. He doesn't know if she's telling the truth or lying. He's only got his gut to go on and his gut says to trust her. Everything in him says to trust her and even though Tom is screaming his head off about how she could still be using him, Harrison knows Tom will come to that conclusion, too. Hopefully, though, it's sooner rather than later.

"Tom, c'mon, lemme explain everything." Harrison cuts off Tom's ranting.

"Fuck off!" Tom brushes Harrison's arm away from him. "You let her do this. You let her use you, too. Fuck off."

Tom moves away from Harrison, making his way to his room and slamming the door so hard Harrison's surprised the door didn't come off the hinges. Tom rummages around his room for anything to take out his emotions out on. He's so pissed off that Harrison has kept this from him and he's pissed off that SJ would sink as low as she did to use him. Those were the two people he felt he could trust but they've both been lying to him and now he feels like he has no one. He has no one besides himself and his chest feels like someone is beating it with a jackhammer. Tom's humiliated. How is supposed to just forgive that and let it go?

Tom's phone vibrates in his pocket and he has a half damn mind not to just call SJ and tell her off himself but he doesn't. He clears the notification and throws the cracked phone onto his bed. How could he be so stupid? She played him and he fell for it. That's all he keeps thinking. Tom's never felt so betrayed in his life. Who uses people? Who uses people when they know the stakes? How could Tom have ever fell for her? Been there for her the other night? He shared his designs with her and let her in and she's been doing this. It doesn't matter if she's not using him now because once it's out there, it's out there and it'll be eating at the back of his head like the terrible lawyer jingles that won't go away. Tom will always question her intentions now and if she's lying or not. She fucked up. And yeah, so did Harrison but at least Tom knows that Harrison has his best intentions, it's SJ he doesn't fucking know about it and it hurts. He hates that it hurts. And now he's supposed to fight in just a few hours.

-----

SJ's in one of the rooms of the club's basement wrapping her hands, readying herself for the night. A horrible knot is stuck in her throat and her head is fogged while her stomach turns. Tom hasn't texted her back, instead, she's received a text from Harrison. All he had to say was 'he's not talking to me. Give him space.' and she knows there's no redemption there. At least, not now. In order for her to even try to get a redemption is to explain in detail what's going on and she's stubborn. It's not the right time, not yet so she has to deal with Tom being pissed at her and her letting him in just that very, very small bit. Which, pisses her off more than anything. When she lets someone else in, they leave. And he's leaving, technically. It's her fault. But he's going to leave her high and dry without talking to her and that's what hurts the most. She'd hoped that Harrison would tell him and he'd want to talk to her, to get her side but it doesn't seem like she's going to get that lucky. Of course not, why would she?

"What happened to your face?" Matty's voice pulls SJ's and Mikey's attention to the door. Relief floods her at the sight of her tired friend.

"He's an idiot and fought Ian." SJ rolls her eyes.

Matty smirks. "Nice." He walks up to Mikey and fist bumps him. SJ scowls at the two. "He strangled you, Mikey can kick his ass any day he wants." Matty says with more sass than necessary.

"Can fight my own battles." SJ mutters, getting to her feet.

"Sure you can, Rocket." Mikey walks up to her and tosses an arm around her shoulder, your gloves in hand.

"Fuck you." SJ shrugs him loose before turning her stare back to Matty. "Where've been anyway?"

"Work." Matty groans as they enter the hallway. "I was booked all day and I need caramel frappe and a nap."

"We'll get right on that." SJ pats his back, a grin coming to her face.

"Gee, thanks." Matty retorts as they enter the center of the basement. "Good luck." Matty changes his tone with his words, sending her a genuine smile.

"Thanks." SJ nods, staring at the ring while Matty walks to his spot to stand and watch.

"You ready?" Mikey asks.

"Ready as I'll ever be." SJ says, faking a confident smile.

"You sure?" Mikey asks, helping SJ into the ring.

"Yes." SJ widens her eyes for emphasis.

Mikey helps SJ with her gloves and she walks to the center of the ring, facing her opponent. He's a guy, of course, and twice her size. He looks angry and he smells rancid. It's just another thing to add to SJ's already shitty day.

The match starts and immediately, SJ takes a hard hit to her face, making her stumble backwards. In the crowd, Tom is watching with Harrison and Arthur as usual. Tom winces watching SJ take another hit and Harrison scrunches his face. Tom might be pissed off at her and he'd love to say he doesn't feel bad, but god, his heart aches watching her take a beating. She never falls but she's getting her ass handed to her and it's killing him. In fact, Tom wonders if not texting her back, not going to her and asking her side of the story, is part of it.

SJ takes another hard hit to the face and Tom winces once, looking away this time. He hesitates to look back and when he does, SJ is on the floor of the ring, spitting out blood. Her opponent doesn't let her rest either. He's on her in seconds but luck happens to be SJ's side this round. The bell rings, signaling the end of that round. Tom sucks in a sharp breath looking to Harrison who looks just as worried as him. But, Arthur, Arthur has the smuggest look Tom has ever seen. It's almost enough to make Tom get up and punch him in the face right then and there. It's disgusting. They're watching SJ get pummeled and he likes it.

Tom scoffs and gets up, Arthur's hand flying to grab Tom's arm, yanking him back. "Where do you think you're going?" Arthur demands.

"The toilet. Not allowed to take a piss by myself, now?" Tom snarks, Harrison having to look away to conceal his smile of pride.

Arthur glares at Tom, grip tightening on him. "Watch your mouth." Arthur says through gritted teeth.

Tom yanks his arm free. "Yeah." Tom replies curtly before exiting the room.

"What's wrong with him?" Arthur looks to Harrison.

"You'd have to ask him." Harrison quips, turning his attention to the ring where SJ is standing in the corner with Mikey.

SJ's head is throbbing. Her ribs ache and she feels like someone attacked her entire face with a hammer. It all hurts and at this point, she wants to give up. She can't but she wants to. Her mouth is bleeding and she can't tell if it's just because her opponent burst a blood vessel or if she's missing a tooth or maybe bit her tongue. Her nose is bleeding and her sports bra and a good portion of her chest have small streaks of blood.

"Hey, what's up?" Mikey whispers.

"He pivots." SJ mutters, holding the rag to her nose before taking a drink of water.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Mikey raged. "You're paying attention to how he fucking moves and not the fucking fight. SJ." Mikey is almost visibly shaking from pure rage.

"No," SJ says flatly. "He punched the shit out of me so I paid attention then. Now, I gotta get up and win." SJ pushes the bloodied rag and water bottle to Mikey before moving to the center of the ring.

She gets into position with her opponent as the bell for the second round starts. Mikey turns to glance at Matty in utter confusion and disbelief but Matty just shrugs, just as confused as Mikey. Of all things, SJ doesn't just lay down. She gets up and up and up. She has to be knocked out and beaten to a bloody pulp before she stops kicking. But, she rolled over and let this guy continue the beating. Mikey and Matty want to burst, combust watching it and the only thing they can do is hope she pulls these next two rounds out.

And she does.

Her first came back and with a final punch, she knocked her opponent off his feet and was on him quicker than he could even process what was going on. She won. Her arm was raised, declaring her the winner and her eyes fell on Tom who was finally making his way back to his seat. Her heart ached like she'd be stung by a thousand bees with the sight of him. Disheveled hair and not his usual mess, his hair was disheveled from the constant running of a worried hand through his hair. But his brows were knitted together, mouth in a tight line showing his distaste. Her stare moves to Harrison who just gives her a gentle nod, one of reassurance.

Tom inhales sharply watching her leave the ring and his head goes back, eyes closed in relief. He couldn't watch her take a beating for another round or two. It meant he didn't get to watch her win but that's a lot better than the latter. But she's won so he can go right back to being pissed off at her. He doesn't have to worry now. He can be angry, upset, betrayed, and heartbroken. She's not his responsibility to worry about. That's on her friends.

"SJ, look at me." Matty says, pulling her hand away from her nose back in the room where she got ready. "What happened out there?"

"It's nothing." SJ mutters, holding a blood-drenched rag in her hand while Matty looks over her face.

A sad sigh leaves his lips as he goes to his first aid kit. "Can you give us a minute?" Matty looks to Mikey.

Mikey shakes his head, arms crossed. "Why?"

Matty narrows his eyes, darting them between SJ and him, silently hinting that he's going to get SJ to talk. Mikey groans but agrees without another word. The door shuts behind him, leaving Matty and SJ to themselves. Matty cracks the ice pack and hands it to SJ while he works on getting some gauze for her nose.

"Okay, you wanna tell me now?"

"Not really." SJ mumbles, eyes closing with exhaustion. Matty taps her hand so she'd open her eyes. His blue eyes are sad like a lonely ocean in the coldest winter. "Tom hates me now."

"What?" Matty asks with a huff.

"I told Harrison to tell him about the date and everything."

Matty nods, giving her the 'yikes' expression. "Not talking to you now?"

"Nope." SJ says before leaning over the small garbage can and spitting blood into the bin. "Looked pretty pissed when I saw him, too."

"Okay," Matty says. "And how would you feel if he had went on a date with me to get inside of your head?"

"Well, I'd probably punch him in the face which makes him a better person than me." SJ chuckles.

"Yeah, exactly." Matty says. "So, oh well. He'll get over it. He left after you get your ass kicked the first round." Matty informs her. "I wasn't watching much but I saw him and he couldn't watch you get hurt. So, I'm just saying, trying talking to him." Matty reasons and SJ goes to counter but Matty doesn't let her. "I know that's foreign for you and you don't have to tell him your shit, but just tell him point blank, man. He'll get over it."

"How do you know?" SJ winces as Matty presses around her eye to make sure nothing seems broken.

"Because you like him enough that you give a shit that he's not talking to you. And I like him. I think he's good." Matty side smiles, moving his touch to her other eye.

"Thanks, Matty."

"It's what I do." Matty smirks. "I think you're good. I mean, you're gonna have some gross bruises and shit, but I think you're okay." Matty assures before looking to her side. "Does this hurt though?" Matty pokes her side and SJ hisses in pain, moving away from him.

"Yes, yes it does." SJ snapped

"I had to check." Matty defends with his hands in front of him.

SJ pulls the barley bloodied gauze from her nose to see it's finally stopped bleeding. "You could have...asked."

"You might've lied." Matty mocks.

"You suck." SJ groans, taking the ice pack and moving it to her ribs.

"Says the one who looks like they were hit by a bus." Matty reaches for SJ's bag, pulling out a hoodie and sweatpants for he.

"You wanna look like this?" SJ retorts, taking the clothing from him after tossing the gauze into the garbage can.

"I'm good." Matty laughs, cleaning up the things from his first aid kit.

SJ allows silence to fill the room after tossing the sweats on over her clothes and watches Matty clean up. She lets his words sink in and tries to accept them. Matty is probably right. Harrison will talk to Tom more and Tom will eventually hear SJ out. But, it still eats at her because she knew what she was doing was wrong but she did it anyway. She went along with it too long and hid it. Secrets don't make friends. They cause hurricanes.

Matty helps SJ to her feet and the two exit the room. Her arm crosses her stomach, holding the ice pack in place. Mikey stares at her and he feels bad but there's a sense of pride. She gets her ass handed to her but she walks out with Matty with her head high. She's incredibly resilient.

The three of them make their way to the center of the basement, to their usual spots where they watch the fight. Tom might be pissed at her and she might want to just go home, but she's going to see how he does because she cares. Tom is in the center of the ring and his eyes meet hers. His mouth is taut just like it was before and his eyes hold anger. It's no surprise but SJ hopes that it will help him. Maybe him being pissed off at her will actually get him to win. That was Arthur's idea. Get Tom pissed and he'll win.

If only that were the case.

Just like with SJ's first round, Tom is layed out. He takes hit after hit after hit until the ref finally calls the round. SJ can see his chest visibly heaving with every breath but there's a fired glint in his eyes. They're different, sure, but not as different as they like to think. He's not going to roll over either and he's going to turn back around and lay out this guy as if Tom never took a hit.

SJ watches him take the ring for the second round and his back is to her. She gets a new view of the burns she can see clearly despite the flimsy lighting and distance between them. They're still red and inflamed, a little better than they were the other day, but still bad. A lump jumps to her throat and she finds herself looking to her worn shoes, not wanting to watch. But, she's not the only one who notices the burns.

"SJ." Mikey's voice is stern. SJ meets his eyes, biting her cheek. "Burns, aren't they?" He asks. SJ nods in response, moving her eyes to watch the fight.

"Fuck." Matty mutters.

"You knew?" Mikey asks, sounding almost offended she didn't say anything.

"Mhm." She hums watching Tom win the second round.

Matty and Mikey exchange worried glances but they don't say anything. What are they supposed to say? They know what Arthur did to SJ and there were no words that could ease that. So, what are they supposed to say to her when someone she cares about, who isn't talking to her currently, has burns from the same person? They know she's freaked and that's part of why she's putting so much pressure on herself. But, it's more than that. No one deserves to be burned so they're sad for Tom. The two of them find themselves empathizing with him. It's just painful.

Tom wins the final round making him the winner of the match. SJ gives him a soft smile when he looks to her but he just glares before looking away. He looks to Arthur who was glancing between the two of them. Tom might have won but by the red tint to Arthur's face, one would think Tom just lost everything. To Arthur, it can't be some coincidence that both Tom and SJ do terrible in their first round. Tom is pissed beyond belief, being snarky, glaring at SJ who looks like a kicked puppy. Arthur needs to know why they're acting like this and what they've told each other.

Arthur gets up and watches SJ head for the exit. He makes the decision to quickly approach Tom and Harrison, telling them to meet him outside when they're done gathering their things and before Tom and Harrison had a chance to respond, Arthur was walking away from them, leaving them both a bit scared for what awaited them outside.

Arthur leaves through the same exit SJ had left and spots her outside the building, checking her phone while Mikey and Matty chatted. He didn't hesitate to walk up to the group of three. SJ, Mikey, and Matty looked to him as he approached, all them showing the same expression of confusion.

"Can I have a word with Witter?" Arthur asks but his tone expresses that it's a demand.

"Nah," Mikey chortles. "You can fuck right off."

"Witter." Arthur looks to SJ and she sighs.

"Five minutes." SJ shrugs, handing Matty the ice pack.

"Rocket, c'mon-"

"You heard her. Give us five minutes, Yeun." There's a sinister grin tugging at Arthur's mouth, satisfied it didn't take any convincing to get SJ to talk to him.

"C'mon, we'll go back inside while we wait for the Uber." Matty jerks his head towards the door, urging Mikey to let them be.

"We shouldn't leave them alone." Mikey mutters below his breath as they walk away.

"That's why we're going to find Tom and Harrison." Matty concludes, opening the door for them.

The second they disappear into the building, Arthur's hands go to the collar of SJ's hoodie, slamming her against the brick wall of the club. Her head smacks the brick and a tingling sensation throbs through her neck and the back of her head. Her eyes shut and she yells out in pain.

"What did you tell him?" Arthur's fists ball more fabric into his fist with the hard words.

"What the fuck, man?" SJ yells, her hands trying to pry Arthur's off of her. "I'm getting so tired of people pushing against fucking walls."

"What did you tell him?" Arthur demands louder this time and her pushing against harder against the wall.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" SJ yells back, pain radiating through her body.

"Don't play stupid." Arthur snaps, pulling SJ towards him and then slamming her against the wall again.

"Stop! You fucking jackass!" SJ tugs at his fingers but his fists stay locked on the fabric.

"What. Did. You. Tell. Him." There's venom in Arthur's eyes but SJ doesn't falter.

"I have no fucking idea what the hell you're fucking talkin' about. You're literally paranoid as hell! Let me the fuck go!" SJ pushes against him, arms straining and flexing.

"Do you not learn?" Arthur sneers, pulling her up so only her toes brush against the pavement.

"I don't know what fuck you're even talking about!" SJ's hands go back to Arthur's trying to pry his grip from her again.

"Tell me what you told him or I'll make sure he won't be able to move for the next month."

SJ isn't stupid. She knows full and well he's talking about Tom. So that comment, that comment threatening Tom's well-being, it should make her pause. Catch her off guard and frighten her but it doesn't. Her face remains hard and pissed, bruised and beaten but full of fight and spite.

"Who the hell are you talkin' about?" SJ snaps back.

"Who do you think?" Arthur rolls his eyes.

"Tom?" SJ asks, playing up his name as a genuine guess.

"Yes, who else?" Arthur sneers.

"Could have been anyone if we're being fucking honest." SJ quips. "What the fuck would I tell him and why the fuck would I tell him shit? He ain't even talkin' to me."

Arthur isn't buying it. "Last chance, Witter."

SJ can tell by his tone and the stone cold expression that he's serious. He's going to go in on her if she doesn't talk but that's the thing, she hasn't told him anything. Harrison did. She isn't lying, technically.

"I haven't told him a fucking thing! Maybe he's just tired of your sadistic ass!"

Arthur pulls her back and slams her against the wall again, this time her head hits so hard, everything starts spinning and her vision blurs for a few seconds. Her eyes widen as she blinks, trying to regain herself and ignore the pain radiating through the back of her head. But, before she can, Arthur pulls his fist back and SJ's eyes slam shut, her head turning to the side and bracing for impact. The impact was going to be enough to knock her out, that she knew for sure. Arthur has a hard hit and he doesn't miss. It's all or nothing with him. But, the impact never comes.

"Get the fuck off of her before I bloody up your damn suit." Mikey's got a hold of Arthur's arm and fist while Tom is prying Arthur's grip from the collar of SJ's hoodie.

She lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding with the sight of the two of them. Tom frees her and her legs give out. Tom's quick to catch her and hold her up. There's fear and worry written across his face, similar to the other night in the pouring rain but, there's still a hardness to his expression. SJ's heart thumps in her throat as she stares at him and Tom's does the same, aching and wanting to scream for a thousand reasons but the two don't yell.

"You alright?" Tom whispers as Harrison is helping Mikey move Arthur further away.

"Always." SJ mutters.

Tom licks his lips, a cut splitting his bottom one. He shakes his head and looks to Matty who's standing to the side and watching everything unravel, knowing he can't help with Arthur and wanting SJ and Tom to have a minute. Tom can't be here anymore and if he doesn't get to Harrison, Harrison's likely to lose his cool. So he pushes his concern aside despite his gut telling him to tell her to tell him the truth. He's picked up on her 'always' routine and he's livid, of course he is, but he could let it go for a few minutes to make sure she's really okay. He could but there's Arthur.

"Okay." Tom says, jerking his head and signaling Matty to take over.

SJ's heart sinks as Matty comes over and helps SJ sit on the ground. Tom lets them be, walking away and not looking back. Tom grabs Harrison away from Arthur and Mikey backs off as well. Arthur goes to straighten his suit, a satisfied grin coming to his face as he looks to Tom.

"Thank you for pulling these animals off of me." Arthur says but his voice is contradicting to his statement.

Tom's jaw is squared as he narrows his eyes in disgust. "Just don't want them to be arrested for assault." Tom mutters, eyes locked with Arthur's, every care he's ever given completely gone.

Mikey and Harrison look to Tom, eyes wide and shocked by his statement.

"Excuse me?" A dumbfounded expression crosses Arthur's face.

"I'd punch you my fuckin' self if I weren't so damn tired."

He hates that he cares so much for SJ right now but he does. He cares about her even after finding out she's lied and used his best friend. Tom's issues with her are just that, his issues and as far as Tom knows and cares, Arthur can deal with him. Leaving SJ out of it. Tom will take whatever Arthur wants to dish out if it'll keep him away from SJ.

"Let's go." Arthur walks up to Tom, grabbing him by the hood of his hoodie and pulling him with him, Harrison moving quickly to follow them, demanding Arthur let Tom go.

They walk around the building where Arthur already has a car waiting for them. Arthur is fueled with fury and rage while Tom is fueled with the same but he's got that extra bit of heartache and physical pain to add to his lack of caring.

"Get in the car." Arthur opens the door, his grip still tight on Tom's hood.

Harrison looks at the both of them and crosses his arms in protest. "Fuck no."

"Get in the fucking car." Arthur's teeth are clenched but Harrison looks like he's going to swing at any moment.

"Get in the car, Haz. It's fine." Tom says, agitation seeping into this words. Harrison goes to protest but Tom cuts him off. "It's fine."

Harrison sends a final glare to Arthur before getting in the car. The doors lock the second Arthur slams the door shut. He releases Tom and towers over him but Tom just stands toe-to-toe with him. What's he gonna do? Hit him?

"You don't disrespect me like that." Arthur warns with a finger pointing out.

"Leave 'er alone." Tom responds.

Arthur laughs in Tom's face. "Why do you suddenly assume you have a say in the matter?"

Tom's expression doesn't change and it just fires Arthur up more. Tom stays flat and ready for whatever Arthur is going to throw at him, just like SJ. Resilient.

"Fuck off and leave her the fuck alone." Tom's words are threatening, giving Arthur a taste of his own medicine which he doesn't appreciate.

Arthur's hand comes back and he slaps Tom across the face. Harrison witnesses it in the car and tries to unlock the door but there's no unlock button in the back. He just struggles with the door while Tom looks back at Arthur, stinging cheek turning a bright red.

"Keep running your mouth, Holland." Arthur taunts. "You lose tomorrow, you're all mine." That gets Tom to dodge his stare. Arthur's smile is sinister as he's pleased with how Tom backs down the second losing is mentioned. "Now, get in the car and my driver will take you home."

Tom shakes his head, opening the car door. He sends Harrison a warning stare, silently telling him to stay quiet. It's for the best. At least, for now.