-A month later-

Lauren's POV

I played with the charm on my necklace that I got for my birthday few weeks ago as I was watching people walk in and out of the busy studying hall. I was sitting alone, Luke had a soccer practice and Skylar was hanging out with Matty. I kinda miss Kenzie but after everything she has done, I refuse to talk to her. I still haven't asked Luke properly about their mysterious story.

"Hi, can I have a seat?" A voice said and I turned my head to the side, I was surprised to see Madison. I mean we are kind of friends but we don't normally sit together.

"Yeah," She smiled and sat in front of me putting her expensive leather handbag on her lap and her phone on the table. "How are you?"

"I'm alright, I'm counting the days until graduation." She agreed giggling fiddling with her fingers, I knew she has something to say but she's trying to come up the best way to speak. So, I decided to shorten the way and ask her by myself. "Maddie, do you want to tell me something?"

"How did you know?" She questioned and I laughed responding. "Well, you don't normally come and sit with me and you never asked how I've been."

"I believe we're friends now, so don't be surprised. But, yeah I have something to tell you."

"See, I know you way too well." She giggled again before adding more seriously, "Seriously, I want you to know that I'm the one who called the cops on Ashton and Jacob." I remember her saying something like this when they got arrested but now it's confirmed, But, I'm still so surprised. If I could think about someone who could call the cops on Ash or Jay, she would be the last one on the list. They used to be really good friends, especially her and Jacob. They used to date back in Sophomore year. I was curious to know why.

"Why would you do that, I mean, they are your friends." She shrugged leaning back on the chair looking at me. "All the horrible games were planned in front of me, at first I didn't know who you really are, I assumed that you wanted to take part of our gang by sticking to Luke and Ashton but as I grew to know you, I admired how you responded to my horrific acts, even, Ashley's and the guys. You were so brave and confident and as days passed, I hated to see you suffer from Ashton's dirty games, plus I'm a girl after all, I know what you were going through. I still love Jacob but Ashton brainwashed him to hook up with Kenzie to forget about me. Ashton massacred all three of us, you, me and Kenzie, but mostly you, but you had so much luck and potential to do not fall in his traps, you drove him crazy." I was overwhelmed with everything she was telling me.

"I had to do something to stop all of this crazy fiasco. Kenzie lost you and Michael, I lost Jacob and you lost Kenzie and practically Luke but luckily, everything is back to normal. I was thinking about a good revenge that will leave him tongue-tied, hands-tied and feet-tied. Calling the cops on him was the best option, plus I found them trying to arrest Dave, the big gangsta. So, bingo, I helped them by arresting Jacob and Ashton, the tiny dealers who will lead them to Dave."

"This is overwhelming Madison." I said once she finished. "I'm so relieved right now. I don't give a shit about Jacob, he lost me by listening to Ashton and we all are good. I just hope that you sort things out with Kenzie."

"She lied to me. She knew about everything and let me sink in his dirty games." She nodded pressing her lips together but responded soon after. "She lied because she didn't have a choice. Ashton is like a fucking demon." She nodded but soon excused herself to join her cousin and their friends, I decided to go sit on the bleachers and watch the guys practice, it's better than sitting here alone like a loser.

I was walking through the empty hallways, usually the building who leads to the field is always so silent and there's barely someone here, but I was hearing echoes, it's like people are speaking so loud or they are screaming. I hurried looking around trying to find where's this noise coming from, but as I was walking further, the noise got louder.

"Why don't you want to give us what we want? Or you only open your legs for drug dealers because they can pay you better?" I stopped dead on my tracks when I heard what it was just said, but I was even more surprised when another voice spoke.

"The only prostitute is your mother, you fucking asshole! Don't you dare touch me, or I swear to God," It was Kenzie, "Or what babe? And you better shut that pretty mouth of yours and quit the insults."

"Or else what? You're still a freaking horny asshole who thinks that with his money he can buy everything. These guys are my friends and you're just fucking trash to me, go away before I throw up in your face. You're disgusting." I finally saw who it was, definitely Kenzie and some other guy from Junior year, he really looks like a Senior that's why he uses it against Senior girls. He's one of the rich guys who wants to follow Ashton and Calum's path. He's an asshole wannabe.

I gasped when he grabbed a fist of her hair gluing her to the wall and I was thinking about stopping him from doing anything worse. She was screaming trying to push him but he was way more built than her and she won't be able to do anything.

"How much money do you need? A thousand dollars? Two? or maybe ten is enough?" He hissed, his face so close to her, then Kenzie spit on his face. I was still standing few feet far, keeping my distance. I was still discussing whether I should defend her or leave. But, I couldn't leave her, I'm human after all and I can't stand seeing this disgusting brat abuse her because of some mistakes she has done. In fact, I sprinted when he slapped her grabbing a fist of her hair. She was sobbing so loud, asking for help.

I immediately grabbed him from his hoodie and I surprised him with a punch right in the eye and Kenzie quickly kicked him right in his ankle. He was groaning holding his feet, his eyes closed. Even though he was taller than both of us, well not that much for Kenzie but still. We managed to knock him down. I kicked him in the knees, he fell down crying out of pain and Kenzie finally kicked him again in his back before spitting on him.

"Don't even approach me again, you fucking asshole. Two girls knocked you down, what a man!" She said before grabbing her bag, giving him another kick. "Let's go before he gets up!" I ordered grabbing her arm to hurry and leave this hall before he tries to fight us back.

We made it to the field and we stopped to catch our breath, she fixed her mussed hair before looking at me with a smile. "I can't thank you enough Lauren, if it weren't you, he would have raped me without any pity."

"I know, that's why I helped you. I can't let any guy on this planet abuse any girl, even if she's one of my enemies. I didn't help you because you're my friend." I spoke proving a point and she pressed her lips together and I can tell she was on the verge of crying.

"Tell me what can I do to apologize. Stop treating me this way Lauren, I know that what I did is unforgivable but give me a chance to apologize." I looked at her with so much hatred, I don't know why I can't forget about everything like I did with Madison, Calum, Michael and Ashley. Maybe because they weren't my friends, they didn't know me, they don't practically live in my house, they don't know every single secret inside my family, they don't know every single thing about me. Kenzie is so much different and finding out that she betrayed me like them made me feel so much anger and madness towards her. I really wanna forgive her but I can't, I'm still so sensitive.

"Kenzie, it's over." I finally responded but she immediately argued back, few tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why are you speaking to Madison and Calum?! Are they more important? Weren't they part of that too?"

"Madison and Calum aren't my best friends. They aren't part of my family, they don't know me. I don't tell them any of my secrets. They don't come over every single day like it's their second house. You and them are so much different, that's why, what you did is unforgivable. Plus, who said that I'm suddenly so okay with what they did. My only friends in this school are Luke and Skylar, full stop." I don't know if what I did is really bad and full of indignation, I was just speaking naturally because I had so much stuffed inside and I'm really okay with keeping Luke and Skylar as my only friends. At least, they are real ones.

"As you like Lauren but I want you to know that you've always been my sister and nobody compares to you. I tried to protect you but I was scared of Ashton. You know what he's capable of and you saw what he did to both Luke and you. Anyway, I'll always gonna be here for you and what you did just few minutes ago, is amazing. Thank you again." She wiped the tears under her eyes then, turned on her heels to leave to the opposite side. When her back was facing me, I couldn't help but let out the tears I've been holding all throughout the argument. I ran to the bleachers sitting on the wooden seats, covering my face with my hands as I sobbed.

"Hey babe! Are you okay? What happened?" I lifted my head up to meet Luke's eyes who were full of concern. He sat beside me bringing me to his chest as he stroked my hair. "Please, did anyone bother you?"

"No, I had an argument with Kenzie and it just hurts so much because she used to be the biggest part in my life. I hate that everything is different now and I don't know how I'm gonna get used to it." I cried wrapping my arms around his waist, he cupped my face wiping off my cheeks. "You still can't get over what she did." I nodded taking a deep breath looking at the now empty field. "Tell me what can I do, Luke."

"Kiss me and forget about the world." He joked but I glared at him standing up crossing my arms over my chest traveling my gaze to the horizon. "So funny Luke. My mind is burning right now and I'm so lost. I can't focus fully on my grades and shit and you're joking. Of course, you don't give a shit."

"Me? I don't give a shit about you?"He argued, "I ditched my gym class which is so important for the upcoming game for you and you tell me I don't give a shit.."

"I didn't ask you to ditch your freaking gym class for me." I snapped glaring at him again, he stood up towering over me and I immediately turned around, my back facing him. "I told you plenty of times, don't take out your anger on people who are trying to help you, because you'll find yourself left alone and don't come cry complaining afterwards."

"Okay fantastic Luke." I clapped sarcastically and he glared at me before storming off. "Fuck this!" I yelled angrily grabbing my bag running after him. I ran down the stairs following him to the changing room. "Luke wait!" I called.

"Lauren, don't talk to me." He slammed the door of the changing room and I pushed it open but I quickly regretted it when I faced all the shirtless soccer players and there were some with towels wrapped around their hips. Several whistles were echoing in the room and some of them were checking me out cockily. A slight blush covered my cheeks as I was looking at them shyly.

"What are you doing here? Are you crazy?" Luke hissed grabbing my arm, "Don't ignore me next time." I responded with a challenging look on my face. He pushed me out of the room and we stood up in the hallway facing one another.

"Don't ever do that again." He warned, "Why? Are you jealous?"

"What do you want? I told you, leave me alone." I crossed my arms over my chest smiling, "Okay, then I'll go have fun with the guys right there." I was about to go back inside but he grabbed my arm again.

"I'm sorry okay, don't go there." I smiled and he wrapped his arms around me leaving a kiss under my ear. "I love you Lauren, I swear, everything is gonna be okay."

"Me too Luke and I hope so."