It was the Monday after the bonfire and I was heading to my last lecture of the day.

After we finished roasting marshmallows on Saturday, I helped walk Vic back to his dorm. Even though he needed to use both hands to work the crutches properly, Vic kept one hand intertwined with mine the entire walk home.

I helped Vic get comfortable in his bed, making sure he kept that leg elevated and set up the heating pad. From his half-seated, half-lying position, Vic leaned forward and kissed the top of my hand gently before I left.

At one point during the night it had gotten so cold out, it was in fact a November evening. Vic peeled his tie-dye hoodie from his body and gave it to me.

I was currently wearing that same hoodie as I took a seat in my English Lit class, I hadn't taken it off since Saturday. I kept the hood on, breathing in Vic's deliciously comforting scent of sandalwood and chocolate. I smiled to myself and opened my notebook to a fresh page, waiting for the professor to arrive.

Part of me thought Vic was going to try and kiss me that night. I think he would've if I didn't freak out the way I did earlier, when he tried to touch my arm in his dorm.

This whole time I was so quick to believe that Vic had no interest in me whatsoever. But after Saturday, the way he acted towards me when he pulled me into his lap, friends didn't do things like that.

I liked Vic. A lot. And now it was becoming clearer that maybe Vic really did like me too.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out to see Vic's name flash across the screen.

Vic: "Hi sunshine, I miss you."

I blushed at the screen as I typed my response.

Kellin: "I miss you more."

Vic: "I'm excited to see you tonight at the cheerleader party."

Kellin: "You're the only reason why I'm going. And to keep an eye on Jack."

Vic: "Hey, we haven't had a game in awhile and I miss seeing how cute you look in that uniform."

Kellin: "Oh god I forgot we have to wear those tonight."

Vic: "I didn't :)"

Vic: "I'd say I'll save all my dances for you but I can't exactly bust a move since I busted my foot."

Kellin: "We can still dance. We can sway. I'll hold you up."

Vic: "Deal. Mike's bothering me to start our band practice. I have to go, I'll see you later, sunshine :)"

Kellin: "Make sure you keep that foot elevated! :)"

Vic: "Anything for you"

I bit my lip and grinned to myself, putting my phone back into my pocket. Even a text conversation with Vic had the ability to leave me breathless in all the best ways.

More students were now starting piling into the classroom when I heard a bunch of guys being really loud. I looked up from my notebook and my heart stopped. It felt like my stomach was in my throat and it was squeezing out every breath.

My eyes locked with Alan's who was standing in the doorway with his friends.

I tried to block out all thoughts of Alan, and what it would be like to see him again from my mind. For the past week and a half I had done an excellent job of that. I skipped this class last Monday and with everything happening with Vic over the weekend, I completely forgot he was in English Lit with me.

Being drugged that night, in my mind, Alan was just a black figure, a shadow looming in front of me. My brain couldn't connect who he really was, with the person who had tried to ra... I couldn't even bring myself to think that word.

But now, seeing him right in front of me, everything about that night came flooding right back.

The person who tried to hurt me wasn't a faceless, nameless, scary figure.

He was a boy. From the outside, a normal looking boy. Just like me. He was real.

A boy named Alan.

With fiery red hair and an overly friendly looking face.

Eyes that were dark and hollow. Sinister eyes.

I didn't notice those eyes before.

I don't know why I expected him to cower, to keep his eyes from mine, to be embarrassed, to be scared.

But he was none of those things.

He smiled at me.

I immediately looked back down at my notebook. I felt my hand grip the pencil tightly, almost breaking it, as I tried to copy down the assignment on the syllabus.

My eyes flicked to the corner of the table I was sitting at, a hand ran down it slowly and menacingly.

"Hi, Kellin." I heard that voice say.

My thoughts instantly snapped back to that night.

"You have no idea how badly I want you, Kellin."

It all rushed back to me. The memories I tried so hard to make disappear.

Alan's hands on my waist, keeping me pressed roughly against the brick wall. His hot breath on my neck. His weight on top of me. His hands undoing the button. The one tug it took for him to rip my pants down.

I shot up in my seat, knocking my notebook off the table. I hurriedly grabbed my things, stuffing them into my backpack before running from the classroom.

I ran through the campus, my sneakers smacking against the cobblestone. I couldn't even feel my legs as I sprinted through the campus. All I knew was to get as far away as possible, and as quickly as possible.

I ran up the stairs to the dorm building two at a time, racing down the hallway before barreling through my door. I threw myself on the bed, pulling the hoodie up on Vic's sweatshirt before I draped my blanket over my head.

I'm safe. I'm okay. I'm in my locked dorm room. I'm safe.

My mind raced back and forth as I tried to push his face from my thoughts. I couldn't shake that sinister look, those evil eyes, that venom voice. How was I going to get through this? How was I supposed to forget him when he went to this school? Seeing him was unpredictable. Even if I dropped that class, I could still see him on campus, in the dining hall.

"Uh... you okay Kellin?" Jack's voice chirped.

Shit. I didn't even notice Jack was in the room.

I pulled my blanket from my head and looked over at him. Jack was staring at me with a quizzical look on his face.

"Oh Jack, hi. What's up?" I asked, trying to switch the attention from me.

Jack arched an eyebrow, "Why did you come sprinting into the room and go hide under your bed?"

"Uh...I was trying to time myself to see how fast I could run from the English building, back to our dorm." I rattled out, hoping Jack would buy my terrible lie.

Jack stared at me for a few seconds while I held my breath.

"Dude. That's a GENIUS idea. How'd you do?" He asked, no sign of skepticism on his face at all.

"Uh it was about a minute twenty." I answered.

"Damn that's fast. I'll take you up on that challenge, though." Jack replied, smiling at me.

"For sure man." I nodded, getting out of my bed.

"Anyways, I'm glad you're here. We have to get changed and head over to the girls dorm soon." Jack chirped.

I knew I wasn't mentally okay to go and be social after what happened today. But I also knew that the team would be upset if I didn't show. And Vic. I had to go for Vic.

I trudged over to my closet and pulled out my uniform, running my fingers along the sparkly rhinestones. I finished changing just as I heard a knock on our door. I opened it, revealing Alex dressed in his soccer uniform.

"Hey Kellin! Ready for tonight?" Alex asked, practically skipping over to Jack.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I mumbled, running a brush through my matted hair.

When I turned around, Jack was pouring out two shots of whiskey. I'm normally not much of a drinker but when I saw that amber liquid, an idea popped into my head.

"Pour me one too." I heard myself say as I strutted over to Jack.

"Seriously? You don't usually drink." Jack asked.

"I'm feeling it tonight." I shrugged.

"Alrighty Kellin! Let's do this!" Jack exclaimed, handing me a shot glass.

"To a winning season!" Alex chimed, knocking his glass against mine and Jacks.

"To a winning season!" Jack and I said in unison before downing the liquid.

The whiskey stung my throat, coating it with a warm residue. The second I swallowed and licked my lips I felt a little giddy, but still the same amount of anxiety coursed through me.

"Another." I heard myself say.

"You heard the man!" Alex reached up to high five me as Jack poured us all another round.

I tilted my head back much quicker this time as I gulped the whiskey. I felt a tingle shoot throughout my body; my head seemed to feel lighter than it had before. My thoughts jumbled up and I felt calmer. Much better. The nerves were starting to slip from my skin as I followed Jack and Alex to the girls dorm.

The cheerleaders floor was on the top, and it was already packed when we arrived. Their set-up was much fancier than when the soccer team threw parties. The girls had a bunch of multicolored lights in every corner of the common room.

As the music played the lights changed, flashing red, green, blue, purple, and pink. They even went so far as to hang up a huge disco ball in the center of the dance floor.

My eyes instantly started scanning for Vic when I heard a voice calling my name.

"Kellin! Jack! Over here!" Camille squeaked, emerging from the crowd as she frantically waved at us."

"Duty calls." Jack said as he planted a kiss on Alex's cheek before grabbing my arm, pulling me towards Camille and Amanda.

We walked over to our cheer captains who were standing near the drink table with the rest of the squad.

"Here, drink these." Camille said as she thrusted two clear plastic cups towards Jack and I.

I sniffed the bright green liquid and raised my eyebrow.

"Uh..what is it?" I questioned.

"It's a lemon lime spritzer! Basically just Sprite and vodka, but we dyed it green to match the school's colors! Cool right?" Camille answered.

"Absolutely!" Jack exclaimed as he touched his cup to mine.

I looked down at the drink before sipping it. I couldn't taste much alcohol in it at all. This wouldn't do. I didn't want to drink to enjoy the beverage, I needed to drink to forget. I chugged the overly fruity liquid quickly, tossing it into a nearby trash can.

"Delish, but hey Jack? We should take another shot." I said.

"Another? Dude, you're going wild tonight. Maybe you should slow down a bit, you don't normally drink this much. Especially not this soon." Jack said gently.

I knew Jack was just trying to look out for me, but I was usually the one looking out for him. I knew, rationally, that he was being a good friend. But right now I didn't want a good friend. I wanted, needed, to take another shot. But I didn't want Jack to catch on, so I gave in. For now.

"You're right. Let's go find the guys." I said, walking away from the drink table.

"Oh you mean Vic?" Jack asked, grinning.

"Shush." I waved him off and turned the corner, nearly crashing into Vic.

Vic quickly reacted and grabbed my waist. I felt myself jerk back a bit at the sudden touch, quickly reminding myself this was Vic. Vic.

"Whoa there! Guy on crutches over here!" Vic chuckled, before removing his hand from my waist and steading himself on his crutches.

"I-I'm sorry. You know I'm clumsy. Y-you look hot tonight, I mean good tonight. You look good tonight." I said nervously. The combination of alcohol and my usual awkwardness wasn't helping me here.

"Nah I liked the first one. Hot. Thank you. You.. are ravishing as always." Vic responded cheekily.

I smiled as I looked into Vic's eyes, feeling instantly safer just being next to him. Unfortunately that was all about to change when my peripheral vision caught a glance of that hair. That red hair dashed behind Vic. My heart stopped.

I think Vic noticed my silence because his face softened and he started to turn around to follow my eyes.

I quickly interrupted him, "Do you want a drink?" I asked, desperately wanting to get back to where the alcohol was.

"Sure, a Coke please." Vic responded.

"Coming right up!" I answered as I turned quickly and headed to the drink table.

I grabbed Vic a can of Coke as my eyes landed on a big glass bottle of Rum. I poured myself two shots and tossed them back immediately. I cracked open a second can of Coke for myself, dumping half of it in the garbage can and filled it back up with rum.

I started to feel lightheaded and my legs wobbled a little as I walked back over to Vic. But I couldn't even remember why I had been so scared a few moments ago.

"O-one coke for Vic!" I said a little too loud as I handed Vic the can of soda.

He looked at me skeptically before taking a sip.

"Are you alright?" Vic asked.

"Perfect! Do you want to dance?" I asked, my words slurring a bit but not enough for Vic to question it. The music was so loud, it was hard for everyone to hear each other properly. I chugged the rest of my soda and rum, tossing it away.

"I thought you'd never ask." Vic said with a smile, taking my hand in his as he hobbled us onto the dance floor.

Vic had to stand pretty still on his crutches, but he still snaked one arm around my waist. I placed my arms loosely around his neck as we both swayed our hips to the music.

"You're so pretty V-Vic. D-did you know that?" I slurred, moving my head back and forth.

"Kellin? Are you drunk?" Vic questioned.

"Nnnnnoppe." I heard myself respond.

Vic leaned in closer and sniffed me.

"Kellin, I can smell the alcohol all over you." Vic's voice softened, he sounded concerned.

I couldn't even feel my mouth as I opened it to speak when someone bumped into me, sending me crashing to the floor.

"Ooops! Sorry, beautiful."

Alan.

Vic was quick to bend down to try and help me off the ground when Jack ran over to us. Jack squatted down and pulled me up since it was hard for Vic to. Jack looked at me with concern as he put one of my arms around his shoulders, keeping me standing.

My head swirled, my vision wasn't great and I could feel myself about to pass out any minute.

When I got up, I looked over to Vic. He looked absolutely furious. It was as if a switch turned on inside him.

"You! Stay the FUCK away from Kellin!" Vic screamed at Alan.

"Dudeeee relax." Alan slurred.

"Relax?! Don't fucking tell me to relax you fucking piece of shit. Do I need to fucking kill you for you to understand to NEVER speak to or go near him again?!" Vic yelled.

Suddenly Jaime, Tony, Alex, and Mike were at our sides.

"Vic, you ok? Is this guy bothering you?" Jaime asked, his hands alreading balling into fists.

"No. I'm not okay. This prick needs to get it through his skull, that he needs to stay away from Kellin." Vic shot back.

"I don't know why you're getting so worked up o-ver that whore." Alan said.

In an instant, Vic threw his crutches to the ground as he swung his right arm, connecting with Alan's face.

Alan stumbled a bit before catching Vic off guard and punching him back. Vic's balance wasn't great since he only had one good leg to stand on, so even though he tried to duck from the blow, Alan's fist hit Vic's cheek.

That didn't stop Vic.

He lunged at Alan, wrapping his hand around Alan's throat, pushing him forcefully against the nearest wall.

"Whoa whoa whoa Vic, calm down now okay?" Jaime yelled over the commotion, as he put his hand on Vic's shoulder.

Vic dropped his hand from Alan's neck.

"If you go near him again, you'll wish I had killed you the first time." Vic snapped before turning around and walking back over to the group.

"You'll answer to all of us if you bother Kellin again." Jaime added, glaring at Alan before following Vic over to us.

"Jaime, can you help me get Kellin home?" Vic asked.

"Of course bro." Jaime nodded.

"No it's okay, I'll help you take Kellin home." Jack chimed in.

"Alright, can you pick him up?" Vic asked, nodded towards me.

"Uh....maybe Jaime should come too." Jack answered sheepishly.

I felt Jaime gently move my arm from Jack's shoulder before he scooped me up. He put one of his arms under my legs, the other under my back, holding me.

Jaime followed Jack from the building, walking slowly so Vic could keep up with us. I felt Vic stroking my face gently as my eyes fluttered shut. I couldn't keep them open but I could hear what they were saying.

"Oh Kellin..." Vic's voice sounded strained.

"Jack? Did you know Kellin was drinking tonight?" Vic whispered.

"Yeah...he took two shots with Alex and me before we got to the party. Then he asked to take more shots but I told him he should take it easy. I should've watched him better." Jack answered, he sounded guilty.

"It's not your fault, don't beat yourself up over this." Vic said.

"He doesn't normally drink at all. I don't know why he wanted to today." Jack replied.

"Me either..." Vic trailed off, his fingers still lightly rubbing the side of my face.

"What the fuck is the deal with that douche third stringer, Alan?" Jaime chimed in.

"He....he....he hurt Kellin." Vic answered after a long silence.

"WHAT?!" "HOW?!" Jack and Jaime asked at the same time.

"It's not my place to tell you. It's Kellin's. But that guy needs to go." Vic said, disgust dripping from his tongue.

"I'll kill him. No one hurts my best friend." Jack snapped.

"Yeah, I'll fuck that bitch up." Jaime added.

"Thanks for having my back tonight." Vic said.

We arrived at mine and Jack's room. Jaime placed me gently in bed as Vic pulled the blanket up over me, tucking me in tightly.

Vic collapsed in the beanbag chair as he laid his crutches down on the ground. His eyes caught sight of his sweatshirt draped next to my pillow as he kept his gaze on me.

"Do you mind if I crash here tonight? I want to be here in case Kellin wakes up in the middle of the night." I heard Vic ask Jack.

"Dude of course you can." Jack answered.

"Thanks." I heard Vic say.

"Looks like Jaime's staying too." Jack replied, as the sound of a snoring Jaime filled my ears.

I heard Vic chuckle a bit before silence filled the room.

I was just about to let the exhaustion take over when I heard Jack's voice.

"You really like him, huh?" He asked.

"I like him with every fibre of my being. I can't let him get hurt again. I just can't. H-he means so much to me." I heard Vic answer.

I didn't hear anything else as the alcohol took over and I slipped into sleep.

_______ Author's Note ________

PLEASE VOTE :)

How're you feeling after this chapter?

This was a hard one.

ARE WE LOVING VIC OR WHAT?!

-Cassidy :)