The next few days passed by in a wonderful blur. To my surprise, not much had changed since Vic and I became an official couple.

Our relationship was filled with so many intense experiences up to this point, that we already were very close. I was the most comfortable I had ever been in my entire life with him.

Vic still walked me to and from classes.He still sat with me in the dining hall. He still texted me every day. The only difference now, was that our kisses had nearly doubled, and we both weren't as shy about it as we previously had been.

Vic didn't let go of my hand whenever we were together. I found myself longing for his touch when I laid awake in bed at night. I know how cheesy I sound, but my head is far too high up in the clouds to care.

No one on the campus seemed to care either. I mean yeah, a bunch of the older girls stared at us with jealousy whenever we would pass, but no one said anything derogatory.

I think some people were just envious that Vic Fuentes, star soccer player and campus dreamboat, was taken. And taken by clumsy, dorky, and nobody, Kellin Quinn.

Oh and the amount of playful teasing from our friends quadrupled. Jack was ecstatic when I told him that Vic and I were a couple. He had this predicated since day one, when he drew that sketch of Vic and I. That day in the dining hall seemed like it was a million years away, when in reality it was only two months ago.

(A/N: reposting the drawing Asking4AHorizon did for a little trip down this story's memory lane)

So much had happened since then.

Vic had told me that Jaime and Tony couldn't shut up about the news. He claimed that Jaime's reaction was screaming "Finally! Kellic is real!" in front of the entire locker room after one of their soccer practices.

I didn't know what to make of the silly pet name he had given our relationship. I think Vic liked it though, by the way his cheeks always flushed whenever someone would tease us with it.

Everything was finally going right in my life for once.

I was pushing the heavy glass door of the Music building forward, finishing my last class of the day when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Vic: I'm running a little late. I have to talk to my professor about one of my papers. Is it ok if I meet you at the dining hall, darling?

Kellin: Of course, no problem :) Also, what did I say about you calling me darling?

Vic: Um.....you said to keep doing it?

Kellin: I feel like I'm going into cardiac arrest every time you say it

Vic: So I shouldn't keep saying it?

Kellin: No silly, you SHOULD keep saying it :P

I smiled to myself as I headed across campus towards the dining hall. Seriously, every time Vic called me darling my heart basically stopped. This wasn't anything new, he had been sprinkling it into conversation practically since we met. But it still stopped me in my tracks every time.

I still couldn't actually believe that a word that lovely, muttered from a face that beautiful, could be about me.

My feet crunched on top of the snow with each step. Even though it had been a few days since the big storm, it was still freezing here so the snow didn't melt much.

The wind was whipping fast so I kept my head down to avoid it from hitting my face. I concentrated on the footsteps in the snow, trying not to think about how cold it was.

I saw a bunch of sneaker and boot prints that obviously were from other students and faculty. My favorite were the little feet marks from birds, spread out along the sidewalk before veering off into the grass. I also spotted some paw prints as well, most likely from families that lived nearby who had dogs.

I liked the dog prints the best because sometimes they'd stop abruptly. Then start up again a few steps away. Or there would be a bunch of them going around in a circle or a huge messy clump. I enjoyed imagining that the dog maybe saw a squirrel or a cat and got distracted, causing the erratic print patterns.

The sun had long gone down as it was nearing five thirty. Most of the campus population would be braving the cold for dinner soon.

I turned a corner and started climbing the wide concrete steps that led to the dining hall. Falling into step with the other students, I rushed towards the double doors, sighing in relief as the warmth hit my face.

I didn't have to venture far into the room until I heard my name being called very loudly. I glanced in the direction of the sound and saw Jack standing up on the booth, jumping up and down and waving his arms.

I waved back and felt my cheeks heat up a bit. You'd think I'd be used to the public attention by now, especially with Jack as my best friend. I maneuvered through the sea of tables and chattering students, towards my friends.

I watched as Jaime and Jack exchanged a high five from across the table. Alex was smiling sheepishly as he tried to yank Jack down. Tony was scribbling in his notebook and Jenna taped away on her phone.

These were my friends. My goofy, sweet, hilarious, loyal, friends.

I was a mere five feet from my table. I was so close to safety when a body whizzed past, almost colliding into me. I was caught off guard and stumbled back a little, quick to steady myself.

My eyes instantly connected with Jack who looked furious. Jaime was already out of his seat, ready to climb over the table.

Confused, I turned towards the culprit who was already walking away from me.

It was him.

Alan.

My head felt woozy as my chest tightened. I was about to turn around and head back towards my table when he whipped his head around, as if he could feel my eyes on the back of his head.

He looked right at me and winked. He winked.

I felt sick to my stomach. My legs turned to mush. I really thought I was going to pass out right there, when I felt someone's hand land gently on my arm.

I flinched away instantly but immediately regretted it when I saw Jaime's kind eyes. His eyes held a mixture of sympathy for me and rage for him.

"I-I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Don't be sorry, Kellin. You're okay now. Everything is okay. Do you want to walk over to the table now?" Jaime asked gently.

I just nodded as he walked slowly with me until I was able to slide into the booth. My hands subconsciously gripped the seat cushion as I focused on my breathing. I felt myself calming down and lifted my head up to meet my friends' worried eyes.

"God that guy is a fucking prick." Jack said harshly.

"I can't believe he still has the nerve to mess with you." Jaime growled, his hands balled into fists.

"He winked at me..." I heard myself say.

"He's dead." Alex chimed in.

"Kells!" That familiar honey voice called out. I turned just in time to see Vic standing at the dining hall entrance, waiting for the employee to swipe his meal card. He was grinning at me, eyes sparkling.

"Guys, can you please not tell Vic what just happened?" I stammered out.

Jack raised his eyebrows, "Why not?"

I fumbled with the zipper on my backpack as my eyes darted across the table at my very confused friends.

"He worries about me all the time, it makes me feel terrible. He has so much guilt about that night and I don't want him to get more upset. Plus, I'm fine. I'm getting better at dealing with...this." I whispered.

I watched my friends looking back and forth at each other. I could tell they weren't entirely on board with my request.

"Seriously, this wasn't a big deal and I'm okay. Honest." I forced an overly enthusiastic fake smile and watched the unease slowly disappear from my friends faces.

"Fine. Just this once. But if that creature comes near you again, I'm telling Vic." Tony chimed in this time, concern and skepticism written all over his face.

I mouthed a thank you to the table and everyone went back to their previous conversations. It was just in time too because I felt Vic's warmth engulf me in a hug, as he slid into the booth next to me.

"Hi Darling, god I missed you." Vic murmured as he squeezed me against him.

I couldn't help but instantly forget what had just happened. Simply being in Vic's presence made everything better.

I giggled as I pulled back slightly to look at him. He was wearing a maroon hoodie that was peeking out from under his denim jacket. A black beanie was pulled down over his ears, little white snowflakes were littered all over the top. It must've started snowing. Vic's cheeks were rosy from the cold.

"You saw me like two hours ago." I smiled, rubbing my hands down his arms to warm him up as he slid out of his jacket. He pulled his beanie off, flicking his hair back and forth like a puppy drying off.

"Two hours is a long time to go without seeing you." Vic shrugged as if this was common knowledge. I didn't bother hiding my blushing cheeks as he pulled me up and onto his lap. He snaked his arms around my waist in order to hold me close.

"Well I missed you too." I spun around and pinched his rosy cheeks playfully.

"Oh now you admit it, huh?" Vic teased, squeezing my hips lightly.

I nodded as I turned back forward, placing my hand on his knee, "If I could spend every second with you I would."

"That can be arranged." Vic whispered against my ear.

Alex let out a loud squeal, "WHY ARE YOU TWO SO CUTE?! Jack? Why aren't you this cute with me?"

Alex pouted in Jack's direction, giving him puppy dog eyes. Jack rolled his eyes jokingly and puffed out his chest, "Because I'm too busy being your hunky hottie. But if you want cute, babe, I can give you cute."

Jack turned to Alex and started making kissing sounds, "Oh Alex, you're the apple of my eye, the bee to my knee, the wind to my plane..."

Alex suddenly grabbed Jack's shirt and pulled him close, planting a kiss right on his lips to quiet him. The entire table erupted in hooting and hollering at the make out session that was unfolding before us.

I felt Vic's lips press against the back of my neck. His lips vibrated slightly on my skin as he laughed along with everyone else. My stomach was full of butterflies at this gesture. The tiniest touch from Vic could completely destroy me in the best ways possible.

"Alright you two, get a room and move over eh?" Oli's thick accent called out as he appeared at the edge of the table. To my surprise Josh Franceschi was right at his side.

I heard rumblings from Jack that Oli's date went extremely well. I felt awful that I wasn't present the last few days to gush over it with him. But Oli knew what had happened to me, and he knew that Vic and I were together.

He knew that I had a lot on my plate and he didn't judge me for it. Oli was another true friend. I silently made a promise to myself to make a better effort of reaching out to Oli. I made a plan to ask him if he wanted to have a sleepover with Jack, Jenna, and I soon so I could hear all the mushy details.

Oli plopped down across from me and Josh was quick to pull him into his lap, just like how I was sitting with Vic. I watched a grin spread onto Oli's face for a moment as he repositioned himself on Josh's lap. Oli's usual calm and cool demeanor quickly replaced the goofy grin.

I couldn't help but smile at how happy Oli seemed. Even if he was trying to play it off. I knew exactly how he was feeling, I felt it every second Vic and I were together.

"Hi Kells. Vic." Oli nodded in our direction.

"Hey Oli, who's your friend?" I asked cheekily and watched face blush.

Oli turned his head to look at Josh, "Everyone, this is Josh. Josh, this is everyone. My super nosy friends." Oli muttered the last part.

Josh was quick to reach across the table and shake all of our hands.

"Hello, I recognize some of you from that day at the soccer field, when Oli asked me out for the first time. And I already know Jaime, Tony, and Vic, we're all juniors." Josh spoke with a similar accent to Oli's.

"'Sup man!" Jaime reached over and gave Josh a fist bump.

"So, who was the one to convince him to ask me out in the first place?" Josh asked as he nudged Oli playfully.

"That would be me. And it took a lot of encouraging pep talks." I grinned as Oli shot me a wide eyed look.

"It did not!" Oli flicked his straw wrapper at me as the table erupted into

laughter again.

The conversation and teasing continued on for the remainder of our dinner time until it became 7:00. Jack and I had cheerleading practice while Vic, Tony, and Jaime had soccer practice. The only good part about tonight was that we were able to convince Oli, with the help of Josh, to join the squad with us.

Josh was also on the soccer team and thought Oli would have fun cheering with us. The only part that Oli seemed interested in was when we told him how much Alex and Vic liked us in the uniforms.

We convinced him, when Josh went to the bathroom, that Josh would probably think he was cute in it as well. Plus, it would be fun to spend more time with each other.

Vic and I walked hand in hand towards the gym and soccer stadium. Since it was freezing outside and still lightly snowing, our practices were going to be indoors. The soccer team had a special indoor practice area, whereas the cheerleading squad just practiced in the regular campus gym.

"Do you want to spend the night at my room after practice? I need to get you to watch The Office finally, I still can't believe you've never seen it." I heard Vic ask.

We came to a stop outside of the soccer team's practice space, standing next to the doorway. I couldn't help myself as my eyes subconsciously looked past Vic as members of the team started arriving. I didn't want to run into him again.

"Are you okay?" Vic's concerned voice pulled me from my daze as I snapped my eyes back on his.

"Yeah of course." I answered quickly but even I could tell that I wasn't very convincing.

"Kells?" Vic pressed, raising one of his eyebrows as the look on his face immediately changed to one of worry.

I reached up and wrapped my arms loosely around his neck, pushing out a better convincing smile, "I'm totally fine, I promise. I'm just a little tired and not really looking forward to exerting physical activity." I forced a laugh.

"But to answer your question, there is nothing I'd like more than to come cuddle with you and watch The Office." I answered, watching Vic's face change to nothing but smiles.

He suddenly spun me around, letting his hands hover gently on top of my hips. I leaned up on my toes slightly as he connected his lips with mine.

"I'll wait outside of the locker room for you after practice." I sighed dreamily against Vic's lips.

"Mhm, only ninety more minutes." Vic pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.

"Now only eighty nine..."

"Come on lover boy! McKinnon is going to be pissed if we're late." Jaime popped up out of nowhere, grabbing Vic by his hoodie as he pulled him reluctantly into the gym.

"Only eighty eighty minutes now!" I called after Vic who blew me a kiss as Jaime dragged him around the corner and out of sight.

\\\\\\\\\\

It was now an hour and a half later and practice was over. I practically skipped out of the gym as I headed towards the soccer locker room. I was incredibly sweaty and wanted to sit outside in the fresh air. The feeling of the cold wind on my skin was extremely soothing. I enjoyed looking up at the sky, watching the snowflakes flutter to earth in the warm glow of the campus streetlights.

I plopped down on one of the benches littered outside of the locker room, leaning against the brick wall behind me. A bunch of guys started filtering out of the buildings: some in groups chatting loudly and play wrestling, while others walked out alone.

My gaze was up at the sky when a shadow blocked the glow from the streetlight. I looked at the person in front of me and felt my stomach drop to the floor.

"Hey Kellin. You're looking wonderful this evening." The voice of pure evil oozed out of the figure in front of me.

"Leave me alone." I heard myself mumble. I knew I should stand up and go into the locker room to find Vic, but I couldn't move my legs.

"Oh I will. I just came by to let you know that, if you had plans to tell anyone about what didn't happen between us, it would be better for you if you didn't." Alan spoke again. The literal sound of his voice made me sick.

"Y-you...you tried to r...you hurt me." I choked out, unable to finish that word. That one word. I couldn't even bring myself to think of that word.

Alan scoffed, "I didn't do anything. We were making out and then Vic came and assaulted me. If anything, he would be the one getting in trouble."

I felt my protective instincts swoop in at the mention of Vic's name, "Vic was protecting me. He was protecting me from you. You a-assaulted me. You're a terrible person."

Alan started laughing. He actually started laughing.

"You crack me up Kellin. Like I was saying, no one is going to believe a thing you say anyways, so there really isn't a point. Bye, Kellin." Alan turned on his heel and walked away.

The second he was out of view, I let out a huge breath I had been holding in. I instantly pulled my knees up to my chest and started rocking back and forth, trying to calm myself down.

The tears were quick to spring to my eyes as I choked out a sob. I heard the locker room door open suddenly as Vic's concerned voice called out.

"Kells?! Oh my god Kellin, are you alright?!" Vic was immediately by my side on the bench. I collapsed against him and he was quick to wrap his strong arms around me.

"A-alan...was here...h-he said that no one would b-believe me if I came forward about w-what happened..." I cried out.

"I'll kill him." Jaime growled and started looking in every direction for him. I watched Vic shoot Jaime a "not the time" glare as he shooed him away.

Vic scooped me up and headed towards the dorms, "Come on, let's get you out of the cold. You'll be safe back in my room."

Vic walked in silence, the only sounds coming from my muffled cries as I kept my head against his chest. I could feel his heart beating fast. I knew he was so much more upset than he was showing.

"V-Vic?" I whispered as I looked up at him.

Vic's gentle and warm eyes looked back at me as he brushed some of my hair from my face, "Yes darling?"

"I...I want to tell the Dean..."

Vic simply nodded in response, an encouraging small smile that held so much sympathy for me filled his face. He carried me through the dorm to his room where he set me down on the bed gently.

He was quick to toss me a pair of his sweatpants and a t-shirt. He knew that wearing his clothes made me feel the most comforted. He climbed into bed next to me and pulled me close to him, turning The Office on his TV.

"I will keep you safe. I promise you Kells. I swear to you that he won't bother you anymore. You will get justice and you will feel safe again." Vic whispered as I cried into his neck.

"Vic...you have no idea how much you mean to me." I spoke hoarsely as I clung to him.

"I think I do."

"How?"

"Because you mean the same to me."

That was the last thing I heard Vic say as exhaustion took over me. Right as I was about to fall into a deep sleep, I heard the soft muffling sound of crying. Although it wasn't my tears, it was Vic's.

__Author's Note__

WOW I can't believe it has almost been TWO MONTHS since I last updated this. I'm so happy that I'm finally feeling better and have my motivation and inspiration back.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Lot's of intense things happened, but the one good thing to come of this was Kellin being ready to tell someone about what happened to him. Remember, if anyone is struggling with similar things that happened to Kellin, there are resources out there. Please find a friend or family member, or anyone you trust to talk to. You're not alone.

Thanks everyone for sticking with this story, I can't wait to get back into writing. Stay safe!

-Cassidy :)