A good kick to the groin. That's exactly what the doctor ordered for Jacob Miller, and I was more than eager to hand out his medicine.

Anger replaced all of the fear and discomfort I was feeling. How dare he? What gave him the right to corner me like some weak prey he thought he could pounce on. That he seemed to think he was entitled to because once upon a time I had actually liked this boy, or at least the person he used to be. Red, hot, boiling anger.

I clutched his shirt tightly in my fists to get some balance for my kick.

Jake must have misinterpreted that movement, suddenly giving a victorious grin and leaning forwards as if he was about to kiss me.

Ew. In your dreams, you perv.

With all the strength I could muster in the lack of space I had pressed against the cabinet, I pulled my leg back and slammed my knee straight into his crotch.

A shrill wail left his lips as he bent and I used that chance to push him until his ass ended up on the ground, hands pressing against his groin.

Wasting no time, I circled him and them turned so that I was facing him as I backed away.

"What the fuck, you bitch," he wheezed out, his voice still angry but slightly overshadowed by the pain.

I made a clicking sound with my tongue and shook my head. "You weren't listening. No, means no, Jake, you douche canoe."

He glared up at me before slowly getting up. I moved back further, eyeing the boxes of equipment. If he tried something again, I was going to smash a glass beaker over his head.

After he was up, he just stood in place, his chest moving up and down rapidly.

"I don't like you. I might have liked you once, a long time ago, and after this that's definitely going to become one of my high school regrets," I said again, and felt grateful at how calm and cold my voice sounded even though I felt my body vibrating with all the adrenaline.

Jake blinked a few times, as if he was actually processing the words coming out of her mouth for the first time in the past several minutes. Then he ran a hand down his face and let out a dry laugh.

"What you'll end up regreting is dating Noah. You have no idea who he really is. Honestly, Sky, what do you even know about him, huh?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. "Sure, he has the girls at this school fooled with his nice, mysterious guy routine. But I know the truth. I know his secrets. I know how rotten that family of his has always been."

My chest tightened, a little seed of doubt sprouting in my mind. The way he said that, it was clear there were stuff he knew. The kind of things that I might have jumped at the opportunity to learn more about up until recently. But, not now, not anymore, and definitely not after what he'd just done.

"That's rich coming from you. First you assault a girl and then you call someone else rotten," I said and snorted. "You might not have a lot going for you Jake, but you're definitely not running out of audacity."

"I never said I was perfect." Jake almost growled like a stray animal, and he sure matched that look with the way his face was red and his eyes wild. "But pretty boy isn't perfect either. He's an actor, a liar, someone that tricks and uses others, destroys them when he'd done, and watches the wreckage as it sinks. He's the worst kind of asshole."

A chill ran down my spine at how eerily familiar those words sounded. The sort of self-assured conviction stirred by some unknown, and probably baseless, belief that Noah was a bad guy.

It was exactly the kind of thing I'd been thinking when I decided to ask him out. Hearing it come out of Jake's mouth, when he looked so much over the edge, made me painfully aware of just how bad my behavior had been. How villanous.

I swallowed hard, and tried pushing down the dark feeling of self-disgust. What made that even harder was the fact that this had made my severe anger over Jake lessen by a minimal degree.

In a way, I could understand his misguided thinking, so maybe I could help him. He hadn't always been like this, I was sure of that. I wouldn't have liked him otherwise.

"Jake, you're wrong. I understand you might truly believe that but Noah isn't like that." Taking the smallest step forward, I tried to bring some warmth to my voice. "There's nothing fake about him. If you just gave him a real chance and got to actually know him, you'd see that–"

Jake let out a disgusted sound and looked at me with raised eyebrows. "You're under his spell too, just like the rest of them. I thought you were different. I thought you were smarter."

Well, I guess we were going back to feeling no sympathy for him again.

"Do you want to know?" Jake added, almost frantic now. "Do you want to know the secrets he hides? I'll tell you. Maybe that will open your eyes."

My eyes widened and I took a deep breath. The most shocking part was how easily the answer came, without even a second of hesitation.

"No, I don't want to know. If Noah wants me to know, he'll tell me himself."

Jake seemed taken aback by that, eyes narrowing as if he couldn't believe that. Just as it seemed like he was going to say something, I heard the door rattle as someone pulled on it.

"Skyler?"

My whole body warmed at the sound of the familiar voice. "In here, Noah!"

The door started jiggling again and I moved toward it, hoping that if he pushed while I pulled we could get it free.

"Sky, wait a second," Jake yelled, and I heard his quick footsteps behind me.

The sound of the rattling door behind me went quiet, as if Noah had stopped trying to open it. I didn't even have time to call out for him before Jake reached me and grabbed my arm.

"Don't trust him, don't trust anything he says," Jake said and squeezed my hand a little too tight for comfort.

"Let go of me, Jake," I said roughly, and yanked my arm out of his hold.

In that moment, there was a loud crash against the door. And then another, before the door came flying open, the top half almost torn off the hinges.

Noah almost fell on his face as he stumbled into the room, eyes frantically searching the space. Jake made a move to grab my hand again and in the blink of an eye Noah was standing between us.

"Don't fucking touch her, Jacob," Noah said, His hand reached out and he tried to gently push me behind him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Y-You broke the door," I stammered, looking back in shock at the

"I don't care. I'll pay for it," Noah said, his eyes firmly set on Jake. His body was tense, eyes full of rage.

"You mean daddy will pay for it," Jake snarled.

"Shut the fuck up," Noah took a step toward him and I grabbed his arm, afraid of this escalating. I had never seem him angry before and honestly it was a bit frightening. "What did you do to her?"

Jake snorted, which based on the fact he started physically shaking, served to just enrage Noah further.

"We were just talking a little bit, that's all, right Sky?" Jake said, his tone mocking.

I wasn't about to dignify that with a response. He knew what he'd done went way beyond talking, and I knew that if I told Noah that now, Jake was going to get exactly what he seemed to want – Noah punching him.

"Let's just go, Noah." I said, and tugged on his arm. He looked down at me and his eyes softened before he let out a sigh and nodded.

I started pulling him back and probably would have succeeded if Jake hadn't kept running his dumb mouth.

"Oh yeah, we had a nice talk, Sky and I. Told her all about how the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Something in Noah seemed to snap, and he turned around. He pulled out of my grasp and stormed toward Jake who stood in place like a statue, a sick grin on his face.

Noah grabbed him by the collar and yanked him up. Jake just laughed and put his hands over Noah's.

"Do it. Prove me right," Jake hissed and I could see Noah struggle with his restraint. "Do it, you asshole!"

I rushed toward him before he could rise to the bait and do something I was sure he'd regret later. My hands reached out and wrapped around his biceps.

"Let him go," I said, voice slightly shaking as I squeezed his arm. "Don't. He's not worth it, Noah."

His breath seemed to even out a bit and he loosened his hold on Jake's shirt. A second later he let it go completely, arms falling limp by his side. Noah turned abruptly and took a few steps forward, running his hand through his hair and breathing deeply.

I followed after him, feeling guilt for being the catalyst of whatever had been happening between the two.

"Are you okay?" I asked him and he just shook his head.

"What are you doing here with him, in a locked classroom?" Noah turned to me and whispered. Even though his tone was quiet there was a hint of accusation that I didn't like.

"Well, I clearly didn't plan to be locked in with him. He needed help carrying the equipment," I said and nodded my head in the direction of the plastic boxes.

Noah stared at the boxes, a frown marring his face. "And no one else could've helped?"

The disbelief was clear in his tone and considering that was basically the first question I had asked as well, it's not like I could really fault him for that.

"Apparently not," I said and sighed. Clearly, I already regretted agreeing to help. I guess it was true – no good deed goes unpunished.

Noah still seemed on edge, gaze drifting from the floor, to me, and then to Jake. He was still battling whatever demons Jake had awoken in him.

"Can we just go? Please?" I said again, and gently took his hand into mine, hoping he wouldn't pull away.

His eyes focused on our hands now, and his breathing slowed. Encouraged by that, I entwined our fingers and gave his hand a little squeeze. A moment later, Noah let out a sigh and squeezed me back, before he started making his way toward the door.

"I think you can carry the stuff yourself, Jake," I said, as we passed by the boxes on the desk and manoeuvred through the broken door.

"Remember what I told you, Sky," Jake yelled after me and Noah's grip on my hand instantly tightened.

His steps were too large and too quick for me to follow as he pulled me along the empty hallway. I stumbled as I tried to keep up, his tight grip making balancing that much harder.

"Noah, you're gonna stop the blood flow in my hand," I mumbled.

Noah stopped so suddenly that I almost slammed into him. I could tell he was still angry by his posture and when he turned to face me, it was clear to see in his eyes as well.

"What is it with you and Jacob? Why is he suddenly always around you?" Noah asked, his voice rough.

"I'd like to know that as well." I mumbled but the intensity of his gaze on me didn't lessen and I knew that wasn't answer enough for him. "We went to debate club together, and we were... friends. But, I hadn't spoken to him in months until recently."

"You're gonna stay away from him." Noah said instantly, not asking – demanding.

Even though, personally after the experience today, staying away from Jake was definitely on agenda, I didn't like the way he'd said that. As if I had to listen to him – as if he was entitled to it.

A dark feeling stirred inside of me, prompted by all of Jake's earlier venom. As much as I didn't want to believe anything he'd said, a small part of me still had doubt that Noah was sincere and that small part had jumped at those accusations earlier.

"Noah, you can't tell me who I can or can't be friends with. That's my decision." I said, trying to keep my voice level. I needed him to understand that when I kept my distance from Jake it would be because it was my decision, not because he'd told me to.

"Are you serious? You want to be friends with that psycho?" Noah asked, his voice incredulous.

He let go of my hands instantly as if it had suddenly burned him.The way he stared at me, as if he was severely disappointed, made my chest hurt. A lot more than I would have expected.

"I didn't say that." I clenched my hands together, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. "I just don't like being told what to do."

"Oh, so that's a problem, huh. But being locked into a room by a guy you consider a friend who constantly tried to pick a fight with me, that's fine."

My eyes went wide and he let out a short, dry laugh. "Yeah, that door wasn't stuck, it was locked."

Of course. I should have known. In the back of my mind, I probably had been aware that it was highly unlikely the door would have just randomly gotten stuck. Not to mention that Jake was behind me when we went in, so he definitely had sufficient time to close and lock the door behind him. The anger I had been previously feeling rose up again, knowing I had been so naive.

"You seriously need to reassess the people you call friends. Makes me doubt the rest of the people you surround yourself with," Noah said, disgust clear in his tone.

That made the anger in me boil. It was one thing to look down on me, but looking down on my friends? That was a big no-no for me. I was tired, and emotionally drained and I didn't need this argument on top of everything else, so I took it out on the one person I shouldn't have.

"What do you even care, Noah? You'll only be with me for another week anyway." As soon as the words were out, I regretted them. Even before I saw his face crumple.

Noah took a large step back, staring at me as if I had just slapped him. "Was that your point with this, to just have some fun dating me for two weeks?" His voice broke, disappointment and anger mixing in his eyes.

I looked away from him, unable to bear the weight of those emotions.

"Isn't that your point? Since you've been doing this all along when you don't even believe in love," I said, my voice small and weak as I looked back up at him.

Why was I saying this? Why now?

My timing couldn't have been worse. I knew that, but the words just came out. And in a sense, I knew why.

Because I wanted him to tell me I was wrong.

Because suddenly, I wanted to be wrong about that.

Because suddenly, I didn't want to have just two weeks with Noah Archer.

But, Noah didn't do that. He just shook his head, disappointment more than clear in his expression.

"You don't understand anything," he said, his tone full of ice and daggers.

Then he turned around and walked away.

For the rest of the day, I still saw him. I didn't hear his voice, and there was no sound of his laughter, but I still found him in the crowd. I still saw him pushing his food around his plate during lunch time.

But he never once met my eyes.

I was seeking, but he was hiding. Ignoring.

Melissa had known something was wrong and while I could tell she wanted to know what had happened, she knew I needed space. So she spent the rest of the day talking, about anything and everything.

And when she dropped me off at home after school, she gave me a tight hug. The kind that had your eyes tear up, and made you want to break down and cry.

"Just call me if you want to talk, okay?" she said, and I nodded, grateful I had people like her and Lily in my life.

Once I got home, I collapsed on my bed, on the verge of tears. Tears of anger, and frustration, and guilt, and sadness. I felt overwhelmed by everything that had happened not just today, but all the days before. It was a torrent of different emotions, my mind being torn into different directions, my preconceived notions of people breaking apart.

The guy I had liked for years, turned into the kind of guy I hate.

The guy I had hated, was turning into a guy I could have potentially liked.

And where did that leave me?

An incoming text message buzzed and I grabbed my phone. My heart started hammering in my chest when I saw who the message was from. Noah.

But, when I read the message, my heart instantly dropped.

We need to talk. I'll come pick you up at 6.

Sighing, I buried my face into my pillow and screamed.

I should have expected this, after all, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

I was going to be the first girl in the history of dating Noah Archer to get broken up with after only one week. 

Helloooo you lovely persoooon you! ❤️

I said it wouldn't be a long wait and it wasn't I hope! But I know this is also a kind of cliffhanger so.... I'm sorry??? I don't know what to tell you, this chapter was over 3k words and this was the natural ending. These chapters just happen to end very dramatically. 

Is it me? Am I the drama? I don't think I'm the drama... Maybe I am. Am I the villain? I don't think I'm the villain...

Heh, anyway, I am sorry, but heeeey, aren't you glad these dramatic chapters are happening now that I'm actually updating regularly rather than when my sorry self updated like once a month. 💀💀💀

I have a pretty busy rest of the week but I will TRY to get a chapter written on Sunday. No promises though so if that doesn't happen, Monday I'm looking at youuu. 

Anyhoooot, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CHAPTER?

It was a lot. Noah became even more of an enigma if that was possible. 😂 

I've been waiting for these chapters to come since the book started, y'all don't even know how much more stuff is coming at ya. (No more bad scenes though I promise. Maybe some sad scenes though...)

Loveee you all, stay strong, stay safe! ❤️