It was all finally over.

We had final exams coming up soon, but we still managed to have fun. Probably way too much fun for a bunch of teenagers who still had a lot of studying to do. All of us immediately headed out together, going to one of those adventure sports centers. We played laser tag, darts, did some ziplining, rock climbing and a bunch of other adrenaline filled stuff.

It was honestly one of the best weeks I've had in a long time. Our group was stronger than ever, which was now a little insane with three couples in it.

I was happy with Shawn too. Now that we'd worked out our differences, the amount that I loved him was honestly scary. It actually hurt when I wasn't with him.

The school was a buzz with the prom nearby though. I had no idea what I was going to do about college now, but I would probably have to go to one of my backups. Oh well.

Shawn and Megan had both managed to get into Stanford, which was absolutely amazing. Apparently, a recruiter at the game had come over to speak to Shawn afterwards, and he was in. My new friend Dean Allister had managed to get in too, which was surreal. I think they were like the only people in the entire school who were going to Stanford. Most were going to state schools, and there were the few impressive ivy leagues as well.

I was really happy for my friends, but couldn't help feel a twinge of sadness. Stanford had been my dream. I guess passing out at the match really ruined my chances. I just have to hope things work out, I suppose. Maybe a good state college.

I walked down the stairs to where my friends were creating chaos in the living room, smiling as I saw the scene before me.

"HEY ARE YOU BLIND? HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT SNIPER?"

"IT'S A HARD GAME TO PLAY OKAY? THIS CONTROLLER MAKES NO SENSE!"

"YOU MAKE NO SENSE!"

I rolled my eyes, laughing at Shawn and Ezra having an epic screaming battle over a game they were playing on the TV. Megan was filming the whole thing on her phone, while Tyler and Veronica were busy making mocktails in the kitchen. I sighed contently. Man, I love these crazy bastards.

The game ended with Shawn emerging victorious, which was quite the shocker to all of us. Megan took the controller from him as he turned towards me, a grin spreading across his face when he spotted me. "Hey."

"Hey." I replied, as he walked up to me, leaning with one arm up against the doorframe. I felt myself blush as he leaned it to kiss me, his other hand on my neck. "Missed you, Peirce."

I laughed. "I was gone for two minutes."

"Felt like forever."

"Aren't you guys just adorable." Veronica's voice interjected, as she handed us two colourful drinks. "Shut up, Ronnie." Shawn replied.

"What is it?" I asked, referring to my drink. "Just taste it, would you?" Veronica answered. I shrugged but followed suit, taking a sip out of the swirly straw. I raised my eyebrows, as I got the taste of raspberry and lemon, with a faint taste of peaches? But it was strangely good.

"Told ya." Veronica smirked, walking back to the kitchen. "Damn, she does make good drinks." Shawn stated impressively.

I nodded in agreement, my thoughts wandering yet again. Even though everything had worked out, I couldn't stop thinking about that infernal image. Who had sent it? I still didn't have a damn clue. Could have been any number of psychotic weirdoes. We get plenty of that around here.

Whoever it was, had nearly broken us. I didn't like the fact that something that didn't even turn out to be real, could inflict such damage on me. After that night on the roof, I swore I would never let it happen again. I never wanted to see that look in Shawn's eyes ever again.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. I can't stop picturing what his face looked like. So completely broken, with that lost, vacant look in his irises. Like, he truly believed he had nothing to live for. That he meant nothing to everyone and everybody. The toxic combination of cigarettes and alcohol wafting off him, dangerously teetering on that ledge, challenging death to face him. I shuddered.

"Hey." Shawn brought me back to reality, his hand on my shoulder. "You, okay?" He looked me right in the eye, cheerily uplifted with a trace of concern. No suicidal thoughts there. I smiled.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

"You two lovebirds getting your asses here or what? I still gotta crush Alex at Mario Kart!" Tyler yelled from the living room. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, keep dreaming Thompson!"

*************************************************

I walked back from English class with Shawn, two of us just laughing and talking about random stuff. After being reminded by Mr. Jones that our projects were due next week, we both suddenly remembered its existence.

We were acting like friends, since we decided we didn't want the entire freaking school to know about us yet. For now, it was nice to keep it a secret. I didn't think I wanted to share him with the world just yet.

We were just about to make our way towards the parking lot when Shawn stopped. "Crap, I left my geometry book back in class. You go ahead, I'll catch up."

"Okay." I walked down the steps, walking across the cement floor to my car when I froze. You've got to be kidding me.

Asher Jennings was standing right next to it, his arms folded and his hair over his eyes. He was wearing a hoodie with a leather jacket over it, with jeans and sneakers. Jeez, a little much for an approaching summer isn't it?

Sighing to myself, I walked up to him. "What do you want?"

"Well, hello to you too." He replied, his voice cheerier than I expected it to be. I took out my car keys from my bag, trying to act unbothered by him. I waited for him to speak again. He waved his hand in front of my face, his eyebrows raised. "Hello? I haven't seen you since the other day at the froyo place. And I heard you were in the hospital? I wanted to check if you were okay."

"Oh." I stopped, trying to figure out how to answer him. "I'm fine, Asher. But, thanks. You can go home now."

He stepped closer to me, leaning one of his hands against my car door to block my way. "That's it?" He asked again. I stared at him. "Yes. Now if you don't mind, I have somewhere to be."

I tried to walk around him but he stepped in front of me again. "Peirce, come on. I think you could give me more information than that. I was worried about you."

"Sure, you were."

A flash of anger passed across his eyes for a second, but he quickly concealed it. "Why would I lie? You don't have to be so cold to me."

Now I was starting to get angry. "Do you want me to hit you in the head again? Get the hell out of my way."

He didn't even bother trying to hide it this time, stepping toward me with a vile look on his face. He tried to grab me, but before he could, a blur of black ran out of nowhere, tackling Asher onto the car next to mine. I winced, as I heard the crunching of bone against metal.

Shawn stood over him, his hands fisted in Asher's jacket, holding him down by his shoulders. His face was drawn out in a snarl, as he looked down at him with pure loathing. "Something I could do for you, Jennings?"

Asher's eyes widened a little, clearly remembering what happened during their last confrontation. He almost looked still with fear, but he covered it up quite nicely. "Hunter. I was just checking up on her."

"Great. Now leave, before you make me do something I will not regret."

He let go of him, taking a step back to let him leave. His expression was menacing, as he waited to see what Asher would do. It almost seems like he wanted to fight him. Yikes.

Asher gave him one last withering look and then he faced me. "I thought after what happened at the froyo place you'd have changed Alex, but I guess not. Try to stop doing stupid things at parties, would you?" With that, he turned on his heels and left.

I let out a sigh of relief. "That was close. Thanks Hunter." I opened the car door, waiting for him to walk to the other side, but he didn't move. "Shawn? Getting kinda late."

He looked lost in thought, until he finally looked up. There was a distant look in his eye. "What happened at the froyo place Pierce?"

Well, fuck.

I hesitated, wondering if Shawn would take this the wrong way. Knowing him, he most definitely would. "It's the day of the party. When the photo got sent to me. I was working a shift at that time and Asher happened to walk in when I was um... having a meltdown? I suppose. It's nothing. He calmed me down a bit and drove me home. That's it."

He was silent for a full minute, while I stared at him anxiously. "You, okay?" I finally asked.

"Yeah. I just... hate whoever the fuck made that infernal photo."

The cheery look that was in his eyes a few minutes ago, was gone completely. Uh oh.

"Me too. It's okay, we're past that now. Let's go."

I gave him a smile, and he smiled back weakly. Then we got into my car and left. The ride back was silent, with the radio playing in the background. It wasn't an awkward silence, but more of a lost in thought one. I kept thinking too. This Asher seriously needs to learn to leave me the hell alone. Next time he shows up out of nowhere I'm definitely going to report him to the cops. That's just straight up harassment.

Then it hit me. What he said about not doing stupid things at parties. What did he mean by that? What if... he was the one who sent that photo? No freaking way.

Ugh... I really don't want to see that asshole's face ever again.