"He says he's not coming." I sighed, looking up from my phone to face my brother.

I knew the reason Liam didn't want to go to school, or leave his house for that matter, was because of what happened last night. Dozens of people had seen him in werewolf form, and it obviously caused people to begin mumbling. Stuff spread fast.

To make matters worse, Mason had informed us that Nolan had all but attacked Corey last night at the school, revealing his supernatural abilities to everyone in the library. I knew this wasn't good. When people were scared, they did irrational things.

So, I understood why Liam wanted to stay home, but I also knew that hiding from the world would only make things worse.

Scott looked toward me at the sound of my voice, looking away from where he'd been staring at Liam's house. "Stay here." he ordered, undoing his seatbelt.

I nodded, pressing my head back against the seat, "Tell him to hurry up!" I called after my brother as he made for the front door. "We're going to be late!"

Once Scott had disappeared into the house, I looked back down at my phone. Sadness, and anger alike, filled my body as I read through what people were saying on social media-one of the most toxic places ever. They weren't dropping any names, but I knew exactly who they were referring to.

I resisted the urge to comment something, letting out an angry sigh as I turned off my phone, shoving it into my pocket.

I wanted to protect Liam against what people were saying, but I truly didn't know how I could. People would always talk, it was just a matter of whether you listened or not.

I sat in the front of the Jeep for the next ten minutes, trying to figure out how I would handle any judgement passed Liam's way at school. I was only interrupted from my thoughts when doors opened, Liam and Scott both getting in.

I turned to give my boyfriend a warm smile, "It's going to be okay." I promised.

He nodded, doing up his seatbelt before looking at me. "I'm going to be Clark Kent."

---

Liam gripped on tighter to my hand as I reached to pull the front doors open. I gave him a small smile, "I'm right here." I promised.

He let out a low sigh, nodding as he stepped into the school. The minute his feet were passed the threshold, he was scanning the halls, looking for any sign of judgement. But not one student that passed even gave him a second look.

"Okay," Mason breathed, approaching us from down the hall, "Nothing so far. Maybe this won't be as bad as we thought."

Liam nodded, still not releasing his grip on my hand, "Maybe." he mumbled.

However, as we turned the next corner, people slowly began to turn around, each of their eyes landing on Liam before they turned back to their friends in whispers. People stared at him with disgust, fear, curiosity or all of the above.

Liam's hand tightened around mine as he noticed the stares...they were getting to him. I felt my blood begin to boil at the sight of kids we've gone to school with for years judging Liam for something he couldn't control.

Suddenly, I let my anger get the best of me. "Take a picture!" I yelled to one of the groups who had turned around to stare, "It'll last longer."

"Sydney!" Liam snapped, pulling me away from the group, "Don't draw anymore attention toward us."

I clenched my jaw as I looked back at them. As we stopped at Liam's locker, I let out a sad sigh, watching as he glanced around, listening to people's whispers.

"Just block them out." Mason advised, more to Liam, but I could tell the advice was also for me.

"They know." Liam whispered, beginning to open his locker.

"They're just rumours." Mason argued, "They don't know anything."

I nodded, leaning in to try and block Liam from stares, "Mason's right." I agreed, "How would anyone know."

Mine and Mason's pep talk was ruined as Corey joined us. "They know everything." he announced, "Two sophomores on the lacrosse team were there last night."

Mason shot Corey a look, "Yeah, but it was late, it was pitch black out and there was fog on the road."

Mason's attempts to calm Liam's worries were once again ruined by Corey. "It was a clear night. Full moon. At a well-lit intersection."

"Thanks Corey." I muttered, turning to look at him with a glare, "Real helpful."

Liam, who had been scanning the halls once again, turned to look at us. "I have to get out of here." He whispered.

"No." Mason argued, "If you leave, these rumours never stop. You gotta convince them that you're just a regular kid."

Liam let out a frustrated sigh, "But I'm not just a regular kid."

"Remember what Scott said?" Mason reminded, "Be Clark Kent!"

Liam leaned forward, "Clark Kent turns into a guy with a red and blue outfit and a cape." he exclaimed, "I turn into a monster with claws and fangs."

"Not a monster." I argued.

"Just try to get through the day without shifting." Corey advised.

"Look, Liam." Mason began, "People are saying Brett and Lori died in a car accident. We know the truth. They didn't just die."

I felt my heart pang at the thought of the two siblings. Someone had murdered them last night. They were just kids, and someone had killed them. I couldn't help but fear that the same fate was awaiting Liam, my brother and our friends.

---

It turned out my worries were somewhat validated by the end of the school day. The day had gone on with people continuing to marginalize Liam. First he was stripped of his lacrosse captain duty, and then was forced to work alone when no one in our biology class but Mason, Corey and I would let him work with them. However, what happened during my free period was worse than all of that, way worse.

I was in the library, trying to get some work done before the end of the day when Corey came flying in, his eyes ablaze.

I looked up, fear coursing through my veins at the look on his face. I had my books closed and were shoving them into my bag before he had even reached me.

"You have to come now." he panted, grabbing my bag for me. "It's Liam. They're in the biology classroom and they-"

I shot up from the table, not bothering to listen to what else he had to say before I was taking off through the school. I barged through the library doors and into the hallways, screaming at people to move out of my way as I rushed toward the classroom.

My heartbeat was pulsing in my ears as I picked up the pace. I was hopeful that Liam was just upset, and needed to talk to me, but deep down I felt that something else was going on. However, as I entered the classroom, I was horrified at what I saw.

A crowd had gathered by the door, and I was forced to push my way through, snapping at people to get out of my way. As I neared the front, my heart dropped into my stomach as a mangled sob flew from my lips.

There in front of me, were Gabe and Nolan, beating Liam to a pulp...trying to get him to shift.

"Stop!" I shrieked, now at the front of the crowd. Mason looked over to me from where he was being held back, his own eyes wide.

Gabe turned from Liam, his eyes wild, "Hold her back!" he snapped, which resulted in two juniors from the lacrosse team gripping onto me, preventing me from moving any further.

"Let me go!" I spat, trying to pull from their grasp.

Tears flooded my eyes as I looked around at all the kids watching this...they were enjoying it. My eyes met with someone, and I instantly recognized them. I stared back at her, remembering the girl who was once my best friend. I felt disgusted with Sophia as she looked on. We weren't friends anymore, but that didn't mean she had any right to stand there and watch my boyfriend get beaten.

I tore my angry eyes away from her, focusing them back on Gabe and Nolan who continued delivering punches and kicks to Liam's face and ribs. "Nolan!" I screamed, my voice booming through the room, "Stop!"

He ignored me, sending another punch into Liam's face. "Are you just going to let us do this to you?" he demanded.

When Liam didn't respond, Gabe hit him again, causing him to stumble over. I let out a sob, trying to push my way forward once again.

Nolan pulled him back up, taking Liam's face roughly into his hands."You know you can take us." he snapped, "All you have to do is change."

I tried to control my rapid breathing as Liam's eyes flew to me. I held his gaze, giving him a small nod, "Focus." I whispered, so quiet only he could hear, "Focus on my breathing."

Liam looked back to Nolan, not giving into them. Suddenly, he began repeating the montra he had used that day he almost killed us all on our way to Mexico.

"What?" Nolan spat, "What are you saying?"

Gabe pulled him away from Liam, "Who cares." he snapped, sending another punch to Liam's face.

The beating went on for another few minutes, and with each hit I felt myself feeling more and more nauseous. I felt useless, just standing there not being able to stop them. My throat had grown raw from screaming at Nolan and Gabe to stop, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Just as Liam was at his breaking point, Mrs. Finch pushed through the crowd, and I felt myself relax. She would stop this.

However, despite the fact that she clearly knew what was going on, she remained silent. Mason and I looked over to her with wide eyes. "Do something!" Mason demanded.

Mrs. Finch turned to look at us, nervously wringing her hands, "Sometimes it's better to just let them work it out."

I shook my head in disgust at the woman who was supposed to protect students not let them beat each other to a pulp.

Gabe and Nolan smiled at each other knowing they were able to continue, "Come on Liam, just change!" Nolan prodded as he hit Liam once again.

Liam let out a growl and for a moment I saw his eyes flash yellow. He was seconds away from shifting and I knew if he did it wouldn't be good.

"Liam." I said sternly, "Liam, look at me."

My bloodied boyfriend looked up at me and shook his head as if to tell me he couldn't do it much longer.

"Liam just-"

I was cut off as Gabe looked down at Liam with a smirk, "Fine." he spat, "If that won't make you change-" he paused, walking toward the crowd, "-Maybe this will."

I let out a gasp as he grabbed a hold of me, dragging me toward them. "If you don't change, I'm going to hurt her."

Liam's eyes flew up, anger flashing across them. "Don't touch her!" he growled. My eyes met his and I shook my head, trying to tell him not to shift, no matter what.

Gabe shoved me into the chalkboard, beckoning one of his accomplices over, "Hold her here." he ordered. The boy nodded, pressing his arm against my chest, holding me in place. I let out a choked gasp at the pressure.

Liam's breathing was getting heavier as he pushed himself up so he was on his knees. "Leave her out of this!" he demanded.

"Liam, I'm fine!" I promised, my voice coming out laboured from the grip the boy had on me.

"Get down!"Nolan spat, using his foot to drive Liam back onto the ground.

Tears were burning my eyes as I watched on. I was terrified that they weren't going to stop until Liam shifted, or until they beat him half to death, whichever came first.

"You don't have to do this!" I cried, "You're not proving anything!"

Gabe turned to me with angry eyes, "Shut up!" he screamed, causing me to flinch. He turned back to Liam, sending hit after hit into my boyfriend's face. My cheeks were wet with tears as I continued begging them to stop. "Come on Liam!" he yelled.

Just as it seemed they were going to knock Liam unconscious, an angry screamed ripped through the air. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!?" Coach came flying through the crowd, his eyes ablaze. He reached out, grabbing Gabe and yanking him off of Liam before grabbing onto Nolan. "Back off!" he screamed, "Get to the Principal's office! Now!" he spat, shoving them into the hallway.

He then turned to the crowd of onlookers, disgust on his face. "What the hell is this?" he demanded, "Get out!" he screamed, "All of you! I can't stand to look at your faces!"

The boy who had been holding me, instantly released his grip on me, scurrying out of the classroom with the rest of the pathetic people who had just let all of this happen. I let out a choked cry as I dropped to my knees, scrambling toward Liam.

He was a mess. His face as bloodied, so much so that I couldn't tell where exactly the blood was coming from. Blood was splattered across the floor as well, revealing just how hard they had been hitting him.

I grabbed his hand, causing him to look over at me. "Are you-" he cut himself off, letting out a cough as he sputtered out blood.

I pushed his hair from his face, shaking my head, "Don't worry about me." I ordered. I was the least of the worries right now.

Coach knelt on the other side of Liam, giving me a sad look before looking back down to his lacrosse player- the same one he had just fired as team captain. He then turned to Mason and Corey, motioning for them to get him up. They did as he said, pulling Liam from the ground and onto his feet. As they did so, Liam let out sputters of pain.

Once Liam was up on his feet, Coach gave us all a final sad look before he left the classroom, hopefully to deal with Gabe and Nolan.

"I can't believe you did that." Mason whispered in awe.

Liam looked between Mason and I, giving a small nod, "Clark Kent, right?"

I let out a teary laugh as Liam leaned into me, "You're more of a Clark Kent than Clark Kent is."

-an-

the scene of liam taking that beating actually killed me it made me so sad