All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 15. HOW'S IT GOING TO BE?

Chapter 15. How's it Gonna be?

December flies by quickly after the debacle at Thanksgiving. Seth and I are friends again, just friends, building a foundation that we never really started with. I enjoy his company without any pressure to be romantic with him, and he's okay with it. There's already been so much damage that we have to mend.

Seth also hasn't mentioned Liam or the kiss, which I've been grateful for. He talked with Mrs. Leyva about rejoining Chambers, and she let him back on a "Probation Status"; one more mess up, and he's out for good.

Becca's become a friend, surprisingly. She's kind to me in the hallways, sometimes walking with me to class when Seth and Farrah are not around. She gives me rides when Seth isn't available, and we hang out at the mansion once in a while. I never thought I'd say it, but she's a kind person when she wants to be.

Liam has been withdrawn, completely not the person we all know. He's been smoking and drinking more, never comes for dinner, and always has girls in and out of his poolhouse. He disappears a lot, leaving home for a night or two. When he comes back, he's completely wrecked, sometimes with noticeable bruising on his body. He and William fight constantly to the point where I get scared for him, but nothing physical happens. Morgan no longer comes around, and when she's spotted talking to Liam in the hallway, it's always short and heated before she storms off from him.

In school, Liam messes around and gets reprimanded, but he doesn't seem to care. Rumor has it he may be benched at the next football game for his recklessness. Whatever happened in that sunroom on Thanksgiving with Garrett affected him majorly. I also can't help but wonder if I'm another reason for his recklessness. Maybe I'm the real problem.

Cage and I meet up from time to time outside the mansion, privately so no one questions what we're doing. Cage has been trying to investigate his father to find a connection with Liam, but he hasn't found anything yet. The more time I spend with Cage, the more I enjoy our sarcastic banter. His carefree personality is a breath of fresh air from everything else.

Winter break is right around the corner as everyone shares their vacation plans in Chambers. Liam's late to class, again. I find a seat next to Seth who sits directly behind Becca and Kenzie.

"What're your plans for break?" Seth asks with a smile.

Before I can answer, Becca turns to us with a huff.

"Usually we go to the Hamptons, as you know," she says with a nod to Seth. "He's gone with us every year since, forever," Becca explains to my surprise. "But this year, Daddy needs to fix things with Leanne, so after Christmas, they're leaving for the house and we're stuck at home with Millie."

"They're still having a hard time," I admit quietly, and Seth's smile falters. I guess I haven't really shared that with him. Not like I could; their issues were no longer about Parker and Byron, but all about Liam, and Liam is not a conversation I want to have with Seth.

"Could be worse," Kenzie says, joining in the conversation. "At least now you can have your New Year's Eve party."

"Brilliant idea, Kenze," Becca says excitedly, her eyes brightening.

Mrs. Leyva begins class but pauses as she looks at Becca. "Where's Liam?"

"Right here," Liam says, strolling into the classroom with his sunglasses on and a smirk on his face. A newly formed, dark purple hickey takes up a large part of his neck. The class erupts into whispers and giggles. My body tenses unintentionally, and I breathe deeply to relax.

"Sorry I'm late. Well," he pauses as he touches his neck and laughs. "Not really."

"Sit down, Liam," Mrs. Leyva snaps at him.