All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 21. LIES

Chapter 21. Lies

An hour ago -

Who knew the power one kiss could have?

Me. I know precisely. So I should've known what would happen next with a kiss like that.

While Becca disappeared from her own dance, Liam came from out of nowhere and went after Cage. Something snapped in him as he and Cage began to fight again, throwing each other into tables, punching each other on the ground, ignoring the screams and shouts from students and chaperones around us.

Seth rushed to break apart Liam and Cage but came into the crossfire of Liam's wrath and was thrown to the side, into another student. Henry rushed in to help his son, along with Tyson, Jason, and their other friends.

When they finally separated, I only then noticed the damage that was done. The way that they looked at each other, something died between them. One kiss and an entire friendship was broken, much like Cage's nose.

Mr. Brady and Tyson held Liam who was still thrashing, screaming profanities at Cage. Mr. Brady said something quietly to Liam, and whatever it was calmed him. Morgan rushed to Liam's side, putting her hands on his now-cut face. His eyes would not open, but she held him and whispered in his ear. Liam finally opened his eyes, instantly locking on to me.

"Avery," Cage said, spitting the blood that was dripping into his mouth. He had tears rolling down his cheeks as his nose swelled. There were cuts all over his face, and he was having a hard time standing.

This bullshit has to end, right now.

I started to move towards Liam, to end the charade and put myself right into the line of fire in front of Anika and Henry. Cage called out again, this time his voice full of desperation.

"Avery, please."

Seth caught my attention. He was standing there in the background, his head doing a little shake, reminding me why I could not make the choice that I wanted to make. I could not choose Liam. Hurt him, to save him.

I felt pain rip through my chest as I turned on my path to Liam and made my way to Cage. I embraced him and felt Cage melt into me. We both tightened our grip on each other as the crowd around us burst into conversation.

The principal and a few teachers tried to convince Cage to get checked at the hospital, but Cage refused. Completely hell-bent on expelling both boys, our principal demanded Henry and Anika follow him outside. With a little convincing on Henry's part, our principal allowed us to go home and wait for the news of the next steps. Cage and I did leave, but not before I noticed that Liam was already gone, and so was Morgan.

Jason and Jasmine made plans to Uber home after the dance as they walked us out. Jason helped Cage into his car on the passenger side as Jasmine held me tight against her.

"That must've been so hard for you," Jasmine whispered in my ear, and it took all the energy left in me not to break apart. "Call me when you get home."

I promised her I would as I climbed into the driver's side of Cage's Camaro. His head rested against the window and his eyes were closed.

"I don't have my license," I stated the obvious, looking at Cage.

"You're with me," he said quietly. "It's fine."

My hands shook as I started his car and drove off from the dance.

Now -

A tightness forms in my chest as I replay tonight over again while trying to focus on cleaning Cage's face in his massive kitchen. Vlad brought us the First-Aid kit but then disappeared to prepare a room for me to spend the night. I can't return home tonight after what happened, and there's no ounce of care I have for how my mother will react to me spending the night at the Bolvak castle.