Salty Licorice

Chapter 35

Liz's POV

I almost broke when I saw the rage in Marisa's eyes when she looked at Avery. I wasn't even sure what was happening but when I saw how Marisa grabbed Avery I knew it wasn't anything good. But when they started to push each other and yell it was pretty obvious this was only going to escalate. Avery is a hot head and it doesn't take much to get her angry, but Marisa is supposed to be the calm voice of reason. But when I see Marisa push Avery so hard she falls back on the ground, I have to look away for a second, feeling extremely uneasy at the idea of them fighting. From the words Marisa said I figured out that Marisa is pissed about Avery and Emily. But a part of me doesn't understand why she is so angry about this, it's not like me and Avery are dating or something. I watch as Avery gets to her feet and charges at Marisa, tackling her hard to the ground just missing a group of kids who are starting to pull out their phones. I'm sure tomorrow we'll hear all about this, or half the school won't attend because they think the 'School Shooter' is finally gonna live up to her name.

I feel Leo grab my arms and open his door pushing me inside with little restraint from me. He rushes into the driver's seat and starts the car.

"I should go stop them shouldn't I?" I ask in a quiet voice.

"They might be fighting because of you, but that doesn't make this your fight," Leo responds simply.

I watch out the windshield, Marisa pounds on Avery's back hard before pushing her off her and they both get to their feet before Marisa punches Avery in the face. In that moment I lock eyes on their movements and reach for the handle pulling it, only for it to be locked. I pull at it again and unlock the door only for it to relock almost immediately.

"We're going to my house," Leo calmly interrupts my frantic actions to try and get out of this damn car.

He pulls out of the parking lot weaving between students who are gathering to see the fight. I see Emily in the crowd with a hand over her mouth with wide eyes. The last I see is Marisa on the ground With Avery over her landing a hard punch to Marisa's gut to get her to stop elbowing her in the back. Then the crowd hid them from sight and Leo drove away down the road. I was so overwhelmed with mixed emotions that I couldn't even facially express any of them and just sat there with an empty look and hollow eyes.

"Take me home," I managed to get out, barely above a whisper.

"What, why?" Leo utters, seemingly shocked.

"I really just wanna be alone, please." I look out the window, not in the mood for dealing with people.

"Oh, well okay," Leo mutters, still with lingering unease.

I just keep my eyes on the road as he makes his way down the main road heading towards my neighborhood. I watch the storefronts pass by and to think of anything but just what has happened today and not on the site that seems to have imprinted on my brain of watching Avery and Marisa physically fighting. Part of me was hoping it was all fake, just a fever dream. But I knew what I saw was real. I barely recognized the houses as we pulled up to my house. I sit for a second with my eyes glued to the tree standing in the front lawn.

"Do you think they will be okay?" I ask hesitantly. "Like it won't ruin their friendship over something so silly?"

"It's Sullivan and Garcia we're talking about. Of course not. From rumors they had a bigger blow out their sophomore year," Leo chuckles. "They'll be fine, but will you be okay?"

"Yeah." I nod solemnly, slipping from his car and quietly shutting the door.

I walk up the path to the door already hearing Fritz barking at the door. I pull open the brown heavy front door and fight my way inside, keeping Fritz from tackling me to the ground. I hear the roar of Leo's engine pulling away from in front of my house. I pet Fritz to try and calm him as I make my way into the house and heading for the stairs for my room. I only get a foot on the first step when I hear my baby brother's voice followed by the patter of his feet rushing towards me.