lovely | thirteen reasons why

(6) the final warning

Libby is not afraid to admit when her hubris gets the best of her. And drinking two full bottles of vodka with Jess last night was flying way too close to the sun. She didn't get as drunk as the night of Jess' party at least. She hopes it never gets that bad ever again. But she did get drunk enough to feel it the next morning.

She had arrived to first period rocking sunglasses and all, having the general vibe of someone not to be messed with or talked to without getting their head bitten off. Unless you're a very specific person.

"I missed you yesterday." She was getting used to hearing sounds without overstimulation, but his soft tones would always be a peace to her.

She smiled. "I missed you too. I wanted to give you time to process everything I told you."

He carefully reaches for her hand under the table. "Why?"

She laughed. "It's just not every day you learn your girlfriend murdered somebody for you."

He laughed. "And I've told you that it warms me beyond belief to know you love me that much."

She squints at him. "Rather unsettling, but considering what we're currently dealing with, it seems our lives have gone there already."

He smirks in reply as he rubs circles on her knuckles. "Why are you wearing sunglasses?"

She sighs. "Because I'm very hungover, baby. Who said drinking on a school night was a good idea?"

He laughs. "I don't think anyone's ever said that, beautiful."

She rolls her eyes, about to reply with something snarky before a loud boom shakes her very low mental battery as she looks up at Justin staring angrily down at her. "Can I help you, Foley?"

"The fuck kind of game you playing, Libs?" He growled at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Good morning to you too. Can you lower your voice a bit? I'm not at my best to do this shit with you. What have I done now?"

He slams his hand on the table again. "I'm sorry, am I being a nuisance? Not fun, is it?" She could see Tyler clenching his fist under the table. "Why the fuck did you invite Jess over last night?"

She took a deep breath. "We were having a sleepover, Justin. That's what friends do."

"Bullshit!" He spits. "Am I really supposed to believe it's just a coincidence that she was invited to Bryce's house that same night? That you aren't being your typical manipulative bitch-" But he was cut off from spewing any more hatred words in her direction.

Tyler spoke up. "She was trying to protect Jessica! I understand your confusion." She turned to face her boyfriend with a look of adoration, one he couldn't see fully because of her damn sunglasses

Justin turned his ire to him. "The fuck you say to me, freak?"

Tyler cleared his throat as he took her hand again. "You're not doing yourself any favors screaming at someone who is too in pain to fight back. It's pathetic, Justin. She was looking out for her friend when you would have her be in close proximity to the man who hurt her. From an outsider's perspective, she seems to be doing a better job at protecting your girlfriend than you are."

Justin stares long and hard at Tyler, thinking of how worth it it'd be to kick his ass. But one look at Libby told him not at all. Instead he smirked. "Look at who's sitting on his high horse? The stalker one. You're just as bad as any of us."

He shook his head as he mumbled. "Not Bryce. Not you. I would never think to do what you two have done."

"Justin." Libby finally found the words. "I will not apologize for keeping Jess away from Bryce. But she doesn't know that was the reason, and she will never know. Unless you want to tell her the truth which I will never oppose to. I avoided conflict in the most subtle way possible and I will keep doing it. I'm sticking to our deal even after you messed with Clay after I specifically told you not to do that. If you want to keep messing with the people I love, sitting on a horde of their belongings, and rake Hannah through the mud, all power to you. But don't expect me to sit quietly like the rest of them. Now, I'm incredibly hungover so kindly fuck off and let me wallow in pain without adding anymore. I really don't want to fight you when my head is fighting me." Realizing there was nothing left he could say, he walked back to his table. Libby let out a sigh of relief as she turned to Tyler. "You're definitely getting a kiss for that later. I really do love the confident you."