That Bad Boy

The Notebook

Chapter Eight

The Notebook

Sienna's POV -

I pressed the button on the side of the door and watched as the window scrolled down. It wasn't a hot day but the idea of being in a car with Liam, all closed up, had me feeling claustrophobic. Even though it was quite tedious, Jacob's anger towards me kind of had me feeling guilty for being with Liam. Albeit, I kind of felt like Jacob had no reason to be angry towards me.

I wasn't cheating on him, I would never do that. And he knew that, too. This - whatever I was doing with Liam - was not even an established friendship. I was, in my own way, trying to help Liam after his continuous rambling that made him sound completely and utterly lost.

I felt like the air was giving me some sort of satisfaction that I wasn't completely alone with Liam; therefore I had nothing to feel guilty about.

"You hot, Soze?" Liam asked as he cocked his head towards me. "Take the cardigan off."

I shook my head and stared out the window.

"I'm fine." I murmured.

"The offer of taking it off still stands. I wouldn't mind it." I could hear his smirk.

I frowned and turned around so I could face him.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" I questioned boldly.

He hesitated for a second like he was confused by my question.

"Why? Jealous?"

"I have a boyfriend, Liam."

"Yes and you keep reminding me of that. Don't worry, I won't try anything." He answered. And after a few moments, his eyes were glazed on mine, "and no, I don't have a girlfriend."

I stayed silent and felt uncomfortable by the sudden serious tension in the car.

"You could change that status, though." Liam smirked.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, instinctively checking my phone for anything that Jacob could have sent.

"No thanks, I'm good."

"Well Rachel McAdams refused to sing with Ryan Gosling in The Notebook, and look at where they ended up anyways."

He did not just use Nicholas Sparks against me.

"Firstly, he asked her to dance, not sing and secondly, you're a guy, therefore you have no right to be making any references to Nicholas Sparks whatsoever. And thirdly, Ryan Gosling is actually attractive." I knew the latter would bug him.

He burst into laughter and I could tell he was mocking me.

"Right, Soze, you don't find me attractive at all..."

"I don't." I lied.

"So why are you always checking me out?" His grin was smug.

"You're delusional. You probably caught me staring as I wondered how you could be so deranged."

He barked a laugh but didn't reply and just like that, somehow, the worries and anxiety that had built up after Jacob's arrival in my dorm room had disappeared and was filled with something much lighter.

"So where exactly are we going?" I asked after a few minutes.

"Well for our first date," I shot him a look, "sorry, friendship outing," he corrected after noticing my glare, "I decided we'd go simple. Movie and dinner?"

I gulped at the idea of the plans being very... date-ish. It brought back the guilt very, very quickly.

"Sure." I nodded with a polite smile.

It was obvious that Liam knew about my... disliking towards him but this whole friendship thing was for helping him and I really wanted to help. After all, I always hoped that there was someone to help me through my screwed up troubles.

"So what time will we be getting back to Yale?" I asked.

"Should be about six thirty, seven." He replied.

I instantly unlocked my phone and texted Jacob.

Sienna: What do you want to do tonight?

I made sure to add a smiley face for a softer effect. Now if he would just reply, I could really enjoy myself today.

Jacob: Will be busy. Raincheck.

I read the reply and felt my heart drop to my stomach. He was angry. Oh crap.

"What's wrong?" Liam asked, his eyes squinting from scrutinizing my expression.

"Uh, Jacob." I had no idea why I would tell him anyway.

"What's wrong with him?" He continued.

"I think he might be mad at me for being here with you." I replied.

I didn't even know why I would actually confide in Liam; especially considering it was in my nature to keep all my issues bottled up, where only my mother knew everything about me. It was weird that I was actually telling Liam but it just felt good to get it off my chest.

"Why the f*ck would he be mad?"

"I think he feels rejected."

"What, so you can't have friends?"

I hadn't seen it exactly like that...

"No, he knows I'm not one to exactly put myself out there and have a friend so I think he is suspicious."

"Well I can give him something to be suspicious about." He smirked.

"Liam." I said sternly.

He laughed and made a right.

"I was joking, Soze. But you aren't doing anything so don't make his idiocy feel guilty. You're completely innocent." He said seriously.

I was taken off guard by his serious tone and I shrugged, not really knowing what to say.

"I guess you're right." I mumbled.

He grinned and pulled into the lot of the theatre.

"I know I'm right, Soze. Cheer up; I think you'll like this movie. And plus, this friendship is about me, not you, so stop your whining." He said bluntly, an amused gleam in his features despite his serious expression.

I scowled at his figure exiting the car and the violent part of me wanted to be like Mr Incredible and throw his car at him while the other part of me was just completely embarrassed. Why would I do that? Confide in someone who wasn't my mother?

Liam's reaction of telling me that I was whining just made me realise why I never confided in others but I just felt rejected and embarrassed. I breathed in a vast amount of air and checked my phone again for any more texts from Jacob.

Nothing.

I rolled my eyes at my immaturity for being so hung up on the fact that Jacob could be angry with me. Screw him. Okay, so not to that extent but I was kind of pissed that he knew I was making an effort in trying to be good with him and that I was only hanging out with a friend and he was just acting like a... like a bastard.

Sure, I didn't have many friends and I didn't fancy many, but that didn't mean I couldn't have any if I pleased. With a new attitude, I tried a smile and breathed deeply just as a knock on the window made me jump.

"I'm not opening the door for you so hurry the f*ck up so we don't miss the movie." He glared.

Wow, Bradley Cooper's bi-polar-ness all over again.

With a huff, I opened the door and slammed it for effect in angering Liam. It worked, since a scowl was sent directly towards me.

"Watch the car!" He yelled.

I supressed a laugh at his reaction and walked beside him into the theatre.

"By the way, I never expected you to open the door for me." I told him, in case he had the wrong idea.

"Sure, Soze." He smirked.

"I'm being honest!" My voice went high-pitched.

He laughed and slung an arm around my shoulder. I immediately thought about shrugging his arm off but decided against it. There was nothing wrong with it, right? Just a friendly gesture.

When he pulled me in closer beside him, my breath quickened and I looked in his direction. He saw my concerned expression and his lips tugged into a smug smile.

"Don't worry, Soze. This is innocent." He told me.

I decided to believe him - because it was my best choice at that stage - and walked with him towards the cashier. He bought our tickets after much bickering. If this was a friendly thing, then why would he have to pay for my ticket? This was not a date.

We entered the theatre and debated about seatings. He wanted to sit up the back and I wanted to sit in the middle.

"Soze, you afraid we'll start making out?" He grinned.

"No!" I blushed, retreating my eyes to the floor.

I could hear him laugh and I ignored his protests as I walked to the middle of the seatings and took a seat in the centre so we would be surrounded by people. I didn't think he'd try anything and even if he did, he wouldn't force me into anything... it wouldn't be against my will and I would never do that to Jacob.

Once we were seated, Liam handed me the popcorn and drink and we settled into our seats. I could feel his thigh on mine and I looked down to see we were sitting in a loveseat.

"Don't worry, Sienna." I thought I had detected amusement but when I looked up, he was all serious.

Figures, he actually used my name rather than my stupid 'Soze' nickname.

"I'm not." I murmured truthfully.

"Good. I wouldn't do anything until you gave me the okay."

"Liam-"

"It's a joke, Soze."

"Well stop making jokes like that."

"Why? You know that it's true."

I frowned in confusion and felt my body stiffen as Liam shuffled closer beside me and placed an arm around my shoulder.

"What's true?" I asked, my voice hitching.

"Nothing."

"Lia-"

"Shh, the movie is starting."

That shut me up. Whether hell was freezing over or not, I would never disrespect a film. Except Grease Two. That shit was terrible.

***

"Did you enjoy it?" Liam asked me during the credits.

I turned my head and shushed him.

These were the credits of a movie, we had to respect it. It was basically acknowledging the work that went into the amazing three hours that just went by. Credits weren't ever acknowledged and that was the sad part. Yes, it wasn't as exciting as the movie itself but we had to be respectful to the hard work that went into putting an amazing production. And again, that counts for all films except for Grease Two.

"It's just the credits, Soze."

I shushed him again and glared at the people who were talking as they exited the theatre. Liam sat beside me the entire time as the rest of the theatre emptied and I had my eyes trained upon the names and roles of the people that put their hard work into the film over a black screen and a nostalgic song in the background.

Once the credits were finished, I sucked in a deep breath and turned to Liam who had been looking at me with amusement.

"So can I talk now?" He asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

I nodded and stood up as I made my way through the seating aisle and out of the theatre.

"Did you like the movie?" He asked me, slinging his arm around my shoulder once again.

"I don't know. See, that's a really difficult question to ask someone because people usually expect either a yes or no with a simple, one-sentenced explanation on whether the acting was good or the scenery was simply amazing but honestly, a simple sentence can't really explain how a person has been affected by a film. We continuously watch these films and shake it off as nothing, as a simple film but people don't take into consideration just how the acting, the camera angles, the scenery, the music, even the small details on the colour of clothing the person is wearing. All these details, all mingled together has affected us in one way or another. Like a film about cancer raises awareness, a film about drugs shows people how dark this world is, a film about singing underlines how people come together through music. Right down to the script, people that are a part of a production write lines that will affect a person. And then when we watch everything come together, the acting, costumes, scenery, script, camera shots, hair, make-up, props, background music in a two hour film, and someone asks whether they liked the movie or not, how is one supposed to just explain in one sentence if the film was good or not. That just isn't fair. Movies deserve more than one bleak sentence from an ordinary person who is so obsolete that they can't even understand how they have been affected."

Liam stared and I frowned.

My mouth felt dry and it what then when I noticed I had just spoken for a really long time. I felt my lips tug up, about to burst into laughter at just how ridiculous I must have sounded while I blushed in embarrassment. I understood what I was thinking but people didn't often share my logic and rather saw me as a freak.

While my brain was freezing, I looked up from where I had laid my eyes on the carpeted floor and looked at Liam who was still just looking at me, a fraction of a barely-there smile on his face. I frowned again and he finally showed signs of adjustment.

He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head impishly.

"Not that you're wrong, but when I asked that question, I hadn't expected a lecture, Soze. You've given me a migraine."

I rolled my eyes and we walked towards the lobby of the theatre. As we walked, because Liam and I were standing near the wall, we were able to make out a hissed conversation between a man and a woman.

"Let go of me!" The girl cried.

"If you make a sound I will make you pay tonight." The man's voice was chilling as I froze.

"Please, just let me go. I'll hide the bruises, I promise."

"Shut your mouth!"

I could feel my nails begin to dig into my skin and I turned to Liam with wide eyes. He, however, had his eyes focused on the couple who were standing in hiding. My eyes trailed to where they were standing and saw the man gripping the girl's wrists very tightly as he shook her violently.

I felt no arm around my shoulder and panic set in. Liam was already stomping towards the couple, his eyes in slits and his fists clenched. He was far ahead of me and I ran after him but by the time I had reached him, he gripped the guy's shirt and ripped him off the girl, making him fly a few meters towards the girl. He looked at the girl who had tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Get out of here. Go to someone you trust and tomorrow, go to the police." He rumbled in a low voice.

If my entire being wasn't set in anxiety and panic, I would have taken the time to appreciate the sexy tone in his voice. But even then, all he did was sound dangerous and I didn't care for that.

The girl nodded vigorously and ran out of the theatre, not looking back. I expected Liam to nod towards me or something, to give me any indication to join him and walk to the parking lot but instead, he went over to the guy who was picking himself off the floor, and punched him squarely in the jaw.

I yelped in surprise as my eyes widened. I felt sick to the stomach and could feel my palms begin to sweat with sheer panic as Liam punched the guy repeatedly.

I could feel my face pale and I felt completely parched.

"Liam, leave him. Liam. Liam, just stop. Liam!" I spoke in what I had hoped to be a loud voice however I assumed it must have been really low considering my state.

Liam had blood all over his hands and the guy's face was camouflaged with the red carpet in the lobby.

"Someone, help. Please." I tried for anyone's attention to rip Liam off of the guy.

Whether he was guilty of domestic violence or not, this guy was not dying. And I knew perfectly well that this awful state that Liam was in could possess him to do just about anything. Even murder.

"Liam, stop! Someone, help!"

People by now were noticing the scene in front of us and I knew it took them awhile because we were hidden by cardboard cut outs and the buzzing of chatter.

A few guys had walked in a meter radius of Liam and tried to remove him off of the blood-drenched guy but they were all shrugged off. The guys that noticed that Liam wouldn't leave so easily gripped him hard by his shoulders and used all their strength to move him off of the guy.

Liam fought hard and tried to run back but the guys had created a barrier so he couldn't reach blood-drenched guy.

"Liam," I tried to find my voice as I carefully approached where Liam was standing, "stop it. Let's go."

He wasn't even paying attention to me, it was like I wasn't even there. And considering my frozen state, I may as well not have been anyway.

Liam was still struggling to move past the guys and he even attempted a few swings towards them which they all perfectly dodged. He was blinded by rage and his moves were sloppy.

"That son of a bitch needs to die!" He yelled loudly, his face turning red.

I walked towards the guys who were holding Liam back and stepped into his field of vision.

"Liam. Liam, look at me." He treated me like all of New York treated Patrick Swayze in Ghost. It was like I wasn't even there.

"Liam." Nothing. "Liam!"

He stopped for one moment and looked down on me. He was so angry, I could tell and what's worse was that I could sense that he was angry at me.

"Sienna, leave."

"No, Li-"

"Get the f*ck out of here!"

"Call security." I heard someone say and I shouted a quick no.

"He'll listen, don't worry, he'll listen. Please, don't call anyone. That man was beating up his girlfriend. My friend helped her. Please, don't call anyone."

Everyone looked at me, their emotions playing blatantly on their face as they seemed completely torn. Do they call security or not?

"Liam, please." I put my hands over his cheeks and caressed them softly.

"Liam listen to me." He finally looked at me. "You saved that girl, she's going to the police. Everything will be okay. Please, just listen to me."

"No." He muttered through clenched teeth. "He needs to die." His voice was seething.

"Liam, they will call the police on you. You will have charges pressed against you and you'll go to prison all because of some sleazy guy after you saved the girl. Just drop it, please."

He kept eye-contact with me and I made sure that my gaze didn't waver.

Finally, he stopped struggling against the other guys and everyone had seemed to relax.

"Okay. Let's go."

-----------------------------------

Authors Note:

Yo Yo Yo! How are you guys? So I promised an update and I kept my promise.

"You've got to keep your promises if you want to keep your friends."

Anyway, how'd you like this chapter? Good, bad, wistful? A little bit dramatic, ha?

Aaaaand, in this chapter you should be able to see how the 'Arrow' clue comes in. C'mon guys, please don't make me have to spell it out to you! It's so simple!

In saying that, someone (won't say who) actually guessed one aspect of the mystery that is Liam Turner. I was very surprised but nonetheless, very pleased.

Photo on the side is the lovely Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens who are Liam and Sienna. It's so effing sad that they broke up :(

GUYS! I'm going to a chocolate factory for my home economics class! I cannot wait, seeing my love for chocolate and all. If only there was a tomato factory. Gosh, I love my tomatoes.

So a few days ago, it was brought to my attention (thank you chocolateluvaaxo) that I was ranked for romance and teen fiction! Thank you guys so much, I'm telling you that I really, really appreciate it!

And how do you like my new cover? Cool, ha?

This chapter is dedicated to jkstoryaddict because of her consistent comments on everything! I'm so lucky to have such awesome readers, so thank you (:

I don't really have much to see other than shine bright like a diamond. Oh and please comment!

Vote, comment, follow.

Xoxo,
- A