Not A Word

Chapter Twenty Two

Tara

I looked up into the eyes of Liam. What I saw shocked me beyond belief. His eyes were rimmed with dark purple and blue bruises. I gasped as I saw the open cuts and dark bruises on his face.

"L-Liam?" I stuttered. "Oh god, what happened to you?" The question was more moot. I would recognize Zayn's work any day.

"Oh... hello Tara." he muttered.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the utility closet nearby. "Tara what are you doing?" he insisted trying to pull out of my grip. Unfortunately for him I had been fed well lately giving me more strength.

"Why did Zayn beat you up?" I asked harshly once I shut the door.

"He didn't."

"Don't lie to me Liam. I recognize his work I've seen it enough. You're his friend why would he do this?" I insisted.

"I don't need to tell you." he sneered.

I stepped back and widened my eyes. "Liam what happened to trust?"

"It disappeared and turned it back. Just like you did when I tried to help you. You always told me not to act like I cared. Now I'm telling you the same. Don't pretend you care what happened to me." he angrily brushed past me and went back into the hall.

I felt tears form as I watched his retreating back. Is this how he felt when I brushed him off for trying to help me? Well he hasn't given up and now I wasn't giving up on him either. Yes, he had gone back to Zayn after I told him about my secrets but he didn't deserve this.

Pulling myself together I raced after him. "Stop Liam. Look I'm not acting like I care. If Zayn did this to you I know that means you couldn't have really gone back to him. Maybe we just need to help each other."

He froze and turned to look at me, "What happened to doing everything by yourself?" he asked in shock.

"Overrated. Having friends and people to help is much better." I said sadly.

He chuckled slightly, "So you've finally learned. I gotta say its about time. What made you change your mine?"

"Someone." said cryptically.

"You're really going to start this?" he growled.

"Fine. Greg, Niall's brother helped me. He showed me that there really are people out there who care. It made me think of you. How you cared about what I told you at your house. I just hope I truly can trust you." I said feeling pathetic.

"I promise you that you can trust me Tara. I only want to help. How about we go to my house again tonight to talk some more? We also need to finish up the project." he looked hopeful.

I had been safe at his house the past time we had worked there. I nodded, "Alright. Where should I meet you?"

"By your locker. We'll both have to watch for Zayn now so we should be extra careful."

I nodded, "See you then." Then I walked to the office.

The rest of the day was slow and filled with the usual pain plus some. Usually everyone besides Zayn left me alone, but today it seemed the entire school was out for blood. I had been slammed into lockers, had elbows connect with my face, and been thrown down the hallway. So much for being fat huh?

I knew I had gotten at least twenty new bruises. Thankfully I could look forward to getting out of here and being somewhere safe. Whether it was Greg or Liam's house at least I knew I wouldn't be beaten.

Liam

I knew talking to Tara would only make thing worse for me but I still felt a need to help her. She had blown off my help many times, even when it wasn't sincere. This time was different. She had been the one to offer to help me.

It didn't make sense to me why she would want to help someone who hurt her for so long. When she agreed that she would accept my help a well I was ecstatic. It was the least I could do to repent for all that I had done to her. She didn't deserve the pain she received and I only wished that it hasn't taken hearing about her parents to make me realize that.

Thinking about her parents gave me pause. Was she still living with them? Were things better if she was? She had seemed in high spirits today compared to the last time I had seen her. It had been almost a week since we had been working on the project at my house.

That day she had just been in a depressed emotional state. Today she had been upbeat and sassy. There was nothing desolate or depressed about her. I smiled at the memory of it. Things had to be better for her now.

At the end of the day I waited by Tara's locker with all of my things. I knew we would have to be ready to leave the moment she had her things. I looked around and saw Tara hurrying over to me. She didn't spare me a glance but immediately dropped to her knees and worked her lock code.

Watching around us I kept an eye out for Zayn. He always targeted people at the end of the day. He had said it was so they went home with fresh fear in their mind. Zayn was a manipulator that enjoyed seeing the fear shine in his prey's eyes.

Tara popped up and closed her locker. Still we didn't say anything to each other but began walking to the front doors. I shot my hand out and pulled her to a stop. "Wait. We can't go out that way." I said.

"Why not?"

"Zayn will be expecting it. He'll also expect us to know that and will have someone posted at the back door as well."

She stamped her foot angrily, "So how the hell are we supposed to leave the school without bodily injury?"

I thought for a moment, "There's another door." I grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall towards the east end of the school. Zayn didn't know about this door, I doubt most teachers knew about this door.

We got outside the building and to my car without running into Zayn or any of his friends. I breathed a sigh of relief and sprinted to my car. We got in and were home free.

As I drove away I saw Zayn glaring at us. The look in his eyes promised retribution. Yes, we were going to be hurt tomorrow. Zayn was big on loyalty and to him being with the 'enemy' once a plan had been offed was the worst betrayal there was. At this point I was probably as low as Tara on the social ladder.

Looking at her sitting next to me with a smile on her face I felt the muscles of my stomach quiver. 'She was worth it.' I decided and felt a smile form on my own face.