Under the Bridge

chapter nineteen-"you're making a mistake"

HOPE'S EYES were the size of the moon. She had her arms crossed and jaw reaching the floor. "Did I just see the infamous Liam Walker hug you? The same Liam who you tutor in math? The same Liam who has never held a relationship in his life?" 

I sigh. "We're just friends, Hope." I say, doing everything so that my voice wasn't as quiet as it normally was. This means that the eavesdroppers would hopefully get the memo. "And I think he's dating Andrea Storm." 

Hope laughed and shook her head. "Honey, the day that boy settles down for one girl is the day you say the movies are better than the books." 

I never actually asked if he and Andrea were dating, I just assumed from the kiss. I saw her sit in his lap once, too. I've never heard them say anything that wasn't just friendly, though. Were they even dating? 

I'd be sure to ask about it sometime. 

"I'm gonna go to English." I mutter under my breath. 

I've never sat in the back of the class willingly before. James hasn't arrived yet, and there's a free spot next to Liam. My normal spot reeks of lies and disgust, so I take a seat next to my only other friend in this class. 

The two other people here both turn around and look at me in shock.

I could tell they'd seen the video. Their eyes are filled with pity and surprise, but nobody says a word. When the teacher walks in, he too looks like he's about to have a heart attack. 

Liam looks over at me and raises his eyebrows. His expression is kind, though it asks a question I don't know how to answer. Are you okay? 

I shake my head.   

"If James tries anything..."He says in a low drawl, voice hushed so only I can hear it. "Let me know." 

"I can handle it myself." I say back, not really sure where this confidence I'm oozing is coming from. 

"I know you can, I just want an excuse to punch that self righteous dick in the face." He says, a little louder than earlier. The goth chick entering the room seemed to overhear and she widened her eyes significantly. 

I bite my lip and take out my notebook. "Do you want to go get a suit on Thursday?" I ask, diverting the conversation elsewhere. It'll clear my mind and get something productive done at least. 

Liam shrugs. "You can put me through that hell whenever. Get it over with." 

I let out a little laugh. "I'm sure you can rock a suit." 

"Oh, I know I can rock a suit; I'm fucking hot. I just don't want to wear one." He says confidently.

Just as I was about to reply with a sarcastic remark, a certain jerk-face class president stepped into the door. I froze. I could feel the whisper of tension through the air as the room grew silent. I didn't even have to look to know that Liam was glaring, I could feel it seek into my pores. 

I gaze in his direction and noticed  that he was doing exactly what I expected. I set a hand on his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin underneath my cold fingers. He broke his glare and softened his gaze at me, relaxing his clenched jaw and sinking more into his seat. 

Everyone was staring. 

"Don't be stupid." I say, so nobody else can hear. 

He smiles a little. "No promises." 

And with that, the bell rang. 

* * *

"Miss Bear, can you stay behind for a second?" My English teacher calls me as I attempt to escape. I feel panic well up inside me and I nod, gazing at Liam before sticking around in the bare classroom. 

I can't manage to meet his eyes. 

"Olivia, you're the best student in here." He say, kindly. 

I blush, flattered, but I know there's disappointment in his voice. 

"I don't know what went on this morning, but I worry about my students, especially the exceptional ones. I don't want you to spend time with the wrong crowd. Don't make mistakes this close to graduation." 

Something about those words make me teethe with anger. I was subject to the same misconceptions once that he was referring to, but it didn't change the fact that I felt a fire of rage well up in my stomach. Liam had done so much for me, spent time with me, and treated me like an equal. 

So, for the first time in a long time, I raise my voice. Not by much, but I'm certainly not whispering. "Mr. Palmer, I think you're making a mistake." 

He jumps back, shocked by my words. My teachers know about me, and my diagnosis, they have to. It's why they're always surprised when I do well. Anxiety and depression are not hindrances on my skills is what I've learned. 

"You'd be surprised as to how bad the 'good' crowd is. They're all acting in self-interest. It's people like Liam Walker who don't give a damn about what people think that make this school a better place. Don't you dare question my friendships." 

I did something I never thought I'd have the guts to do. 

I walked myself out without being excused. 

I felt a cold tear running down my cheek, but I didn't say a word. Liam saw me, he seemed to know that something like this would happen. So he left Andrea's side and walked up, widening his eyes and staring back at that room. 

"I just yelled at Mr. Palmer." I say, voice shaky. 

He smiles. "Oh my God." He shakes his head, mostly in shock. I see a lot of pride on his face, though I couldn't fathom as to why. Liam put a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" His expression drops and he gives me a deep look of sympathy. 

My whole body is quivering. I feel my heart bursting out of my chest from the nerves. I feel today's panic attack coming on, I know it's inevitable. "I-I, I have to go." I say, shoving past him and running to the bathroom. 

I feel the tears pool up, and thankfully, it's empty in here.

I'm sobbing, wheezing, even, until suddenly, a kind voice fills the room, and I see a blonde figure bend down in front of me. "Are you okay?" 

Renee Woods. 

James' twin sister. 

I've never had a one-on-one conversation with her, but I see him in her crystal clear blue eyes and soft but elegant face. Razor-straight golden hair is tucked behind her ear, and I can see even more similarities in their face. They have the same delicate and round nose. 

The tears are still coming down, but the panic is being replaced with shock. 

"W-what are you doing here?" I ask, choking on my words. 

"I saw you crying." She says, blatantly. "Look, my brother did a stupid thing. If that's--"

"--It's not James." I mumble. "No offense, but I d-don't care about him." 

She widens her eyes and says nothing. "Boys are stupid." She concludes. "I love James, but he did an awful thing." 

I shrug. 

"He wants to apologize, you know." 

I raise my eyebrows. 

"Liam probably won't let him." She adds. 

I shake my head. I don't know where any of today's confidence is coming from. "Liam doesn't decide who I talk to, he's my friend." 

She looks even more surprised than I was when I saw her. "Are you two not--"

"No." I retort, harshly. "He's just my friend. And even if he wasn't, nobody can control who I talk to." I do everything to regain my composure and walk off, brushing away the anxious tears with my palms.