Pretty in Plump

•SevEnTeEN•

"Where have you been? What is this that I hear about your dad? Why are you home? What the hell is pretty boy doing here? Why didn't you tell me?"

Questions spew right and left and I stand there gaping at her, feeling my palms get even more sweaty. I am conscious of William's eyes on me as my throat becomes dry. He moves closer to me, placing a gentle hand on my back.

"I'm helping Marley Shay relax." He offers with a smile. I feel my tongue become heavier by the second and tears burn behind my eyes.

"Relax? You think she can relax at a time like this?" Bethany spits. The anger emanating from her makes me flinch.

"She was before you brought the subject back up." William grumbles. Bethany immediately bristles up in rage and I step in before something happens.

"Bethany, can I have a hug?" I ask, trying to get her attention elsewhere and really longing for a hug. Her features soften and I feel her arms around me before my eyes register that she's moved. I know that she's probably glaring at William but I can't help to wish her arms were Williams.

What am I saying?!?

I barely know this guy. It's been a solid couple days and I'm already craving his attention and affection.

"Spill. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Bethany tucks my hair behind my ear and looks me over as if for injuries. I clear my throat and go to talk about it but tears begin to surface and I close up, refusing to cry in front of everyone. William notices and grabs my hand, making me look at him.

"It's okay, Marley Shay." He tells me and I nod.

"Hey, you didn't ask her, I did." Bethany continues. "Just because you were at her house first doesn't mean that you were in her life first, remember that." Bethany's voice is low and threatening. I had only seen her like this a couple other times and I hated it every time. I especially hated it now because of who she was using that tone with.

William.

My William. 

"Bethany," I begin, but William is already moving away from me.

"No, it's fine, I can take a hint." William grumbles, backing away. I turn to glare at Bethany but her heated stare is still on William. Chase comes in from outside and sees the tension. He immediately moves to me, rubbing my back gently.

"Alright, Beth, let's calm down." Chase says and I close my eyes.

Why did boys have to be so dumb?

"CALM WHAT?" Bethany screeches. I moved away from both of them as Chase began to get drilled. Bethany was really protective of me, she always had been, and I really loved that about her, but sometimes it was a bit too much. I had accepted it, and Chase knows that, William was experiencing it for the first time and I wished it wasn't like this. I saw William grabbing his things in the living room and I stood behind the couch, waiting for him to notice me.

"Bethany, you know you're overreacting..."

"MY BEST FRIEND IS IN PAIN AND YOU'RE BEING AN-"

"Marley Shay, you okay?" My eyes center on William again and I see him standing there, looking me over. I can still hear arguing "Hey, I'm not leaving because I feel intimidated or I'm upset." William looks me over, stepping closer. He nervously rubs the back of his neck and I don't know what to say so I don't say anything. "I'm leaving, or I was trying to leave, so that she wouldn't explode. I think... I mean, I know she cares a lot about you, and I'm going to respect that and leave so it's easier for you. I didn't want you to be upset or more stressed or... I-"