Showdown

Ugh, Alcott Arts Academy. The place I swore I'd never set foot in again, but here I am, begrudgingly returning to this palace of pretentiousness. My footsteps echo down the pristine hallways, each step stirring up memories of stifled creativity and snobbish classmates. I can practically feel the disdain dripping from the perfectly framed paintings on the walls.

As I pass the student lounge, I catch a glimpse of my sister Ellie smirking at me. Of course, she'd think I'm crawling back to this hellhole. She thinks I'm weak, that I couldn't survive on my own terms. But what she doesn't understand is that I'd rather eat dirt than let this place dictate my worth.

I make a beeline for my locker, ignoring the curious glances from my fellow students. I grab my art supplies, tossing them into a bag with more force than necessary. The locker slams shut, and just as I'm about to make my escape, Ellie swoops in, a triumphant grin plastered on her face.

"Well, well, well, look who's back," she taunts, knocking one of my open paint cans onto my shirt. My jaw tightens as I glare at her, my anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Before I can react, a voice like thunder rumbles through the hallway. "Back off, princess."

I turn, and there he is – the guy from Cafe Royale who saved me from Ellie's nonsense before. Tall, brooding, and exuding an air of danger. A shiver runs down my spine as he steps closer, his eyes locked onto Ellie.

She takes a step back, her confidence faltering. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Someone who doesn't tolerate bullies," he growls, his voice cutting through the tension.

And then, out of nowhere, Liam appears, his presence commanding and protective. "Is there a problem here?"

The two guys square off, the atmosphere crackling with tension. I'm caught in the middle, unsure of what to do. Why do they both seem to despise each other?

The stranger turns his attention to me, his gaze softening slightly. "Come with me."

I open my mouth to protest, but Liam steps in, a fierce determination in his eyes. "She's not going anywhere with you."

I'm torn between confusion and frustration. What the hell is going on? Why do these two seem like they're about to start a brawl over me?

The stranger's gaze narrows at Liam, their silent battle speaking volumes. Eventually, he relents, shooting me a pointed look. "Your choice."

I watch as he walks away, his departure sending ripples of whispers through the crowd. Liam turns to me, his expression softer now. "You okay?"

I glance down at my ruined shirt, then back at him, my voice laced with exasperation. "Just peachy."

Liam removes his jacket, revealing a black tank top underneath. "Here, take this. We should get out of here."

I slip into the jacket, his scent surrounding me, oddly comforting. "Where are we going?"

He offers a small, reassuring smile. "Back to the tattoo shop. You need a change, and I'm not letting you walk around looking like a walking paint palette."

I hesitate, torn between the stranger's offer and Liam's steady presence. The students around us whisper, their curiosity piqued by the drama unfolding before them. I take a deep breath, my decision forming in my mind.

"I'll go with you."

Liam's grin widens, relief flickering in his eyes. "Good choice."

As we walk away from the academy, I steal one last glance at the handsome stranger watching us from a distance. My heart races, my emotions a tangled mess. Two guys fighting over me – who would've thought?

***

The dive bar's neon sign flickered overhead, casting an eerie glow over the cracked pavement. Liam led me inside, the door creaking as we stepped into the dimly lit haven. The scent of stale beer and years of stories hung in the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversations and clinking glasses.

"Emma, welcome to The Rusty Anchor, again." Liam said with a smirk, guiding me toward the bar. "Bella's working tonight."

I nodded, a sense of familiarity washing over me. I'd been here before, a night of laughter and blurry memories with the Beast Ink crew. My eyes found Bella behind the bar, her flirtatious smile never wavering as she served drinks and exchanged banter with patrons. She spotted us, her eyes lighting up.

"Well, well, look who the cat dragged in," she purred, leaning over the bar to give me a sultry wink. "Back for more, huh?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Just a glass of lemonade this time, Bella."

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Lemonade? Are you sure? I could whip up something a bit stronger."

Liam's protective stance beside me didn't go unnoticed by Bella. She shot him a playful glance, her tone dripping with sugared venom. "Oh, Liam, don't you worry your pretty little head. I don't bite." she turned to me. "Unless you want me to."

I suppressed a laugh. As I sipped my lemonade, my thoughts drifted back to earlier – to the stranger, the tension between him and Liam. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their rivalry than met the eye.

Leaning against the bar, I turned to Liam, curiosity getting the best of me. "So, what's your deal with that guy from earlier?"

Liam's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. "Stay away from him."

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his vague response. "Yeah, but why?"

He met my gaze, his voice a low growl. "I'm not kidding, Emma. Just stay away from him."

I sighed, frustration tugging at my patience. "Okay, I get it. I won't ask anymore. But I don't need a babysitter you know."

Liam's gaze softened, his concern shining through the intensity. "Look, I'm just looking out for you. You're new here, and there are some people you're better off avoiding."

The genuine worry in his eyes was hard to ignore. I relented. "Alright, Liam. I'll stay away."

With that settled, Liam insisted on driving me home, his protective streak refusing to budge. I protested at first, but he was persistent, and eventually, I caved. The drive was quiet, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows across the car.

As we pulled up to my building, I unbuckled my seatbelt, ready to make my escape. But before I could step out, Liam's voice stopped me.

"Hey, Emma."

I turned to him, curiosity piqued. "Yeah?"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his gaze unwavering. "Just... be careful, alright? I mean it."

I offered him a small smile, touched by his genuine concern. "Don't worry, Liam. I'll be fine."

His lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer. "Good. Take care."

I stepped out of the car, the night air hitting me with a gentle breeze. As I watched Liam drive away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort.

Liam leaned against his car after watching Emma enter her apartment building, a mix of relief and lingering worry settling in his chest. He pulled out his phone and dialed Finn's number, his thumb tapping impatiently against the screen.

After a few rings, Finn's voice crackled through the line. "Liam. What you got for me son?"

Liam's tone was firm, a touch of weariness coloring his words. "Just wanted to let you know that Emma's home safe."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Finn responded, his relief evident. "Thanks, Liam. I appreciate it. You did good."

Liam nodded to himself, his gaze drifting to the darkened apartment building. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta watch out for her."

Finn's chuckle echoed through the line. "Take care of her, Liam. Kid's been through enough."

"I will," Liam affirmed before ending the call. With a sigh, he slid his phone back into his pocket and climbed into his car.

As he pulled away from the curb, his mind was still occupied by thoughts of Emma. He didn't notice the figure lurking in the shadows, hidden by the cover of darkness. A pair of calculating eyes followed his every move, a sinister smile playing at the corners of their lips.

Liam drove off into the night, unaware that he was being watched – a pawn in a game he had yet to comprehend.