AN: Alright, so first of all: this is AU. Like AU all the way. I've been thinking about this, dreaming about it for a while. This has been sitting on my computer for a month now, but people (yes, I'm looking at you guys) have been pushing me into posting it. So here we go. Special thanks to Clara and Ash for giving me direction and beta-ing this and also a huge thanks to Kelly for helping with the title!

Disclaimer: I think it's obvious that I do not own TBL or anything else really. I do not make money with fanfics... that'd be too great actually. Credit for the song, I now have stuck in my head, goes to Matchbox Twenty - Bright Lights

Baby, baby, baby when all your love is gone
Who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world
And maybe, maybe, maybe
You'll find something that's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come on home

Enough To Keep You

Chp. 1

"Come on, Liz. Let's just walk past the idiot. You don't even need to look in his direction," Amy told her friend, trying to balance the tray that carried her lunch in one hand, while her other arm awkwardly held her purse in place.

Liz groaned. "Great. Can't we just eat inside?"

"The sun's shining. It's summer. All the seniors are outside. I'm single, and wearing a skirt, do you need me to say anything else?"

Fourteen year old Liz rolled her eyes. "And you can't find a boyfriend another time?"

Amy gave her a look. "I'm not looking for a boyfriend, just some fun. You should try it."

The brunette snorted. "Right. Let's just get this over with."

The couple continued walking over the grass, looking for a free spot. Well, Liz was, while Amy tried locating a group of cute guys they could chat up.

"Liz, babe, wait up." They heard a boy call after them.

"Fuck," she mumbled under her breath, stopping in her tracks.

The boy rounded her with a sly grin. "Hey, babe."

"Tom, I asked you not to call me that. I'm not, nor will I ever be your 'babe'," she spoke the words with a death glare.

His grin didn't waver. "Why don't we have lunch together, talk about whatever's eating you up?"

Tom was seventeen and apparently had a crush on her. Liz didn't like him one bit. He was acting as if he owned her, and he actually dared to tell her off for hanging with her best guy friend. It was crazy really. His glasses made him look harmless, but she knew he was anything but. He hung out with some really weird guys, and there was a mean glint in his eyes at times; Liz wasn't sure whether she should be scared or not.

"I don't want to eat with you. I don't even want to speak with you. Just leave me alone."

"You heard her," Amy backed her up. "Find someone else."

"Shut up, blondie!" He spat. "No one asked you."

"Just fuck off, Tom," Liz said and started walking away.

He grabbed her arm and roughly pulled at her, making her drop the tray she was holding. "We weren't done here, so don't you dare walk away from me when I talk to you." His voice was laced with venom.

"Is there a problem?" Another voice asked.

Liz turned her head and looked straight into the face of a more than handsome guy. His hair was blond and had an involuntary side part to the left, and though the top was slightly longer, it was short cropped at the sides and the back. His eyes were a sparkling mixture of green and grey and even blue. There was something about him that drew her to him, stranger that he was.

"None of your damn business!" Tom spat.

"Thomas, I think the lady asked you to leave," Mr. Handsome said. "There's no need to be even more rude than you were already towards her. Is that how you usually treat women?"

His voice was rich, sending a shiver down her spine. She couldn't take her eyes off him, and she noticed that people had stopped eating to look at them.

Tom glared at him, not releasing Liz's arm. "I told you, it's none of your business, so fuck off while I'm talking to my girl."

The mouth of Mr. Handsome twitched once before he grabbed Tom's wrist and twisted it, making him release the girl and cry out in pain. The blond leaned in to whisper in his ear. It was too low for Liz to hear, but she witnessed Tom's eyes widen slightly. Her savior twisted Tom's wrist once more before releasing it and pushing at his chest.

"Scram," he said dangerously. Tom didn't make him say it twice as he took off, with his tail between his legs.

Liz knelt down to pick up the wrapped food and put it back on her wooden tray. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the blond doing the same. It only took seconds, and when they were done, he gently put his hand to her arm, right where Tom had grabbed her. "Are you okay?" His voice was soft.

The blue-eyed girl looked up at him, startled at how close he was. "I'm okay. Thank you for making him leave."

Mr. Handsome nodded and gave her a smile. He was beautiful really, with his long golden eyelashes fluttering against his skin. "Does your boyfriend give you a lot of trouble?"

Liz grimaced. "He's NOT my boyfriend. The thought alone makes me want to puke."

He looked in the direction Tom had run off to. "You should be careful. The guy obviously thinks he is and isn't shy about it either."

She nodded and sighed. "I know."

The guy picked up the tray and stood, holding out his hand for her to take. She gladly took it and he helped her into a standing position. Only when he held her hand in his a little longer did Liz realize which hand she had extended towards him. She pulled slightly, but he didn't let go. Instead he let his thumb caress over the scarred skin, the fire had left. His eyes went to hers and Liz saw nothing but sympathy and understanding in them before he slowly let go.

"Liz?" Amy chose that moment to address her. "I think I saw some of our girls back there," she said carefully. Not sure about the whole scene.

"Well you shouldn't keep your friends waiting then." Mr. Handsome smiled.

"Thank you," Liz told him again.

He gently touched her arm again, his warmth seeping through to her skin. "My pleasure. Take care of yourself, Lizzie." He spoke the nickname as if they had been friends for years, but Liz found she didn't mind that much. With another smile, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" She grabbed his arm, which was covered by a leather jacket. She waited until he looked at her again. "What's your name?"

A grin spread over his lips and Liz felt her heart flutter. "You can call me Red."

AN: Let me know if you would like to have some more. Thanks for reading!