"What were you doing with Sally?"

I roll my eyes. Rehearsal had just gotten out, and we were walking to the bus stop. "I was politely asking her to leave you and everyone else alone."

"I'm not stupid, Izzie!" Eliza was glaring at me. "What did you say?"

"I just told her to leave her alone, sure I got a bit physical, but I didn't do anything crazy!"

Eliza sighs. "Fine. Look, the bus is here!"

We run over to the station, only a few feet away. We manage to board it only a moment before the bus driver started up the vehicle. We're able to find seats next to each other, but we sat right next to the high kids. They all stink of weed. The bus starts up again. "So, want to meet up tomorrow?" I ask.

"I can't, it's my cousin's birthday. And I would hang today, but I have that date."

"Oh." We don't talk for the rest of the drive. I'm pretty sure she's mad, but why should I care? I don't care. After not acknowledge each other for a while, Eliza looks at me.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asks, putting her hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off.

"Dandy."

"Isabella." I stop. Eliza rarely uses my full name. I turn to see the worried expression she wears. "What's wrong?"

I stare at her. If I tell her I don't want her to go on the date, that I don't want her to go to that birthday. I want her to stay with me. But I'll seem desperate. I just want her to be happy, and that will also give me time to distance myself. "Eliza. I am fine."

Eliza opens her mouth as if to say something, but then the bus stops and the bus driver calls a street name. "Oh," she says softly. "This is my stop." She awkwardly gets up. "Bye."

"Bye."

I'm staring at the ceiling, my arm stinging. I hear the ping! from a text message. I reach for my phone. Eliza just messaged me.

Hey. Where are you?

I shrug. Isn't she supposed to be on a date with 'some guy?' I try to not put something sassy as I reply. Home, why?

I'm right outside your house. Come out?

I blink. I go to my window, seeing her standing alone in the cold. I grab a coat before I quietly make my way down the fire escape outside my window. When I reach the ground, I run the Eliza and hug her tightly when I get to her.

She winces.

I pull away. "Eliza. Are you okay?"

Before she could say anything, Eliza breaks down sobbing and pulls me into a hug. She sobs into my chest, squeezing me tightly. I'm in a state of shock. When that wears off, though, I gently wrap my arms around her. "It's okay. Shhh. It's okay."

Eliza, between sobs, manages to say. "I told him I didn't want- When I said no-Oh god, Izzie-"

My heart falls. Who did-who would dare to hurt Eliza? My grip on her tightens, more protective. As soon as I feel her tense up in my arms, though, I loosen them again. I pull her away from them look her in the eye. "Eliza. Who did this?"

"N-No," Eliza quietly cries. "I sho-shouldn't."

I hold her chin so she has to stare at me. I feel tears begin to fall from my eyes. "Tell me."

Eliza doesn't even try to move, she just stares at me, wide-eyed, as silent tears fall from both of us. The finally, she utters "Jack Baker."

I let her chin go, and pull her into a hug. Her cries become audible again, but she doesn't resist the embrace. In fact, she once again holds me tightly. "Thank you for telling me," I whisper. Then, almost subconsciously, I kiss her head. She doesn't move. I doubt she even notices. But I do. And I kick myself for it.

"Would you like me to take you home?" I say once we've pulled away and sat on the street curb. "Sitting alone in the dark in New York. Not a good idea."

Eliza manages a weak chuckle. "Not really. My parents… I just don't want to see them. Honestly, I realized on the date… the entire time the only person I could think about is you."

I let that sink in. She was thinking about me on a date. I can't believe it. But I see the way she's looking at me. There was something new. Or maybe something there I had never noticed before. Then, without even thinking about it, I kiss Eliza gently.

I feel happy, like this is where I belong. But, she's not reciprocating. Have I messed up? Oh, god, was way too soon? Once again, I mentally kick myself. Just as I start to pull away, though, Eliza grabs me and starts to kiss me. She wraps her hands around my neck and I wrap mine around her waist.

We both pull away at the exact same time. Both of us are smiling.

"Want to spend the night with me?" I whisper.

She blushes. "Of course. What are we going to do?"

I take her hand and kiss it. "Whatever you are comfortable with doing."