Disclaimer: Nothing bla bla bla.

A/N: I am so terribly sorry for the delay and the lack of updates. Things have been rough but I'm getting better and so have things around me. But school is still a hassle and with graduation getting closer I have to work my ass off. But besides that, I came to a stop with this story but than realized I still wanted to continue. So this chapter is crap. And I seriously mean it. But I hope you guys will still review because that's what keeps me driven to write. The next chapters will be more angsty and filled with drama. This is more a filler for now. But this story is coming to an end and the sequel will hopefully be out afterwards ;) Anyway, please review oh faithful reviewers!

P.S I got a new Paul OC story. It's Not Me, It's You. It's different from this one :) Check it out :D

Another Hand Upon Me

So they say it's easier to hurt than to heal.

They've never been so right!

I agree, hurting is easier then healing. Healing requires confrontation, which requires courage, which is something I didn't have. I wasn't so sure how I was going to save myself from this mess I was forced into but I did know that I had to try it on my way. I couldn't tell Paul yet, I had to fix it myself. But I knew I couldn't do it on my own and I didn't know someone neutral enough who could help me without going ballistic.

So Seth was out of the question. I couldn't tell Summer either, nor Kim. Because she would go to Jared who would go to Paul in a split second. I didn't know the other pack members well enough to confide in them. So basically, there was no one left. I really was pathetic.

I opened my locker and stuffed my book in it, trying to find some peace of mind. I hadn't slept in the past few days. Even though my mother had me convinced it was better if I stayed home I still couldn't. This was my senior year. I just couldn't skip any more school if I wanted pass my exams. So I forced my self to go to school and hope that I wouldn't see Dante.

That was impossible though. I saw him several times, but I was always surrounded by people that he didn't have a choice but to keep his distance. I was rarely alone because I forced myself to be around people. Paul was with me almost the entire time. He seldom left me by myself. But now, it was nice to have just a second for myself. Even though it may not be the smartest thing to do.

I sighed and a hand placed itself on the locker next to me. I turned around when I was suddenly banged against my own locker. Through the sharp pain I blinked in the face of Dante Williamson. He was looking at me with his black eyes filled with anger. Unlike Paul, he wasn't shaking, he was terrifyingly calm and that scared me. There was no warning whatsoever.

"You really shouldn't do this." I brought out as I struggled to move underneath his arm. But his leg cut off any way of escape and I felt the despair creep up on me

"Don't." His voice was cold. Like ice and I cringed inwards.

"Look, I'm not the one you're angry with." I tried to negotiate.

"No, but you are the reason why I'm in a shit load of trouble." I swallowed the lump that threatened to overwhelm me.

"Hey, what the hell is going on!?" I snapped my eyes open when I saw a sophomore come my way. Her dark hair was up in a bun, and her sharp eyes were directed to Dante and he scowled letting me go in an instant.

"This isn't over yet." He told me before walking away.

*^*

"Are you alright?" I swallowed and nodded mutely at the girl who stood next to me. Her tall, boyish stature was somehow comforting but I kept quiet anyways. She put her hand on my shoulder and I flinched but she didn't let go, as opposed to what I was expecting. I looked at her with a. embarrassed expression. The paranoia was there, but it was like something was blocking it entirely. I had no other choice but to go with that.

"I'm Kari." She introduced herself. I smiled weakly.

"Julie." I responded and she nodded and finally let go of my shoulder.

"Are you alright? I don't know what he's playing at but, don't worry. He won't be able to do something soon enough." She promised me and I realized I knew what she was talking about. But how did she know?

"I know that." I told her and she frowned at me. Her dark eyes suddenly portraying understanding.

"Oh."

"Thanks Kari." I said carefully as I closed my locker. "If you weren't here. I …"I trailed off. "Thank you, but could you keep this quiet?!"

"Why?" She demanded and I shrugged at her.

"Please, can you do that?" I urged and she finally nodded. I smiled at her. "Thank you."

"You really shouldn't keep this quiet though." Kari complained as she leant against the locker next to me. I shrugged.

"Look, I don't know if you know what he did to my cousin but I'm not going to let him to the same thing and get away with it. So, please you-"

"Lily, was you cousin?" I cut her off.

"Yeah, why?" So I was talking to Lily's cousin, someone who knew. Maybe that's why she knew he was being sued again.

"No, I knew her as well." I said carefully and Kari nodded.

"Jules!" I looked up and saw Paul walk towards me with a smile on his face. "There you are." And he kissed me on the cheek before turning to the girl next to me.

"Oh, sorry." I said as he looked at me pointedly. "Paul this Kari, Kari this is Paul." I introduced and Kari smiled at him a bit shyly. I guess she was a bit intimidated by him.

"Kari was just here to…" I trailed off. Thankfully Kari jumped out to help me.

"She's my tutor. Mrs Berkeley told me I should ask Julie." Kari made up and I let out a breath hoping Paul wouldn't notice anything.

"Oh, that's great Jules." He looked at me, slightly surprised. "In what subject."

"History." Kari piped up and Paul looked at me.

"History, now that's interesting." He was smirking at me, knowing I didn't like history that much. I slapped him on the arm.

"Shut up." I said and Paul laughed.

"Well, thanks Julie and I'll see you later." Kari said as she moved away from us.

"Yeah, we can discuss when we're free." I said pointedly and she nodded and waved at us.

"Bye guys."

"Bye."

I picked up my discarded bag and walked to our next class. I knew Paul was bursting and I couldn't help but want to get it over with. I stopped walking and pushed Paul in the chest. He didn't move.

"Fine! Out with it." I demanded and Paul rolled his eyes amused.

"Fine. You, tutoring. Since when?" He asked and I shrugged.

"Well, unlike you, the teachers do trust me." Paul scoffed and crossed his arms as he looked down at me. I smirked at him. The previous paranoia dying away in his presence.

"They do trust me." I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say." I said, clearly not convinced.

"Brat." Paul murmured and I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders at him. He grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me into his chest. I yelped and dropped my bag on his feet. He didn't flinch or whatever merely pushed away the bag. His warm skin felt good on mine and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"There is a bonfire this Friday. You should come with me." He said and I pursed my lips. The way he was asking it, well, if you could call it that way, he was merely stating it and expecting me to come with him.

"If you ask nicely. Maybe." I told him and Paul bended his head; I felt his breath on my cheeks.

"Please?" I smiled at him.

"Sure. I'd like to." Paul kissed me on the lips briefly and I stepped away from him.

I felt strange. And it wasn't the lack of sleep I was talking about. More about something else. But I couldn't figure it out even though I knew the catalyst behind it. The whole day it was like this and I wasn't the only one who saw it. Summer was frighteningly perceptive. She kept glancing at me and murmured something to Seth who would do the same thing. I felt like everyone was moving around me instead of with me.

Paul didn't know something was wrong. Or maybe he did and he chose not to react. But whatever it was, it was something that slowly spread and there were only a few people who didn't bother to hide their obvious looking.

And I knew it was somehow justified but I couldn't help but feel like a showpiece in this little soap opera I was tangled up in. Not to mention I was dragging down others with me.

I had no clue what to do.

A/N: I know Julie is a drag right now, but bear with me and her! Please, you'll understand more and more about her and next chapter or the one after that will be in Paul's POV. Loved writing that :D