Harper's breath hitched as Mitch and his friends pushed away from the wall and walked towards her with slow, deliberate steps. Each step was meticulous, carefully calculated as they spread out in a semicircle, effortlessly surrounding her. All of the exit routes were cut off, leaving her caged in like an animal. Surrounded by predators who were ready to devour their prey.

"What do you want?" Harper asked, refusing to take a step back even as they came closer.

"We just thought we could talk," Mitch said casually but there was a cold glint to his eyes, telling her that talking wasn't an option. "You have time, right? I mean, it's not like anyone's waiting for you. You're nothing but a stray."

Harper's eyes narrowed at the obvious jab but she stood straight, her hands tightening into fists. "Actually, I have better things to do than waste my time with you."

"Yeah, like what?" Trey, one of his friends, asked with a cruel smile. "Are you going to put that repetition of yours to good use? First Kyler, then Jake. Who's next?"

Her heartbeat was loud in her ears as the sting of his words reminded her of what people were saying about her. What they were thinking. The rumors were refusing to die down despite it being over a week since they started to circulate. She was sure that by now people would've moved on to the next high school drama but then it was brought up again. And again. And each time, it cut deeper than the last.

"If you believe those lies, then you guys are dumber than I thought," Harper said. "So can you get out of my way?"

"You think you can just walk away from this? Not gonna happen, stray," Mitch said.

The circle tightened around her, shrinking the space between them. The flickering neon sign above the convenience store created monstrous shadows on their faces as they stalked closer. Harper weighed her options but there was no way out. None that she could see. The wall of the convenience store was just behind her and Mitch, Trey and Logan were before her. Despite the fear coursing through her veins, she refused to let it show.

"I'm not looking for a fight," she said, balling her hands into fists to keep her hands from shaking.

"Too bad. Because we are," Mitch said, his voice dripping with malice. "It's about time someone showed you where you belong. About what happens when you mess with us."

Harper rolled her eyes, her defiance giving her the strength she needed. "You think that's supposed to scare me? You're pathetic," she said, but took an involuntary step back as they closed in on her. Her heart beat erratically as she mentally prepared herself for what was unavoidable at this point.

Mitch's grin widened. "Look at her," he said to his friends. "Trying to act all tough."

She kept her head high, refusing to let them see the glimmer of fear that she felt in her veins. Refused to let them hear her breath as it came out in quick, rapid bursts. Harper kept her expression hard and challenging even though she felt terrified.

Her eyes darted to the sides, once again looking for a way out but there was none. The entrance to the convenience store was to her left, blocked off by Trey. And with the boys inching closer, there was nowhere for her to go. There was nothing for her to do but stand there and brace herself for what was to come.

"I'm not gonna to fight you," she repeated, struggling to keep the tremor out of her voice.

"You don't have a choice," Mitch said, his voice sharp and cold.

Before she could even form a reply, Mitch lunged at her. His fist flew through the air and her eyes widened before her instincts took over. Harper ducked at the last possible moment and countered with a sharp punch that caught Trey in the nose. The satisfying crunch of bone on bone sounded in the air as he staggered back, clutching his face as blood spurted out.

"You bitch!" Trey shouted, his words mumbled but laced with venom.

Mitch and Logan looked momentarily stunned, their expressions flickering from surprise to rage in the blink of an eye.

"Big mistake," Mitch said and rushed at her, barely giving her any chance to defend herself. To prepare. She managed to block his punch and retaliated with a swift kick to his knee that made him stagger back. It wasn't much but it was enough to buy her some time. Time to think of a way out of this but her options were slim. Harper tried to stay vigilant even though she knew that she was outnumbered. She steadied her breath and focused on what Hawk taught her over the summer — to always be on alert.

But before she could make a move, Trey came up from behind and painfully twisted her arm behind her back. Harper stumbled, struggling to break his hold on her as pain radiated from arm. She gritted her teeth against the shooting pain, refusing to show weakness even as her energy started to drain. Harper's eyes widened as she saw Mitch advancing on her again and acted out of instinct, driving the heel of her shoe into Trey's shin and elbowing him roughly in the ribs. His hold on her lessened and she broke free from his hold on her. Her moment of reprieve was short-lived as Mitch shoved her back against the brick wall.

The air was knocked out of her lungs, tiny dots swimming in her vision as her head collided with the brick. She bit down the cry of pain that so desperately wanted to be released but she wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. Instead, she hardened her gaze even as the rest of them closed in around her.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Trey taunted as he held her against the wall, the rough brick scratching at her skin as she tried to push against him.

"I'm not scared of you," Harper shot back, struggling to maintain her composure. Her breaths came quick and shallow. Her muscles burned with exhaustion, and her skin stung from where she'd gotten hit but she refused to back down. Not from them.

"That' snot what it looks like," Trey said with a dark chuckle, wiping the blood from his nose. "Maybe you should just stay down before you really get hurt."

"Or maybe she just needs to learn her place." Hawk's voice broke through the tension, a sharp edge of amusement coloring his words as he joined the circle. He stood there with an amused look, arms crossed, as if he were enjoying the spectacle. But there was something beneath the surface — an emotion that flickered in his eyes before it vanished. Replaced by the cold, detached look that seemed to be a signature of Cobra Kai.

"About time you showed up," Mitch said with a grin, his tone smug. "We were just teaching this stray some manners. You joining in on the fun or what?"

Hawk smirked, his expression relaxed but his eyes kept darting toward the dojo. "You needed three of you to take on one girl?" He taunted. "Pretty sad, guys. You're embarrassing yourselves."

Trey's grin faltered for a moment but he quickly covered it up with a sneer. "Hey, she's tougher than she looks," he muttered and rubbed his nose, wincing from the earlier punch.

Hawk's smirk widened but Harper caught the flicker of hesitation in his eyes as his gaze flickered to her. But just like that, it was gone in the blink of an eye as he looked back to his friends. "Sure, but come on. You couldn't handle her without me?"

Mitch laughed off of his comment. "Maybe we were just waiting for you to make it interesting."

Hawk stepped closer with a playful grin but his words were sharp as knives, his eyes were hard and unreadable. "Yeah, well, guess I'll have to show you guys how it's done."

Harper's heart pounded in her chest, her mind clouded by confusion and betrayal as both fought for dominance. The air was thick with tension, and she could feel the walls closing in. Her eyes locked onto Hawk's and searched for something that would tell her he wasn't serious. That he was on her side like he always was but all she saw was the cold mask he wore, the one that mirrored his friends.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Dealing with the trash," Hawk said coldly, his tone flat and emotionless. As if the words cost him nothing.

Trey's sneer deepened, sensing an opportunity to push further. "Why'd you even waste your time with her after Moon? I mean, you could've had anyone."

Hawk paused, the briefest hesitation in his movements, before shrugging with a smirk. "She was convenient," he replied, his tone dismissive and casual like she was nothing more than an afterthought. "I needed something easy, and she was just there."

The words cut deeper than she'd expected. Everything her friends told her, every warning they gave her about Hawk replayed in her mind like a cruel echo. His words were sharper than any punch she'd endured. For a moment, her face betrayed the raw hurt she felt but she quickly forced herself to harden and cover her emotions with a defiant anger. Refusing to let him – or anyone else – see her break. To see the cracks forming. The pieces of herself that were breaking apart beneath the weight of his cruelty.

"Really?" She shot back, masking the hurt that threatened to break through. "That's all I was to you?"

Hawk's expression hardened. "What else would you be? I needed something to pass the time."

"But I thought —"

"Thought what?" Hawk interrupted, his voice dripping with disdain as the mocking edge sliced through her last defenses. "That you were special? Different? Get over yourself, foster. You were nothing more than a good distraction."

His words echoed around them, and Harper searched for something to say but came up empty. Because what could she say that wouldn't make her sound pathetic?

Mitch laughed, glancing between the two of them with a look of amusement. "Come on, stray, don't act so surprised. Hawk wasn't actually serious about you. He was already with Sadie at Moon's party."

"We all saw them together," Trey said with a nod, joining in. "Pretty sure she kept him occupied for the next few days, too. Right?"

The comment hit harder than she expected. Harper felt the air leave her lungs, her chest tightening painfully as she fought to keep her composure. She looked at Hawk, her gaze searching his face for something — anything — that would tell her it was all a lie. That this was all some twisted game, and he was still the same person she'd thought she'd known. But all she saw was a stranger staring back at her.

It wasn't jealousy that she felt — at least, that's what she told herself. Because she had no right to feel jealous, not after they'd broken up. But that knowledge still cut her up inside, and it did nothing to ease the sharp, aching wound his words had left. It was impossible to ignore the hollow ache that spread inside her chest.

When she spoke, her voice was nothing more than a whisper, as if afraid to break the silence. To voice the one question she didn't know if she wanted answered. "You did?"

Hawk didn't even flinch. His face was a mask of indifference, void of any emotion as his gaze held hers. Unfeeling and cold. "Yeah, I did," He said with a shrug, his voice blunt and uncaring. "Sadie's fun, you know? With her, there's no drama or baggage. She's not a sad broken mess like you are."

The words sliced through her, leaving her reeling and grasping for something to steady herself. She could feel her heart shattering, breaking apart piece by piece. She didn't want to believe any of it. Didn't want to believe that the boy who had stood by her side with that fierce protectiveness, who had been her anchor through all of her battles, was treating her like she meant nothing. She couldn't believe that. Not when he'd defended her, comforted her and made her believe that she wasn't as alone in this cruel world as she always believed she was. Not when he'd seen her through her darkest times when she fought with her friends, when Kyler and Jake humiliated her in front of everyone, when it felt as if her life was falling apart.

But the way he watched her now with that detached expression, she knew. She knew it was true. She didn't matter to him. And perhaps she never had.

All of those moments, every smile, every joke and shared conversation had been ripped away. It was as if he had reached into her chest and torn away every bit of warmth she'd ever felt for him. The realization that she was nothing but a passing distraction hit her with brutal clarity. That she meant so little to him that he could turn his back on her so easily and discard her as though she was nothing more than a mistake.

She hated herself for being so naive, for believing the version of him he'd shown her. It had all been an act, and she'd fallen for it.

But most of all, she hated him. She hated him for breaking down her walls, for making her believe that he was there for her.

The betrayal was suffocating, and it took all of her strength to hold herself together. Harper's vision blurred as she fought against the tears threatening to fall. She wouldn't cry, wouldn't let herself fall apart. Not here, and especially not for him.

Instead, she forced herself to meet his gaze with a fire she didn't fully feel but was determined to show. "So that's it? It was all just a game to you?"

His eyes narrowed with a cold indifference as he shrugged. "Game, distraction… call it whatever you want. And after all those rumors," he paused, not looking her in the eye, "turns out Kyler and Jake had it right. You're just another girl who's easy to use and easy to forget."

Harper's chest tightened, feeling as if the ground had opened beneath her. Her world had shifted, her eyes burning with the sting of betrayal. She blinked against the tears that blurred her vision, refusing to let the pain of his words affect her. "I hate you," she said, her voice breaking. "I hate you more than anyone."

For a brief moment, Hawk's mask faltered and there was a flicker of emotion in his eyes — regret, pain, something other than the hatred he'd looked at her with before. But just as quickly, he covered it up. His face hardened once more, becoming unreadable as he reached out and grabbed Harper's arm roughly, his grip firm and almost painful.

Harper gasped more out of surprise than fear. She refused to show the multitude of emotions that were fighting against each other. She glared up at him, her own gaze hardened to match his. Despite her resolve, she still tried to get a read on him. Tried to search for the boy she knew was still in there, the one who'd managed to get past the walls she'd put up. The one who'd been there for her when it felt like her whole world was falling apart. But the longer she searched, the less she recognized him.

He yanked her closer, his face just inches from her. And for a moment, one terrifying moment, it looked like he would hit her. "That's the plan," he whispered, his tone low and filled with a mix of urgency and panic.

"Let me go," Harper said, trying to break free from his grasp but his grip on her arm tightened.

"Just trust me for a second, will you?" He said, his voice barely audible.

"Trust you?" Harper asked, incredulous. "Why the hell would I trust you?"
"Because I'm still on your side," he told her.

Harper blinked, thrown off by his words. More than anything, she wanted to trust him. To believe that he was still on her side despite the hurtful things he'd said just seconds ago. But it felt difficult, almost impossible. She glanced past him to where his friends stood watching from a distance, their expressions smug, almost entertained. They muttered amongst themselves and nodded approvingly, as if Hawk was doing exactly what they expected.

Realization slowly dawned on her, like a puzzle piece finally falling into place. They don't know, she thought, her mind grappling with the possibility that his friends had no idea they were still talking. She tried to think back to their conversations, to remember if he'd told her that his friends knew about them but she drew a blank. While her friends knew and gave her shit about it, his friends had been in the dark. Beyond knowing that Hawk trained her over the summer, that they were something, they now thought that he hated her again.

It explained everything.

How Sam mentioned that Hawk never defended her to his friends. How every time they talked or hung out, his friends were never around. She'd been left to deal with the consequences of being with him, while he hid safely behind his act. Playing both sides.

She felt stupid. Humiliated. Betrayed.

But, most of all, she felt angry.

Her gaze snapped back to his, her eyes hard and accusing. "Your friends don't know," she stated quietly as the truth settled over her. Heavy. Suffocating. "They have no idea we're still talking, do they?"

Hawk hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked away for a brief second, and in that moment, she saw it. A flicker of guilt, or maybe it was regret, barely hidden behind his usual tough exterior. "No," he admitted. "They don't know."

The confirmation hit her like a punch, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Unbelievable," she muttered. "So, what? You get to act like you hate me around them, while I'm defending you to my friends like some idiot?"

He flinched at her words but kept his voice steady. "It's not like that."

"So what's it like? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're just a coward hiding behind Cobra Kai so you don't have to admit that you care about someone other than yourself."

Hawk looked over his shoulder to where his friends were watching with anticipation. Turning back to her, his hand tightened on her arm and his fingers pressed harder into her skin as he leaned in closer. It was such a calculated, deliberate move that it caused her to stiffen. The pressure of his grip mixed with the cold look in his eyes caught her off guard. To anyone watching, it looked like he was on the verge of snapping as he towered over her like a threat.

"Come on, foster, you know I care about you." The cold expression never faltered, though there was a glimmer of softness in his eyes, hidden behind the cruel facade he was putting on. With his other hand, he roughly grabbed her shoulder, just enough to make her wince, but she could feel the restraint in his grip.

"I don't know anything," Harper muttered, her eyes narrowed in disbelief as she clenched her fists.

"Look, I told them we weren't talking," he told her. His fingers tightened slightly but his eyes flashed with a silent apology as he pushed her slightly. She stumbled back a step, but he quickly closed the distance between them. "I had to. After what happened with Miguel… Kreese and my friends are out for revenge. If they knew I was still talking to you, they'd never leave you alone. I lied so they'd back off. I did it to protect you"

"And how's that working out for you?" Harper shot back quietly, her voice bitter. "Because they're still treating me like trash."

"They're always going to mess with you, you know that. But you think this is bad?" He asked, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper as he towered over her. "They'd do a hell of a lot worse than just mock you. They'd tear you apart, and they'd do it just to mess with me."

Harper held his gaze, her expression hardened. "So you get to do it instead? By saying that I'm just a sad, broken mess?" She asked, repeating his words back to him. "If this is your idea to keep me safe, I don't want it. I can take care of myself."

"Well, you're doing a great job. You were one second away from getting really hurt if I hadn't stepped in just now. So just trust me."

"Why should I?"

"Because if you don't, this gets a lot worse," he told her, his tone tense but softer. "Because you know me, and you know I won't let you get hurt."

"Could've fooled me," Harper snapped, her voice filled with anger. She wanted to believe him but after everything, she wasn't sure if she could.

Hawks lips twitched, almost as if he wanted to smile, but he kept his voice low. "Yeah, well, it's called surviving, foster. You know that better than anyone," he said. "Now play along."

Harper stared at him, her heart racing. Wanting to believe him. "I swear, if you screw me over —"

"I won't," he cut her off. "Just trust me, okay?"

Harper hesitated, trying to make sense of the conflicting feelings that coursed through her. "Fine."

Hawk stared at her for a moment longer before shoving her backwards, hard enough to make her stumble but not enough to hurt. He turned back to his friends, his expression a mix of irritation and authority. "Alright, enough! We're done here. Kreese doesn't want us making a scene."

Mitch scowled, irritation and confusion crossing his face. "What the hell, Hawk? We were just getting started," he grumbled, sharing a look with the others who looked just as unhappy with the sudden change of plans.

Hawk didn't flinch and kept his gaze steady. "I said, enough," he repeated. "You really want to explain to Kreese why we're out here acting like a bunch of idiots?"

They hesitated, glancing toward the dojo that was just a few feet away from them. The tension seemed to lessen, and Harper felt a flicker of hope that this was over. Maybe he had actually put a stop to this. Just like he said he would.

But Trey wasn't buying it. His eyes narrowed in disbelief as he looked toward Hawk with a sneer. "That's it? Seriously?" He asked, his voice thick with irritation. "You're just gonna let her go after all that? No hit, nothing?"

"Yeah, Trey, that's exactly what I'm doing," Hawk told him. "You got a problem with that?"

"I have a problem with you going soft. We're Cobra Kai, not monks," Trey argued. "We don't fight with our words."

Hawk shot him a flare. "But we don't have to beat on someone who's already down."

"Down?" Trey echoed mockingly. "She's not down! She's still standing."

Hawk clenched his jaw, and for a moment, Harper saw a flash of the boy she once knew. The one who would stand up for her no matter what. "She's not your problem. Let it go," he snapped.

Trey seemed to consider it, weighing his options as he looked between Hawk and Harper. Taking a step back, he raised his arms in surrender. "Whatever. It's your call," he muttered, though his tone dripped with sarcasm.

Harper let out a small breath and met Hawk's eye. He gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod — a silent message that told her everything would be okay. The tension in her shoulders released as they started to walk away.

But then, with a speed that caught everyone off guard, Trey lunged forward, his fist crashing into Harper's ribs. The punch knocked the air out of her lungs, and she doubled over, clutching her side as the pain magnified. She could barely suppress the cry that threatened to escape her lips, her eyes tearing up.

Trey's laugh was dark and cruel as it echoed around them. "That's how we deal with trash!"

Mitch and Logan, emboldened by Trey's sudden move, stepped forward. They joined without a second thought, their fists flying as Harper tried to fight back. But she was overwhelmed in seconds, her vision swimming and her body screaming with pain.

Hawk's hesitation lasted only for a moment, but it felt like eternity to Harper. She braced herself for more blows as her breath came in short, ragged gasps. Her gaze locked with Hawk's as she silently pleaded for him to do something. Anything. But he stood there, uncertainty flicking across his face.

And her trust in him shattered all over again.

She was on her own. Just like she'd always been.

But then something shifted. Hawk's expression hardened and he stepped forward with force determination.

"Back off!" Hawk yelled, shoving Trey with a forceful shove that sent him stumbling back.

Trey's eyes widened in shock, caught off guard at his unexpected move. "What the hell!" He sputtered as his disbelief quickly turned to anger.

Hawk didn't flinch as he placed himself firmly in front of Harper, blocking Trey and the others from getting closer. "I told you we're done," he said, his voice cold and commanding. "You don't touch her again."

"You've lost it, Hawk," Trey said, his face contorted with rage. "You're seriously defending her? You were trashing her earlier."

"Yeah, I was," he admitted with an apologetic look her way. "But that was before you idiots took it too far. She's not your punching bag, and I'm not letting you hurt her."

Mitch blinked, clearly confused. "Why do you even care?"

"Maybe because I still like her! Maybe because we never stopped talking. That clear enough to you?"

The admission hung in the air. Trey shook his head in confusion before anger took over again. "You're seriously picking her over us?"

"I'm not picking anyone over Cobra Kai. But I'm done pretending I don't care about her. So, yeah, all of you need to back off. Now."

Trey opened his mouth to argue but before he could say anything, a voice sliced through the air.

"Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events," Kreese said, his voice smooth, almost amused, as he emerged from the shadows. "Defending the enemy, Hawk? Bold move."

Harper's breath caught in her throat at the sound of Kreese's voice. She could feel the way everything shifted in the air as he joined them, his presence authoritative yet threatening.

"What happened to striking first? Showing no mercy?" Kreese asked.

Hawk didn't back down but she could see the tension in his shoulders. "I wasn't gonna let them beat her into the ground," he explained. "There's a difference between a fight and… whatever this is."

Kreese's smile faded, a dangerous edge creeping into his eyes. "Oh, I see. So now you think you're better than me? Better than Cobra Kai?"

"No, Sensei," Hawk said, his voice steady. "But I know what's right. And this isn't it."

Kreese nodded slowly, his gaze drifting over to Harper. His expression was unreadable but then he laughed — a low sound that sent a chill down her spine. "You're walking a fine line, Hawk. Defending someone like her will make you weak."

"I'm not weak," Hawk replied, his voice firm but respectful. "Not for defending someone I care about."

"Care about?" Kreese repeated as his gaze darkened. "That's your problem, Hawk. Emotions make you soft. You're either Cobra Kai or you're nothing."

Hawk hesitated for just a second, looking towards her before looking Kreese in the eye. "I'm with Cobra Kai. But I don't need to prove myself by beating up someone who doesn't deserve it."

"You don't know what she deserves," Kreese said, his voice deceptively calm. "You're making a mistake, Hawk. And mistakes have consequences."

"Then I'll face them," Hawk said.

For a moment, Kreese said nothing. Then, with a disdainful look her way, he nodded. "Fine. Drive her home," he said, his eyes narrowing on Hawk, as if daring him to defy him. "But remember Hawk… loyalty is everything."

Harper let out a breath the moment Kreese walked away, disappearing back into the dojo. The air was still thick with tension, and she shifted uncomfortably as Mitch, Trey and Logan zeroed in on her again. Her ribs ached with every breath she took, her shoulder throbbed from when she hit the wall and she could feel a thin line of blood falling from a cut on her cheek. But, despite that, she kept her expression hard. Refused to show that she was scared or hurt or whatever kind of reaction they were expecting from her.

She glanced at Hawk from the corner of her eye, noticing his stiff posture and how his hands were balled into fists. He'd stood up to Kreese, and she couldn't have imagined it to be easy. For a fleeting moment, she felt something like sympathy for him but then remembered everything that had occurred in the past hour. How he'd played along with his friends when they were trashing her, and any flicker of sympathy she had turned to cold resentment.

"Isn't this cozy?" Mitch asked with a sneer, his eyes flickering between Harper and Hawk. "I didn't realize Hawk had a thing for strays."

"Maybe Kyler and Jake were onto something," Trey added, his voice mocking as he crossed his arms.

"Keep talking, and this time I'll actually break your nose," Harper threatened, taking a step forward but her words weren't as strong as she'd like them to be. It hurt to breath, talk and move and it took all her energy just to not wince in pain.

"Someone's touchy," Logan chimed in. "Getting all worked up over nothing or did we hit a nerve?"

"Has to be true if she's getting defensive," Mitch said, his smile cruel before looking at Hawk. "You're really going for Kyler and Jake's leftovers now?"

Before she could say anything, Hawk stepped in front of her. His expression darker, eyes narrowed as he started them down. "Back the hell off."

Mitch shrugged, still grinning. "I'm just saying. You could do a lot better. Sadie seemed more like your type anyway."

Harper could feel him tense beside her and knew he was close to losing it. She half expected him to throw a punch but instead he just grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the group. "Let's go," he said, his jaw clenched tight as if trying to stop himself from reacting to their taunts.

Harper stumbled as she followed him, her ribs protesting with every step she took. It took everything in her not to cry out from the pain, and she dug her nails into her palm to feel something other than the excruciatingly sharp pain.

Hawk unlocked the door, the lights flashing against the darkening sky. "You know, you could try not to pick a fight with every guy who looks at you sideways," he muttered, half joking.

"Well, maybe you should try not having friends who are complete assholes," she shot back with a glare, holding her side as if it would keep her ribs from aching any less.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked, leaning against the side of the car for a moment. "But if I did that, I'd have no friends left."

"Sounds like a 'you' problem."

Hawk laughed softly. "Point taken."

Harper didn't offer a reply, just looked past him at the busy street. Her ribs protested as she walked past his car, as if begging her to reconsider the long walk home. She gritted her teeth and ignored the sharp ache that took her breath away with every step she took. She was determined not to let him see her struggle, not to let him see the pain she was in — physical or emotional.

"Where are you going?" Hawk called after her, watching her with a mild amusement. "I'm driving you home, remember?"

"No, thanks. I can get there on my own," she said.

Hawk rolled his eyes, pushing himself off the side of the car and crossing his arms. "Are you serious? You can't just walk all the way home."

"Watch me," she muttered.

Exasperated, he shook his head. "You're being ridiculous. You know that, right?"

"Maybe I just don't want to be around you right now. Did you ever think of that?" She shot back, her voice sharper than she intended.

Hawk clenched his jaw. "Come on, foster. Stop being so damn stubborn," he said, his tone laced with irritation. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "It's a long walk. Just let me drive you home."

Harper glared at him, crossing her arms as she tried to mask the pain. "You don't get it, do you? I don't want your help. Just leave me alone."

"Seriously, what's your problem?"

"What's my problem?" Harper snapped. "You think just because you stepped in at the last minute, I'm supposed to pretend everything's fine? Like you didn't…" she trailed off, unwilling to finish that sentence. She didn't want to get into that. "I don't need your help. I'll be fine on my own. Just like always."

But as she took another step, the pain momentarily broke through her facade. His gaze softened as he watched a flicker of pain cross her face. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," she said but the strain in her voice betrayed her. She tried to mask the pain with a smile but it came out more like a grimace. She hoped he hadn't noticed but the way his expression shifted told her he had. "Seriously, I've had worse."

Hawk rolled his eyes. "You always say that," he said before taking a step closer.

"I told you I'm fine," she snapped, taking a step back. The quick movement made her wince, a pained gasp escaping her lips mixed with a curse.

"Liar," he muttered, closing the distance between them. His hand hovered near her side, tentatively reaching for the fabric of her shirt but she slapped his hand away. "Can you just not be difficult for one minute? I'm trying to help."

Harper glared at him, the defiance sharp in her eyes even as another wave of pain washed over her. "I told you that I don't need your help."

Hawk's patience was wearing thin. He let out a sharp breath, his jaw clenched. "You're stubborn, you know that?"

"Look who's talking," she told him. "I don't need you to look after me, okay? It's just a bruise."

His eyes flashed in annoyance but he stayed close. "I just want to make sure you're okay. Why is that such a crime?"

"Because I don't need you pretending that you care," she said, her voice less sharp but still guarded. Not knowing what she wanted from him — if she wanted him to push or back off.

"I'm not pretending." His voice carried a mix of frustration and something more vulnerable. "It's… can you just trust me for once?"

Sighing, she nodded. "Fine, but if you make a stupid comment, I –"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Hawk promised with a grin. Careful not to touch her, he lifted the edge of her shirt, revealing a dark bruise that spread across her right side like an ink stain. His expression shifted to something darker, eyes widening as he took in the sight. "Shit, foster. This is –"

"Just a bruise," Harper insisted lightly, but even she could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "I told you it wasn't that bad."

He didn't look convinced. His eyes met hers, disbelief written across his face. "It's not just a bruise," he argued, his voice low and tense. "It looks like they attacked you with a baseball bat or something."

Harper tried to shrug off the severity of her injury while trying to ignore the sharp pain that came from every breath she took. "Yeah, well, your friends kinda play rough," she replied with a forced smile, even though it felt like it took all the energy she had left.

"They're not my friends," Hawk said, his voice sharper as the anger from before sparked back to life in his eyes. "Not if they did this to you." Before she could form a reply, he turned back towards his friends who continued to linger outside the shops. "I'm not letting them get away with this," he muttered, starting to move towards them.

Harper's pulse raced with the realization of what he was going to do. Her hand shot out, grabbing his arm tightly. "Don't," she said, pulling him back with more strength than she thought she had. "It's not worth it."

He stopped and looked over at her, confusion flickering across his face. "Why not? They deserve—"

"Maybe. But I don't need you playing the hero now. Not with Kreese watching. Not after everything. Not when…," she paused, her voice turning bitter, "not when you hesitated earlier."

Hawk looked taken aback, the fight momentarily leaving his posture. "What are you talking about? I didn't hesitate."

"Yeah, you did," she insisted. "When Trey hit me, you just stood there. Like you were weighing your options."

"I wasn't…," he stammered, turning back to her. His expression softened as realization dawned on him. "I didn't hesitate, foster. I… I panicked, okay?"

"You panicked?" Harper repeated, disbelief coloring her words. "You don't panic, Hawk. You're all about striking first and asking questions never."

"Yeah, well, it's different with you," he mumbled, letting out a breath that sounded somewhere between frustration and embarrassment. "I thought I had it handled, you know? I thought if I played it right, they'd back off but then everything went to shit in like two seconds, and I froze."

She stared at him, caught off guard by his honesty. "You… froze? Because of me?"

"Yeah, because of you!" He snapped but there was no anger there, just raw frustration. "You think I freeze up for just anyone? But you — I just didn't know what to do, okay?"

Harper's anger softened slightly but she held back, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I don't know if I can believe that," she said quietly. "Not after everything you said."

"What are you talking about? I told you I was on your side," he said.

"And you think that erases everything? You said I was nothing but a trashy distraction. That Jake and Kyler were right about me."

Hawk blinked, taken aback as regret crossed his face. "You really think I meant any of that crap?"

"I don't know, Hawk," she said, her voice smaller than she intended. "You just said it so easily like you weren't playing some part. It was like you were just waiting for a chance to say it aloud."

"I didn't mean it. I swear," he insisted. "I… I was just trying to get them off your back."

A humorless laugh escaped her lips. "By tearing me down? Do you know how messed up that sounds?"

"I know," he said, guilt flickering across his face. "I said what I thought they wanted to hear, thinking they'd back off."

"Yeah, well, you didn't have to make it so damn personal. You didn't have to go that far if it was just an act," she said.

"I needed them to believe I hated you!"

Hawks' words hung heavily between them, as if he hoped she could somehow understand table twisted logic. "Trust me, Hawk, they believed you," she said, her voice bitter as she looked at him with disbelief. "And so did I. You said those things like you meant every word, like I was just some disposable mistake. You made me doubt everything."

"But I didn't mean any of it," he repeated. "None of it was real. I know I went too far, but it wasn't the truth."

"So what about Sadie? Was that part of the act, too?"

Hawk hesitated, guilt flashing in his eyes. "Sadie was a mistake," he admitted. "After Moon's party, I tried to fix things with us but you pushed me away. You told me there was no way to make this work and I was pissed, okay? And I didn't know how to handle that so I…. I just wanted to move on and forget about us. But she… it didn't mean anything."

Harper forced herself to nod, knowing she had no right to feel angry or jealous. They'd been broken up for over a week by that point but it didn't lessen the sting of his words. The confirmation that he'd run to someone else so soon after her. It hurt more than she wanted to admit.

But perhaps there was a reason why they only stayed on the side of friendship. Perhaps she really was too messed up and complicated. And she carried more baggage than people did in their entire lifetimes. She didn't make it easy for herself or anyone involved. Her defiance always got her in trouble, and maybe… maybe he realized that. He stuck around but as a friend, as someone who could easily walk away when things got too much.

"It meant enough for you to keep going back to her," Harper muttered, wincing at how pathetic she sounded when moments ago she told herself she didn't care.

"It was a mistake. I swear, that's all it was. I didn't go back to her because I wanted to. I was just trying to move on —"

"No one forced you to make that 'mistake' over and over again," she interrupted, shaking her head. "Don't be that guy, okay? The kind of guy that puts the blame on the girl. You chose to go back to her because you wanted to."

Frustration flickered in his eyes as he clenched his jaw. "You think I wanted her? I was just trying to forget, okay? Trying to move on because you shut me out. Again. You made it clear there was no chance for us, so yeah, I screwed up. But don't stand there and act like it was all so damn easy."

Harper let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, right, because you're the victim here. Because I'm just this awful person who shuts you out and gives you no choice but to go running to someone else. At least I don't –" She stopped herself, cutting off whatever venomous comment she was about to make. Forcing herself to take a breath, she felt the anger drain out of her. "Look, I'm not mad, " Harper said with a sigh, her voice quieter. "But maybe we're just better off walking away from whatever this is. I mean, look at what happened tonight. It just proves that –"

"That what?" Hawk interrupted. "That it's easier to just push me away again?"

"Maybe it is," Harper shot back, crossing her arms defensively. "Maybe it's better if we just stop pretending that this could ever work out because all it does is mess everything up."

"Seriously? You're really doing this again?" Hawk's eyes narrowed, a mixture of disbelief and irritation flashing across his face. "I think you're just looking for an excuse to run. Just like you always do."

"What else am I supposed to do?" She snapped, her shoulders tense as she glared at him. "Trusting people has done nothing but make me look stupid. You think I don't have a reason to keep walls up? Maybe I push people away because it's better than watching them leave. Because they always do. And maybe you're no different."

"But I'm still here! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not going anywhere?" He asked, matching her glare. "You're acting like letting someone in is a crime."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Harper snapped back, rolling her eyes. "I didn't realize you were doing me a favor by sticking around. I'm not some charity case. You're free to leave anytime, you know. Maybe find someone who doesn't come with any 'walls' or 'baggage'. Someone with zero complications, who's all sunshine and rainbows."

"If I wanted that, I wouldn't be standing here arguing with you or putting up with all your walls and attitude." He took a step closer, closing the gap between them and gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek. "I know I screwed up but I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, okay? About everything."

Her heartbeat quickened at his touch but she tried to keep her composure. Because she wanted to stay angry because it was easier to hold onto that frustration like a shield. "How do I know you're not just saying that?"

"Because, foster," he said with a smile as his eyes searched hers. "I like you. Probably more than I should. And it freaked me out a little, so I panicked."

Harper felt her breath catch. "You do?"

"Yeah, obviously," he said with a nervous laugh. "Why else would I be standing here like an idiot trying to explain myself?"

Harper felt the weight of his words sink in, but a part of her wanted to find something that would let her cling to the anger and frustration. She wanted to throw up her walls and retreat to the safety of solitude because it was so much easier than letting herself hope. Her gaze flickered over his face, searching for some sign, some crack in his expression that would tell her it was all a lie. That everything he'd said was nothing but a way to smooth over the mess they were in. But she found nothing but sincerity.

Because she could say anything, Hawk looked over his shoulder at where his friends stood, the tension creeping back into his face. "I should—" he started, his voice hesitant as he gestured towards them.

"No, you don't," she said, tugging at his arm to keep him in place. "You don't have to fight them. Just let it go."

"But they—"

"I know, but it won't change anything, and you know that. It'll only make it worse for you, and I don't want you getting in more trouble. Not for me," she said.

Hawk blinked, a flash of surprise crossing his face as he took in her words. "Wait… you actually care if I get in trouble?"

"You don't exactly get a monopoly on caring about someone, you know," Harper told him, rolling her eyes. "I can worry about you just like you worry about me."

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Didn't know you were the caring type, foster."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," she shot back. "But seriously, leave it alone. They're still your friends, even if they are assholes. And you getting into trouble isn't gonna change anything. It'll just make things harder for you, you know that."

Hawk sighed but nodded. "Okay, fine… I'll back off," he said, then glanced at her with a hint of uncertainty. "So, are we good?"

"Yeah, we're okay," Harper said with a smile before adding, "for now."

Hawk grinned. "For now? I guess I'll take that."

Her own smile widened just a little. She still felt that lingering unease, that uncertainty but maybe she was tired of questioning everything — questioning him. "Good. Let's get out of here," she said, ready to put this night behind them.

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

Thank you for reading! I hope you liked the chapter with all the twists and turns.

Hawk and Harper are so freaking stubborn but I love them.

(For context, Sadie is the girl Hawk flirted with at Moon's party. Her name used to be Kylie but I changed it because it was too similar to Kyler)

Let me know what you think... thoughts, opinions, etc.