Two Pieces

"Left Her Unstable"

"Well?" Liam asked, as he walked into the kitchen, Zayn trailing behind him.

"You're not gonna like it," Harry said, as he leaned against the counter, trying to reach for the dinner Danielle was making. Eleanor, Niall, and Louis were at the table.

Liam closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as though that would help him keep his composure.

"Just tell me," Liam muttered.

"She got suspended for 10 days," Harry said, "She refused to apologize to the girl or the headmaster, and she did nothing but argue. The school is upset, violence isn't tolerated. They think that Sofia lacks guidance and a firm hand, and they believe that the emotional turmoil from her parents deaths have left her unstable."

"Unstable?" Liam snapped, "My sister isn't fucking crazy."

"I'm using their words, not mine," Harry said, his voice quiet, knowing that he was upsetting Liam, "They want us to seriously consider forcing her to see the guidance counselor. And if she doesn't return to school with a new attitude, expulsion isn't out of the question."

"You're kidding me..." Liam hissed, his eyes narrowed, before his ran his hands through his hair in frustration, "And what did she have to say?"

"Not much, she just argued and was pretty set that she wasn't wrong," Harry said, "Typical Sofia. Of course when she got an attitude with me, I pulled over, and smacked her a few times. I'm not gonna take her shit..."

"You what?" Liam growled, his eyes flashing.

"You did what?!" Zayn snapped.

"I smacked her ass a few times, relax, I didn't hit her, or abuse her," Harry said, shrugging, "I was more trying to get her attention, then discipline her. And I did."

"You spanked her?" Liam scoffed, "How'd that work?"
Liam couldn't even be angry at him, to say he hadn't wanted to give into the urge to smack Sofia a few times while she had been home would be a lie. He knew that whatever Harry did, he had a reason.

"I would hardly call smacking her a few times, spanking. But it got her attention," Harry defended.

"It would make sense," Liam said, "She would react to pain better then a lecture."

"Act like a child, treated like a child," Niall said, shrugging, "Plus, I feel we have no chance in successfully grounding her..."

"Ugh," Liam groaned, "Then what happened?"

"She cried a bit," Harry said quietly, "Said she missed your parents."

"She what?" Liam snapped, "She hasn't even mentioned them..."

"I know, it surprised me too," Harry agreed.

"Where is she now?" Liam asked.

"I sent her to her room," Louis said, "She tried to make herself at home in the living room, but I went all parental on her, told her to go to her room until you got home and we figured out what the hell we were going to do with her – you would've been proud."

"She didn't go upstairs without a fight either," Niall said, "Threatened to drag her up me self, and she stomped and cursed the whole way up. She's got a right temper that one."

"She was clearly upset about the whole day. Actually, I think she's just upset in general," Danielle said, trying to defend Sofia's behavior.

"Don't defend her," Harry growled, "We're all upset, we're all going through changes, and we don't throw tantrums."

"So, I guess now I have to figure out what I'm going to do," Liam said, sitting down at the kitchen table, and rubbing his eyes in frustration.

"I don't think she was ready to go back," Zayn said quietly, "I think she needs more time."

"She doesn't get more time," Liam snapped, "She has to go to school and she has to pass."

"I understand that Liam, but she was clearly attacked by someone who was looking for a reaction," Zayn said.

"Zayn! We can't keep making excuses for her!" Liam yelled, standing up again, "And we all need to get on the same God damn page. Because with half of us sympathizing with her, and the other half of us trying to control her, we aren't going to get anywhere..."

"If I may..." Eleanor said quietly.

"Eleanor, I told you, this isn't your place," Louis growled.

"No," Liam said, "It is. When it comes to Sofia, we should all be able to voice our opinions, and be on the same page. I want everyone in this kitchen to have the same authority as me when it comes to her. Go ahead, El..."

"I agree that your sister needs structure and discipline," Eleanor said, "But we have made a lot of changes... to her home, to her life, to her job. Everything is different. And I think that in order to get her to see that we are not the enemy, we have to keep some things the same."

"Like?" Liam asked

"Her training, and her job," Eleanor said, "I agree that she shouldn't be working as much, and she should have back up, and all that. But Liam, you dismissed her. You took away the only thing she has lived for, for awhile..."

"Because she needs to learn to live for something else," Liam snapped, frustrated.

"I agree!" Eleanor said, "But I feel like if you keep punishing her or taking away things, it's going to isolate her. She sees you doing this as a power play – not because you care about her. I think we have to make it clear that when we punish her, or there are consequences to her actions – it's not because of power, or anger, or anything like that – it's because we care. We have to be more understanding. This is a lot for anyone to go through, but especially someone like Sofia."

"I agree, Liam," Danielle said, "She needs to see that we're all in this together, and that we love her no matter what. She needs to know that we're doing the things we're doing because we care about her and want to protect her – not because we're trying to hold power over her. She's needs to see that, especially from you."

"But we should have power over her," Harry growled, "She can't be in charge anymore."

"Agreed, but isolating her isn't the answer," Eleanor said, "Pushing her from something she has been apart of her entire life, isn't the way to do that. She shouldn't be in charge – you should be. But, if she continues to see us as the enemy – we're all in serious trouble."

"Liam, you know how much danger we're all in right now," Danielle said, "We need her to be safe, and she's already pushing us away – we don't
need to be pushing her away too."

"So, what are you saying? I can't punish her? I can't discipline her?" Liam growled, "I should just let her run the house because we're all fearful she'll get rebellious and get hurt?"

"No," Eleanor said shaking her head, "I just think you need to find a new way to approach her, we all do. She needs to know that we aren't doing this because we want to take things away or because we're angry or we dislike her. We have to start dealing with her like we would deal with a child, unconditional love and explaining where we're coming from..."

"She never had anyone care, Liam," Danielle said, "Every time she was punished or things were taken away – it was out of anger and frustration – not because someone cared. It wasn't for her well being."

"She needs to know we care," Louis said, finally understanding, "Even when we're angry or frustrated."

"It's hard to give love to someone who doesn't give it back," Niall said quietly, "It's hard to care about someone who doesn't care back."

"Yeah, but I think that's the point," Harry said, looking at Eleanor, "Because isn't that when they need it the most?"

"We're all frustrated and angry," Louis said, "But instead of reacting immediately from that when she acts up, we should react from a place of caring – and love – and protection."

"Like a parent would," Zayn said.

"Like the parents we never had," Liam said, quietly, his eyes on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Danielle asked.

"I don't know how to do this," Liam said, "I wasn't taught how to do this."

"Liam," Eleanor said, "You're already doing it. You love that girl more then anyone ever has – and probably ever will. You just have to keep reminding her."

"And then maybe one day she'll believe it," Danielle said.

"Alright," Liam said, taking a deep breath, "I think we should all talk to her about this suspension and about how things are going to go – family meeting of sorts..."

"Have you come up with some sort of parental punishment yet?" Louis asked, "Because even if we are doing this whole 'we love you no matter what' more understanding approach, there still need to be consequences to
her actions..."

"But let's keep in mind she was provoked," Danielle said.

"I haven't thought of anything, but by the time you bring her downstairs, I will," Liam said, moving his hand as if to tell Louis to hurry up.

Louis left the kitchen, as everyone made their way to the living room, Liam trying to stay as calm and patient as he could. He didn't want to fight with Sofia anymore; he didn't want to lose his temper. And he was hoping this new approach from all of them, and telling her she could return to training and her job – with limits, would create some sort of truce.

"Well?" Zayn asked, when Louis entered the living room, "Where is she?"

"Gone," Louis said, causing Liam to jump up.

"What? Gone where?" he spat out, as everyone chorused his words?

"I don't know," Louis shrugged, "But her window was wide open."
Liam's heart clenched, not in anger like all those other times Sofia had rebelled, but in fear. She had left, she didn't know how long she had been gone, or where she was headed. And Sofia had no idea just how much danger she was in.

"Let's go," Liam said, jumping up, "Find her."


***

Sofia knocked loudly on the door of the big house, hoping he would answer. She waited quietly, knowing that someone would come to the door – the house was never empty.

"I know for a fact you aren't supposed to be here," the voice of James Belfie rang out as he opened the door.

"Is Isaac here?" Sofia asked, ignoring his statement.

"What do you want with him?" James asked, his eyes narrowed on the girl.

"Homework help," Sofia quipped.

"Sofia –" James tried to argue.

"I'm here," Isaac said, pushing James out of the way.

"Let's talk," Sofia said, before turning and walking into their yard, knowing that Isaac was following her.

"Have you heard anything?" Sofia asked, her back still to him, but knowing that he was right behind her.

"It's good to see you too, Sof," Isaac said, "You're also looking well."

"Have you heard anything?" Sofia repeated, ignoring his sarcasm.

"I heard you popped Brooke in the nose today, rumor is you broke it," Isaac said.

"You know what I mean," Sofia said, finally turning to him.

"If you're asking if we had anything to do with your parents," Isaac said quietly.

"I know it wasn't you," Sofia scoffed, "First of all, you guys aren't smart enough, and second of all if it were you, you'd be dead by now..."
Isaac smiled at her pathetic attempt to insult him. Sofia didn't say anything, but looked at the ground and shuffled her feet.

"I haven't heard anything," Isaac said, "In fact, it's been basically silent. Which is strange, usually after a hit like this, someone from somewhere would usually start bragging. But, we've heard nothing."

"No one is taking credit?" Sofia asked

"No, and people are freaked," Isaac said, "People are scared. For someone to pull off a hit like this, to get rid of someone as powerful as your dad... it's got people scared. Whoever did this; they wanted something to come out of it. But, then it's like they just disappeared, didn't even leave a trace."

"I don't know why you guys are so freaked out," Sofia scoffed, "He was our leader..."

"He was your father," Isaac corrected, "And people are scared because even though we're criminals, there's an order to things. Your dad dying, pretty much puts a free for all to things. Who knows who's going to come in and try and take advantage of this... there are already whispers of small street gangs moving in..."

"What are you saying?" Sofia barked, annoyed.

"I'm saying, whoever did this, may have just started an all out gang war..." Isaac said, his body tense, and his voice low, "And if that's what they wanted, then it's probably what they're gonna get..."

"What if that's not what they wanted?" Sofia growled

"Then we all need to be worried, because who knows when they're going to come back and finish the job."

"Right, okay," Sofia said, "Well, you have been absolutely no help to me..."
"Sof, why haven't you talked about this with Liam? He might know more?" Isaac asked

"We're not exactly exchanging information these days," Sofia said, "Plus, I don't if he's looking into it.. and I know he wouldn't want me looking into
it."

Sofia turned, ready to walk back to her house, but Isaac reached out, stopping her.

"And he's probably right," Isaac said, "Whoever did this, Sofia... they aren't someone to mess with. And you may be really talented and really manipulative, but you can't trick whoever did this, you can't manipulate them, and you can't take them on by yourself. You'd never win."

"Isaac, you think so little of my abilities," Sofia said, sarcasm dripping from her words.

"No, I don't," Isaac said, "But I think you're underestimating what's going on here. Sofia, we're all in danger right now, but you guys especially. People are going to come for the top spot, don't you get that? So, I know your upset about your parents..."

"I'm not upset," Sofia said, "People die, Isaac. It happens. I'm not upset, I just think that it'd be best if we tried to eliminate the threat."

"You mean, if you do it?" Isaac asked, "Because if that's what your thinking Sofia... you are crazy."

"I just wanted to know if you had any information, if I wanted a lecture on my safety, I would have gone to my brother..." Sofia scoffed, trying to walk away again.

"Maybe for once in your life you should listen to what other people have to say, we're just trying to look out for you..."

"I've survived without people looking out for up until now," Sofia said, as she walked away, "What makes you think I need people looking out for me?"


***

"Where the hell could she be?" Liam hissed, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

"I'm sure we'll find her, we have several cars out," Danielle said, "She couldn't have gotten far on foot."

"Danielle, there are gangs moving in, people who want what we have, and people who are willing to do anything to do it – including get to her."

"Liam, I know," Danielle said, "We'll find her."

They had four cars out, Liam and Danielle in one, El and Louis in another, Zayn in the 3rd, and Harry and Niall in the last.

"Where the fuck is she?" Niall mumbled, as he stared out the window and loaded his gun.

"We'll find her," Harry said, "That fucking window is going to be a problem, I can just tell..."

"Yeah well, can't exactly put bars on the window – OI WHAT THE FUCK!" Niall screeched, as Harry slammed on the breaks.

"Sorry," Harry said, but pointed out the windshield, "But uh, found her..."
Sofia was walking slowly down the road, as Harry pulled the car up next to her, rolling down his window.

"Get in," he growled, startling Sofia who jumped, before rolling her eyes when realizing it was Harry.

"Sofia, if we get out of the car, you're going to have a serious problem," Harry growled, stopping the car, while Niall contacted everyone. Sofia sighed, and rolled her eyes, but got in the car.

"Do you make it a habit of climbing out a windows and down trees like a monkey?" Niall asked, turning around in his seat to look at Sofia.

"Do you make it a habit to be so God damn nosey?" Sofia snapped.

"Don't start," Harry hissed, looking in the rearview mirror, "Where were you?"

"Went for a walk," Sofia said

"On the side of a road leading nowhere?" Harry asked

"All roads lead somewhere," Sofia responded.

"First suspension, then climbing out a window," Niall said, "You're just on a roll today aren't you?"

"Just another day in the life," Sofia mumbled

"You're brother is freaking out," Harry said, "Do you even care what you put him through?"

"I've been gone for like 4 or 5 hours," Sofia said, "And I doubt you've been searching for that long... so, I'm sure he wasn't that worried..."


***

The sigh of relief that came out of Liam when Sofia walked in with Niall and Harry was a loud one. He rushed forward, and Sofia flinched, waiting for him to swing, and she wasn't quite sure what to do when he hugged her.

"I was worried about you," Liam said, when he finally pulled away.

"Uh, I'm fine," Sofia said.

"Sit," Liam growled, pointing to a chair in the living room. Sofia sighed, but walked to the chair and plopped down.

Liam took a deep breath, as Danielle gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Liam sat across from Sofia, who was looking up at the ceiling.

"Do you want to start with where you were?" Liam asked

"I just went for a walk," Sofia said.

"A walk? Where? Why?" Liam asked

"To think," Sofia said

"About?"

Sofia paused, as though debating her next step, what she was going to say next.

"Did you know that when your drowning you instinct in to keep your mouth shut, to hold your breath? It's human instinct not to let the water in. So, you're underwater, and your head feels like it's going to explode, you're in pain, and your lungs and throat ache, but you keep your mouth shut anyway. The water doesn't actually fill your lungs, until you black out, and you don't have a choice but to let the water in."

"What?" Liam asked.

"Can you imagine?" Sofia asked, "Being in that much pain, and knowing your underwater and drowning, and not letting water in?"

"Sofia, what the hell are you talking about?" Liam asked.

"It's just weird, thinking of mom and dad like that," Sofia said, quietly, looking at her brother.

"I know you're upset, and if you want to talk about –"

"I'm not upset," Sofia said, "I was just stating facts. And I don't want to talk, so can I go to my room?"

"So you can sneak out again? No," Liam said, "You're gonna talk, let's talk about the suspension first, shall we?"

"What about it?"

"You can't go around hitting people!" Louis cried out, "No matter what they say."

"You practically make a living going around hitting people, especially when they say stupid things," Sofia said.

"When we're working," Liam said, "Not when we were at school. They want you to see a guidance counselor ..."

"Even if I agreed to that, I couldn't even tell her the truth about anything, anyway..." Sofia said.

"Which is exactly why you need to not be punching people at school," Niall growled, rolling his eyes.

"Is that it? The big bad 'don't punch people or get suspended' lecture,"
Sofia asked, "Can I go now?"

"No," Liam snapped, standing up, "We need to go over some things."

"Like?" Sofia asked, sighing loudly.

"You've been suspended for 10 days, and it WILL NOT be a vacation," Liam said, "You will get up at the same hour you would to go to school, you can go with Louis, Zayn, and Harry to the gym. We'll get the all the schoolwork you have missed, and will missed, and you will work on it everyday. You can take 2 hours out of your day to train, but the rest of the day will be spent making up work..."

"Train for what? I'm not working," Sofia scoffed.

"You're back on the job," Liam said, "Although you will do the job the way we want it done. I think you need to bait, and I know we need you. So, you can continue to do that..."

"But?" Sofia asked.

"It's on a probationary basis, Sofia. Which means if you break our rules, there will be serious issues. And for the next 10 days, you will have no phone or computer or club or friends..."

"What?!" Sofia snapped, standing up

"You heard me!" Liam snapped back, "And if you are not a model prisoner, we will be having another discussion – in my office – and I will whip your ass into shape." Sofia snorted, and Liam's eyes narrowed, becoming deadly serious.

"And let me be clear, Sofia, that wasn't metaphorical," Liam growled,
causing Sofia to pause.

"You're kidding me, right?" Sofia asked.

"Test me, I dare you," Liam growled, "As for your window, if you continue to jump out of it, I will put bars on it... you don't want to test me on that either."

Sofia sat in shock, because she saw that Liam was being dead serious.

"Okay," she finally said, shrugging, catching Liam by surprise, he was expecting more of a fight, but maybe with the idea of her job hanging on the line, Sofia was trying to be reasonable.

"Great," Liam said, looking around the room for approval from the rest of the group. Everyone nodded at him in agreement.

"Um Sof," Liam said, sitting on the table directly in front of her, "Harry said you were upset about mom and dad today, and given your little underwater speech, maybe we should talk about what happened..."

"Harry said I was upset?" Sofia scoffed, before looking at Harry and grinning, "That's funny."

"What's funny about that?" Harry barked

"Well, it's just that your always on top of Zayn about how I 'manipulate' him, but uh, apparently you fall for it too..." Sofia said, standing up, "If I knew a few tears would get you to feel bad for me before hand I would've used it sooner."

"You're saying it was act?" Liam asked, standing up.

"I wanted him to stop yelling at me," Sofia shrugged, "Now, can I go to my room?"

Liam sighed deeply, closing his eyes in frustration and running his hands through his hair.

"No, you can't," Danielle said, "But you can help Eleanor and me finish up dinner..."

"In the kitchen?" Sofia asked, her face looking disgusted.

"Last time I checked, that's where dinner is cooked," Eleanor said, grabbing her arm and pulling her along.


***

It had been 4 days since Sofia had been home, and she had never been more bored or miserable in her life, as she stared at her English work in front of her in the gym office, as Harry worked the floor. Sofia groaned, as she tapped her pencil, staring at the blank paper.

"Brought lunch," a voice said, causing Sofia to look up, Harry was standing in the doorway.

"Apparently around here we let our prisoners eat," Harry said stepping forward.

"Keeps them friendly, I hear," Sofia mumbled, in a not very friendly tone.

"Is that you being friendly?" Harry asked, and Sofia glared up at him, causing him to smirk, "You're a liar," Harry said, throwing the sandwich in front of her, "I just want you to know I know."

"Liar?" Sofia asked, "About what?"

"About how the tears were an act the other day," Harry said, "They weren't. I know they weren't you, you know they weren't. And I just want you to know that you didn't fool me."

"Whatever," Sofia scoffed, taking a bite out of the sandwich.

"And uh, what you said about the drowning thing," Harry said, "That was pretty intense, like you've given it some thought. You sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"I just thought the fact was interesting, don't read too much into it," Sofia said, causing Harry to sigh in frustration.

"How'd the math go?" Harry finally said, reaching for the book, causing Sofia to reach out and stop him, which made Harry to look up surprised, before his eyes narrowed.

"What are you hiding?" Harry growled, pulling the math book from her hands.

"Nothing," Sofia cried, trying to reach out for the book, but Harry was too fast, stepping back and opening the book. His eyes narrowed on the pages, before he looked up and sighed in frustration. He grabbed another book, from the desk opening it, before looking up glaring at Sofia.

"HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ANY WORK THIS WEEK?" Harry snapped, "THESE ARE ALL EMPTY!"

Sofia squirmed in her chair, annoyed that Harry actually checked on her work. Zayn hadn't the last few days when he was running the gym floor.

"You haven't been doing anything?" Harry growled, "Zayn didn't even check on you?"

"Oh, he checked on me," Sofia said with a grin, "But uh, I always kept him a little busy."

"You are really are a bitch," Harry growled, "Incredibly intelligent apparently, but a bitch..."

"Well, thanks Haz," Sofia said, with a small grin.

"So, basically the last four days you've been what? Sitting here?" Harry asked.

"Pretty much," Sofia said.

"Why? Why haven't you been working?" Harry asked, "You literally have 6 days to get like 3 weeks of work done!"

"It'll get done," Sofia said, shrugging.

"Damn right it will," Harry said, "Starting with math."

He placed the textbook in front of her, before sitting across from her, and putting his legs up.

"What are you doing?" Sofia asked

"Babysitting, apparently," Harry growled, "Get to work."

When they got home later in the day, Harry practically had steam coming out of his ears. Sofia had been a pain in the ass about her schoolwork the rest of the afternoon, and he couldn't help but be angry with Zayn. When he slammed into the kitchen with Sofia behind him, Emily and Katie were in the kitchen with Niall, Louis, Liam, and Eleanor

"What are you doing here?" Sofia asked

"We brought you more work," Katie said, holding up another book.

"Why bother? She hasn't been doing it!" Harry barked

"What?" Liam asked, confused.

"She hasn't been doing any of her work, where is Zayn?!" Harry yelled,

"Apparently when he should've been checking on her progress, they were making out and cuddling instead..."

"I don't cuddle," Sofia said.

"Shut it!" Harry hissed, turning to her.

"You haven't been doing your work?" Liam asked.

"Of course she hasn't," Niall mumbled, shaking his head.

"It'll get done, and I did some today!" Sofia insisted

"Because I sat there and made you!" Harry growled, "Where the hell is
Zayn?"

"Grocery shopping with Danielle," Eleanor said.

"Sofia, go to your room," Liam growled, "Before I completely lose my shit..."

"Not a problem," Sofia said, grabbing her bag, and leaving the kitchen.

"She didn't do anything?" Liam asked Harry

"Not one assignment," Harry growled, while Katie and Emily exchanged looks, "What was that?" Harry asked them.

"What was what?" Katie asked

"That look that you two just exchanged, like you knew something," Harry asked, eyes narrowed.

"We don't kn –" Emily tried to say, but Liam interrupted her

"Don't lie, you're not good at it, Em," Liam growled.

"It's no big deal, it's just not the first time Sofia hasn't done her assignments," Katie mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Liam asked.

"Just that sometimes she uh, gets help..."

"Help?" Louis questioned, "What kind of help? Sofia's smart, she doesn't really need help with schoolwork..."

"We really shouldn't get involved," Emily said

"What kind of help?" Liam barked

"Sometimes she just ... kinda gets people to ... sometimes do some of the work for her," Katie said quickly, stepping back from Liam.

"What?!" Liam yelled, "How?"

"Oh God," Emily mumbled, looking at the ground.

"What does she give this help in exchange?" Harry growled, "Money? Bribes?"

"She just... you know, I don't really know, I heard like... kissing sometimes..." Katie said quietly, "But like, it's no big deal..."

"SEXUAL FAVORS?" Liam yelled, "SHE OFFERS PEOPLE SEXUAL FAVORS IN EXCHANGE FOR HER SCHOOL WORK!"

"Oh my god," Eleanor groaned.

"You're kidding me," Louis whispered.

"Oh fuck," Niall mumbled.

"SOFIA!" Liam screamed, walking towards the kitchen door, "SOFIA!!"

"We should go –" Katie said, pulling Emily from the kitchen.

"Probably a good idea, girls," Eleanor said, as Sofia walked into the kitchen.

"What's with the screaming?" Sofia barked

"Are you exchanging sexual favors in return for your schoolwork?" Liam growled in a dangerously low voice.

"Those bitches," Sofia mumbled, "It's not exactly sexual favors, Liam..."

"Oh really, what is it then?" Liam barked, "Explain to me what the fuck this is..."

"It never goes past like 2nd base," Sofia shrugged, "And it's just like, freshman and younger guys, it's no big deal. It doesn't mean anything..."

"No big deal?!" Liam barked, "Your using them and in return you give them your body! THAT'S A PROBLEM SOFIA! THAT'S A BIG DEAL! THAT DOES MEAN SOMETHING!"

"Why?! Because I'm doing it to get school work done, instead of a job or a guy you need!" Sofia barked, "So I can use my body when you need me to but not when I need to?!"

"It's not the same thing –" Liam growled

"Why not?" Sofia growled, "Liam, I don't care about these guys. I just need something from them. I just use them to get what I need. And they're desperate enough to fall for it, and believe something is actually going to come from it..."

"Desperate huh?" a voice came from behind them, everyone turned to see Zayn and Danielle standing there, "Desperate like me?"

"What? Zayn! No!" Sofia cried, but her voice wasn't convincing.

"You're unbelievable," Zayn said, staring at her with wide eyes, "What is the matter with you?"

"Zayn, honey..." Sofia coo'd at him.

"Don't!" Zayn barked, "You've been just getting with random guys? In exchange for school work? And they're Desperate enough to be manipulated by you and do what you want? Like me..."

"Zayn, it's different with you –"

"No it's not," Zayn scoffed, "It's no different with any of us. You just use us for what you want, and we let you. I let you. You're pathetic, Sofia. You're so busy acting and faking your way through life, you don't see what's real and you don't care about REAL feelings! Like mine!"

"You're making a big deal out of nothing," Sofia hissed

"THIS ISN'T NOTHING! I'M NOT NOTHING, SOFIA!" Zayn yelled, "I'm somebody who cares about you! I'm somebody you use! Well, no more! I'm not going to be used by someone as heartless and pathetic as you!"

"Pathetic huh?" Sofia said quietly, her eyes narrowed and cold, "It's funny how you call me pathetic, Zayn. Like this is my entire fault. But, it's not. Because I'm pretty sure everyone in this kitchen told you what was going on, hell I even told you I didn't feel the same way. But, you kept it up. So, I think that makes you the pathetic one..."

Her voice was cold and cruel and quiet, and Zayn's posture stiffened as he stared at her.

"I'm done," Zayn growled, "I'm done being used by you. You might be able to get away with it with other people, but not with me... not anymore."

"Way to be a man, Zayn," Sofia growled, "I didn't know you had it in you." She stepped towards him, her voice quiet and seductive, "It almost turns me on..."

Suddenly Zayn had her slammed against a wall, his eyes flashing in anger.

"Push me, Sofia," Zayn growled, "Go ahead, and see how well it works out for you."

"Enough!" Liam barked, stepping in between them, "Zayn back up." Liam turned to Sofia, "You, go to my office and start working on your school work."

"Fine," Sofia said, rolling her eyes and stepping away, not taking her eyes off Zayn as she walked out of the kitchen.

"You okay?" Liam asked Zayn, his eyes worried.

"I'm fine," Zayn said, "I'm just done cutting her slack. I'm so done." And with that, he walked out of the backdoor.

"I could kill her," Liam growled into his hands, "I could kill her."

"One day at a time babe," Danielle said, "One day at a time. We'll get through this..."

"No," Harry said, shaking his head, "I say we just kill her."