Chapter Text
Arron grunted, pulling away from Liviah. A fresh bead of blood welled up on his split lip. "Can you get any worse?" Liviah said, her voice sounding obviously annoyed.
"Leave me alone," Arron mumbled. "It's not like I asked you for help…"
Liviah sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was always the same cycle. Arron got into trouble, Liviah reluctantly stepped in, and Arron lashed out. "Yeah, well, whether you asked or not, I'm still going to help you because that's what friends are for." She knew the words were like throwing stones at a brick wall. But it's worth a try at least.
Arron’s response was immediate. "For the last time, we are not friends and never will be. End of story." He pushed himself up from the floor, using the school's brick wall for leverage.
"I don't need you or your stupid do-gooder friends getting in my business. It's not okay." He said angrily.
Liviah looked at him, really looked at him. At the bruises blooming on his face, the way he favored his left side, the haunted look that flickered behind the anger. She’d seen it all before, countless times. She’d tried to break through the wall he’d built around himself with kindness, with concern, with the persistent, albeit clumsy, attempts at friendship.
But he was right. They were not friends. They just existed in the same space of this fuck ass school. She lowered the rag, a quiet acceptance settling over her. Maybe Arron was a lost cause, a tangled mess of self-destruction. Maybe she was a fool for even trying.
"Okay," she said softly, gathering her things. "Okay, Arron. You're right."
She stood up, leaving him leaning against the wall, curious if she would walk away or say anything else.
"I'm not made for friendship," he said blankly, staring at the floor.
Liviah stopped, her back to him. He sounded tired, the defiance stripped away. She didn't turn around.
And he was right. He wasn't made for friendship. Not the kind Liviah offered, anyway. He was a lone wolf, constantly on the run. Some people just weren't wired that way. They built their lives on mistrust.
And that was okay.