forget what you thought

"But he's gonna try to get you in trouble, Luke," Liana whispered with concern, her heart aching with the thought, because she'd witnessed in class just how much Luke loved teaching, how much he cared for his students. She tensed, though, when she got the last text. "Why does he have to ruin everything?"

Michael frowned when he saw the state Melody was in, his concern for her outweighing everything else. Pulling over once they were in a safe area, he shifted, leaning over to take her face in his hands. "Hey, hey, look at me, focus on me," he whispered, not wanting her to panic, hating the fact that somebody had driven her to this state. As his mind ran over what she'd said the texts were, he frowned deeply, hissing a curse under his breath. "It's gotta be Robert," he whispered but he ran his thumbs along her cheeks gently. "Whatever happens, he's not winning, and he's not gonna get what he wants, okay? He can do whatever the hell he's planning to do if we don't listen to him, because he's not gonna ruin this. I love you, we're happy together, screw everything else, screw the consequences, because this, us, it's worth whatever comes our way. You're worth it."

Robert smirked, sending a last text to Melody. We'll all have fun at lunch. See you then, gorgeous.

Luke pressed a kiss to Liana's forehead. "Hey, hey, hey... listen to me Liana, focus on my voice." He spoke softly, his worry for Liana outweighing anything else. "I don't care if he's going to get me into trouble. You and me, we're stronger than this, we're stronger than him. We're happy, we're in love, fuck what anyone else thinks." He told her gently, pressing a kiss to Liana's lips to try to calm her. "I love you, and we're not going to let him get his own way." He explained softly. "Let's see what he has to say at lunch." He studied her carefully, resting his forehead to her. "I love you."

Melody exhaled as she focused on Michael, leaning into his touch as she closed her eyes, focusing on his voice. "Michael," she spoke softly. "You're going to get in trouble." She squeaked slightly, clearing her throat to push her emotions down, frightened of what lengths that Robert would go to to get her attention. "I don't want to give in to him, but what the hell would he even want?" She asked, opening her eyes as she bit her lip. Everything had been going so well for Melody, especially now that she had Michael, but Robert seemed hell bent on ruining it all.

Liana listened to him quietly, breathing out quietly as she tried to relax, tried to ignore the concern she felt for the fact that Lucas was extending the issue to Luke. It was bad enough that Lucas constantly bothered her, but to drag Luke into it, too? It worried her. "I love you, too," she whispered quietly, closing her eyes with feeling his forehead against hers. "I just don't want him to ruin your life, Luke."

Michael shook his head slightly, his thumbs still running over her cheeks. "I don't care about that," he told her quietly, "Even if he gets me in trouble, we didn't break any laws. And, no matter what the consequences are, I don't care what happens, because I have you and I love you and nobody can take that from us, not even him." Shifting, he kissed her lips for a moment, then her forehead, and he watched her with concern. "I don't know what he wants, sweetheart, but he's not gonna get it, I promise."

Luke listened to Liana in return. "He won't ruin my life, Liana." He reassured her quietly, feeling his worry for her expand with her words. "Come Hell or high water, I don't care. I would rather have you over everything else." Luke explained gently, brushing Liana's hair from her face. "Brave face. Your first lesson is with me, so at least I can protect you." Luke frowned with the thought of Lucas doing anything to harm Liana. "Whatever he plans to do, he won't win."

Melody relaxed slightly as Michael kissed her, sighing nervously as she toyed with her lower lip. "Okay..." She ducked her head, playing with the sleeves of Michael's sweatshirt that she wore. Melody didn't want Michael to resent her if Robert made him lose his job. "You can drop me off just outside school." She explained. "Less suspicion." She told him, kissing his lips before she pulled away, trying to remain confident.

Liana watched him quietly, nodding slowly to his words as she tried to keep them in mind. She hated that Lucas was going to these lengths, though, that he was trying to stir up trouble like this. More than anything, she didn't want to be the reason Luke got in trouble, if he did; she didn't want him to regret being with her. "Okay," she whispered quietly, breathing out quietly. "Brave face, got it."

Michael nodded slightly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from Melody's face, gently tucking it behind her ear as he watched her play with the sleeves of his shirt. "We can do this," he assured her quietly, leaning to kiss her forehead again, though he chewed on his lip anxiously with her words. "I don't feel right dropping you off somewhere alone, though..." The thought of something happening to her, of her getting hurt in any way at all, pained him, and he just wanted her safe from all dangers.

Luke smiled weakly as he reached over to take Liana's hand. "I love you so much, okay?" He spoke as he began to drive once more, still being careful. But Luke couldn't deny that he was anxious, afraid of what lengths Lucas would go to to hurt Liana, and that scared him more than anything - more than losing his job, more than being caught. Luke looked to Liana. "You're incredible, Liana. Don't ever forget it."

Melody leaned back in her seat. "Just do it, Michael, please?" She asked quietly, scrubbing a hand over her face. "The less we offer him, the more he'll leave us alone." She looked at her taller counterpart in the drivers seat. "I'll be okay." She promised him, although knowing that Robert was going to use everything he could against her and Michael upset her.

Liana watched him for a moment and gave Luke's hand a squeeze. "I love you, too," she whispered quietly, grateful to have him but wishing she didn't have to put him through this. "You should drop me off a bit away from school. It's safer that way."

Michael stared at her, taking her in, and he sighed before kissing her forehead gently. "Okay, okay, I'll do it," he assured her quietly, watching her before he kissed her once more. "But, please, please be careful, Mel. Especially around that asshole, avoid him as much as possible." Pulling back, he reached to take her hand, giving it a squeeze before he started the drive again.

Luke frowned with Liana's suggestion, squeezing her hand once more. "Baby, are you sure that's a good idea?" He asked quietly, not wanting any harm to come to her, and knowing that Lucas' intentions were unknown at this point made him uncomfortable. But still, Luke continued the drive, although every part of him was telling him to take Liana home, where he knew she would be safe - Petunia was a pretty good guard dog. Stopping just outside the school premises, Luke looked to Liana nervously, frowning. "Are you really sure?"

Melody squeezed Michael's hand as she nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear with her free hand, watching as scenery passed outside the window. Toying with her lower lip, Mel tried to relax herself. "Stop here." She told him gently. "I promise I'll be careful, okay?" She leaned over to kiss Michael's cheek. "You be careful too. In case he's waiting for you." She frowned with that thought, reaching to the back to grab her bag. "I love you, Michael." She offered him a weak smile. "See you later."

"It's the smartest option. If all Lucas has is pictures, we can at least explain those away. So we can't give him more ammo," Liana murmured quietly, squeezing his hand in return before she nodded slowly. "I'm sure. I have heavy textbooks in my backpack. If anything happens, I'll just slam it against his head until he's knocked out."

Michael ran his thumb over the back of her hand gently, trying to calm his nerves, worried about her, hating the thought that he wouldn't be nearby to protect her. Still, he nodded as he pulled the car to a stop. "I really hate this," he admitted quietly, sighing out as he tried to calm down before he peered over at her. "Call me the moment you step out of the car, okay? At least, that way, I can hear you to make sure you're actually okay and safe."

Luke laughed with Liana's reassurance, shaking his head in amusement. "You go, baby." He grinned. "I love you so much. Be safe, text me, call me as you're walking so I know you're safe." Luke leaned to press a kiss to her cheek, before pulling away, watching her closely. "You're with my first period anyway." Although that was mainly to reassure himself. Luke toyed with his lip, hating the feeling of letting her go now, watching as she opened the car door, thinking of a million ways he could scare Lucas away.

Melody looked to Michael. "I'll be fine." She reassured him. "I can just hit him again." She tried to smile, but couldn't bring herself to, pressing a kiss to Michael's cheek before she climbed out of the car, hitching her bag onto her shoulder as she closed the passenger door, toying with her lower lip anxiously, thankful the morning was still early and there wouldn't be many students around to see her climb out of Michael's car.

Liana offered a weak smile but nodded slightly. "I love you so much, too," she murmured quietly, closing her eyes when he kissed her cheek, just letting herself enjoy this moment. Chewing on her lip, she climbed out of the car and grabbed her bag, shouldering it, trying her best not to look around or attract attention, not wanting to seem suspicious. Ducking her head, she began the walk to school, but she called Luke like he asked.

Michael offered an amused look with the mention of it. "Kick his ass," he teased lightly, chewing on his lip anxiously when she climbed out of the car. "I love you, Mel. Be careful." He couldn't help but to worry about her, wanting her safe, but hating that he had to part from her where he couldn't keep her safe at all. Breathing out, he sighed, but he didn't start driving just yet, too worried about her and wanting to let her make the first move.

Mel nodded with Michael's words, offering him a wave before she began to walk, focusing on her phone as she did, calling Michael like he'd wanted, just wanting to hear his voice.

Luke sighed, studying Liana in the rear view mirror as he drove, but when his phone vibrated and her name showed up, Luke's heart almost burst out of his chest in relief, knowing that if she did run into some trouble with Lucas, he could get to her. Answering, Luke bit his lip. "Are you alright?" He asked quietly, parking in the lot reserved for staff.

Michael waited until she began to walk before he began the drive. Hearing his phone go off, he'd reached for it immediately, breathing out with relief when he saw her name, his heart swelling, and he answered it quickly. "Everything okay so far?" he asked her quietly as he pulling into the lot, moving to park, but he didn't get out of the car yet, just in case he ended up having to go find her. "Is there any sign of him so far?"

Liana chewed on her lip as she walked, relieved to hear Luke's voice on the other end of the phone, already hating being apart from him, nervous about how the day would go. "I'm okay," she assured him regardless, nodding slightly as she lifted her gaze to watch where she was going. "Are you okay?"

Luke exhaled in relief as he stayed, sat in his car. “As long as you’re okay.” He spoke gently, smiling with the sound of Liana’s voice. “I’m okay... any sign of him?” Luke tensed with just the mention of Lucas, but he looked around his own space, hoping Lucas would show up so he could hit him.

Melody smiled slightly with Michael’s words. “Everything’s okay.” She promised quietly as she walked, paying extra attention to her surroundings. “Nope, I’m by myself, I’m okay.” She promised Michael, biting her lip. “I miss you.”

Liana smiled slightly, listening to Luke, just enjoying his voice, but she shook her head. "No, no sign of him," she promised quietly, peering around for a moment to make sure before she settled her gaze back ahead. "I don't like being away from you, though. Maybe I should have taken you up on that idea of skipping. If I had, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Michael breathed out quietly, relieved to hear it, and he scrubbed at his face for a moment before he ran his hand through his hair, nodding. "I'm glad you're okay," he told her quietly. "Just... Stay on the phone with me until you're around a crowd or something, okay?" He needed her safe, hating that he couldn't provide the protection himself in that moment. He smiled, though, leaning back in his seat. "I miss you, too, babe."

Luke listened closely to Liana’s words, breathing out in relief when he heard that Lucas was nowhere to be seen. “Okay, baby. Just stay with me for now, I’ll talk you through this.” He spoke gently, biting his lip. “I miss you so much already, but don’t worry about this mess. We can fix this Liana, I know we can.” Luke smiled softly. “Nothing can ever take my love for you away.”

Melody nodded, despite Michael being unable to see her. “Okay.” She promised, inhaling the scent of Michael from his sweater, instantly comforted by it. “I wish we skipped.” She admitted with a quiet sigh.

Liana smiled slightly, swearing she could hear Luke's smile in his voice, and she couldn't believe the comfort just his voice brought her. "I miss you, too," she whispered quietly, nodding slowly in response, ducking her head because she was sure the sweetness of his words would make her tear up with the situation they were facing. Still, she tried to joke off the weight she was feeling. "Guess we'll have to postpone that detention fun."

Michael nodded slightly, settling in his seat as he tried to relax, trying to ignore his desire to just go to her, make sure she was safe, be there for her to protect her, regardless of whether a physical threat was around her at the moment or not. "I know, baby, so do I," he told her quietly, "But we're not gonna let this get in the way of anything between us, okay? I love you and that's never gonna change. We'll be okay, we can get through this together, I know we can."

Luke smiled sympathetically as he heard Liana’s whispered voice, but hearing her say that she missed him was just the best thing in the world to him. “I guess so,” he teased. “But I’d rather protect you.” Luke promised, getting out of his car, but deciding to linger outside just in case Liana needed him. “I love you so much, and I want to make sure you’re safe, sweetheart.”

Melody toyed with her lower lip, wishing she had listened to the idea of staying in bed with Michael all day. If she had, none of this would of happened and Michael wouldn’t be facing losing his job. Listening to his words carefully though, Melody smiled weakly. “Okay.” She promised. “I love you too, Michael.” She exhaled. “Okay, I’m coming into a crowd so I’m gonna go.” She told him. “I’ll see you later.”

Liana smiled slightly with the mention of it, though she wished that none of this had happened so that Luke wouldn't have to worry about her. “I want to protect you, too,” she murmured quietly, “I love you, too.” Lifting her gaze, she breathed out but caught sight of Melody. “I think it's safe now. I see Mel up ahead, so I'm gonna catch up to her. I'll see you in class.”

Michael nodded slowly as he listened to her, breathing out quietly, at least glad that she was safe. “Okay, baby,” he murmured quietly, chewing on his lip, anxious still, but he tried to remind himself that he'd see her soon. “I'll see you later. Be careful, please.” More than anything, he needed that, needed her safe. Shifting, he climbed out of his car and grabbed his teaching bag, running a hand nervously through his hair. “Stay in contact, text me if anything happens at all today. I love you.”

Luke breathed out a sigh of relief when Liana told Luke he could see her best friend up ahead. "I love you, baby." He exited his car as he spoke, aware that if he lingered much longer, he'd be late. Although at this point, he really didn't fucking care, because Liana was his priority, now and always, even above all of his hard work to get to where he was. Liana was Luke's whole life, and he wouldn't change that for anyone, Lucas or anyone else. "Please, baby, be careful. Be safe." He told her, biting his lip. "Text me all day if you can." He ran a hand through his hair, hitching his bag over his shoulder. "I'll see you later, gorgeous girl." Although he waited for her to hang up first, because he couldn't bring himself to do that.

Melody toyed with her lip as she heard the anxiety in Michael's voice. "I'm sorry for putting you through all of this." She told him gently, but still, she loved it when he called her baby. "You be careful too." She told him, afraid that Robert would cause some sort of trouble for Michael while she wasn't there to diffuse the situation. "I love you, okay?" She promised with a smile, although that smile was weak, almost afraid. "I'll see you later. I'll text you later." She promised, reluctantly hanging up as she exhaled, scrubbing a hand across her face.