Mackenzie grunted slightly as she felt the back of her head hit the ground. She was trying really hard not to look at Tatum, she knew that if she did it would break the calm she was trying so desperately to keep. If she didn’t look the girl in the eye she wouldn’t see the pain that she was causing, she wouldn’t see how torn the girl was all because of her big mouth. Maybe Tatum was better off with Frankie.

She was so caught up in thought that she looked up in surprise when Tatum released her shirt. She instantly regretted her decision as she watched the younger girl scrub furiously at her face. She remembered when her and Tatum had first become friends, she had found the little redheaded freshman sniffling in a deserted hallway. Some older kid had decided to harass her for something or another, she couldn’t quite remember now. At first she was just mad that someone could do something so insensitive to another human being. But after approaching the redheaded girl and looking into those teary eyes, she had instantly promised herself she would never, ever, make that little redhead cry. She had ended up beating the bully to a pulp and getting a week of detention but it had all been worth it when she had exited her first night of detention to find the same little redhead standing nervously in the hallway waiting for her.

Tatum had mumbled a nervous thank you and to the blonde’s amusement, had launched into an apology for getting the older girl in trouble. Mack had stopped her halfway through that long winded ramble and smiled at her. It was the first time since she had transferred that she had actually smiled at anyone.

“You don’t have to worry about bullies anymore, you know why?” She had told the girl, squeezing her shoulder. The redhead had shook her head furiously, too flustered to get two words out. “Because you have me now, and I’ll make sure that no one will ever hurt you again.”

The slap across her face brought her out of her memory, and she felt her neck snap to the side from it’s force. Her eyes were watering slightly, and she wanted to believe that it was only from Tatum hitting her.

“I love that fucking cunt,” she heard Tatum say, she hadn’t moved her head from where it lay yet. She didn’t really feel like she could move at that point, the pain in her chest was too intense. “And you hate her.” She heard Tatum continue, tears were running down her face now. She couldn’t even remember the last time she cried, it was so strange and foreign. It was starting to scare her. “And if you hate her, you can’t have me.”

Mackenzie didn’t hear the rest, the rest didn’t matter to her anymore. She had fucking lost it, any last bit of self control had just flown out the window. She couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her face as pushed herself into a sitting position so she was face to face with the girl sitting on top of her. Placing a finger against the girls lips to ensure that she stayed quiet, she took a deep shuddering breath. She was pretty sure that no one had ever seen her this vulnerable besides Kia.

“I don’t hate her,” She said hoarsely, trying to even out her ragged breathing. She had forgotten how much crying really sucked when you were trying to say something. She looked at Tatum through blurry eyes, and smiled weakly. “I really don’t. I just….I…I just love you.” Her heart was hammering in her chest, she really hoped that what she was doing wasn’t going to ruin everything. She cupped the girls face with her hand and let out a watery laugh.

“I just fucking love you Tatum Donnelly.” She repeated, her voice slightly more confident now. “I am so sorry,” She whispered as she pulled Tatum’s face to hers and kissed her softly. She hoped that she hadn’t just opened Pandora’s box, but it felt damn good to lay it all out. Whatever happened next, she was ready.