Why does this always happen to me?! Especially when things were going great!

When all I got was an apologetic smile, I repeated my question, "What are you doing here?!"

I was seriously losing my patience. Irritated, he rolled his eyes. The audacity!

"Elliot..." I said in a warning tone. The last time I spoke to this guy, he insulted my dance captaincy, I had never felt so inadequate and worthless in my life! Okay that's a lie. I did feel that way when Josh rejected me, when Finn went out with Amy- anyways!

I was glaring at Elliot, as he looked at me with annoyance. "The only reason I'm here is because Josh wants you back.  He said you even blocked him on all social media, so he couldn't reach out." He spoke.

Stunned, I stepped back, "Since when are you and Josh so close, last time I checked you only cared about yourself!" I retorted. He sheepishly looked at me while rubbing the back of his neck. "He.. he promised to help.. get... me Richelle back.." He said quietly.

Honestly, the nerves of these people.

So what, me and Richelle were supposed to wait around for these guys until they wanted to be with us?! "If he wants to talk to me, then tell the coward to come speak to me himself." I shot back, I really didn't know where this newfound confidence was coming from but I couldn't let Josh break me again.

Rolling his eyes, Elliot left, as I sipped on my smoothie preparing myself for when Josh was going to come in. I haven't seen ever since we shot the regionals qualifier video. "Hey Pipes, long time no see!" I heard his voice say.

I'd love to keep it that way!

"Hello Josh, and it's Piper not Pipes!" I said mockingly. He looked taken aback, slightly, which was great for me.

"Okay, I'll get straight to the point. I like you Piper, I'm sorry that I didn't realise it earlier. We are perfect for each other. And I also think that we should get together. My family moved quite far away from here so, I think you should move in with me, y'know as boyfriends and girlfriends would. I promise I'll find you a dance studio better than the next step too, but what really matters is that we can finally be together!" He gushed.

I stared at him with my eyes wide open, matching my mouth. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Tiana, Amy and Summer standing at the entrance of the next steep from TNS, and by the looks on their faces, they must've heard what Josh just said. There weren't many people here anyways, so it wasn't too noisy.

If I wasn't so horrified, I would've laughed, someone should write this down and make a movie from it! Story of my life at the moment!

"No." I said simply. Shocked, he asked, "What? What are you talking about?". "I said no, as in no." Honestly, I don't think I can dumb it down any more for this guy!

"Piper, you don't mean that! We belong together. I get you were heart broken when I left and I'm sorry, but I'm here, so you should be happy!" He said, angrily, taking a step back and composing himself from the rage inside him.

Heartbroken? Heartbroken?! What the- I know that I was super upset, but that was because i had just gotten rejected and that had never happened to me before! Not because of him!

"No means no!" I retaliated, getting annoyed. He opened his mouth to object but I wasn't done yet. " Geez what is wrong with you?! Get it through your head that No. Means. No! And also, I for one, was NOT heartbroken, in fact I was glad when you left. You rejected me and not the other way 'round. You couldn't have expected me to wait around for you for like 3 years, and run willingly into your arms!" I yelled.

He scowled as he looked at with pure anger. "I came back for you, don't be so ungrateful!" He yelled back.

"Well, I guess you're just. Too. Damn. Late." I said, angrily but slowly.

That's when he snapped, which almost made me laugh, though I was still a bit nervous. "You little-" he paused as he looked around to see if people were listening to him, but in all his anger, he barely even noticed Summer, Tiana or Amy.

"You're so ungrateful! I come back here in my own time and you have the decency to turn my offer down?! No. I won't allow it! Sometimes, I wish I could hit you! That's why I rejected you, last time I was here, you're so bratty and annoying! I wish I could punch you right in the nose." He yelled, angrily, muttering the last part to himself, but I heard him.

Slightly worried for my own safety, I stepped back a bit. I saw Amy and Summer step forward slightly, but I subtly shook my head.

Tiana pointed in the direction of the studio and mouthed, "Finn", and I paused before nodding subtly. I did want him here but i also really wanted to handle this by myself. I can't let Josh push me around! I won't let him.

Tiana's pov:

I ran as fast as I could to studio A, to find Finn because none of us could stand there and watch some guy, (who I learnt from Summer, who had caught up with us on our way to the next steep, that this guy was Josh, the famous Josh that broke Piper's heart) potentially hit my best friend.

At least Finn was a bit taller than Josh, so that could give him an advantage if things were to get out of hand!

I busted through the doors, stopping the boys' conversations. "Finn, we need you, URGENTLY!" I yelled, as all the boys got up. "What's wrong?" He asked, concerned. "You know that guy that rejected Piper? Josh! He came back practically begging Piper to run away with him, and now he says he wants to hit her! He might actually do it, that guy needs help!" I said, quickly.

It was a miracle that any of the guys could register what I was saying. All of the guys got up, and I let them all come, so that Piper could see for herself that literally everyone here has her back.

So we raced back to the next steep to see Josh yelling continuously at Piper while she stood there shocked. Finn began to push past us to go defend his girlfriend, when I saw Piper's eyes widen, first with shock, but then it softened with gladness, at the sight of all of us there, then I saw her eyes widen again even more as she realised what Finn wanted to do. She shook her head at him, a little less subtly but Josh was so blinded by the rage of rejection, that he didn't even notice.

I gently pulled Finn back by the arm, and told him to wait, which he did reluctantly. I saw Josh raise his hand, as if to hit her, and saw Piper flinch, and as ALL of us were going to talk some sense into this fool, someone beat us to it.

I thought it would be Finn and it almost was him, as he very angrily stepped up in the direction of Josh, but someone beat him to Piper's rescue.

Piper, herself!

She curled her hands into fists, and gritted her teeth, while we all stopped, wanting to see what on earth she was doing.

"Do it." She said. "Do what?" Josh asked, momentarily confused. She relaxed and crossed her arms, taking a step towards him, with a condescending smile on her face.

"Hit me." She said, daringly, as she took another step towards him. Finn, about to object, stepped forward but I knew that Piper wanted to stand up for herself, so I stopped him and shook my head. Reluctantly, he stood back with all of us again.

"Piper..." Josh said warningly, as he took a step backwards. "Do it, I dare you." Piper said, as she stepped forward again. "I will do it." Josh said. But Piper didn't seem to care. "Do it! Or are you too much of a coward to do it?" She said smiling patronisingly.

She flicked her hair and anger sparked in Josh's eyes. He raised a fist and pulled it backwards, aiming for her nose. "You made me do this, Piper! This is all your fault. Don't cry, 'cus you asked for this!" He yelled.

Fear crossed her face for a brief second, but before anyone of us could run and protect Piper...

We heard a sickening crack, and heard a thud, as someone fell to the ground...

• Hey guys, sorry for taking a while to update, and sorry for the suspense!
• I'll say what everyone is probably thinking: WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED!!
• Did Piper get hit???
• Is she okay???
• Josh if you hit Piper, you best prepare for your funeral!!
• Read the next chapter to find out What. Just. Happened!!

• Thanks guys for reading my story up to this point, it means a lot to me, especially in this time! Can't wait to write more for you lovely readers!