MC certainly got the worst of it, but they were both provoking each other. MC literally started the feud IIRC by scaring off the girl Deryl was having sex with, and then informing Amber about his infidelity(?). If that was bullying, then it was mutual bullying, which is why Liz and Amber didn't pick sides. It wasn't entirely clear who was in the wrong.
My point was that even if you like emotional distance, you might still prefer Liz over Tiffany, since you didn't seem to think that made sense.
And MC is more like Liz than he is other people. I think part of Liz's character development is, if she hasn't already (I don't remember if she's displayed any signs of that), going to be about becoming driven to get stronger, not just for Amber but because she enjoys fighting and growing. Just like the MC.