I stayed in bed crying. It made me feel so weak and stupid, but I was just so sad and angry that I needed to release my emotions somehow. Crying was the only option, so there I was, bawling my eyes out.

For Axel I had broken the rules. I had allowed him to touch me when I believed to wait to show physical affection. For him I had become his girlfriend, even though I wanted to wait until university to date. There was so many thing I had done just for him and I didn't understand why I did half of those things, but I knew it was out of love. Love just had a way of making you alter your morals because it consumes you and causes you to do things you'd never think of doing for another person.

I cried harder then, knowing I had pretty much loved Axel. He had stolen my heart and now he had broken it. Somehow I, who was the strongest person I'd known, had ended up broken hearted. It was unbelievable.

Suddenly, the door to my room creaked open. Mom and Dad appeared and remembering their warning, I cried harder. They had been right in the end and I had been wrong.

The both of them rushed over to me and hugged me. I was squished by them and I cried, thankful for their presence. I wasn't in the mood to be alone.

"You were right," I sobbed. "Axel broke my heart in the end."

"Oh Zoey," Mom said, brushing my hair away from my face. "My dear, precious, Zoey."

They just held me and I was thankful. I was so thankful that I didn't receive the I-told-you-so I deserved. Because right now, I felt stupid enough.

*****

Laying in bed, I realized how dumb it was that I had cried over a boy. Although I did really like him, he was just one boy. There were plenty more out there and there were ones that would treat me right. Axel with his bad boy attitude was a walking, talking, scream from trouble, but I had been blinded by his acting and lies. I would forget about this boy I didn't need.

But closing my eyes, I knew feelings weren't that simple. Even after everything, I still liked him. I probably would still like him for a few weeks. But one day, I would finally move on and know I was better off without him.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang and I groaned. I was home alone, which meant I had to get the door. I really wasn't in the mood to, but I dragged myself out of bed and downstairs.

Opening the front door, I prepared myself for a businessman, but my eyes flew wide when I saw Axel standing before me. And to my utter disgust, he was grinning. Grinning as if nothing was wrong.

"Hey, Zoey-" he began.

I shut the door before he could continue, feeling my heart race. I had no idea why he was here. Why he was smiling and acting like he hadn't just broke my heart.

The doorbell rang again and again, and I just stayed in my spot, contemplating what to do. I didn't want to see him, but he didn't seem like he would be leaving. And, I didn't want to seem like a coward. There was no way I'd hide away from the jerk who broke my heart.

So, I threw the door opened and crossed my arms over my chest. I glared at Axel and he looked confused. I had no idea why.

"Zoey, are you mad?" he asked, frowning.

"What do you think?" I shot back.

He stared at me, seeming confused. Admittedly, he looked adorable as he seemed deep in thought and my heart ached. Stop it, I screamed to myself.

"I'm lost," he said. "What happened?"

Unable to hold it in, I decided to let everything out. It was better to get closure now.

"You used me!" I shouted. "For the stupid, freaking kiss you made me fall for you! Everyone is talking about it and I know it's true. You didn't even acknowledge me until now and I know it's because you're trying to end things. You're an asshole Axel."

Axel's eyes widened and he genuinely looked surprised. Seeing that, I knew he was a great actor.

"Wait, what?" he said, stunned. "I... Oh my god. Who told you that?"

"Everyone in school has been saying that." I narrowed my eyes at him. "And it's pretty believable, knowing you."

Axel looked hurt at those words and I kept telling myself that this was an act. He never cared about me.

"Zoey, do you honestly believe them?" he asked. "Do you honestly think I'd hurt you?"

"Yes. I know how desperate you are for the kiss."

Axel seemed taken aback and I knew I was being cruel. But, I just couldn't help it. He had really hurt me.

"I would never ever use you," he said, growing quiet. "You know I really care about you. I thought you trusted me?"

"I did, but I know your true colours now," I said. "So this is goodbye Axel. We're over."

"You can't be serious. You're choosing what our classmates say over what I say?" His eyes widened. "Since when did you care about what they thought? You hate them, remember."

I didn't know what to say to that. It was true that I hated them, but their words were just so believable. Their words were my worst nightmare and from the way he had ignored me, they had to be true.

"All the signs show that their words are correct," I said flatly.

"What signs?" he retorted.

"You only started talking to me for the kiss, you've always been desperate for the kiss, and once you got it you ignored me for the entire day. If you wanted me you would never have pretended I didn't exist."

"That was because I didn't want there to be too much attention on us," he said, growing exasperated. "I knew people knew the kiss was passed on and I knew all eyes would be on us. I was trying to die the down attention."

"And you couldn't have texted the plan to me? Called me or something?"

Axel remained silent at that. He looked away and I caught the look of defeat on his face. I should be happy at the fact that I had won this argument, but instead I felt miserable. I hadn't wanted to win this because at the end of the day, I just wanted him to honestly love me.

So I began to close the door as I felt myself tear up. But before I could close it fully, Axel stopped the door with his hand. We looked at each other and I saw that he looked miserable. I felt the same way.

"I know nothing will make you believe me right now, but let me tell you something I've always wanted to tell you," he said. "I've liked you since grade nine. I've always admired your confidence and your brilliance and everything about you, but I never had the guts to talk to you. I always felt inferior and I knew you'd judge me if I talked to you randomly, so that was why I never spoke to you before. But when the kiss came to you, I had my opportunity. I had my reason so that's why I only started talking to you then. I don't know if this changes anything, but I've always wanted to tell you this."

Before I could even process everything, Axel turned around and walked off. I found myself staring at him, stunned by the idea that he had alway liked me. He had thought I was too good for him. It was unbelievable and maybe it was. Maybe he was acting again.

Not knowing what to do, I shut the door and told myself that this was for the best. I was going to graduate and I didn't need any distractions. Axel had to be of the past.