I pick out a red apple from the bowl on the corner counter, taking a bite I learn it's quite crisp. Just how I like them. After two bites heavy footsteps fall into the kitchen. I turn to see my father.

He had dark bags under his eyes as though he has been up for hours, he walks slumped, practically falling asleep the second he takes a seat. I take out a mug and fill it to the brim with coffee, sliding it over to my dad.

"Thanks," he says, rubbing his for finger and thumb over the bridge of his nose. " I did it, make sure Hadley gets to the school today for a do over test promptly at 4." He says then takes a deep breath.

I stare at him almost in disbelief at what he just said." Are you serious?" I say no loner caring about the crisp flavourful apple I took only a few seconds ago.

He nods his head in response.

"Thank you so much Dad. So much. " I say hugging him without even thinking about it, not abnormal thing for me but I wanted him to know how thankful I was.

"Your my son, I do everything I can to help you. I always will." He says taking a sip from his mug. "Now I suggest you go over to that girl of yours and let her know, prepare her. If she messes this up there isn't going to be anything I can do."

I race up to my room, only tripping slightly once. I grab my phone, thinking of texting her first but when I try to click it on an empty battery logo shows up, out of juice. I can throw it onto my bed, it's rendered useless at this time anyways. I grab the keys to my car.

I'm in such a rush I fumble my keys dropping them to the ground. It's like I can't get into my car fast enough. I finally get it and reave the engine.

* * *

I wait impatiently outside Hadley's door, I saw her dad downstairs and he told me she was up here. Upset and still in her pyjamas, but I don't care.

It hurts me and makes me ache just thinking of Hadley being so upset, the care reason being sparked by me. I have signals shooting up each nerve of my body, I feel guilty even expecting to see her.

She opens the door slowly revealing herself. She's in a white tank top, black jogging pants and the biggest knit cardigan I've ever seen. She's got slight darkness under her eyes, her once blue eyes now dulled with a tarnished future. Her hairs thrown into a ponytail, some strands escaping the hold of the hair tie that's supposed to be fastening it. My stomach revolts at her sight, she's unhappy, it's obvious. She hurt, confused and to be frank, lost. She's always Been a school person from what she's told me. She said school is really the only thing she's got control over in her life, with the right amount of effort and attention she can make her grades fluctuate according to her order. She had said that's why she liked school so much. She was in control. Yet somehow I manage to go and take that control away from her, it's broke her more then I expected it to. I'm discussed with thee state I've made her be.

"Hey Dustin," a sad smile,

Forced. "Shouldn't you be at school or..."

I shake my head before she can finish. "Did they call you or anything?" I ask her, I assumed since the school board was giving her a shot to prove her knowledge they would at least call to inform her of the opportunity.

She nods her head," I didn't answer, I assume it's a threat to get my stuff out of my locker or they'll toss it all after they cut the lock." She shrugs, crossing her arms across her body resting each elbow in opposing hands.

"No Hadley," I start, I take her by the hand and sit her down on her couch. "They are giving you a chance to re do the test, show you can do it. That you didn't cheat." I tell her. Almost like I'm trying to redeem myself for the hurt I've caused her.

She stares at me with disbelief in her expression, yet a smile plays at the corner of her lips. "Dustin?"

"I talked to my dad, he pulled some strings. They're going to give you a variation of the test, watch you like a hawk to ensure no cheating occurs but.."

I'm cut off by Hadley's arms wrapped around me, her cheek pressed against my chest. "Oh Dustin! Thank you so much."

"It's the least I can do" I say, for putting you through this hell, I add silently.

"When is it?" She asks somewhat panicked.

"4 today," I inform. "So you want to practice some? You've got some time before you have to at the school. "

She nods quickly. "Just let me get myself presentable ." She grins. She might not be presentable to most but to me she always is.

I know I should I stay and help her prep, I might distract her, or give her false hope to this relationship. But it's the least I could do for the hell she has been through.

"Want to come in? You can check my practice for me?" She asks now in better spirits then moments ago. I on the other hand at not.

"Uh that's alright, I mean i want to but I should probably get to school I've already missed all of first class,..." I say rubbing the back of my bracket with my hand. My palms are just trembling from guilt.

"Oh okay." She's upset, I can't do anything right for her. It always ends up bad. "I'll see you later then? "

"Yeah, luck on your practice." I smile to her the best I can, like my father I can see in her expression of furrowed eyebrows and a slightly tilted head that's she's confused and knows something's up. "I'll wait for you after your test okay, you're going to ace it." I say trying to act more like I would have a couple days ago.

She returns the smile, the corner of her mouth practically meeting her ears. "Thank you Dustin!" She says finally. Wrapping her arms around me I hesitate slightly before I wrap my arms around her and squeezing her tight. This poor girl has been through so much. I kiss her quick on the top of her head. If I kiss her on her lips I won't be able to stop, and I can't do that to her, not now, not ever. It will just damage her further.

* * *

I do wait for her, outside the school, like I promised. Though I don't know if she'll want to see me soon. I spent most of today thinking, pondering. I had come to a decision, it's a sad one, but for the best, maybe not for me but for Hadley.

She's been in the school for about an hour, I'm assuming she should be done soon if she's not already on her way out, though before I can think any further about it there she it. Walking out the door with a smile plastered on her face. Maybe I shouldn't do this now, she so happy I don't want to crush her. Then again if I don't do this now I might never get the courage to leave again and it will crush her life.

She comes running to me, a skip in her step," well, they payed me down made me take of my sweater and shoes. And of course watched me like a hawk the entire time, but I think I still aced it, I double checked each answer and each of the worked so... I'm happy!" She says not seeing my state, either that or I'm better at hissing then I thought. "Now how should we celebrate?" She asks giving me that grin.

"Hadley," my voice come out more upset then I thought it would. It's like a mother that's telling her child their dog just 'ran away'.

"Dustin? What's the matter." She aka me genuinely conceded.

I stand from my leaning position on the car, taking a long breath full sigh, "this is not easy for me Hadley but I think it's better if..." I don't even finish before tears are threatening her eyes.

"Dustin Fox, are you ...... breaking up with me right now ?" She chocked the words out. My heart stings from guilt and sadness.

"I just think, maybe this is better if we don't do it together you know." I try to give reason to this.

"What do you mean this?" She asks taking a step back from me, her face filled full hurt, her smile now broken into a saddening frown.

"Life, I think it's better if...." she doesn't even let me finish.

She lets out a scoff, almost likes she's trying to hide the fact that teas are starting to spill from her eyes. " maybe your life is better without me. Mine was sure hell before you came along. And it's utter bullshit if you think otherwise Dustin Fox. "

Her words hit like daggers, sharp and deep. I should have never gotten her involved with me. I remain quite, not knowing what to say, how to react.

She wipes her eyes before she speaks. "Fine if that what you want I'll respect it. But from now on, I'm jut that girl in the hall, and you, you're just little rich boy Dustin Fox, playing with girls emotions until you get what you want them dumping them behind like a used battery. " that's how she ends our words to each other. She saunters off wiping viscously at the tears in her face and in her eyes.

I can feel tears at the edge of my eyes. I cover them both with one of my hands. I broke her, her heart, her smile, I broke her.