"You passed the semester!" Aicko cheered. "You'll get to stay at campus next school year."

I sighed in relief when I saw my name on the bulletin board of the school. Passing this semester felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.

"You should smile now Paige." Eloise patted my back as we faced the bulletin board.

I formed a smile. I may have survived the sem but I feel like I want to mourn over my grades, I was an achiever, passing was just average for me, I was used to being more than that.

I started to head out the building with Aicko and Eloise, we planned on walking to the square to meet Shari for dinner. When I got out the building, just like I expected, Blake approached me. Just like Yesterday and the day before, he tried to give me a bouquet but I refused. Today he was holding another one.

Eloise and Aicko took that as their cue to leave, they started walking away without me. I heaved a sigh and ignored Blake as I continued to walk to the square. He followed me till we got to the pavements. The sky darkened.

"Paige, let's talk please," He pleaded.

I stopped walking and faced him. I eyed his appearance, his eyes were swollen, looks like he's been crying. He also looked so tired and it seemed like he lacked sleep.

"Why are you here again? Don't you have anything else to do?!" I snapped at him.

He pursed his lips and avoided my gaze. It looked like he wanted to say something but he was keeping it in. I suddenly remembered how his father was furious about him.

"Shouldn't you be in England now? Your father's furious." I crossed my arms.

"Why would that matter now?" He asked seriously.

"I don't know." I fixed my bag on my shoulder. "Then find something else that would matter because we're done." I walked passed him.

I thought he was just going to let me leave like the past few days but this time he held my arm and made me face him. When I turned to him, tears started to flow out of his eyes. I know that he's tired of everything, but I am too.

"What do you mean were done?" He bit his lower lip not wanting me to repeat it.

I rolled my eyes and took his hold out of me. "You're a cheater, you said I could trust you yet you cheated on me with another girl while you're miles away! What kind of explanation do you want to hear? Isn't that explanation enough? Are you going to tell me that it's not true?"

"Yes." He stupidly said.

"Of course you wouldn't accept it, there isn't a cheater who would admit that he cheated, if he wasn't caught!"

"You're not even trying to understand me..."

"Then what do you want Blake?! You want me to stay with you, the person who tricked me?! I maybe clumsy, but I'm not stupid enough to stay with the person who cheated on me. I love you so much, and all this time I never thought of cheating on you but how? Why is it so easy for you to do this? I swallowed to stop my tears from falling out.

"I never cheated on you, please..." He begged. "Please lets talk."

I shook my head and wiped my tears but they continued to fall. Blake looked so much in pain. I've never seen him this miserable.

Raindrops started to fall down. I sighed and looked at Blake. "I can't talk to you right now. I'm not ready." I turned away from him and walked away.

More raindrops came down as I walked. I wasn't bothered about me getting wet, all I wanted was to get away from him. My eyes widened when Blake got a hold of my hand. I thought he was going to stop me from walking but instead he opened an umbrella and placed it in my hand. "I'll wait till your ready." He said before walking away.

I didn't want to accept the umbrella but the rain was pouring harder and harder. I sighed and continued walking to the square.

I lay down on my bed at the dormitory, it's quite long since I've been here and I really missed it.

"Why don't you try taking an internship abroad they might pay you well." Aicko suggested as she scrolled the internet through her phone. She and the girls agreed to help me find a nice paying part time job that'll help me with Mom's hospital bills.

"Do you think I should do that?" I wondered.

"It's ok but there's no guarantee that you'll be hired, job agencies are hard to apply to especially as a student even from Eres." Shari said as she looked for jobs as well.

She's right. I sighed and started browsing the internet.

"Things would be much easier if you were a face of something, Like an advertiser." Nile joined in the conversation.

"Or a model." Diana suggested.

Khrysie chuckled. "You'll need an agency to become a model, it's not an easy process."

I suddenly stopped browsing. An idea popped into my head. I turned to Khrysie. "An agency?"

They all looked at me with a confusion.

I scrambled out of my bed and went inside my closet, I then checked the pockets of my skirts.

"What are you looking for?" Khrysie stood behind me.

Everyone started to peek inside my closet as I looked.

Bellona stayed on the couch beside my bed with her arms crossed, also curious about what I was looking for.

My eyes lit up when I found a piece of paper in one of my uniform pockets.

"Uh ok what's that?" Diana asked.

"It's a business card." I showed them.

Aicko took it from my hands. "Modelling?!"

Eloise gasped. "That'll make you earn a fortune."

"Let me see." Khrysie took the card, her eyes widened when she read it, "You should do it."

"But I thought you wanted to become a business woman?" Shari thought. "Would that mean you'll need to take on a different career?" Nile asked.

"Are you sure about this?" Aicko asked.

"It's the best option." Bellona finally spoke.

I turned to her and she nodded. I sighed and looked at the card in my hand.

"So what's it going to be Paige?" Khrysie crossed her arms.

Aicko looked at me. "Are you going to change it all for this?"

I stopped to think. If I take this opportunity, I may never get that restaurant, I may never get to own a business, all my plans and dreams would take a different turn. I sighed. But if I take this new path, then I'll get a better chance in paying Mom's bills. My heart started feeling heavy. I didn't know what to do, I'll have to give up something to get the other.

"What's it gonna be Paige?" Everyone was waiting for my answer.

I looked at the card and sighed. "I'll go to the agency."

They all kept silent.

Aicko held my arm. "Even if it might mean you giving up business?"

I heaved a sigh and nodded. "I don't have a choice." I faked a smile at them.

I found it hard to sleep that night. Even though I was in a comfy bed in my dorm room, I couldn't just doze off. My decision a while ago bothered me. I can still take business while being a model can't I? I asked myself. Ever since I was young, I've always dreamed of me owning my own restaurant, where Mom and I could cook. But now, that dream seems so blurry and out of reach.

"It's ok Paige." I whispered. "Mom first, Mom first." I reminded myself. "I'll get there someday, but not today."

The next day, I contacted the agency and met up with them personally.

"You're height maybe the only issue but other than that, you have potential." The agency manager said.

I just faked my smiled and laughs the whole time. I didn't want this but it's for you Mom.

From time to time my friends would ask me if I was sure with my decision. They all knew how much I loved to cook and bake, how much I've dreamed on putting up a business. I just forced a smile to shush them but the sacrifice of my dream hurt me a lot. I just wouldn't show them that.

As the days went by, I signed my contract with the modeling agency, my brand bookings would start soon. I kept ignoring Blake's calls and texts, I had too much to worry about, I can't deal with that cheater as well.

"Paige! Paige!"

I turned around when someone called me in the hall way.

"Lucy?" My brows furrowed when I saw her.

"I know you're having a hard time." She started to catch her breathe.

I raised my brow not knowing where she's coming from.

"But please don't blame Blake, he's also going through a lot right now."

A frown suddenly formed on my face. Wow. Of course she's defending him, what more would I expect from her.

I rubbed my forehead. "Is that all you have to say?" Before she could answer I walked away.

Blake must've told her to tell me that, but I didn't care, I won't be easily swayed.

Blake never showed up for the next days. But he kept calling and texting me asking when I was ready to talk.

I couldn't sleep that night so I sneaked out of the dorm to not wake Aicko so I took the train to Massachusetts. I didn't know what to do anymore. I was so lost in everything. I just needed Mom.

No one was with her in her room when I got there. I looked at the time, it was midnight. I placed my bag down and sat on a stool beside Mom. I held her hand. "Mom, please wake up." I whispered. I fought the urge to hold back the tears.

I stood up and headed for the door. I needed fresh air. My eyes widened in shock when I bumped into Aiden on my way out.

"Woah." He was just as shocked to see me.

And just like that I buried my head in his chest and cried. He just patted my back as I did. Without me telling him anything, he knew what was wrong.

"What should I do?" I asked him.

"What do you think is right?" He asked me back.

"I'm so lost right now." I pulled the strands of my hair as I cried. "I don't know what to do, I'm so tired," I covered my face as I cried.

Aiden looked away and swallowed. He kept silent while rubbing my hair. He was stopping himself from crying with me. He seemed hurt to see me cry this way.

"You should take a break if you're tired." He said. "Both of you should take a break, it looks like your relationship ain't healthy any more,"

"He won't leave me alone." I rubbed my eyes.

Aiden just sighed and made me sit down. He handed me some ice cream to calm me. I ate some but I found it so hard to swallow it. It felt so heavy on my chest. What I felt for Blake hurt so much. I can't take any of this anymore.

Maybe it was him. Maybe it was me. But everything just felt so exhausting. I might loose myself if I continue this. Blake even seemed lost because of everything. We'll end up ruining eachother if I don't end this.

"It's okay Peggy." Aiden hugged me. "Everything's going to be okay."

The next day, although it was a Saturday, I woke up early to return to Campus with Aiden. While on the train ride, I texted him.

To: Blake

Lets talk.

When I got to campus. I went straight to my dorm and changed my clothes. Afterwards I got the umbrella he left me before walking out.

I knew that he must be in the Villa so I made a walk for it. The sky suddenly darkened and rain started to pour. I opened the umbrella and continued to walk.

I suddenly stopped walking when I spotted him standing on the bench under the tree. Taking shelter from the rain. That was the spot where we'd stop after taking drives around campus. I approached him.

My brows furrowed when I noticed that one side of his cheek was red and he had a wound on the side of his lips. He gave me a small smile.

"What happened to you?" I pointed to his cheek.

"It's nothing." He shook his head.

I couldn't take my eyes off his cheek. How did he get that? Was it because of his father? Is it because he's here and not in England? My heart started to feel heavy again.

"I want to break up." I said straight forwardly.

"I don't."

"This is not for you to decide." I crossed my arms.

"Are you just going to give up on us just like that?" He looked at me with sad eyes. "We can't be done with just you deciding."

"We were done the second you started kissing other women!"

"Paige, please." Tears rolled down his eyes. "When will you listen to me."

"There's no need to listen to you and your lies."

"I could never lie to you." He whispered. "I thought you trust me."

I laughed sarcastically. "You really are something." I spat. "I don't need your permission to stop this relationship. If I want to break up with you, then that's what I'm doing!" I tried to use sharp words to hurt him so that he'd let me go. When he didn't say anything, I turned around ready to leave before he spoke.

"My Dad wants to send me to England."

I faced him. "You should go." I said coldly."

"I won't go." He crossed his arms.

"Your Dad would be furious."

"I don't care." He said seriously. "I'm not leaving you."

This guy really won't stop.

"What the hell Blake. Are you that stupid?!" I raised my voice at him. "I don't need you anymore, and you are nothing to me now, so just leave!" The rain started to pour harder.

He looked at me and shook his head. He avoided my gaze and smiled sarcastically.

"You're always so harsh Paige." His eyes glinted with tears. "I promised to stay with you now at times like this."

"And you promised to leave when I don't need you anymore." I spat. My chest felt so heavy. Why can't he just leave. I can't hurt him anymore. "Well hear this Blake. I don't need you anymore." I felt my chest tighten as I let go of those words, but I kept my head high.

He kept quiet as his jaw moved aggressively like he was containing something inside him. In his eyes I saw anger and pure sadness.

"Just leave." I pleaded.

"No." He said stubbornly.

"Why are you so stubborn? Why can't you just let me go?"

My eyes widened when he knelt before me. "Because I don't want to." I heard him cry. "You can let go all you want but I'll hold on."

I rolled my eyes. "How will you understand. I don't want this anymore. Why would you keep holding on?!"

"Because you're worth holding on to!" His voice broke as tears fell down his cheeks.

"You're really something Blake." I looked away from him, "How can you say that when you cheated on me?!"

"I didn't cheat on you-"

"Then what's on the news?! I'm not stupid to believe whatever the hell you're saying."

Blake laughed sarcastically. "I thought you trusted me."

I did and that was the worst mistake I've ever made."

"Please Paige." He cried as he held my hand. "Don't leave me...I need you right now."

I suddenly fell silent with what he said. Our silence made the sound of the rain louder. I still had his umbrella in my hand.

"Let me go Blake." I said once again.

"I can't." His voice shook as he cried.

"I don't love you anymore." I used my last option. "I love someone else."

By hearing those words he looked up to me. His eyes were full of pain. It was like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Paige, please don't do this to me." He cried again. He tried to reach for my hand but I stepped away.

"I'm happy now, and I'll be happier without you." Every word that I let go pierced my heart.

He tricked you Paige, it's okay to do this. Lies are all that comes out from him, he's telling you that he's leaving so that you'd plead him to stay. I told myself all those things for me to not take back what I said.

"Shit." Blake shook his head and closed his eyes. I got shocked when he stood up and approached me but he took me into his arms and hugged me.

"You don't know how much I love you. I would never cheat you." He whispered before letting go.

He left me with his umbrella. The rain was pouring hard but he walked away. When he left, my knees fell to the grass as I let out the tears that I've been holding in. It was so hard to breathe, I held my chest as I cried.

That same night I received my last message from him before he left for England the next day.

From:Blake

Be happy, dance in the rain, wait and believe that you will make it one day. I love you. I always have, always will.

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