Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. In reality, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it, and accept it.

I've gotta be strong and accept that Ezra and I are over. I just wish it wasn't this hard. Through all of the yelling I've done, I realized that I might actually be in love with him. That's what hurts the most. He broke my heart, but no matter how many times I try to push the feeling away, I still love him. It's amazing how someone can break your heart, but you still love them with all the little pieces. I know who I want to be. I want to be the young woman that Ezra brought out. I want to be successful and make my mom proud. I can't become who I want to be with him because he broke my trust. I'm gonna have to learn to do it on my own instead of depending on someone else to help me. I want to forget him. I really do, but it's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.

"I'm going to the store to pick up some last minute ingredients for dinner tonight. Do you want anything?" My father asked.

He's off of work tonight so he's making me one of my favorite meals; taco salad. This is a very rare occasion so I'm trying to push my feelings to the side and enjoy his company while I can.

"Maybe some chocolate ice cream." I replied.

"Alright. I'll be home in about 30 minutes. Don't let any strangers in and try not to have fun without me." He instructed.

"Don't worry about me." I stated.

"I'm your father. It's my job."

" I know it is but I can take care of myself."

He sighed and walked out the front door. I know I shouldn't be so rude, but I'm not a baby. I wish he wouldn't treat me like one.

"'Cause girl you're amazing just the way you are." My phone started ringing.

I didn't bother going to pick it up. I knew who it was. One day when he was messing with my phone, he set this as his ring tone. He's called me 32 times today, left me 15 voice mails, and text me over 20 times. I deleted all of the messages without reading them. I don't want to read all of his excuses and horrible attempts at an apology. It would just be a waste of my time.

I flipped through the channels in search of a decent show to watch. Like always, nothing is on besides cartoons. I decided on watching Spongebob until my dad gets back. When he gets here, we're gonna watch a few movies until we fall asleep. It was my idea. Maybe if we are distracted the whole time, he won't bug me about Ezra and I won't think about him.

2 episodes later, my dad pulled up into our driveway. I jumped up from the couch and headed outside to help him with the groceries. There wasn't many bags, but my dad is getting old so he needs my help.

"I got lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, shredded cheese, and frito's scoops for the Taco Salad. Does that sound right?"

"Perfect." I smiled.

After my dad cooked the enticing salad, we picked out the first movie of the night. We chose "Here comes the boom". It's hilarious! I've seen it several times and it gets funnier every time. Kevin James is a great actor. I've always thought actors and actresses were very talented. I couldn't do half of the stuff they do. I would laugh the whole time.

I cuddled up to my dad and relaxed for the first time in a while. He may get annoying and make me mad sometimes, but I love him so much. I would be lost without him.

*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*

We stayed up until 3 in the morning watching movies and talking about nothing in particular. I only got 4 hours of sleep. I'm gonna look like a zombie at school.

I got dressed, ate my breakfast, and now I'm on my way to the Williams' residence to pick up Brooklyn and Cody. Brooklyn hasn't bothered me about the whole break up thing. She knows I don't want to talk about it and so does Cody. They know me so well. Cody has been in a better mood since we played truth or dare at Mason's. I think it may be because of Adrienne. They made out for the dare, but I think both of them felt a spark. They couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. Even though it's Adrienne, I'm glad he's finally found a girl. He needs to start acting like a teenager. Hopefully, this lasts a while. I don't want to see him going back to the depressed Cody.

"Hey girl. How are you today?" Brooklyn greeted me.

"Good. I got to spend some time with my dad last night."

"Great! I know you needed it."

"Yeah I did." I agreed. "How are y'all this fine morning?" I asked, trying my best to sound enthusiastic.

"Pretty darn great." Cody answered, grinning from ear to ear.

"He's been texting some girl all week. All he does is stare at his phone and laugh at something she said. It's stupid if you ask me." Brooklyn stated.

"Well it's a good thing no one asked you." Cody replied.

"I think it's cute. I'm glad you found someone." I stated, genuinely happy for him.

"Thank you Kylie."

"No problem Cody."

The rest of the ride consisted of Cody going on and on about this girl and Brooklyn constantly telling him to shut up. I found it quite funny.

When we got to school, Austen kept looking at me with his stupid smirk. Getting tired of the bullsh**, I walked up to the jerk and confronted him.

"Stop staring at me you creep!! Leave me alone!!" I yelled.

He just continued smirking.

"So....I heard some stuff." He laughed.

"It's high school. I'm sure you have." I stated.

"He cheated on you with his hot ex. He did it after you two had sex. That sounds familiar." He smirked, pissing me off even more.

"First of all, we didn't have sex. I made that mistake already. Second of all, mind your own da** business. This has nothing to do with you!!" I screamed, shoving him.

I decided after that horrible night that I would never have sex again until I'm married. That way, I know I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with that special person.

"Don't touch me!! I can't help it that you're a stupid whore!! You're the one that causes all of the drama! Don't be so needy and emotional!! If you get cheated on, it's your fault!!" He screamed back.

"No one deserves to be cheated on!!!! Not even an a**hole like you!! It's something no one should have to go through!!!! Knowing that the person you love doesn't love you back is the hardest thing to deal with!! It sucks being used and tossed to the side like you're a piece of trash!!" I exclaimed, holding back my tears.

His face was priceless. He was looking at me like I'm an extraterrestrial. Instead of waiting on a reply, I just walked off; Proud of myself for standing up for those who have been used by Austen and any other player out there.

I heard claps coming from every direction. I smiled gloriously and walked through the doors that have changed my life in many ways.

*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*

My dad text me during lunch and told me he was going on an overnight business trip and won't be back home until tomorrow night so I have the house to myself. I invited Cody and Brooklyn over for a little sleep over. I invited Cody because I wanted to figure out if my guessing of who the girl might be is correct. I also want to figure out why Brooklyn was making out with Luke at Michael's party when he has a girlfriend. Maybe this will help me take my mind off of Ezra for a while.

I dropped them off at their house so they could get all of their crap together. I would have just stayed and waited on them to finish, but I wanted to come home and straighten up a bit. We didn't clean up from the night before. There was bowls of ice cream strolled out all over the kitchen cabinets. The sink was full of dishes and my room was a disaster. It'll take them about 20 minutes to get their stuff together so I have a little time to tidy up.

I put the dishes into the dish washer, cleaned the cabinets, swept the floor and sacked the trash. Next, I vacuumed my bedroom floor, made my bed, dusted the shelves, and put up books I have laid on my bed side table. I double checked the living room and then got out a few snacks. I did pretty good if I may say so myself.

Right on time, I heard the doorbell ring. Since it's a pretty day, they rode their four wheeler over here instead of me wasting my gas on picking them up.

I answered the door and felt a pair of strong arms engulf me in a bone crushing hug. Thinking it was Cody, I playfully shoved him. When he didn't budge, I shoved him a little harder. This time, I was released. I looked in front of me and was surprised to see it wasn't Cody but Mason.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, taken aback.

"Cody invited me and Adrienne over. He said you're having a small get together." He smiled.

"Actually, it was supposed to be a sleepover with just Brooklyn, Cody, and I. I don't know why he invited anyone else without asking me first." I stated, a little offended.

"Oh. I'll leave then." He replied, walking towards the door.

"No. It's okay. Y'all are already here so you can stay. Just don't break anything."

"I won't. Pinky promise." He said, holding out his pinky.

I wrapped my pinky around his and started looking for Adrienne.

"Where's Adrienne?"

"She's coming. She's just talking on the phone." He replied.

I nodded my head and sat down on my couch waiting on the others to get here.

How is this gonna distract me from Ezra when Mason is one of his best friends?