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Dedication: BrokenxSpark for the amazing cover! Thank you!

Recap:

I was silent as I stared at Xavier.

"Hey man," Jayden said, oblivious to the accumulating tension. "Jayden."

"Xavier," Xavier said gruffly.

"Oh..." Jayden said, giving me an uneasy look.

This wasn't awkward at all.

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"What has you looking so pathetic?"

I opened my eyes and stared at my father's upside down figure.

"My life is pathetic."

"Cry me a river," he said sarcastically.

The lounge dipped as he sat beside me. I moved from hanging off the lounge and placed my head in his lap.

"I would but you suck at swimming."

"I got caught in a rip one time!" dad groaned. "It doesn't mean I can't swim."

"I was fourteen and I had to pull you out."

"Don't remind me."

I grinned up at him.

"Ah, look, there's the smile I've missed so dearly."

The smile dropped.

"What's wrong? You don't like the new car?" he asked softly, running his fingers through my hair.

I let my eyes close as I felt his finger nails run over my scalp.

"I love the car."

"So?"

"So, the fact that Xavier thinks he can buy my forgiveness makes me feel cheap and shallow. Am I cheap and shallow?"

"You are anything but cheap and shallow," dad replied. "I don't think Xavier meant to make you feel that way. I actually think it was quite, er, romantic."

"Romantic?" I questioned, quirking my eyebrow up at him.

"Yeah. He knows how much you love your car. For him to go out and try to get an exact replica for you. I think that's romantic. Most girls would love that."

"I'm not most girls," I argued. "I see your point. It was very thoughtful. But I can't help but feel he's trying to buy me."

"Why don't you try talking to him?"

"Well, after he bailed because Jayden was here, I've tried texting him but he won't reply. I don't even know where he's living."

"He's living in the granny flat out the back of that Jasmine girl's place."

"Oh. Even better."

"So wait, you don't want to forgive Xavier, but you don't want him to be with anyone else?"

"Pretty much," I admitted.

He sighed, shaking his head. "And you think you're not like other girls."

***

"Wow," Brooklyn commented as she slid into the passenger seat. Sliding her sunglasses down her nose, she let out a whistle. "You and Xavier should break up more often."

I rolled my eyes. "It's a nice car, isn't it?"

"And why have you not had hot, make up sex yet?"

"Because we haven't made up." I said curtly, jamming the gear into first with more force than it needed.

"I would have melted into a pool right there on the porch," she sighed, leaning back onto the seat.

"I know you would of," I muttered. "I just don't want him to think that he can get away with really hurting me by just buying me stuff. That's not what a true relationship should be based on."

"Well, what can he do to gain your forgiveness?"

"Just straight up apologising wouldn't be a bad idea?" I asked sarcastically.

"He has apologised."

"Brooklyn," I snapped. "Are you on my side or not?"

"I am of course, but you need to be reasonable."

"I am. He hasn't sat me down and really apologised."

"Okay. Whatever," she huffed, shaking her head. "I'm just saying, you're going to regret letting a great guy like Xavier go."

"A great guy wouldn't go out of his way to hurt his girlfriend."

"Can you just listen for once and stop arguing?" she snapped in exasperation. "It's not me you're angry at, alright?"

"Stop hassling me then!" I yelled back, my cheeks burning.

I ripped the handbrake on and she let out a frustrated groan, before tumbling out of the car. I made a face at her as she stormed off.

No boyfriend and now I'm on the path of losing my best friend.

My life really is pathetic.

***

I glared at the rain drop that landed with a splat on my arm.

I had been in a sour mood ever since mine and Brooklyn's encounter. And now it was raining. I had to walk from west to east of the school, with limited covered roof. Grumbling colourful profanities under my breath, I death stared the heavy rain falling.

With a deep sigh, I hugged my jacket to myself and made a run for it. I made it to class, late. Not even sparing a glance at the teacher, I made my way to my desk. I froze, my eyes narrowing into slits as Chase sat at my desk, beaming at me.

Swivelling my eyes around the classroom, I realised that was the only one free. Which makes sense, I usually sit alone.

Stomping over to my desk, I sat down roughly.

"Why hello sweet heart," he greeted, offering me a toothy smile. "Someone in the dumps today?"

"Shut your fucking mouth before I break your teeth," I hissed venomously, glaring at him with as much hate as I could muster.

He blinked, actually moving back a few inches. "Wow, I did not expect that."

"Why can you not leave me alone?" I ground out. "You know I hate you."

"You don't even know me, Faithless."

"Don't call me that!" I snapped, my voice raising.

"Faith..." A voice said slowly and I dragged my eyes from Chase's round, curious ones to Mr McLoud's. "Is there a problem?"

I didn't answer. I grit my teeth and pulled out my book, attempting to not lose my control. I could make it through the rest of the day. It would be hard and require a large amount of self control, but I can do it.

"Still not back with Xavier?" he asked. "Such a shame. You made such a cute couple."

My nails bit into my flesh, I had my fist clenched that hard. I glared at the board and watched as Mr McLoud made notes.

"Ah well. It's good for me, I guess. Means he has no ties to staying here. Makes it a lot easier to get him to come back and work for us."

"Leave him alone," I whispered furiously, refusing to stare at him.

"Aw, you still care. That's sweet."

"Go to hell."

"You know he's probably screwing that Jasmine chick, right? Let's be real here."

I squeezed my eyes shut as hurt crashed into my chest. I had tried so hard not to let the fact that Xavier was living basically at her house, get to me. But Chase just had to rub it in.

My hands began trembling. I gripped my pen tightly.

"I mean, who can blame him, right? She's a babe."

Breathe. Relax. It's okay.

"I mean, at least she's not a fucking psycho like you-"

An enraged growl tore from my throat. What happened next, was a blur. I leapt from my chair, before striking out my leg and kicking Chase square in the chest. He let out a loud oomph as he toppled sideways out of his chair. Throwing the chair, and hearing it vaguely hit something in the background, I towered over him and punched him as hard as I could in the nose.

I got another hit in, before someone tugged me back. I turned and sent another punch, before blindly turning back to Chase. I dropped to my knees and gripped his throat. He let out a yelp as I squeezed.

Again, I was pulled from him and I let out a ragged scream. I began swinging, trying to take down whoever just stopped me. I spun and my fist connected with the other person's cheek. He dropped to the ground in a painful sprawl.

Silence. It was so silent, you could have heard a pen drop.

Finally, sound came back to me. My breathing was heavy and my heart beat was drumming inside my ears. I could hear groaning, coming from Chase and the other person I hit. I blinked, the world slowly coming back into to focus.

Round eyes stared at me. People had backed away, some having actually ran from the classroom.

I felt the colour drain from my face as I laid at the person who was clutching their face on the ground.

I just punched a teacher.

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What do you think about Faith's opinion on Xavier trying to 'buy' her back?

And what do you think about her black out rage and hitting her teacher? What's going to happen now?

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