Separating myself from Brendan Gallagher has to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my entire lifetime.

I've never felt so strongly for someone in such a short amount of time, and to just cut that person off entirely really makes me question myself.

I hear Aria digging through her makeup bag in the bathroom. She's probably going out with Alex tonight... As usual.

It's officially been one week of classes and I've already gotten a start on studying for my test next week in Biology.

"So..." Aria breaks the silence. "I heard you and Brendan are getting along well."

I glance into the bathroom and I see her smirk at me while putting on her eye liner.

"I actually haven't talked to Brendan in awhile." I dodge the question and try to keep the conversation light.

If Aria knows how much I like Brendan, she'll tell Alex. Then, of course, Alex will tell Brendan. Brendan can't know.

"I heard that, too." She pauses. "Why haven't you talked to him lately? He's probably wondering if you're pissed at him."

She knows.

"Did Brendan put you up to this?" I close my textbook and walk over to the bathroom door

"No, I'm just really nosey."

I don't believe her. Not for one second.

"So, then... Was it Alex?" I ask.

She sighs. "Victoria, you know how much he cares about Brendan. They're like, best friends." She looks over at me and I roll my eyes. "Brendan is really worried that you don't like him."

Brendan is worried? About me?

"Are you sure?"

"Well, according to Alex, he hasn't stopped talking about you in days." She gushes to me.

"I'm really trying to focus on school right now." I bite my lip, hoping she doesn't hear the shakiness in my voice.

"Whatever." She snaps. "You're missing out on a really nice guy."

"Yeah, but I just can't take a chance of messing up my schoolwork." She rolls her eyes again and I retreat to my bed.

Maybe she's right... I shouldn't miss out on a chance with a great guy. But then again, I don't want to be manipulated by her words.

How could I feel so strongly about liking a guy but yet be so against wanting to be with him?

One reason... My father.

His words hang over my head like a gun. If I even slip up slightly, I know he'll notice. But how could I let him control me so much? Should I listen to him?

As all these thoughts run through my head, I decide to go to one place where I could think and sort out my thoughts.

The library is fairly empty today, but then again— it's Saturday. I find a small corner to sit down and pull out my textbook.

I stare blankly at the words. I'm just so out of it, I can't even focus. All I can think of is Brendan.

Brendan.

Brendan.

Brendan.

The noise of a book slamming onto the table in front of me pulls me out of my thoughts. I jump and look up. My eyes go wide and I slide back into my chair.

"Victoria!" He shouts, picking his book up and placing it on my table. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Um..." My face turns red. Why would he be in the library on a Saturday? "I've been here." I half-smile awkwardly.

"Oh," He nods his head. "What are you studying for?"

"Biology."

"No way, same here!" He sits down and opens his book.

I internally roll my eyes. Why me?

I look back at my textbook and try to think of an excuse to leave. I don't really want to leave, but what else can I do?

"Oh my gosh," I gasp. "I totally forgot— I'm supposed to meet Aria for lunch!" I quickly gather my things and stand up from my chair. "I'm so sorry, I've got to go." I give him a quick smile and practically run out of the library.

That will be the last time I go to the library to escape Brendan.

~

Aria has been out with Alex the entire day and will most likely be out all night. I have absolutely nothing to do and I can't take another chance on seeing Brendan again.

I stuff another handful of popcorn into my hands as I watch Netflix on the small TV in my dorm room.

I hear a knock on the door. Groaning, I get up slowly and trudge to the door.

"Who is it?" I ask while turning the knob and opening the door.

I see Brendan standing there with a stupid smirk on his face.

"Hey, Brendan." I smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just wondering why you're avoiding me?" He invites himself in by walking straight through the door and sitting down onto my bed.

"A-Avoiding you?" I ask. "What are you t-talking about?"

"You can cut the act, Victoria." He snaps. "I know that Aria has been out with Alex the whole day today." He sighs. "Why did you lie to me?"

"I didn't—"

"Yes, you did!" He pauses. "If you don't like me then just tell me. I'm tired of wasting my feelings on you if I'm only going to get hurt in the end."

I feel so terrible. Who would have ever guessed that I would be the one breaking his heart?

"I like you, Brendan." I squint my eyes and hope that I'm not making the wrong decision.

"Then what is it? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

"No, of course not." I sit down next to him and place my hand on his shoulder.

"You're just... A distraction, I guess."

"A distraction? That's all you see me as?" He furrows his eyebrows.

"No, that's not what I mean." I sigh. "I'll explain it to you one day, but just not tonight... I promise."

"Okay." He agrees. "I'm holding you to that promise."

I smile, "Okay."

He takes my hand off his shoulder and holds it. It feels like sparks are shooting through my skin.

"Where does that leave us?" He asks, rubbing his thumb up and down my knuckles.

"Where do you want it to leave us?" I ask.

"I think you know the answer to that question." He looks up into my eyes and slowly moves closer.

His eyes travel to my lips and my heart rate increases as he moves closer and closer. Our lips are just about to touch. Is Brendan really going to kiss me?