Kayla's POV:

It's been three weeks since I walked out of that detention room with the intent to not let the hurt from Aaron ruin me. Some days have been bearable, other days harder than others. Last week, after one of his games, I saw Alicia kiss him on the cheek and I could barely hold myself together. For a second, I saw him looking at me and I had fought the urge to walk over to him. He has already made it pretty clear who he wants. He has made his choice and I have to live with it.

My art has come back by the way, which is pretty good. I've been spending most of my hours in the art room, often with Quinn, who not only helps me out, but is a great source of happiness for me. Sometimes, I see Aaron hanging around, but before I have the opportunity to speak to him, Alicia shows up and he leaves with her. It hurts me how much he seems to have moved on and it shows in my artwork. I can't channel any happy emotions, so most of my paintings embody raw pain.

My art competition is tomorrow, and I feel confident I will win. I walk down the hall towards the cafeteria, feeling the happiest I have felt in three weeks – since the week Aaron and I ended something we never had.

"Hey", Steph waves me over as I enter the cafeteria. As usual, I scan the room for Aaron and I find him seated beside Alicia, a bored look on his face.

Sometimes, I wonder if he is truly happy with her. But he must be – there is no logical reason for him to still be with her after all this time.

I force my lips into a grin as I walk over to my table and take a seat in between Steph and Quinn. Jason is seated opposite me which is where he usually sits now.

"I have news for you", he says, without his usual 'hey'.

He brings out a bar of snickers and hands it to Steph, who collects it happily. I think the only reason she tolerates Jason is because of the chocolate, and frankly, I don't blame her. She still hates him and has made it very clear that he is only sitting with us because he can help me get back with Aaron. The moment Aaron and I sort out everything, he goes back where he belongs.

I think that's the best option for all of us. I still hate Jason, just to be clear. We aren't friends, just people with a common goal - he wants Aaron to continue playing football well so they can win this season, and I want Aaron.

"What's the news?", Steph leans forward, while Quinn drops the book that she is reading.

"I am now certain that Aaron is being forced to date Alicia".

Quinn gasps quietly, while Steph looks skeptically at Aaron's table. But I glare at Jason.

"Is this supposed to be funny?", I ask.

"Not a joke at all.", he nods, and he looks perfectly serious.

But he can't be. There is no reason why he would date Alicia and be forced without telling anybody.

I turn to Quinn.

"Has Aaron mentioned anything like this to Keon?"

Quinn shrugs, her lips puckered in thought and she scratches at her afro. "Keon doesn't normally tell me things, but now that I think about it, he and Aaron haven't spoken since around the... you know, the breakup."

The way she says it makes me wince.

Like girl I know I was in a breakup but you don't need to say it like someone died.

"So, you have no way of knowing if Aaron is actually fake dating Alicia?", Steph steps in as she notices the uncomfortable look on my face, and I send her a look of thanks.

Jason rolls his eyes and takes a bite of the snickers bar. "Look, I don't know what Aaron told Keon, but I know what I heard."

"What did you hear?", Quinn asks, and we all look at Jason.

He gives a mysterious smile. "Ok, you know last week when I met you guys after our practice match right?"

We all nod, since we were all there.

"Well, after you all left, Aaron went in to shower, and I overheard Alicia tell one of the cheerleaders that she was tired of Aaron taking his time and that he should hurry up and get over you already.", he says, looking at me.

Wait, Aaron is still interested in me?

The hopeful part of my brain sits up, while the rational part tries to argue back. If Aaron wanted me, he would be with me. The fact that he isn't with me speaks more than a thousand words.

Steph must read my thoughts because she instantly speaks up. "That doesn't mean anything though, Jason. I hope you have more to go on because we have to have more proof than that."

Jason rolls his eyes. "That isn't the proof of course, but its what got me thinking, so I told Amanda to do some work for me."

"Wait a minute. Isn't Amanda the girl you were cheating on Kayla with? The dumb blonde with the fake tits and hair extensions?", Steph says, looking ready to fight.

"Yes, and yes. She and I are you know in a fling, and she's the captain of the cheerleaders, so she is the perfect person to dig for some information."

Steph and Quinn look at me to see how I am taking it, but I don't really mind. Jason and I are over, and as I might have already mentioned, it wasn't the breakup that hurt, just the fact that he was cheating on me.

The only breakup I care about is between Aaron and me.

"Go on, Jason", I say because he has stopped talking.

Jason cracks his knuckles, then goes on. "Anyway, Amanda and Alicia are a bit close, so I got her to talk to her, and here's the thing."

He leans close towards us, and we all lean forward as well. I have to admit, I am a bit interested in what he is going to say.

"Apparently, Alicia has something on Aaron.", Jason says in a hushed whisper. "It's something very important. That's what Amanda was able to gather from their conversation"

Jason looks at me proudly, but I have to hold myself from laughing.

It's just all too surreal.

Aaron – sensible Aaron dating someone because he is being blackmailed. The idea is so ridiculous that I push myself away from the table, laughing out loud.

Everyone stares at me, people on other tables stop in their conversation to take a look.

"What's the matter!?", I yell at them. "You've never seen a girl laugh before?"

Everyone hurriedly turns back to their conversation, and I take my eyes towards Jason.

"That is a ridiculous idea. Firstly,", I put up one finger, "Aaron is a goody two shoes. It's impossible to have something on him because he doesn't do anything bad – at all."

Jason opens his mouth, but I put up another finger.

"Secondly, Aaron is logical. If he was being blackmailed, he would tell an adult. He wouldn't date a person to keep his secret because it would be illogical and Aaron is not illogical."

Jason tries to say more, but I push myself up, and begin to walk out of the cafeteria, ignoring the shouts of my friends.

Maybe I've been delulu all this time. I've been looking for a reason why Aaron left me, but maybe I'm just looking for in depth explanations where the truth is simple.

The relationship between Aaron and I had rules, and it was to serve a purpose.

And now the purpose has been served.

So maybe I should just move on, and stop chasing after an imaginary relationship.

As I walk out, Alicia and Aaron are walking out as well, Alicia's arm firmly tucked around Aaron. He isn't wearing his glasses, and as we pass each other,  for a brief second, I can see raw pain in his eyes, sadness and longing.

Or maybe I can just see my eyes in his.

I feel my lunch come up. I can't do this. I can't go to class and pretend I'm alright. I've been doing it for the past three weeks but now, I think I may have cracked.

I rush to the only place I feel comfortable.

The arts class.

Miss Peach looks up from her desk as I walk in.

"Kayla dear, are you alright?", she asks, concern.

I nod. "I just wanted to work on some of my art before the competition tomorrow."

She gives me a broad smile, tucking some of her brown hair behind her ear.

"All your artwork is already so beautiful love", she gives me a comforting glance. "How will you find out which one to enter into the competition."

I give a nod towards one of my paintings. It is a battlefield of red and black with just the faintest glimmer of blue and pink. It's one of the artworks I did when I was feeling angry, yet hopeful.

Miss Peach admires the piece. "It's very beautiful. I must admit, this isn't your usual art style, but it's gorgeous all the same."

I smile at her patiently, until she says something about having a class and heads off, living me alone in the classroom.

I put on my headphones and sit in front of the easel, my paintbrush at work as the inspiration flows into me. I'm listening to House of Memories by Panic at the Disco, and I can't help but cry as I revisit all the memories I've had with Aaron.

The unexpected kiss in the hallway when I found Jason cheating on me...

The deal at our table...

His first detention...

Ditching class...

Our indirect kiss over shared ice cream...

Him standing up to Jason for me...

The kiss the night his parents found us...

The dinner at his parents' place...

Huddling in his bed as we watched movies...

Both of us at the art gallery...

The break up.

Each memory hits me harder than the last, but I refuse to cry, intent on finishing my artwork.

And finally, I do.

"It's beautiful", I hear Quinn say from behind me.'

I turn to see her holding her camera, her eyes round in awe.

"Were you recording?", I ask her, and she nods.

"I thought you'd need it for the competition tomorrow, but I'll delete it if you want."

"No, don't bother. You still have all the videos and pictures of me painting right?", I ask.

She nods again, then drops her camera and comes to hug me.

"You'll be alright right Kayla?"

I nod. I've made a promise to myself. No more crying, no more hoping. 'll tell Jason, to stop stalking Aaron. Speaking of which

"Where are Jason and Steph?"

Quinn looks at me guiltily. She takes a deep breath, then says a single sentence.

"They went to meet Aaron."

A/N: I am officially crying. 

I hate writing sad scenes so much.

Loves, we are coming to the moment when all the truth comes out.

Are we ready for Kayla and Aaron to find out the truth behind their breakup?

New chapter will be out on Saturday.

Be sure to vote and comment your thoughts and opinions. See you soon loves 💋💋💋