To Lily, Nathan's absence meant that we had to practice day and night what I was actually going to say to him. So far we couldn't find a way for me to say that I didn't love him without me sounding like a total asswipe.

I've texted Nathan but our conversation always seemed to go no where, him trying to keep up a conversation with me while I wastrying desperately to avoid it.

"This is ridiculous there's no way that I would be able to say it without sounding like a total bitch." I kick the punching bag. We've been at this for hours, arguing back and fourth about why I couldn't just say the words.

"And that's why we're trying to come up with the right words." I move on to jump rope so I could face Lily better. "Now let's get down to the root of the problem." She folds her feet under her staring at me earnestly.

"We have? I don't love him." She rolls her eyes. "I meant the problem that makes you not love him even though he's such a great guy for you!" I stare at her slowly shaking my head no. She sighs, "You ate chocolate chip pancakes today which you never make by the way, but when you realized what it was you looked as if you were going to be sick. Not to mention the fact you poured yourself milk in one cup and orange juice in the other and didn't even bother drinking it! That's weird! And do not dare tell me that it's not! So I want to know what's really going on."

I shake my head, "I got full. I couldn't eat or drink anymore is that a crime?" She stares at me a while longer before visibly giving up.

"He's coming back in what three days?" I nod my head. "Okay then can we at least make a plan?"

I grumble throwing down the rope like a toddler. I couldn't do this anymore I was tired of it all. Why do we have to have feelings? It was overrated and man kind would be better off without them. "I don't want to have a plan Lily I just want things to go back to normal before the whole L word situation came up. Is that too much to ask?"

"Your asking the wrong person." After a pause she stands up. "You love him yet-"

"I never said that!" In a much quieter voice this time, I repeat the same thing. "I never said that. I told you that I don't. I don't love him so can we just drop it?"

___

Three days later we had a plan.

It was foolish of me to think that even for a nanosecond, Lily, by any means would let this go because she didn't and wouldn't. We still haven't actually figured out what I would say but that didn't matter. Today was the day Nathan arrives, he told me he wasn't going to be able to see me today because he had pretty bad jet lag and was gonna go to sleep as soon as he gets home. But we did end up FaceTiming all his absence because he said he wasn't going to forget about the promise he had made to me. Although I wish he had...

"So let's go over the plan." I roll my eyes. We already had gone over the plan for like the billionth time already.

I was to get dropped off by Lily at his house and sneak into the backyard and knock on his bedroom door and tell him how I felt. It wouldn't be what he was looking for but it was the honest truth.

I check my phone. Nathan has left me messages saying he was already back in town, and another saying he was unpacking, and then another saying he only unpacked one thing because he was too tired so now he's going to catch some much needed sleep.

"We're clear." Lily squeals, immediately rushing to her keys, "I'll wait for you in the car!" And just like that she was out the door.

I sigh, was I really going to tell Nathan that I didn't love him? What if that's the last straw for him?

Was I just trying to make another excuse so he wont have the power to hurt me? He couldn't truly love me, he barely knew me after all! Yet he still said it, he did, and I believed it.

I gave myself a quick once over at my full length mirror. I was wearing a pair of plain jeans and a regular v-neck. The usual attire to go and potentially ruin someone's hope of love in a relationship. I stop and stare at the picture. I then glance at the necklace I had hanging on the frame of the photo and quickly turn my gaze away. Seconds later I return my gaze back to the necklace, subconsciously touching my neck.

Here goes nothing. Without another glance behind me I close the door to my room and walk away.

___

We arrived at his house a little before sundown. His car was parked on the street indeed revealing he was here. I unbuckle my seatbelt, "Good luck." I roll my eyes but nevertheless, smile ruefully at Lily.

"Thanks." I get off the car and wave bye as she drives away leaving me to my doom. I sigh and stare at the house before me. I shake my head and walk to the back I wanted to only talk to Nathan about this as quick as I could. Kind of like ripping of a band aid and I couldn't do that if he sensed my arrival thanks to Rebecca or Christian screaming my name.

As I near his door my heart begins to race, I should leave. I could easily call Lily, she shouldn't even be far anyways. I pat my pockets for my phone with the intentions of calling Lily went I felt my heart drop. Fuck! I left my phone in her car! Will that doesn't matter I can always go back to my house walking and call Lily through the house phone later when I'm home and tell her I couldn't do it. That or I could just lie and say I did... Although that was an intriguing idea I knew I couldn't just do that. I had to tell him even if I didn't really know what would happen after I would.

With a sudden urgency I slide the door open, glad that it was unlocked and enter his room. The lights were flickered off and the only light was from the bits of sun rays that entered the room along with me.

Someone in the bed suddenly shifts catching my attention. Here goes nothing. "Nathan I just wanted to-" the figure sits up. Hair was way beyond disheveled at this point, eyebrows shot up in surprise with jaw gaping open then slowly sets in a satisfied smirk.

She was covering herself with the blanket, staring at me with bewildered amusement. I could do nothing else but stare at the scene in front of me.

The bed I just realized was ruffles as if someone or someone's for that matter was rolling around on it. There was also various articles of girl clothing's scattered everywhere as if in a hurry... As if caught up in the moment.

A bra was flung to the end of the bed carelessly, a bright pink lace bra that had to have been push up from the looks of it. I bite the inside of my mouth to keep from-from... actually I had no idea. I didn't know if I wanted to scream or shove my fist through her right eye.

"It's not what it looks like!" She pauses as if thinking about it then laughs as if that was the most funniest thing in the world. "Actually it is." I stay silent, swallowing my anger. She sighs. "Look if it's any consolation I really didn't mean for you to find out about it in this way. But after awhile it was really starting to get sad after all it's been happening for quite a long time already."

Slowly I let go of my anger. I didn't want her to see how much this had affected me, no, I didn't want to let her have that satisfaction. "Oh really?" I say in mock enthusiasm.

"Really." She sighs again, slowly smiling. "Well, now that you know, can we just talk about how wild he is in bed? And when he goes down on you," she fans herself. "Well you know..." She pauses, staring up and down at me. "You do know, don't you?"

I cross my arms, "No actually, I don't, I'm not a slut like some people who willingly spreads her legs out for the whole town." I wave my hand at her, proving my point. "Anyways I'll leave you to it but don't forget to do you're signature move." I bring my fist up jerking it. "I heard its a show stopper."

"Oh I won't!" I laugh watching as the realization of what she said hit her. How can someone be so stupid? I shouldn't talk though. I mean I was the biggest idiot of them all for thinking that Nathan had actually loved me. It was all just a game.

Before walking back out I pause and stare back at her as she lays back down in the bed comfortably. I feel disgusted by the sight of her laying on the bed that I've laid on with Nathan. Yet here they were fucking on it while I was snuggled up with him. "While your at it tell Nathan we're through. You know once your done... don't want you chocking now do we?" She glares at me. "How tragic would that be?"

Suddenly the door opens, revealing Nathan dripping wet, in a pair of boxers, a towel hanging from his neck. He turns on the light, "What the hell?" He takes in the scene, Maddison sitting up in his bed wrapped up in his blanket, clothes everywhere, then me.

He looks me up and down. I wanted nothing more than remove his eye sockets and put them into a blender along with a very private part of him. Actually just one eye, so he can watch as I blend the other and make him drink it, chewing the bits that wouldn't blend up properly.

"What the fuck is-" I hold out my hand.

"Oh please, don't try acting innocent all of a sudden." I cross my arms, my nails digging into my arms to keep them from shaking in anger. "I've seen and heard enough to know what's going on here or shall I say what's been happening. I mean it's pretty damn obvious at this point!" I laugh. "Do you seriously think I'm a fucking idiot? That I wouldn't find out sooner or later?" He takes a step closer to me.

"Annabeth-"

"No! We're done Nathan. Have fun with your slut." I eye the two of them. "You two truly deserve each other." I turn around quickly leaving. I ignore him calling after me then the short argument between the two.

Seconds later a hand grabs my shoulder, turning me around. "Annabeth baby you have to believe me- this is all a big misunderstanding- babe, baby please come back inside so we can talk..."

"Talk? You want to talk?" I push him back. "Okay fine! Let's talk then shall we?"

"You told me you liked me." I push him back again. "You asked me out." Push. "And my dumbass agreed." Push. "Then you asked me to be your girlfriend." Push. "I said yes." Push. "Everyday you came over." Push. "Took me on dates." Push. He stumbles a bit. "Kissed me!" Push. "Met my dad!" Push. "Introduced me to your fucking parents!" Push. "Then you have the nerve to tell me that you love me and get angry at me for not telling you the truth? When this entire time you come back home and fuck her?" This time instead of pushing him I kick him hard on his groin. As he lets out a moan in pain, bending to cup himself I punch him, my fist meeting his face.

I embrace the pain, flexing my hand. I stare as blood started oozing out from him nose. "Don't you ever fucking talk to me again and don't you even fucking bother look my way or else." I take a step forward as he takes a small involuntarily step back, holding onto his nose. I laugh. "Sooner or later everyone fears me... Nice to see that your no exception to that."

I walk away, hearing him moan out my name in attempt to stop me from leaving. "Oh Nathan baby what did that bitch do to you?!"

All of a sudden I couldn't walk anymore. I had to run, to let out my anger, to keep from screaming and running back in there and do more than just punch and knee Nathan. They deserved so much worse than what they had got.

I growl in frustration, taking off in full speed back to my house. I took a short cut home. If Nathan had any sense he wouldn't follow me but I knew better than to take that chance.

I knew the streets like the back of my hand after living here for my entire life. Sure I hardly knew his side of the neighborhood but I paid attention all those time I went to his house to make my way. Just a little after sundown I was already by my neighborhood. Only then I allowed myself to slow down.

My breaths came out short as I gripped my sides. I stared out into the deserted street. Everyone was either home or at the carnival. They always had one towards the end of summer. The games and rides were crap but it was something everyone seemed to look forward to anyways.

It arrived two days ago, as tradition Lily and I, refused to go with her family. I hated it for my own reasons. I mean in everyone's eyes I was already a walking freak free for everyone to look at, at their own expense. So giving them another free opportunity to mock me willingly for finally being home to where I belonged wasn't something I rather enjoyed.

Lily only hated it because it always stunk like throw up and cheap food. Lily is too classy for that scene. So she says.

Still whenever I thought I would see headlights from a car, I would turn around and walk into some random building until the car passed me. I didn't want to see Nathan. Although it was foolish of me to even think that he would come after me.

For all I know, little miss hag from hell is pretending to be his nurse. I shiver from the image of her aiding Nathan in nothing but those gawd awful pink lacy piece of garbage that covered nothing.

Screw it. They can have each other. I knew better than to let myself get attached to someone. All it ever gets you is heartache and Nathan wasn't even worth that.

I pass through the alley, the one Nathan had made me swear to never go into again. Yeah right like he even fucking cared. I curse myself again for not inflicting him more pain on him and that good for nothing, brainless hag.

Mindlessly I kick a nearby trashcan then continue kicking it until my foot became sore and I felt tingles of pain. I didn't need anyone anyways. People are just assholes waiting for the first opportunity to screw you over which is exactly what Nathan had done. Acting like he cared when it was all for show!

He loved me? Loved me? I laugh in hysteria. They probably planned this all along, laughing as I let myself let him in. Well either way he didn't really know me. And either way I didn't love him.

Sighing in frustration I continue walking. Angry with myself, for ultimately falling for the act anyways when I knew better. I was a fucking idiot!

I should have known by now that the only people who will ever care for me and love me is my dad, Lily...

Behind me I register a few glass bottles clink. I turn around looking around at the dim lighting. Any traces of the suns presence was completely gone from the sky as I stared into the darkness, the only lighting available was the one by the trash cans but I didn't see anything as far as my eyes could see.

I shake my head trying to clear my head as I pressed on forward. I should have known it was a trap, I mean really I should have. He's a new guy in this town, he told me from the gecko that him and Maddison had been a thing before and I didn't even once think about the possibility!

Not to mention he's friends with Mark and his stupid as wanna-be friends. That should have been police sirens for crying out loud!

I was a fool, a fool for thinking someone would ever love me. A fool for letting it happen... A fool for not noticing him sooner.

A grimy, dirty hand slaps itself on my mouth while the other grabs my wrists. Then the smell hit me. Alcohol mixed with stench of dirt.

"Nice to see you again, ssssweetie," he slurs, his hot reeking breath fanning against my neck. I shudder. "It'ssss been awhile."

Then against my will, I was pulled further into the dark alley.

________________________________End of Chapter Twenty-Two

What do you guys think so far? Could Nathan really be an asshole and cheat on Annabeth?

Is Maddison really the bad guy or just someone crazy in love?

What will happen if Nathan and Annabeth come face to face again?

What's going to happen in the next chapter!?

You'll find out on the next chapter ;)