Somehow, I fell asleep on the couch last night and Gray managed to carry me up to his bed. When I woke up though, he wasn't by my side and I sat up, looking around the room.

Why does it feel so long since the last time I was in here?

Nothing changed really. The ceiling still had the marks of the stars that used to be stuck there, he still have a pile of clothes by the corner of the room, his closet still remained open, exposing how he never gets to organize it, his desk was still cluttered as ever, and still a few bits and bobs scattered all around the room.

Stretching my arms over my head, I pulled off the covers and stood up, walking to window so I could open the curtain and let in the sunlight.

When I looked down on the windowsill of the outside, I clicked my tongue at the amount of cigarette stubs scattered there. Old habits are hard to break.

I did a quick toilet break before I went downstairs. Gray was in the kitchen, his shirtless back turned to me. I tilted my head to the side to get a better angle of that gorgeous view.

I miss staring at this.

When he turned around, he was a little surprised to see me standing there but his lips slowly curved into a smirk when he saw I was approvingly nodding towards his good looking physique. Gray Martyn's abs were something I wouldn't mind staring at all day.

On his hand was a plate of toast and he placed it down on the kitchen island, "Sorry, I have nothing else to offer."

"Why am I not surprised?" I muttered as I took one and bit on it, walking past him to make myself some coffee. Like the many times before, I've paraded in this house too many times to be so comfortably casual whenever I'm making my way around it.

While I was busily tending to the black coffee machine, I felt his arm wrap around my waist from behind and his chin settled on top of my shoulder.

Does he really think that we're completely okay now? Boy, you made me go through hell and back, I'm going to shoot if you if you assumed that I will let you do whatever you want just because you told me that the lamb was prancing around with a puppy dog.

The big wolf can't get everything that he wants without working hard for it.

I shrugged him off and pinched his arm away as I took the poured myself a cup of coffee, "No can do, pretty boy."

He blinked at how I blatantly rejected his advances. He blew out a heavy sigh before stretching out his arms, "What can I do to for you to forgive me?"

"Are you mine and only mine?" I lifted a brow, sipping my caffeinated drink. Although I wasn't completely serious, I think that in his mind, I was.

"I'm yours Clara," he declared.

Years. I've waited for years for him to say those words to me. That he was mine – that he would no longer go preying around for some other girl. Yet, I don't want empty statements that was filled with false promises.

"Erin still thinks otherwise," I told him, "Save that sappy shit and call me when you're not dealing with two loads."

Not saying that I'm willing to be yours though.

If I went with Gray, it meant that I would have to break Evan's heart. The same guy who didn't even dare to hurt me once, intentionally or not. Sure, we argue, but that's about it. We make up hours later and let's be real, he made a lot more effort in a few months than Gray did for two years.

"No she doesn't," his mood dropped, "She chose someone else."

That sadness that I haven't seen in a long time was disheartening. When my focus went back to him, I suddenly remembered how I turned into the girl who was completely protective and possessive of him. That was the look that got me, I was the only one he ever trusted enough to pour his insecurities out.

I couldn't bear to see him like that. I made a vow to myself, I would never let him feel like the way he did when his heart broke for the first time. I'm a woman of my word, and people know this.

And this is the moment when I knew I was once again entering a dangerous territory.

I finished my toast and drank all of my coffee before placing the cup into the sink, "I need to go."

Seriously, if I don't get out know, I feel like every stubborn wall I've put up will go crashing down.

Before I had the chance to walk away, he held my wrist to stop me, "No goodbye?"

Déjà vu. This was the same scene we had the last time I stayed here.

Turning around, I bit my lip as I contemplated on what to do.

Stupid, Clara, you never learn.

Standing on my toes, I placed a kiss on his cheek, rendering him shocked at my decision. We shared a quick look at each other and I gulped, looking down before sprinting out of the house.

Trust me, Gray, I was surprised by how easy you could sway me.

Now before I fall back into a pit hole of self-contemplation, I need to slaughter a lamb.

I drove to the Matthews Residence, ready to confront Erin. I gave Gray up so that he could get some peace, so that he doesn't have to go back and forth. I stopped messing with Erin because I thought that she would take care of Gray for me.

And now she left him heartbroken. Girl, you don't do that to my man.

I stopped at their driveway and got out, marching towards their front door. I just hope that their mother is out and Evan is still sleeping.

Ringing their doorbell, I waited impatiently for someone to get the door. When it swung open, it thankfully revealed the lamb.

Her eyes widened when she saw me and I'm sure she has a pretty good idea why I was here. Of course, for the fear of everyone, she tried to play dumb, "Evan is still in bed."

She attempted to close the door but I used my foot to stop it. I pushed it wide open and gave her a tight lipped smile, "How about we talk, Erin?"

"I don't really want to..." she trailed off, slowly inching backwards.

I stepped in and closed the door behind me, giving her a menacing look, "You knew Gray liked you, you know what you did, and you should know that I'm not happy about it."

Three phrases, three facts, and the lamb needed some time to process it. She balled up her fists by the side before looking back at me, "Gray doesn't like me!" she finally spoke up, "And I don't like him that way."

I would have called you a bitch, but that's an insult to me. Look at this cheerleader, she calls herself a bitch yet she's freaking amazing.

You? You're not.

Lifting a hand, I slapped her upside the head, "If you didn't like him then you shouldn't have approached him in the first place. You should have just let him stay with me."

Because to be honest, I've felt completely drained from this game of tug-of-war for the past few months. She was the one who started it all and it drives me crazy how she even dared to deny this all when everything happened right in front of my eyes.

"Gray doesn't deserve to get hurt by you," I declared, "He's way out of your league, and yet he chose to drift away from the people who surrounded him through thick and thin just for you."

You know in every good girl story when she finally gains the courage to stand up for herself and have her power moment?

I think the lamb finally reached hers.

She stepped forward and pushed me, tackling me to the ground as she slapped me right across the cheek. I gaped for a moment in shock at the sudden attack, but she saw this as an opening and started to hit me more, although it was only light so it didn't really do much damage.

"I did love Gray," she sobbed, "But he was always so locked up, I tried to understand but he won't even let me in."

No, he was waiting. He was waiting for the moment he can say it all, he was testing if he could trust you because everybody looked at him as if he was the unbreakable bad boy. The reason why you couldn't understand was because you weren't there with him when it happened.

While I stood by his side with all the patience in the world. I didn't crack a bit when he tried to push me away so in the end, he gave up and allowed me to enter his life.

That's the difference between you and me. It takes me a landslide, a typhoon, and an earthquake to make me give up.

You know, in theory, she had the determination to hold me down, but in reality, I'm a cheerleader who basically lift bodies and my own weight on a daily basis so I'm stronger.

I easily flipped her with ease. Please, I can do this to Gray while we're in bed, this is no problem for me.

So do you think you can beat a cheerleader when it comes to strength? That only happens in the books where the good girl is the protagonist sweetheart, and when blondie is the antagonist.

This is my story, lamb.

A pair of arms wrapped around my torso and pulled me away from Erin. I squealed at the sudden interruption and I squirmed in the person's hold.

"What the hell is happening?" Evan asked and now I have an answer who was the figure currently keeping me away from slaughtering the lamb. I relaxed in his hold and he took this as a sign that it was safe to let go without me lunging over his sister again.

Erin scrambled up and she started moving away. I glared at her and she ran up the stairs to the solitude of her room. I exhaled loudly before I slowly turned to Evan, meeting his confused gaze.

I opened my mouth to explain – to say that I snapped because Erin made a fool out of Gray's feelings, to say that I only did that because I cared for Gray. But in the end, that will meant only one thing in his mind and sad to say, his conclusion will be the truth.

This whole time that we were separated, my mind was still occupied by him. Together or not, all I could think was thoughts of him and I guess that made me realize something.

I still like Gray. No, I'm stupidly and crazily in love with Gray.

When he helped me last night with that stubborn guy who refused to let me go and when he finally opened up to me, I felt it. I felt the happiness when our hands were clasped together, I felt the comfort when his head was on his lap, I felt the warmth when his arms wrapped around my waist.

He played with me so many times and I guess that wasn't enough for him to push me away.

"I'm sorry," was the only words I managed to say.

Here standing in front of me is a man who's willing to take me as I am. He admitted that he liked me after seeing how much of a brat I was, and he still patiently waited for me because he knew my mind was running in a thousand different places.

And I'm going to throw it all away for a bad boy who had me caught up in his little games.

Love is a funny thing, it makes absolutely no sense.

Although like always, he understood what I meant. He lifted a hand and did the karate chop, it was soft and weak, "I got it."

The smartass knew everything before I told him.

"You always have," I mumbled.

"And always will," he chuckled, trying to cheer me up, "Don't give me that look, Clara. I knew it from the start."

For once, I took the initiative and stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his torso, "I'm sorry."

I'll apologize a thousand times until he finally admits the truth. I know he doesn't mean it when he says that he's okay, I know from that sad look that he's not happy about this. I'm horrible, completely disgusting. I shrug my shoulder whenever some tells me I'm a horrible person, but now, I can't take it lightly.

Because I know I'm the worst person in the world for breaking this guy's heart.

He slowly returned the embrace and buried his face in my hair as I felt him nod, "I know."

Pulling away, I cupped his face in my hand as I tried to show him a small smile, "I'm still going to be here for you."

He wrapped his hand around mine and once again, nodded. He leaned to my touch and instantly I felt my heart drop at this moment. We're not even breaking up, we were never in a relationship, but it felt like it.

"I don't deserve you, Evan Matthews," I admitted, "I don't deserve to be liked by you."

"No," he said as he finally released me, "For me, you deserve everything."

"I'm sorry," I apologized once again.

"Stop it," he told me as he nudged his head towards the door, "I told you I knew what I was getting myself into."

My lips went into a straight line as I walked out of their house. Gray Martyn has been and is continuing to be the root of many of my problems.

I need to seriously go somewhere to clear my head because if I don't, I'll go through another phase of insanity.

As if the heavens heard me, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Sometimes, I think that these girls have an instinct when something's wrong. This squad has my back.

Getting into my car, I drove back to my house so I could at least dress up before I meet the girls. If I turn up with the same clothes as yesterday, they'll surely press more questions than necessary.

When I reached home, I took a quick shower to wash away the sweat from both the party and the competition last night before pulling on a casual outfit. Thankfully, my parents were to god knows where so they weren't there to give out a long ass interview of my whereabouts. Dusting on some makeup, I then went back down and drove to the mall.

I texted them and somehow, even though I managed to drive back home, take a quick shower, and make myself look decent, I was still faster than them. Not surprised though. They told me to just stay at the indicated meeting place by the fountain at the center of the mall.

But at least I can relax without thinking of that bad boy.

"Clara?" a familiar voice called out.

And I spoke too soon.

"Gray," I greeted with a sarcastic smile, "Fancy meeting you here."

"The boys told me to come," he told me, "They're taking so damn long though."

Hold on, my girls are missing and his boys are as well. Somehow, we ended up in one single spot in this huge building.

Those little witches.

"On a scale of one to ten, how much do you think that they planned this?" I muttered, looking around to see if they were observing us in secret.

Also known as stalking.

"Eleven," he answered with an aggravated tone.

"Gray?" another person's melodious voice came to the scene. Only this time, it was a female and although it rung bells in the back of my mind, I can't identify whose it was.

It was familiar yet I can't place my finger on it.

We whipped around for the source and I paused when I saw who it was. Judging from Gray's stiff posture, he was as surprised as I was.

Scratch that, he was rendered speechless.

"And Clara," the girl grinned as she approached us with her friend behind her, her arms filled with shopping bags as she strutted in those four inch heels as if they were nothing, "I haven't seen you two in so long."

If you even wonder why my balance in killer shoes was amazing, I got them all from her.

"Kelly," I managed to say her name.

The said girl turned to me and clapped her hands enthusiastically, "Bingo."

Gray was still frozen beside me and I really don't blame him. Kelly, on the other hand, couldn't take a hint, "Are you two... you know?"

Let me tell you something about the blonde bombshell standing right in front of us. When I was a freshman, she was the captain of the cheer team and I used to look up to her in every way. She was the one who taught me almost all of the tricks that I know and she has always encouraged me to push harder, believing that one day I will be in her place. It came true as I now hold the position she once held.

But that's not all, she was the one who managed to whip the bad boy into a puppy in love. Yup, that's right, she used to be Gray's girlfriend.

They dated for about a little more than a year but it all ended when Gray caught her red handed cheating on him.

And if you remember the classic old tale, that was the end of Kelly and Gray's story and the start of ours.

The same girl I idolized was the same girl who stomped on Gray's heart.

As much as I liked her as a senior, she lost all my respect. I was the one who was next to Gray when he found out and I was the one who had to practically pull him away from her.

And I think that situation was happening again. I have to save this guy from making a complete fool out of himself because of her for the second time around.

"Yeah," I lied as I faked a smile, holding Gray's hand in mine, "And we really have to go, our friends are waiting for us."

Gray didn't much as respond when I pulled him with me. His eyes were still trained on the girl he once fell head over heels with.

"Gray, look at me," I said to him, holding his face in my hands so his view of her would be covered, "Please, take deep breaths."

He blinked at me, his gaze focusing on me but it was obvious that his mind was somewhere else.

And I'm afraid it was in the past.

----------------------

I'm calling it, the next chapter will be a flashback chapter.

Well, that was a lot of happenings in one chapter. Let me remind you though, I'm shipping a sink of Chapter 28, not on this one. Before we finally get to choose an end game, we need to break my strongest character yet.

Yup, we're going to break down Clara herself; as if she wasn't slowly breaking down before.

But, my finals are finally over and I want to thank you for all your well wishes.

Question: If you were to write the happenings next chapter, how would it go? Like I said, it's a flashback chapter.

Dedicated to jliabrnql for the cover. One of my favorites that was sent to me, actually.

Oh one more thing, you guys know I'm part of the Radish Fiction community, right? Well, they're finally launching their Android version on June 15 and to celebrate it, I'm giving away 20 coins each to 5 winners. Coins are basically what you use to purchase chapters and stories inside the app. Just follow these rules to get a chance to win them:

Now that's enough multimedia for you guys. Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow. I love you all so much and I shall see you all next chapter!