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RORY’S POV

“Jason broke up with me?”

The words came out in a choked whisper as I stared blankly at the text that was on my screen.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Rosalie peer over my shoulder with a snort.

“What a coward! Who breaks up via text!” She said in irritation.

I was frozen, re reading the words over and over again while letting humiliation wash over me repeatedly.

My steady boyfriend of two years had just ended things with me and in his exact words, the reason was ‘Can’t do this anymore, Rory. This whole thing has gotten boring.’

My eyes blinked back the tears that were threatening to flow as my older sister gave me a pat on my shoulder and sat down at the table beside me.

“Sorry about this, bun. He was a nerd loser anyway! I can beat at him, if you want?” She offered.

“No please.” I said knowing that Rosalie can do anything.

“Want to go out and celebrate later tonight?” She asked throwing a smile that died a second later when she got a hurt look from me.

“I’m a nerd too and I just got dumped, Rosa. A week to the Halloween dance!” I said letting the phone drop on the table as another round of humiliation washed over me.

“I’m sorry! That was very wrong of me!” Rosalie apologized putting her hand briefly on her chest before proceeding to bring her mug of coffee to her lips. “But I never liked that Jerk! He was such an arrogant piece of shit acting like he was smarter when everyone knows that no one is smarter than my sister.”

Rosalie’s words did not make me feel better.

“I liked him a lot.” I said my eyes dropping to my fingers.

“You just liked him! Not love…. And now I think this is a good opportunity for you to finish high school with the one your heart desires. Besides, you’re both single at the same time, what are the odds?.” She said reaching across the table to give my hand a gentle squeeze.

I groaned. “Can you not say that? Todd and I are just best friends. He doesn’t see me that way.”

As if sensing being talked about, my phone beeped with a text.

BESTIE - Good morning Candy, I’m out front.

I sighed standing up with my school bag.

“I’ll see you later, Rosa.” I murmured.

“Come here.” My sister said standing up and placing a kiss on my forehead. “Have a great day my beautiful girl. Don’t think too much about this okay? You’re beautiful and he doesn’t deserve you.”

I gave her a weak smile and headed out the house were Todd was waiting for me.

One glance at him and my life was okay in that moment.

Todd O’Connor my best friend is the perfect definition of a beautiful teenage heartthrob. He has Silky jet black hair, dreamy blue eyes and a well formed tall muscular body.

He was leaned against his red cardilac and when he saw me, he flashed me his perfect dentition in a bright smile that made my heart flutter.

However, his expression changed when I approached him. He held my wrists and pulled me closer with a fierce look in his eyes.

His cologne filled my nostrils and I wanted to bask in it.

“What’s wrong?” He demanded.

I sighed.

“Jason broke up with me.” I announced sadly and ashamed as I stared at my feet .

“He did?”

“Just this morning. Apparently I’m boring.” I said with a cracked voice that revealed I felt hurt.

Todd’s fingers clenched in to a fist.

“That bastard! I’ll show him!” He said through gritted teeth.

“No.” I said sternly taking his big fist in my small hands.

“Please, don’t do anything…. You can’t do anything.” I begged.

“Fine.” Todd said too quickly with a grunt.

“Promise.” I urged and he sighed.

“I promise.” I could hear the reluctance in his voice but the promise was okay with me.

“Are you okay?” He asked me brushing my cheek gently and sending refreshing waves through my body.

“No. I feel embarrassed !” I said honestly.

“Don’t be.” Todd said. “I’ve been dumped a thousand times!”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Trust me, it’s not the same.

“In fact, are we in sync or what?” He said as a teasing smile tugged at his lips. “Since Leslie broke up with me two days ago.”

Leslie Williams is the hottest girl in our school, also captain of the cheerleading squad and my best friend, Todd’s on and off girlfriend. They have broken up at least a thousand times in two years.

“And this time, I am certain we are done for good.” He said.

I groaned. He always says that.

“Look, Candy.” Todd says cupping my face in his hands as he bent over to meet my eyes. “Jason is an idiot! A total idiot! If he broke up with you, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

His eyes dug deep in to mine and my heart fluttered in response.

“Now come on in, Princess.” He opened the car door and ushered me in before getting round to the drivers side.

As he drove me to school, his right hand reached for mine. He held my hand throughout the drive and I was just beginning to feel better.

That was until we got to the parking lot and Jason was standing with a girl leaning on his body. They seemed pretty cozy and I felt my chest tighten as I sighted them.

I was blinking back tears when I saw someone familiar headed for Jason and his cozy partner.

Todd!

With a gasp, I flew out of the car and rushed to Todd but by the time I got there, he had given Jason about three punches and sent him to the ground groaning.

“Todd!” I screamed grabbing him from behind.

“You’re a piece of shit!” He yelled at Jason before I pulled him away.

“Todd! You promised me you won’t do anything to him!” I cried.

Todd didn’t look a tiny bit remorseful.

“Yes but eleven years ago, I made you my first promise, never to let anyone get away with hurting you!”