CHAPTER 9

I rolled my eyes again and sat on my bed while Tyler sat on my a chair for my desk.

"So I was thinking-" I started, but was cut off.

"I'm out of here." Tyler said, taking his gaze away from his phone.

He pushed himself up from my chair and walked to my door.

"What? Why? I can't do this on my own. It's an interview!" I got off the bed, speed walking towards him.

"I know. We can work on it some other time." Tyler turned around to look at me.

"When? Next year?" I said sarcastically, moving my hands in the air, completely annoyed. "You just got here and now your going to leave?!"

"Wow girl, it sounds like you love me or something. Calm down." He tinted around to look at me as if I was crazy.

He just got here and a second into speaking about it, he says he's going to leave. Am I that terrible to be with?

"Ugh! Looks like you wanna get started next year."

"Sounds about right." He answered, a small smile forming on his lips.

"I'm serious. Why are you leaving?" I asked. Not that I would love if he stayed with me, I just can't fail on this project. Unlike some people, my grade matters to me.

"I just received a text from my dad. He wants me home. He needs help with Abby."

That's when I remember Tyler's mom died when Abby was a baby so they have to take care of her on they're own. And sometimes his dad's girlfriend would have to come to help.

••••••••••

Six years ago:

Lexi's POV:

I walked to the park where Courtney told me to meet Tyler and her so we can hang out.

I couldn't wait to see my two best friends.

I scanned the area where I saw younger kids playing on the slides and monkey bars.

I spotted Tyler and Courtney on the swings. They weren't swinging, just sitting down on it, talking with each other. It's something we usually did.

Tyler didn't look too happy as he was talking to Court. He looked really upset. Probably because his mothers funeral was just last month. On the other hand, Courtney looked happy for some reason.

I walked over to Tyler and Courtney, ready to ask why Tyler was looking so down.

When I was about three feet away from them, Tyler looked up at me with a look he never had towards me before.

He was glaring at me with ice cold eyes. A death glare. A look that could kill me if looks actually could kill.

"W-what's-" I said pathetically, but before I could finish I was cut off.

"What are you doing here?" He stood up.

"I was-"

"Trying to be a brat?" He finished for me.

I never saw so much hatred in him. At least to me. He was never mean to me. Never.

I can't believe this is actually happening. I felt like crying hard, wanting for him to calm down and tell me he was joking, that warm smile that he always had on his perfect lips.

What did I ever do to him? I've never been such a good friend to anyone like I was to him.

I felt a tear sliding down my cheek, failing to hold it all in. It's not like I never cried in front of him before. He used to confront me.

Is this all a joke? I looked over at Courtney and she was frowning.

"Go ahead and cry you big baby." Tyler said evilly.

That's when I took off crying. I ran all the way home crying until and hour later, Courtney came to confront me.

I was kinda hoping it was Tyler at first to tell me it was all a prank or a joke. And he would say sorry and hold me to his arms telling me he likes me.

But he never liked me the way I used to like him....

.

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Lexi's POV:

.

"Your only doing this to get Jeremy to like you." I told myself looking at the mirror in my bathroom.

I hate myself right now. I'm such a selfish person.

I walked into my room and just then, my phone rang. Perfect timing. I picked up my phone and noticed it was Jeremy. What the hell does he want? But who am I kidding? Isn't this what I wanted?

I answered the phone without saying hello. I really shouldn't have answered it. I don't even know what I'm supposed to say to him.

"Hello? Lexi?" Jeremy's voice spoke through the other end. "You there?"

"What do you want?" I answered harshly. I'm only doing this to show him my anger towards him. He hasn't been very nice to me. Breaking up with a girl you just asked out a month ago? What kind of selfish person...

"I-I was just kinda thinking...that maybe...you wanna meet me at ice cream palace?" He asked nervously. Ice cream palace? Mhm.

"Why?" I asked.

"I want to talk to you."

Talk to me? What? Wanna know why going out with Tyler?

"Bout what?"

"Damn it Lexi, just answer my question." He sounded frustrated and I just could picture him running a hand through his blonde hair right now. -Just like he always did when he was annoyed or frustrated.

The corner of my lips twitched up into a smile. "What time?"

"Now."

••••••••••

"So...what did you want to talk about?" I asked Jeremy when he sat down in front of me. Wow, he isn't late this time.

We ordered out ice creams and he got a plain vanilla ice cream cone while I got my cookies and cream in a plastic cup.

"I still have feelings for you Lexi." He blurted out of a sudden.

Like, who would've expected that?

My heart beat hard against my chest and I felt like crying. Did my plan really work? Or should I say Emily's plan?

"What?" I asked even though I know what he said. It came out in a sh column tone and my eyes were wide as my hands shook beside me.

"I like you Lexi. I've always had." He said softly. His voice coming out barely above a whisper. He sounded so caring and scared that I was going to reject him.

Oh.

"Then why did you leave me? You broke my heart Jeremy. Do you even know what that feels like?" I felt like breaking down and I really was starting to get mad. I just felt wired inside. What am I supposed to say to this? What am I supposed to do even?

"I didn't want to." He said. "I had to."

"Why?" My voice shook as my eyebrows turned downwards into a slight glare.

"My parents don't like you. They want me to go for someone like Brooke. With a rich family." He said sadly and quietly as if he'll break if he spoke any louder.

I looked into my ice cream cup that was now half melted. How can he do this? If he really liked me he would have talked to me about it first. He just broke up with me and left, leaving a shattered heart. And he went straight to Brooke, letting me get a clear view of the two making out. How is that feeling sorry?

"Your parents are stupid! Your stupid!" I yelled. "Just because your parents want it that way doesn't mean you have to have it that way!" I know I'm over reacting, but I can't help it. It's, it's not a good enough excuse. "Your such a jerk! You went to Brooke immediately!" I cried.

I stood up with my ice cream in hand and walked by Jeremy. It all happened so quickly, I didn't even know what I was Doug until I did it. I dumped my ice cream on his head where his blonde hair was neatly brushed back.

Ha, he probably tried to look nice before this little meeting!

He gaped in shock as the melted ice cream slid down his neck and cheek.

He bought that ice cream for me and he can have it back! "Here's your ice cream. I didn't need for you to buy it for me anyway!" I said and rushed out.

New plan, make Jeremy miserable by fake dating Tyler. Oh yeah, I still have to get Tyler to like Courtney some how.

That'll be hard. I'm no Cupid.

••••••••••

"Did he really say that?" Courtney asked, her lip slightly parted in shock.

"Yup." I said, popping the 'p'.

"Do you still plan on getting with him?" Emily asked.

"Nope." I sad popping the 'p' again. "He's the jerk named Jeremy."

I tried to sound happy, but in the inside I'm upset and frustrated with my life. My heart is still working on getting back together, piece by piece.

"Are you going to fake break up with Tyler?" Courtney asked hopefully.

"Not yet." I said. "But I seriously can't wait to." That kid is driving me insane.

I pushed open the school doors and we all walked in. I spotted Tyler talking to Nick by the lockers and Jeremy sending mean looks his way while taking to some girl I don't know.

Jerk.

I walked up to Tyler and took him by surprise when I put a hand around his waist and kissed his cheek.

"What the f..." Tyler said but stopped himself when he remembered our deal.

"Oh, hey babe." He winked at me.

Oh my god! That wink, that smile! It's gorgeous! He's undeniably hot with his brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. But I'll never admit that out loud. Ever. It was even hard to admit that to myself at first. But I can't lie to myself, it's true, as much as I hate it. He's hot...

What the heck Lexi! You hate him! You can't say things like that!

I felt a blush forming towards my neck. I'm so stupid, I swear.

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