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Looking around the room, there are bottles everywhere. He looks like hell, but I can’t allow myself to care about that. He isn’t my concern anymore.
“Where’s my stuff?”
His smile falls and he gestures toward the two boxes near the window. I nod and go over to grab one, walking out of the room and bringing it down to Dawson's car. After putting it in the trunk, I go back in for the second. When I get back up to Holden, he’s sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. I walk over to the box and see my favorite t-shirt of his inside.
“This isn’t mine.” I say, pulling it out and handing it to him.
He takes it from me carefully. “I thought you’d want to have it.”
“To be honest, I’d rather not have anything of yours.” I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t help it – I’m hurt.
Holden looks like he’s about to break as he reaches out and grabs my wrist. “Kayleigh, please don’t do this.”
“I have to.” I reply.
“You don’t though. I can explain everything. Just let me, please.”
“No.” I yank my wrist from his hand. “I don’t want to hear it. You had your chance to explain, and you chose to talk to Bianca instead of me. We’re done Holden, for good this time.”
Ignoring the tears streaming down his face, I grab the box and walk toward the door. Just before I leave, I stop and glance back at him.
“We were supposed to be forever.” I whisper brokenly, feeling the pain as I see him begin to sob.
With those last words, I leave - absolutely refusing to be broken any longer. Tomorrow’s a new day. Tomorrow, I take my life back. Tomorrow, I become me again.
ONE WEEK GOES BY and let’s just say my pledge didn’t exactly go as planned. It’s been seven days without talking to Holden. He hasn’t tried to call or text. The only thing that tells me he still cares, is the way he texts Dawson to make sure I’m alright. I’m not even supposed to know about it, but it’s hard not to notice when his name appears on Dawson’s phone.
I dry the mug and frustratedly put it down on the counter, groaning as it cracks. Dawson looks at me intently and grabs the dish towel from my hands.
“That’s the third mug you’ve broken today. How about you just let me do it, okay?”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”
“You know…” Skylar starts. “If you’re regretting your decision so much, you could just go talk to him.”
“No.” I reply abruptly. “He hurt me for the last time. I’m not going to let that happen again.”
Sky and Dawson share a look but the sound of the door pulls my attention away. Jason comes in, smiling when he sees me. I walk around the counter and give him a hug; glad I didn’t lose him and Caleb in the break up.
“How’ve you been?” He asks.
I tilt my head from one side to the other. “Meh, been better, been worse. How about you?”
“Can’t complain. Did you hear about the party tonight?”
“At Kappa? Yeah, Dawson and Skylar are going. I think Bree might be there too.”
He frowns sadly. “Not you?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t belong there.”
“Oh, come on. You know you do.”
I sigh. “I really can’t, Jase.”
“Please?” He begs. “It’s my birthday. Just ignore Holden. If you want, I can even make sure he doesn’t say anything to you.” He puffs out his lower lip, blinking his eyes like a sad puppy.
“Fine.” I cave. “But if he comes anywhere near me, I’m gone.”
