New in town

can't you see

"The pain is still present, steady as my heartbeat but it is no longer overtaking me, no longer pulling me under."

Thursday. I finally gathered enough strength to get back to school. Hell, I could've stayed home and felt sorry for myself all month, but seeing that it's only the second week of school, I have to get my ass in gear. These last three days have been hard, but I actually feel like it's getting better. After everything that happened with Ethan, I guess I'm just starting to get used to all of these heartbreaks.

Of course the first thing I see when I walk through the doors of the school is Harry, and of course he sees me too. I don't think I have been in a more awkward situation. I've been ignoring the thousands of calls and texts that he's sent since I told him I was done, and I'm not about to break my silent treatment. I quickly turn the other way and snake through the bodies in the hall so I won't have to talk to him. Today's gonna be rough.

First period, honors physics. Of course we sit next to each other. I push my chair as far away from him as I can, but when Mr. Johansen says we're doing a lab, there's no way I can avoid him.

"Aubrey can we please talk" Harry whispers as I begin the lab. I can tell by his tone that if there weren't 30 other people in the classroom, his voice would definitely be louder.

"About the lab? Yeah, what do you want to put for the hypothesis?"

"No, not about the lab Aubs"

"Then no, we can't talk" I snap.

"Then just listen... I never kissed Maddie, I swear!" Harry says before the teacher walks up to us.

"How is everything going over here?"

"Um actually not so good, can I go to the nurse? I'm not feeling so well" I lie to get myself away from Harry. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"Yes of course, why don't you grab your things and I'll write you a pass"

I stand up and throw my bag over my shoulder, making sure not to look back at Harry as I walk to Mr. Johansen's desk where he is writing me a pass. When I finally make it out of that suffocating room, I step out of the school to get some fresh air. I lean against the wall and slide down so I'm sitting on the cold concrete. I open my eyes after a few minutes when I hear the door swing open. I swear this kid is stalking me.

"Aubrey would you just listen to me?"

"Harry! No, I will not listen to your lies! You have caused me enough pain and I'm done. I trusted you! I told you about my family, something I haven't told anyone! And you promised me that you would never hurt me like Ethan did. I just can't, I'm done wasting my time, I'm not giving you another chance. I've been through this too many times, and you knew that. So there, I'm done." I'm surprised that I had enough courage to say that. I didn't know I had it in me.. But damn it feels good to get it off my chest.

"Aubrey, we didn't hook up! Please believe me, I would never-" Harry begins but is quickly cut off by the door swinging open.

"Oh my God, I was just looking for you!" Sophie says out of breath. Harry and I both give her confused looks.

"Baby I swear, you know I would never do this" Harry ignores Sophie.

"What's up Soph?" I ignore Harry and turn to Sophie.

"Believe Harry, he's right"

"What?" I asked confused. Am I missing something?

Flashback-Sophie's POV

"Still no Aubrey?" Maddie asks me as we sit down for calculus.

"No, she told me she wasn't feeling to well the last time I talked to her" I lie.