One Temptation

Chapter 12 - Realization

I can see the wheels turning and that's when I knew that Britney wasn't lying. The realization dawns on him. He clenches his jaw, and his eyes show some emotion I've never seen.

"Fuck," he says scrubbing his hand over his face.

"You're a piece of shit Coop!" Mack yells.

And it all happens too fast. I don't think Avery or I were expecting it. I don't even think Cooper was expecting it. But Mack steps forward and punches Cooper in the face.

"How could you do that to her?!" He yells as he goes for another swing. But Cooper doesn't even try to stop it.

He just stands there and takes the second hit.

Tears are pouring down my face. He rubs his hand over his face and opens his mouth and then closes it. He clenches his jaw. "Fuck Kenz, I'm sorry." He says shaking his head.

I turn around and head back inside. I hear Cooper yell after me, but I ignore him. I run upstairs and throw myself onto my bed.

Avery sits beside me and rubs my back, "shhhh. It'll be okay."

I just look at her. Everything seemed so perfect. I had the three people in my life that I cared about most.

"This hurts Avery," I cry softly.

She just nods her head understandingly. I move over and she lays down next to me. I don't know how long we laid there, I don't know how long I cried, but soon I let the sleep take me over.

I roll over and see that it's now pitch black out. I turn my phone back on and check the time. It's almost 11. Texts start pouring in.

Cooper: **It's not what you think.**

Cooper: **I'm sorry Kenz.**

Cooper: **Please don't ignore me.**

Cooper: **Talk to me Kenz.**

I shake my head. He didn't have to say anymore. He said everything he needed to earlier. His face said it all.

I'm hurt, but I'm also angry. And now I'm just motivated. I won't let this hang over me. I won't let this dictate my life.

I'm going to graduate the top of our class, I'm going to get into NYU, and I'm going to leave this small town for good.

Cooper realized he screwed up, but I also realized something. I let my hatred guard down when it came to him. I let him back in. I won't make that same mistake twice.

I plug my phone into the charger, and quickly get changed into some shorts and a tee shirt. I climb back into bed, and will sleep to take over.

I wake up the next morning to my alarm. I quickly shower and get ready for the day.

I see that Cooper has messaged me a few more times, but I just keep his messages on read.

I make my way downstairs and am surprised to see my dad sitting at the table.

"Good morning sweetheart," my mom says with a smile. "Coffee?"

"Yes please," I tell her as I sit down next to my dad. "You don't work today?"

"Not today," he says putting the paper down. "I have some things I need to take care of in the city."

I nod my head. "Okay."

I grab an apple out of the fruit basket and happily take my coffee cup from my mom. "I'm going to head to school. I'll see yous later!"

"Love you," my mom says as I walk out the front door.