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Chapter 2

"How have you been doing this week?"

Thats always the first question Amanda asks me. I try not to lie because I know I need help. I know I need to talk. But its really hard to recount what I've done. What I would do everyday.

"Not good, I guess." I respond, my head hanging, blonde hair covering my face.

"Would you like to explain?" She asks softly.

"Not really... But I will." My voice was so quiet. "I... Um, I slapped a girl today. And she got in trouble. Plus I started a rumor that Sarah got an STD."

"Is that it?"

"I think so." I croak. My mouth was dry.

"Why do you think you did these things?"

"T-The girl I slapped, she was flirting with Jace. He was into it." A tear slipped out of my eye which I tried to ignore. "I called her a bitch and told her to back off. Then she called me Barbie. I just... I got so, so mad. I couldn't think. And then she was pushing me and the teacher saw."

Amanda scribbled something down in her notebook. "Why are you still with Jace if he flirts with other girls?"

"I need to be in control. He's the most popular guy in school, so I can't let anyone else date him. I just can't."

"Why is being popular important?"

"To be popular is to be in control. To be in control of the school, to be in control of my life."

"What would happen if you were to relinquish this control?"

"I don't know. And I never will. I can't give it up."

I sank farther into the couch as she continued to ask me questions about my relationship with Jace and everything else. 

"Thats all we have time for for today." She smiled at me, "I'll see you next week, yes?"

"I'm not going to be here for the rest of the summer. I'm staying with my aunt in North Carolina." A ghost of a smile appeared on my face just thinking about it.

"I think thats wonderful. Its important for you to get a change of scenery. Maybe you can get a new perspective. I'll see you when you get back, but you can call or text if you need to talk. I'm always available for you."

"Okay. Thank you so much Amanda." We hugged and I grabbed my bag. "I'll keep that in mind."

I took the long way home on the way back to my house, my head pleasantly empty. I could already tell that the next three days were going to drag way too fucking slowly. Avoiding Jace would probably prove to be a challenge as we hadn't "hung out" for over two weeks. But if I could just get through these next few days without that, then I wouldn't have to worry about it again for the rest of the summer.

~=+=~

"Spence! Get yourself down here!"

The sound of my aunt's voice made me jump, but quickly grab my suitcase, duffle bag, and purse and sprint down the stairs.

"Oh my god, you're here!" I squealed as I ran over to Aunt Meg and gave her a hug. In any other circumstance it would have been kind of weird since I hadn't seen her in years, but I was so excited that that didn't matter.

"Yes I am!" She laughed, hugging me back, "Wow! You grew up!"

"I guess I did." I blushed, suddenly a little self conscious.

"You are seriously gorgeous!" She gushed, "What happened to little nerdy you?"

"Like you said, I grew up." I laughed.

"Well I guess we better get going." She said, grabbing my suitcase and gesturing for me to follow her out the door of my house. 

I held onto the handle of my suitcase, my other hand holding my purse slightly shaking as I stepped outside after her towards her car. The door slammed behind us and for once I finally felt free.

"Are you excited?" She asked me as we pulled out of my driveway.

"Yes! I'm so happy you invited me." I smiled, looking at my aunt. She had medium length brown hair with the front of one side buzzed. Her green eyes smiled back at me.

"I'm glad you are." She chuckled.

"So what happened to your boyfriend?" I asked.

"Oh him," She sighed, "That asshole."

"Boy troubles?"

"Oh you have no idea. I'm not really into just... Having sex? Ya know? Like I want to wait, and apparently he can't cause' I found him fucking some hoe on the couch in MY apartment. Mine! His little roomie was home so he brought her to mine. I got off work early and I'm sure you can imagine what went down." She said, shaking her head.

"Wow." I mumbled. "Thats pretty fucked up."

"Yep." She said popping the p. "But you know what?"

"What?"

"Good riddens!" She yelled, slapping the steering wheel as we laughed hysterically.

"Yep, guys suck." I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing."

We drove in silence for a few hours, the radio blasting some cookie cutter pop station while I mumbled along to a few of the songs I knew, and eventually fell asleep.

~=+=~

"We're here!" Aunt Meg sing songed, causing my eyes to flutter open. We were driving down a driveway that came through the woods and soon parked in front of a tiny house. It was bright yellow and had a wrap around porch. The house was half in the trees and half on the beach. I smiled as we got out of the car and grabbed our bags, hoisting them up the stairs to the raised deck.

"This is so great." I grinned. 

"I'm glad you like it." She laughed.

The inside of the house was how you'd imagine a beach house. The door way led to a large room that held the kitchen, living room and dining area. It incredibly bright as there were two huge windows facing the ocean. The place was decorated super beachy with bright colors, birch wood, and sea-themed prints.

I went through a door to find what I was guessing to be my room. I was very tiny with only a double bed, small dresser, and wicker chair. It was perfect. I unpacked my suitcase into the dresser along with my duffle bag and went out into the living area to meet Aunt Meg. 

"So you can basically walk anywhere from her. I know it looks kind of like you're in the middle of nowhere coming in, but if you go out on the deck," We walked over to the back of the deck, "You'll see the board walk which is closer than you'd think, and its connected to a little beach town. Theres a stone path along the edge of the woods that goes over there. I'm going to go over there now and get groceries if you want to tag along and go to the board walk or something."

The boardwalk was, from what I could see, pretty big. There seemed to be stores lining it and even a ferris wheel.

"Sure." I answered. Aunt Meg went back into the house to grab her wallet and I waited for her on the deck. The ocean was gorgeous. The sun was starting to go down as it was a little after six and the water was slowly turning dark purple.

"Lets go!" She announced, leading me down the stairs towards the path at the edge of the woods.