Hi, this is my very first story and I just thought I'd like to share it with you. Please no flames! Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy!

For The Lonely Hearts

Prologue: The End of Us/When Hell Froze Over

"Clare?" KC stood awkwardly in the doorway. I stumbled out, eager to see my boyfriend after a day of exhausting, laborious homework. I reached for a hug, only to step back when it went unreciprocated. KC just stared at me, puzzled by my brief moment of affection. What was up with him? Wasn't this what couples do?

"Yes? What is it?" He silently sat down on the porch. Confused, I mimicked his movements and sat down next to him. If only I could have seen what was coming next. Maybe then, I wouldn't have been so quick to assume we still loved each other. Or rather, that KC loved me.

"Um…I-I think we should…break up," KC mumbled and looked away. I could hear my heart pounding louder and louder with each syllable he pronounced. No…this can't be happening…

"What? Why?" My brain no longer had the ability to function, and my feelings could no longer control themselves. My eyes started to tear up. My lips were trembling. I forced myself to stare KC in the eyes and was met with a surprisingly similar reaction to my own. I eyed him uneasily as he stared back just as uncertain. He looked unsure of himself and equally as confused as I was. Somewhere deep inside of me thought that maybe this would turn out alright; after all, if the boy couldn't get his thoughts together, then maybe this was just a mistake on his part? Maybe he meant something else? But the rational side of me knew better. It knew just what KC was facing, and why it would come to this: Jenna. That scheming, phony Barbie that locked eyes on my boyfriend since day one and captured her prey in a tight grasp.

"What happened at the car wash yesterday…it was completely uncalled for. You didn't have to humiliate Jenna just because you were jealous!" An angry glint appeared in his eyes as he recalled the offending events that happened before. As the anger surfaced to his face, I could feel pure rage boiling up in mine. My emotional wall called for a defense mechanism. So I used whatever excuse I felt worked and put it to the test.

"It's not my fault some skank was flirting with my boyfriend! What did you expect me to do? Stand by and watch?" It was obvious my response got under his skin, but it was only necessary before he could get under mine. He glared at me, all remains of his past uncertainty gone.

"Don't call Jenna that! She's a nice girl, Clare. Why wouldn't you just give her a chance?" My heart ached as I remembered how Jenna carelessly let out that her reputation at her old school was anything but innocent. I, thinking we were friends, foolishly decided to ignore her. If only I had listened to Alli, my true friend, and kept KC away from her. But now I see that it was futile either way. Jenna had KC wrapped around her little finger, and manipulated him to think he wanted Jenna and not me.

"I did give her a chance! I befriended her on the first day of school. Alli knew something was up, and I should have listened to her. You know when we were at my house that Jenna said she was a boyfriend stealer? Can't you see what she's doing here?" KC sighed and shook his head, like I was some pitiful excuse for a human being.

"You've got it all wrong, Clare. You know what, I'm sick of dealing with your bullshit. We only make each other mad." He didn't even look at me to say it. Coward.

"So…we're breaking up?" I couldn't stop the tears flowing from my eyes, to my disgust. I realized he did a lot more than hurt my feelings. He saw through my calm façade and ripped it to shreds and he captured my heart, only to smother it a minute later. In other words, my first ever relationship flew out the door, flushed down the drain, whatever expression people use to describe their relationship gone kaput. KC's hesitance returned and the guilt was evident on his face.

"Yeah, I guess we are." My heart was shattered in those five, short words. I couldn't handle it…sitting with KC just seemed to break my heart all over again. I headed for the door but stopped, struggling to keep it together. I had one last question that was burning in my mind.

"How long have you liked her?" I refused to look back and face those warm, beautiful eyes I fell for again. I knew right now they'd be facing the floor in shame. He should be ashamed. It serves him right.

"I tried not to, Clare." His voice wavered with pent up sadness. It was then I found out the depths of his feelings for Jenna. It started ever since she came to Degrassi. At first it was merely a curiosity, which then morphed into full on lust. He was so charmed by her enchanting looks and overly cheerful personality it was sickening to watch. It was then that I knew KC was, in fact, just like any other boy.

I took time to gather my composure, then entered the living room and slammed the door with all my might, hoping to dear God my boy—scratch that, my ex-boyfriend would take that as a signal to leave. And leave he did, carrying the remnants of my hollow heart with him. I dared to look out the window and told myself: You must never love again.