I was happy then, in the past. Now everything is in ashes. My relationships, my dreams, my hopes, my entire life in itself. What did I do? Was I not good enough? Was it because I wasn't perfect like those other girls? Am I just so broken nobody wants me? As I close my eyes that's all I could think about. How I was a screw up and nobody could fix me, better yet want me. A warm salty tear rolled down my flushed cheek as my bottom lip began to tremble. This house seemed so empty without my family, my sisters and brother and adoring parents. It's been 3 years since they all died in a fatal car crash on their way to see my recital up in Denver, Colorado. Now all that is left are pictures on the wall, memories that will never fade. I sigh as I wipe my tears and slowly make my way to my room through the cold empty house. I passed each of their rooms, unchanged and exactly how they left it. Which is how I liked it because then I could pretend they were actually here, with me. Though in the back of my head I knew they weren't and I was going to have to get rid of things soon enough. Maybe I could rent out the rooms? Post an ad? I don't know, maybe.

The next day I made my way to my school, being a junior in high school, and saw my only friend Selena at my locker. Today I wore my basic attire of black skinny jeans and black Ramones band tee with black converse, my long auburn hair in waves to my wait and dark makeup on my eyes, a piercing on my nose and lip. I didn't care what other people thought about how I looked, this was how I felt like dressing. I made my way to my locker and approached Selena who was in bright clothing and had a big smile on her face. "Hey Miley!" I smiled a bit back and softly said, "Hey Sel." She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a tight embrace while saying, "Guess what!" I frown and ask, "What?" "We are getting seven exchange students today from England, five guys and one girl! I bet the guys are going to be hot!" I laugh and roll my eyes at her. "Selena, you can go after them all you want. You know I don't get close to anyone but you." Pity and sadness fills her eyes as she replies, "I understand that, Mi. Though one day you are going to have to let someone else in. A guy. One who won't treat you like that bastard before did. You can't keep everyone else out." I find myself looking at the ground, not being able to meet her eyes. I hated remembering him. The way he hit me, the way he yelled mean remarks at me, treated me like a slave. The way he used me like a toy and beat me until I could barely breathe. I still have long scars on my side, right thigh, and a tiny yet very visible scar on my right cheek that I try to hide with makeup. It makes me feel ugly, disgusting. "It's just too hard Selena. I can't let someone in like that again. I can't get hurt anymore, I can't take it." She sighs but a loud noise of the schools front doors being opened caused us to turn our heads. In walked the most attractive five guys I have ever seen and one very pretty brunette girl. The one with the curly hair caught my eyes the most. He was the definition of hot but the total opposite of me. He was preppy and you could tell by his style and the way he walked while I was dark and careless. His green eyes suddenly flashed to me and traveled over my body, then locking his green eyes with my blue ones. I found myself hypnotized and yanked myself away from my stupor to turn away and start to walk the opposite direction to my first period. There was a connection between us when we met eyes, and I didn't like it. I sat myself down in my desk as the rest of the class piled in, including the handsome boy. I shifted my hair so it could cover the scar that lies on my face and waited for class to start. Finally the teacher got everyone to sit and announced, "Class this is one of our new exchange students, Harry Stines." So that's his name, Harry. I threw a quick glance over my shoulder to find him gazing at me. Great, the hot new guy is looking at me. This can't be happening.