I don't tell him that I love him or that I'll call him later when I get out of the car.

"Bye, baby," he says.

I nod, turning and walking quickly up to my house.

"Baby?" he calls.

I turn to face his shitty car. "What?"

"I love you."

"That's nice."

He gets out of the car and runs up the sidewalk. He smiles playfully. "I said 'I love you'. Don't you love me, baby?"

I hate how he calls me baby. "I'm not a little kid. Don't call me baby. I have to go. Alex is probably stressing," I say, turning away and sticking my key in the lock. "I'll see you later," I whisper. "But now I have to go."

"Fuck you," he snarls, smacking my ass. I can feel his menacing smile on my back.

"Good night." I open the front door, walking inside. I shut the door, throwing down my bag. I don't know why I'm so disappointed. It's been this way since we started "dating". I hastily wipe my eyes, smearing my make-up. "Fuck it," I whisper, my throat closing up as I almost start to cry. My sequin vest falls down one of my arms.

"Honey?" Alex asks me from the couch, her voice dripping with concern.

I walk slowly to the couch, tears starting to gather in my eyes. "I hate him," I say fiercely.

"No, you don't." Alex smiles, patting the spot on the couch next to her. "Sit."

I sit down, leaning my head on her shoulder.

Alex runs her fingers through my hand. She's like my big sister when I need her. Alex smiles. "If you hated him, you wouldn't use every Friday and Saturday night on him. You don't hate him, but I do." She kisses my forehead gently. She means nothing by the gesture; just that she doesn't like it when I'm hurting. "He doesn't deserve you, Ellie."

I nod. "He was so sweet before he left, Al. I don't get it. What did I do?" And now I'm crying, tears are streaming down my face.

"Sweetie, you didn't do anything. He's just mad that you moved back home while he was away. I think he's mad that I moved in."

I sigh. "But, Alex, your mom kicked you out "

She knows. "Elle, he is an asshole. Dump his ass." She reaches for the remote, muting The Simple Life.

I nod. "Thanks, Alex." I look up at her. I kiss her forehead. "I love you," I whisper. And I mean it.

"Love you too," she replies quietly, kissing my lips.

xxx

Bit of a twist, eh? This one is more different than my other ones. I might possibly have the new chapter in Pretty Pretty Princess out later tonight. Kisses,

Zoe