Cassie refused to talk to him. He was at every Christmas dinner since they started dating. She wasn't hungry; she was too disgusted to eat so she just moved her food with her fork. Mrs. Sheldon, Cassie and Bobs mom looked at her then Paul then she sighed "another fight?" she asked.

Ever since Paul started his freshman year at college, Cassie had been getting more jealous. She was only a junior in high school, and only had four or five boyfriends before Paul; she didn't even measure up to the experience of any college girls. "I have no idea, Mrs. Sheldon; I think she's mad I didn't go to Dani's party last night." He said, taking a bite of his chicken. "I had a frat meeting until late. I told Dani I wouldn't be able to make it." He said, looking over to Cassie.

"Well, that was to Dani and not me." She said, still moving things with her fork.

Bob never liked the fact of Paul and Cassie, he thought she was too young for him, and Bob and Paul were best friends; how could Cassie do that? Bob sat back in his chair, as his girlfriend, Kimee looked over at him. "I don't think Mom and Dad want to hear your fight, Cass, you should go into the other room." He said, still smiling that they were having a fight.

"Bob, be quiet." Kimee and Sharon, Mrs. Sheldon, said at the same time.

"Don't talk to my son that way, Winston; I agree with Bob, if you guys want to fight, fight somewhere else." He said, sternly. Kimee rolled her eyes, Robert Sheldon II and Kimee never got along, since he thinks his son could have done way better.

"Sorry Daddy." Cassie said, and then took a sip out of her drink.

Paul shook his head in agreement and said "Sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

Robert smiled and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "So, Paul, how do you like the University? When I went there were pretty women, like my wife. See any girl to your liking up there?" He said, joking around.

"I love college, sir, but no, I only have eyes for Cassie, sir." He said with a smile.

Cassie rolled her eyes and scoffed. "May I be excused?" she asked looking at her mom.

Her mom nodded and Paul raised an eyebrow and looked at Sharon Sheldon, she nodded then he followed Cassie up to her room.

"What the hell was that, Cass?" Paul yelled before shutting the door. "What the hell did I do?! Why don't you believe me I was at the Fraternity last night?" he said.

Cassie was unresponsive. She was almost near tears; it was their third fight in two days. She turned to face him the yelled back. "I went to the Frat house to give you some of Dani's mom's food, because I know you could live off her baking, to find a girl all over you, and you weren't stopping her! Not to mention, not one of your frat brothers were there." She said, almost back in tears.

"Cass, I can explain!" he said right back in a pleading voice.

"No. You want to explain a lie. I mean nothing to you." She said, a tear falling down her face.

Paul went to hug her, but Cassie didn't let him. "Cassie, she's my-"

"New girlfriend." Cassie said back.

"No. She's nothing but-"

"A fuck buddy."

"Cassie! Just shut up and let me fucking talk! She's my cousin. She was drunk and I was showing her what I got you for Christmas!" He yelled back, digging in his pockets for the box. "Merry Christmas, Cass. Hope it was worth the three years." He said tossing the box on the bed then grabbed the door. "Cassadee Marie Sheldon, I love you with all my heart, but you don't believe me. I think you'd be much happier if I was gone. I guess it's time we move on…" he said, a tear actually falling from his face.

"Paul-" she said in a whisper before he slammed the door. She walked over to the box that was wrapped. It was a small velvet box, after she opened it. She saw a note folded up so she opened it:

Cassie, I will always love you. Thank you for putting up with me for these three wonderful years of my life. With this ring, I promise you, after you graduate, that I will have your hand in marriage. I love you, Cassie, and I know times might be tough right now, but I will never love anyone, like I love you.

When she saw the promise ring, she started bawling her eyes out. It was her fault. It was all her fault. Why he left her, why they fought, she was the cause of everything. For the rest of Christmas, and the vacation, she just stayed in bed, crying. He wasn't going to come back.

January.

February.

March.

All those month, all she did was wake up and go to school. She usually did winter track during the winter instead of cheering for basketball, but she wasn't in the mood to do any sports. Her mom, her father, even Bob told her everything would be fine, but she couldn't help but think of Paul.

In March, her best friend Dani convinced her to go to Bucks with her since Dani was suppose to get into a fight with a greaser. Cassie went along and started drinking right away. She was staring at some kid for most of the night, she had seen him a while ago, but she couldn't remember where. In the middle of the night, after she was feeling way too drunk, the boy came up to her and smirked wildly.

"Hello, I've seen you checking me out all night. I'm-"

"Hot." Cassie smirked, playfully.

"Well, that too, but no. I'm Tim Shepard."

"Well, Tim, want to go upstairs?"

"Thought you'd never ask dollface." He said, grabbing her hand. He didn't want her for anything else than to piss off her older brother. She didn't care; really, she only wanted to feel good.