Oooooh guys, ur loving this arnt ya? You're comment build up to 8 faster than I thought they could! Should I raise the quota to 10? Hmmm…not sure. I still need more readers, care to help me out? If I get 15 comments on this quickly, I'll try and post new chapters faster and possibly a sneak peak of my next fanfic? It's all up to you guys!

Anyways, enjoy chapter 6!

Ash turned around and I quickly folded up the note and shoved it into my pocket.

"Hmm? What was that?" Ash came over, sat down, and said curiously.

"Oh nothing. Uhm…Matt got a new screen name and gave it to me," I lied.

"Oh, Matt," Ash scoffed and folded her arms.

"What's wrong with Matt?" I asked.

"Courtney has been in loo-loo land ever since she met that guy. Do you know how close me and her were? Now I feel like I don't even know her at all, ya know? She never spends time with us cause she's always with him. I'm surprised she even came to this party," she said pissed. I could see tears forming in her eyes but she wouldn't ever cry in front of me.

"Have you talked to her about it?" I said.

"Well…no, I haven't really had time to talk to her since she's been so caught up," she trailed off.

"I think you should like call her or something and talk to her about it. Maybe she doesn't even realize she's doing it, ya know?"

"Yeah, I'll call her tomorrow," she smiled. "Thanks, dude."

We finished cleaning up and played some games before heading off to sleep.

I felt so safe at Ash's place. I didn't have to be afraid of my father yelling at me or anything like that. I wished I didn't have to go home the next day.

When I got home, I was surprised to see mom sitting at my computer desk.

"Mom? You're home?" I asked, curiously.

I dropped my over night bag on the floor and took a chair over and sat next to her.

"Yup, I asked for the day off," she sighed. "Because I need to talk to you."

"You need to talk to me? About what?" I asked.

This moment felt weird. Mom and I barely ever talked. No one in the family really talked at all. It was either a hello/goodbye in the morning, or a rampaged screaming match in the afternoon.

"It's about your father…" she trailed off.

I rolled my eyes to myself. Everything is about my father. And mom never has enough guts to end anything that's happens in this house, especially with her two consecutive jobs.

"Well, Ash's mom called me after you left her house. I'm guessing Ashley was concerned for you or whatever but she called me and told me what your father did last night. And now I've decided I need to end it all. I'm no longer afraid for me, but now for you. He's gone way to far. It's over between the two of us," she said and inhaled sharply. That had to be a mouthful for mom.

I didn't believe it at first.

"You're ending it with dad?" I said unbelieving.

She closed her eyes and breathed in. "Yes."

I thought she was going to cry.

"After those year that him and I loved each other, I never thought he'd turn into the monster he's become. To not only hurt me, but his own flesh and blood? I won't stand for this anymore. It's done," she said, tears flowing down her cheeks. Seeing mom cry had to be my biggest weakness. One of the most strongest people in my life is my mother, because of the fact she could hold her own and deal with all my father's crap. And now, to see her almost fall apart at my feet was terrible. Tears welled in my eyes and fell. I got out of the chair and searched for the box of Kleenex. I pulled on out and handed it to mom. She took it with a nod of thanks and wiped her eyes.

"Mom, I'm proud of you," I choked out. She smiled. "I love you."

Mom's eyes looked like they were gunna spill over again, but she held them in and got up. She kissed my forehead and said, "Sweetie, I love you too."

She headed out of my room and into the kitchen.

I was somewhat relieved that mom had overcome her fear of the man she once loved, but it broke my heart in two. When I was a child, dad did care for me. He helped me walk, ride a bike, and I'm pretty sure he even changed my diapers. But I don't know what happened. How did he turn out this way? Bringing harm to the ones he loves? Or just the ones he loved.

I gotta call Ash.

I'm sure I spend too much time with that girl that it's probably unhealthy. But I just have to tell someone. I picked up the phone and dialed as fast as my fingers would let me.

"Hello?" the other line spoke.

"Ashton, give Ashley the phone," I growled.

"Fine, fine, your majesty," he grumbled and gave the phone to Ash.

"Ow, you freak! Don't throw the phone!" I heard ash yell. I just laughed until she returned the greeting. "Hey Josie! What's crackin', foo?"

"Great news!" I blurted out.

"Oooh! What's going on?" she asked eagerly.

"Mom's decided that she's done with dad," I spoke.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes, really," I returned.

I sighed in almost relief. The end of my misery was so so close.

School was better on Monday. Nick didn't slam my locker door shut like he usually did. And he didn't try to stick his foot out in front of me and trip me in the hallway. Something was up.

Courtney ran up to me in the hallway.

"Hey girlie!" she said.

"Hey, oh, Matt's not with you," I said, looking around for his blonde self.

"Oh, yeah he's not," she said, trailing off.

"Something happen between you guys?" I asked.

"Well, no, not really. You see, Ash called last night and was talking to me about well, me and him, and I didn't really know she felt like me and her were drifting apart. So I decided that me and Matt should like spend a little time away from each other," she said.

"Oh, I see. So did you like break up with him or what?" I pondered.

"No, no, no we're still together. But we needed some space," she smiled. Around her neck was the blue stoned necklace Matt gave her. They really were a perfect match.

Jonas walked past me from the other side of the crowded hallway. He shoulder brushed pass mine and I stopped him. "Hey, I need to see the history homework from Friday," I said and then he headed off again.

Courtney said he goodbyes and head off to her class.

Nick met me outside of Mrs. Ludwig's classroom.

"Hey, mind if I borrow the work real fast?" I asked.

"Who said I'm gunna let you have it?" he said.

"Well, I just thought-"

"Just because we shared one little something or other doesn't mean a thing," he said. His words pieced through me. I felt completely empty for a second and just gave him an angry "then don't worry about it" and stormed into class.

Why? Why do his words stab me so hard in the heart? Why? I don't like him! So why does it bother me?

And then it hit me.

I am crushing on Jonas. I really am. The boy I've hated for years on end has stolen my heart. And seriously, I want it back ASAP.