Chapter 35: "I Guess It's Really Over..."

Gabe's POV

I'd made it to the center of down before I stopped to think about what I was doing. Does she even still like me? I ruined her life, she wouldn't want a guy like me... right?

I heard a knock at my window and rolled it down, revealing a less than excited Danielle. "Hey Steve, what's the haps?" I ask, getting out of the catering van. I'd started calling her Steve in 7th grade. She used to wear a green striped sweater like Steve Burns on Blues Clues. "Don't play coy with me you insensitive ass. I know why you're here." She says, a disgruntled look on her face as she crosses her arms over her chest. "Oh, and why is that?" I ask as nonchalantly as I can. "Because you still want her. You know that she's better off without you. I know it, you know it, Niamh knows it. Just stay away from her, okay?" "Whatever you say." I murmur as I walk past her and into Victoria's.

"Hello my son. You look particularly annoyed today. Why might this be?" Dad asks, not looking up from the chicken he'd been preparing. "Is it about a girl?" He asks, a mischievous grin on his face. "Actually yes. But she wants nothing to do with me." "But you are a good kid. Why couldn't she see that?" "Let's just say I did some bad things and hurt a lot of people close to her." "My son would never do such a thing." "Then I must not be your son." I say looking at the floor and walking farther into the kitchen, grabbing an apple and biting into it. "You are too my son. You have my eyes." "Yeah, and Mom's tendency to skip out on people." "Your mother is a wonderful women-" "Then why did she leave us!" I say, slouching to the ground, head in my hands. "There are some things that can not be explained my son. But its important for you to know that she loves you very much. Its just hard for her to show it. That's all. Go and fight for this girl. We DeSouza men only fight for those that have true goodness in them. And if she is worth your time, she'll understand." He says, sitting down next to me, his hand on my shoulder. "But she's not the problem... I am." I say, quickly getting up and walking out of the restaurant.

"Hey. Miss me?" I heard a voice call from behind me flirtatiously. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me as I got out of the car yet again, this time to pump gas. "Oh, hi." I say, turning to see Lauren, disappointment evident in my voice. She'd dressed herself in a skin-tight black dress and 2 inch heels. She wore her hair down and hoop earrings shown from the sunlight's reflection when she moved. She was wearing far too much makeup. "What are you doing here?" I ask, removing her hands and turning to face her. "I heard you and Niamh hit a rough patch... I can help if you need me. You know where to find me." She said far too sultry for my liking. She then took a card from her purse and slipped it into my front shirt pocket. She then walked away, making it a point to elongate her legs and stick out both her butt and her chest.

When she was a safe distance away I pulled out the card. It read simply: why aim for the best when you can have the rest? Lauren White, boyfriend stealer and professional kisser. Along with a phone number at the bottom and an off-putting winky face.

I walked down the street, hands stuffed in my pockets, stifling a yawn. "Hey." I hear a boys voice say. "She doesn't want to see you." He says as I turn to face him. "I want to see her, and if she really doesn't want to see me, I'll go." I say, pushing his shoulder and walking past him. "I'm her boyfriend. It's my job to protect her." "No, Brian's her boyf- she's cheating on him." I say, bewilderment washing over my face. "But she. But, but he." "They're growing apart. Stepping in. And I'll make you regret it if you get in my way." He says, pushing me to get by.

My POV

I sit at my house, watching tv with my siblings when someone knocks at the door.

"Hi." "What are you doing here?" "I wanted to see you. I love you dammit. As I know about you as the other guy." He says, a bit too loudly. I pull him into a nearby room. "What are you talking about?" I say, my eyes narrowing at his smug look. "You and the boy with the black hair. Don't try to hide it. I'm not stupid." "You think you're so high and mighty? You've cheated on every girlfriend you've ever had! Don't try to preach your shit to me. I don't need relationship advice, especially from you." I say, slowly advancing on him. "We're more alike than you think." He mumbles, walking past me and out of the room. I was left with nothing but my thoughts.

Sure, I'm flirting with Zig. I'll give Gabe that one. But I'm not cheating right? At least... I don't think I'm cheating.

I put on my shoes and started running.

Zig's POV

After taking a long walk around the small suburban town, I sat in the bench of the nearby park, my mind deep in thought

I know it was a low blow. I mean, we're not really going out. But you can't blame a guy from trying.

"Can I talk to you?" Asked a voice from behind me. "Sure." I say turning, a fake smile plastered on my face. "Gigi, why are you crying?" I ask, rushing to her side. "Brian and I broke up. I mean, we were pretty much fighting every day and well, he doesn't understand." She says, showing off her scars. Instinctively, my fingertips glide over the ridged scars. "Woah. I." "Oh yeah, I'm a real winner. Go insecure me!" She says, tears clouding her eyes once more. "Come on, sit down. What's wrong?" I ask, digging a tissue from my pocket and handing it to her. "He gets mad at me when I don't do things his way and has stopped caring. I feel like I'm back living with mom. Oh wait, she's dead." She says, throwing her hands in the air and trying to keep back the tears, though her voice had become shaky. "Come on. Lets get out of here." I say, standing and putting a consoling arm around her waist as we walk away from the park. Away from everything, and everyone.

So Brian and I broke up a few days ago. I'm fine. I did the breaking, but to be honest, it sucks not having anyone there. And I lied to you guys, in the 11 month span of my relationship, we never kissed. Yeah, I know, its pretty weird. Whatever, and my triggers are back, oh goodie. Hope you guys are having better days then mine.

Stay positive, SqueegeeG