A/N: So, it has come to my attention that I in fact do not update weekly; I update once a month. I guess seven days is considered a month now, and thirty/thirty-one days is a week. Thank you so much alessandramottam for telling me this, I was not aware of the change.

Also, I have a response to the Guest who has recently reviewed. I will write this story how I wish. I listen to suggestions, such as the PTA meeting chapter. I highly doubt the readers would've wanted me to end the chapter right after the meeting; that would've made it too short. I told you I didn't want to write it in Rose's pov, because then I'd have to rewrite a scene and that would've slowed the story down. If you don't like it, too bad. This story is mine, I will write it however I want. Go write your own story, then you can be happy, as will I because I won't have to read another rude 'review' from you.

To the rest of the awesome reviewers, thank you! :D

Chapter 19

For once, when I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, I wasn't miserable at all.

Smiling, I turned it off, then stared at my furry companion next to me. I picked up the panda, hugging her close, memories of last night flooding into my head.

Of course, the best part of the night was that kiss. I sighed dazedly, I could replay that in my mind over and over again and still get butterflies from it every time.

I guess Darren Blaze isn't such a jerk after all, maybe he's changed. I like the new Darren...I like him a lot.

Funny, how at the beginning of the year (and throughtout my years of knowing him) I thought him to be a mega-jerkface. Now, I think he's one of the sweetest, funny, hottest-

I shook my head before I could get too lost in my daydreams. I had to focus on my task; break up with Nick Lewis.

I cast a spell to get ready, then rushed downstairs to eat breakfast. Mom and Dad were pretty surprised to see that I was awake so quickly, yet glad that I was ready for school this quickly. As Mom would say, you could never be too early for school.

Dad was still a bit annoyed that I got home late last night. I had explained to him that I was hanging out with Jimmy and Alex, an excuse that he reluctantly accepted. I kissed him on the cheek before leaving, and he responded by smiling and ruffling my hair.

I ran to Alex's house, knocking on the front door.

"Rose?" Andi asked, staring at me with a confused look, "what are you doing here so early?"

"Being early never harmed anyone, Andi," I smiled. I learned a long time ago to never call Andi 'Mrs. Van Pelt.' For some reason she doesn't like it, so she requests that we all call her 'Andi.' Or 'Mom,' in Alex's case. "Can I go talk to Alex?"

"Sure," she shrugged, opening the door wider and letting me in.

I raced up the stairs to my best friend's room, bursting through the door.

"Aaahh!" she shrieked, shoving her shirt down her body. "Jeez, Rose! Why don't you knock?!"

"We're girls, we don't have to knock," I grinned, before plopping down on her bed. My face sobered, "Alex, I want to talk to you."

"It couldn't wait until I'm fully clothed?" She yanked on a pair of school pants. "And why are you so early anyway?"

"I...I don't know, just excited I guess. Now please sit down, I really want to talk to you."

"Ooh, this sounds serious," Alex said, sitting next to me. "What is it?"

"Alex, you know I'm very blunt, so I'm just going to come right out and say it. I'm breaking up with Nick."

"What?!" She gasped, leaning back in shock. "I mean, I thought he was boring, but you two looked so happy together-"

"Well I'm not happy with him anymore," I interrupted. "He took me to an abandoned fun house at the carnival, then left me. I was almost kidnapped by these creepwads...then Darren saved me."

"Darren?" She rose an eyebrow, "Darren Blaze? Saved you? Are you sure it was him?"

"I've known him since first grade, I think I can identify him by now," I rolled my eyes.

"I know, it's just-wow. Hm, maybe he's not a total jerk. But Nick's definitely a bastard for leaving you all alone like that. I don't blame you for wanting to dump him." Alex stated.

"Thanks. I wanted to run this by you first, pretty much so you'll know why Nick won't be sitting with us anymore. We can tell Jimmy later, but for the most part I want this to be a private thing."

Suddenly, my phone made an FYI alert noise. Alex's phone went off too.

"Might as well see what it is," I shrugged, taking out my phone and unlocking it. Alex did the same.

My eyes bulged when I saw the picture, I'm sure my face was paling.

"Rose? Did you want to tell me something else?" Alex asked sweetly, smirking. "Damn, looks like Darren's got game."

"Stop it!" I whispered a shriek.

"So, how good of a kisser was he? Oooh, is that tongue I see?"

"Alex!" I snapped, completely mortified.

"Right up against...is that your front fence?! Good thing your dad doesn't follow FYI, I think he'd explode into a pile of sparkly blue dust if he saw this...after he killed Darren, that is."

"Ugh," I groaned, burying my face into my hands, "my life is over. The entire student population now knows."

"Hey come on, it's not that bad. He's Darren Blaze, the most popular guy in school. If they make fun of you, then they'll have to deal with him, and nobody wants that. You'll just get a few stares, that's all."

"Stares that I don't want to face," I groaned.

...

"They're staring at me," I complained quietly to Alex.

"Relax, at least they're not talking about you, right?"

To my left, three people were whispering to each oher.

I glowered.

"Cheer up, it could be worse. Now come on, we have to find Nick," she said, leading us down another hallway.

Eventually, we found him by the cafeteria. When he saw me, his eyes narrowed and I gulped nervously. Alex left us alone so we could talk.

As soon as she was gone he gripped my hand tightly.

"Ow!" I yelped.

"What the hell is this?!" He hissed, shoving his phone in my face.

"Um, yeah, about that. I want to break up with you," I replied in the strongest voice I could muster.

"...what?" he whispered.

"I said-"

"I heard what you said!" He yelled. Luckily there was no one around, "you go and kiss him then want to break up with me?!"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Nick," I apologized.

His green eyes glowed furiously, for a moment I thought they even turned black. "Bitch, you can not break up with me. I will not allow it."

"Yes I can," my eyebrows furrowed; I was getting mad. "I can do whatever I want!"

"You are not breaking up with me," Nick stressed, still holding my wrist with an iron grip. He was beginning to squeeze harder.

"Nick, please-"

"Shut up! You are not breaking up with me, I'm not finished with you yet. I spend all this fucking time with you, only for you to break up with me later?" He chuckled darkly, "That is not going to happen."

"It's already happened," I snapped, standing my ground.

"Didn't you hear what I said?!"

"Oh, I've heard."

We both whipped our necks around to see Darren, arms crossed and blue eyes narrowed in anger.

"And if you do not remove your hand from her wrist, I will beat you. If you touch her again, I will kill you. I told you before that I'm not eloquent in my threats, I just speak the truth so it's understood. Now step back."

His voice was like velvet, only dangerous with fury hiding silently in it's threads. I've never heard him use that tone of voice before, or those words for that matter. He sounded mature, someone much older than his mere fifteen. He sounded, dare I say it, powerful. It gave me chills.

Nick returned his attention to me, eyes blazing with anger. He looked at Darren, who was unrelenting in his glare.

Finally, the hold on my wrist disappeared. I sighed slightly with relief, rubbing it with my other hand. I felt Darren's presence behind me, a silent statue.

"I'm not finished yet," was all Nick said before turning and walking down the hallway.

"He won't hurt you, that I promise."

I turned around to look at Darren. He didn't meet my eyes, still staring off in the direction that Nick went with a certain spark in his eye.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He finally gazed down at me, "always."

A/N: Sorry this took awhile. I've been watching baseball games (GO YANKEES!) ever since baseball season started. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, they're all appreciated!

lovethatignites: lol love you too ;D And it's funny that you mention the 'Dan' part. Mia is really different personality-wise from Emma and Maddie. I can't really picture her saying 'Danny,' I imagine her saying a 'more tough' sounding nickname so I chose Dan XD Btw, I still talk to my friend Danny...and he still doesn't trot ;D X'D Omg, yes, I loved writing the butterfly scene X'D Ooh, and it's Roserren ;) Thank you so much for your awesome review, you have no idea how many times I went back and reread it!

xDreamingAtMidnightx: Jax slaying Mrs. Jones X'D Ah yes, it seems everyone liked the butterflies scene ;D

delightisadream: Thank you! And I'm glad I could make your life complete XD Gebastian, they are cute :) Lol, Emma has no idea how wrong she is X'D