The next few months were absolute torture. After seeing Kendall in concert, I went back home and had to put up with Charlie. He was constantly calling or texting me, he even showed up a few more times. Normally, I wouldn't have cared as much. But it had been two months since I had seen Kendall, it was now mid-September, and I had only seen him once in the two month period. As much as I loved being with him, it was definitely starting to strain on our relationship. I hadn't meant to get so upset, but when he called the other day, I just broke down. It led to our first fight, and I felt like shit about it afterward. I couldn't even tell you what the fight was about now, just that it was the most painful thing I've been through. It was like a knife was stabbing me repeatedly. I had been such a bitch to him that I didn't think he'd keep his promise of calling everyday, yet he still did. We made up and agreed that while this wasn't ideal, it was better than not being together at all.

A few days later I had the house to myself; my parents had taken my brother and sister to the lake house, and I had opted to stay home. I didn't want to be there without Kendall, and I felt like I needed some alone time. Ever since I had tried to kill myself, I wasn't allowed to be alone for more than five minutes. Now that I was completely okay I was allowed to be alone again. I was in the middle of a movie when I heard the doorbell ring. It either had to be Sadie or Charlie, and I prayed that it was Sadie.

I opened the door and saw a man standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers. He dropped them so I could see his face, the familiar blonde hair was the first thing to catch my attention. "Surprise!"

"Kendall! What are you doing here?" I couldn't believe he was standing in my kitchen.

"I have a few days off before we head up to Canada to film, so I figured I'd come see my favorite girl." He pulled me in, and I wanted to stay in the warmth of his arms forever. "I missed you, I had to see you."

I buried my face in his shoulder. We had been together now for a little over three months, and he still knew how to make me blush. "I've missed you too." I looked up at him and kissed him, loving the way his lips felt. It had been far too long. "I'm so happy to see you."

I put the flowers in a vase and set them on the table. I pulled Kendall onto the couch and resumed my movie. In that moment, nothing mattered but him. I loved him with everything I had, and I wanted to be with him all the time. I had been debating on moving out to L/A., but wasn't sure how he was going to feel about it. I glanced up at him. "Hey, Kendall?"

"Mmhm?"

I was about to continue when the doorbell rang again. I wasn't going to answer it; whoever it was could go away. No one was about to ruin my time with Kendall. The doorbell rang again and he moved to answer it. "Nooo." I whined. He just rolled his eyes at me and jumped up to answer the door. I sat on the couch, pouting. Whoever was at the door was going to get my wrath.

Kendall opened the door, and I got knots in my stomach when I heard the voice behind the door. "Uh, hi. Is Sophia here?" Dammit why, WHY did it have to be Charlie.

For a minute, I thought Kendall was going to move aside and let him in. But he didn't, he stood his ground. Realization must have hit him, and he did not look happy. "Yes, she is, but she's busy. Is there something I can help you with?"

I could practically feel the tension. Charlie hadn't realized yet who Kendall was, and I was getting worried that he was going to punch Charlie in the face. I jumped up off the couch and moved to Kendall's side.

"Hey, Sophie. I was wondering," his voice trailed off as his eyes fell to our hands, which were now entwined.

"I told you, Charlie, I have a boyfriend. I've been telling you that for months now. Whatever we had ended a long time ago, please respect it." I would never admit it, but Charlie still frightened me. I tightened my grip on Kendall's hand, and he could tell I was uncomfortable.

"I think it's time for you to go." Kendall stood a little straighter. "And I know it's time for you to leave my girl alone."

Charlie scoffed. "You're girl? Please, pretty boy, she was mine first and I could take her from you at any minute." His voice sounded venomous, like the last time he had hit me. Charlie moved to take a step inside, and Kendall stood his ground.

He glared daggers at Charlie. "I said it's time for you to go."

I moved in between them, worried they were going to start fighting. "Charlie, please, just go. Kendall and I only have a short time together, and I'll be damned if I let anyone ruin it." With that, I shut the door in his face and locked it. We moved back to the couch and I was shaking. I was hoping Kendall wouldn't notice, but he did.

He put a comforting arm around me. "I'm so sorry you've had to put up with him." He looked down at my hands. "Soph, he's gone. Why are you shaking so bad?"

I was so embarrassed. After almost a year, I was still scared of him. I looked up at Kendall and could feel the tears burning my eyes. "Because, Kendall, he's not gone. I see him everywhere." I started shaking my head, feeling horrible for having not told him. "Sometimes he seems like the guy I thought I was in love with, and then he turns into an angry psychopath. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, seeing him the places I was going. I hadn't really gone out since I had tried to kill myself, but after we got together I started feeling normal. I was seeing everyone I knew so I figured seeing him was no big deal." I swallowed hard. "But I think he's following me, Kendall. That night in Minnesota, after the fair, I could have sworn I saw him at the hotel."

Kendall was dumbstruck. "What? When? I thought you said that was a six hour drive for you."

"It was. When Sadie and I walked you guys out, we stayed in the lobby for a few minutes talking about how lucky we were. We were debating on running out after you and begging you to spend the night. I turned toward the lobby doors and for a split second, I thought I saw him." I shook my head and buried my face in my hands and sobbed. I knew I probably sounded crazy, maybe I was.

He laid his hand on my back and tried to calm me. "Why didn't you tell me? If you were honestly worried, I would have made you stay with me that night."

"Because I thought it sounded crazy. There was no way he'd drive six hours just to stand outside my hotel. When we left the next morning, I didn't see any sign that he had been there, so I shook it off. Then the last month he's been everywhere. The grocery store, the movies, the mall, restaurants. That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about before you jumped up to answer the door."

I turned to him and laid my hands in his. "I've been thinking a lot about this lately. I miss you, and I hate being away from you. I know it might seem kind of sudden, but I think I want to move to California. I'm not saying I want us to live together, but I do want to live closer to you. This time and distance is killing me, and I'm not sure I can handle much more. Plus, with everything happening with Charlie, I just think I need to get away from here, and I'd feel a lot safer knowing you're just a phone call away instead of a plane ride away." I bit my lower lip, nervously waiting for Kendall to answer. I'm sure it was a lot to take in, and I wasn't sure how fast he wanted us to move.

"I'd feel a lot safer having you there, too. I wish you would have told me you were worried about him following you. I would have demanded that you come stay with me and get away from here." He kissed my forehead. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

"Absolutely, and I won't be on my own." Kendall raised his eyebrow at me and I laughed. "Sadie said if I ended up actually moving, she'd move with me. We both want the chance for a fresh start, and chance to start over and redefine who we are."

He stayed with me for the rest of the afternoon. We finished watching the movie, I made dinner, and we went for a walk around town. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect day with him. It was exactly what I needed to calm my nerves.

My family came home the next day and were thrilled to meet Kendall. Mom already knew him of course, but my dad and siblings didn't. They had all told me numerous times they couldn't wait to meet the boy that saved my life, and I couldn't wait for them to meet him. He spent the few spare days he had getting to know my family, and told me that someday we'd do the same with his. I couldn't wait to move and be around him all the time. Even if he was busy, he'd still be closer than he is now.

I didn't want to have to say goodbye. He had to get back to L.A. to make final preparations before he and the guys headed to Canada to shoot their movie. "I promise to call when I land."

"Good. I hate having to worry about you, you know."

He laughed. "I know. I hate worrying about you too. I'm going to look around and see if I can find someplace close for you to live."

I shook my head. "Don't worry about that, I'll find somewhere. You just focus on being a movie star."

"I will on one condition. You and Sadie have to come up and visit at least once during filming."

"We'll see." We both knew I was lying. We'd be up there the entire time if we could. We said our I love you's and our goodbyes, and I watched him drive away. It was exciting to know the next time I'd see him, I'd be moving out to California to start my life. It was a good feeling.