Kayla's POV:

I don't remember what I dream about, but I know that it was a happy dream. There is a smile on my face, and I just know that today is going to be the day that I turn my life around.

I'm done wallowing.

I prepare for school in record speed with a smile on my face. As I walk out of my room, I trip and land on the floor, and I would have probably ended up with a concussion if not for the fact that I land into a pile of clothes.

Good thing I don't arrange my room.

I start to laugh.

Nothing can ruin my mood.

I pick myself up, taking one last glimpse of my messy room. Sketches, clothes and books litter the room. On the wall are some of my painted pictures, including one of an ice-cream at the background of a tattoo shop.

My gut tugs a bit. I put up the picture as soon as I was done painting it, but within the past three weeks, I've been tempted to take it down.

I turn away and walk out of the room, shutting the door beside me, and running down the stairs.

My dad is downstairs, holding pieces of buttered toast as he sets plates on your tables.

"Good morning", he says as soon as he spots me. "You look cheerful this morning"

I can see him carefully examining me, and I can't blame him. He has been so worried about me these past weeks, but now, I am determined to be happy, to give him nothing more to worry about.

"I'm feeling more cheerful Dad", I say as I take a piece of toast.

He gives me a smile. "Today is the art competition, right?", he asks, and I respond with a nod and a broad smile. I can't help but feel excited. I've participated in many art competitions before, but this one is the most important to me, because it is the one that my mum participated in – and won.

"Are you feeling nervous?", my dad asks, his voice tinged with faint concern as he leans closer towards me.

I shake my head. Excitement, yes, but not nerves. I haven't ever felt nervous when it comes to my art, and now is not the time to start.

"I'm thinking of getting a new tattoo", I voice out to my dad.

He looks at me in amusement. "More artistic inspiration?"

"I actually lost my artistic inspiration for a while, so I thought, maybe a new tattoo would bring thins back into perspective"

My dad smiles and he shocks me when he pulls me in for a hug, his hand stroking my hair.

"I know you've been going through a tough time Kay. I don't know what happened, but I want you to know that I am here for you okay? I'm proud of you, and if she were alive, I know that she would be too."

That is the moment when tears threaten to crowd my eyes. I allow myself the luxury of a few stolen moments in my dad's arms, before I clear my throat and he pulls away.

"Did you see what was on the news", he asks, reaching for a newspaper and I shake my head.

My dad and I make more small talk. He would have liked to attend the competition, but he won't be near the school at the time. I am a bit sad, because I would have liked him to be there, but I understand the nature of his job and I don't mind too much.

Soon, we are both out the door and entering our cars to drive off to our various destinations.

As usual, I drive fast, enjoying the wind tousling my hair.

I put on some music to distract me from my thoughts. Now that I am heading to school, I begin to think about all that happened yesterday. I cannot believe that Steph and Jason went to talk to Aaron. Hopefully, they did not do anything too embarrassing.

As usual, the drive to school doesn't take long and I arrive within a few minutes.

As I step into the school hallway, it is obvious that things are different.

The school is all clean, banners are hung up everywhere, advertising the art competition. Of course, I've already seen some of the banners – I painted a few myself.

I can't believe my school went all out just because they are hosting a competition – then again, I guess all schools do that.

As I walk past, I spot a group of students putting up a banner using a step ladder and directing them is...

Aaron.

Of course. He is class captain so he would be one of the people in charge of setting up.

His back is to me, giving me the perfect opportunity to creep away, but instead I stop and stare at him.

"Pull it up a bit higher", he says, as the students pull a bit higher on the banner. "Higher... higher... perfect."

The banner is in place and he helps the students down the step ladder.

"I think we have one more to hang right over...", his voice trails off as he turns around and sees me.

"Hi Kayla", he says with a broad smile that almost knocks me off my feet.

Aaron hasn't smiled at me in what feels like forever. I feel myself smiling back against my will, and I have to force myself to keep my face straight.

I will not give myself any hope.

"Hello Aaron"

He looks like he might continue the conversation, so I quickly run to my class.

I am not allowing him ruin my day for me.

🏈🏈🏈

Since there is so much to do today, there is only a half day of classes. Teachers are rushed and do not even ask for assignments (which is a relief since I haven't done any)

BY lunch time, the school is abuzz with excitement. The assembly hall has been converted to encompass the judges for the art competition, and many other people who came from different schools are packed in the hall, setting up their artwork and proofing their videos and evidence. Some people from my school who also entered into the competition are walking around anxiously, trying to set prepare, hiding looks of nervousness.

Quinn rushes up to me, a big smile on her face. Beside her is Steph whose cheeks are as red as her hair.

"What's up you guys?", I ask as Quinn begins to giggle.

"Oh, nothing at all", Steph answers breezily.

"We should probably go and get sandwiches", Quinn cuts in.

I want to press on it, but Quinn rarely ever eats anything so I agree and we head into the cafeteria and... wow.

Again, all out.

The school has prepared a huge buffet with sandwiches, slices of cake, cupcakes and glasses of lemonade. I don't feel very hungry, so I grab a glass of lemonade while Steph takes two sandwiches and a slice of cake.

Quinn takes a sandwich and takes the tiniest bite ever.

Everyone has crowded into the hall and is pigging out on the snacks – I can't blame them. If the lemonade is anything to go by, the rest of the food must be delicious.

And just as I am getting used to the food, the drinks and the atmosphere, Aaron appears from the crowd.

"I...I 'm going to check on my artwork", I am shocked to find myself stammering.

"No", Steph says, and I am shocked to find her pulling me towards Aaron.

Aaron is now just a few feet in front of me.

"Please", I beg, struggling to get away from Steph's ironlike grip, but she holds on like a vice.

Aaron is in front of me now.

"Kayla", he says, almost like a whisper.

"Aaron", I say, my head down refusing to meet his eyes.

"Please look at me", he reaches his hand out to my chin, gently raising my face up till my eyes find his.

"Aaron I..."

"What are you doing Aaron?"

I freeze. I would know that shrieking voice anywhere. We both turn to find Alicia standing behind us, long brown hair styled in a cute bun, one hand on her waist, the other holding a glass of lemonade as she her intense brown eyes glare at us.

"I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago. I'm being with the girl I care about"

My heart does a little flip at his words.

Is he talking about me?

"Umm... no you can't. We had a deal, and you know what I can do"

A deal?

Aaron laughs. "That's the thing Alicia. You can't do anything." He lets go of my chin and leans towards her. "I found out the truth, and I found out that you can't do anything to hurt Kayla. You have no power."

Alicia glares at him her brown eyes darkening in anger. "How did you-", her voice comes out choked.

"Trust me, I have my sources", he shoots a glance at Quin and Steph who are standing by my side protectively, and instantly, I get it. I may not understand everything, but I do know that Alicia was blackmailing Aaron to date her because of something to do with me. And in order to protect me, he did date her.

He did it for me.

Alicia screams and throws her drink in Aaron's face, and turns to stomp away.

I don't think so.

I drag her fiercely by her brown mane causing her to fall on the floor.

She lands with a loud thud and screams, but the hall is so loud that no one pays us a second glance except for a few cheerleaders who make to move towards us, but Steph stands between us.

"Don't try it", she practically growls. Steph tends to look fierce when she wants to, and right now she wants to.

I turn my gaze to the lowlife sprawled beneath me on the floor.

"I would fight you", I say, kneeling on the ground beside her so that our faces are level. "But you aren't worth the issue. So instead, I'm going to warn you: Leave Aaron Delany alone. You got that?"

I stand up so that I am hovering over her, but she doesn't answer.

Slowly, I tip the drink of lemonade in my hand until it spills all over her.

She squeals out loud as the liquid damages her hair and splashes all over her body.

"You got that?", I repeat.

"Yes", she spits out angrily.

"Good. Now get out of my sight."

She gets up and runs out of the hall before I can say Brown Haired Snob, her minions close behind her.

I turn around to find Aaron gaping at me, his face a mixture of awe and fear. And something else I can't decipher.

"You are a she-devil. A little venomous snake.", he says it in such a reverent respectful tone.

I can't help but laugh, and I reach up to touch his face, but my hand comes away sticky.

"Can someone get us some towels please?", I yell out, and Steph and Quinn bustle to get the things.

It takes us about ten minutes, but soon Aaron is clean and the loud speaker is announcing the commencement of the competition in 30 minutes, asking all participants to get prepared.

I catch myself staring into Aaron's gorgeous eyes. I can see them so much more clearly now that he isn't wearing his glasses.

I wonder why he isn't wearing his glasses. I wonder what Alicia said to make him date her. I wonder a lot of things, but I will find it out after the competition.

As if reading my thoughts, Quinn speaks out.

"We should get going now so that we can set up your art and I can go through the pictures and videos I took"

I nod. It is important to start setting up now to prevent rushing when the judges are ready to begin.

We all troop out of the hall and towards the art room where my artwork is, but we come to a stop.

"Why is the door open?", Steph asks.

Aaron and I exchange fearful glances.

"She couldn't have taken it", Aaron mutters under his breath.

We rush into the art class, almost falling over each other in a rush to get inside.

At first, no one says anything. I think I am paralyzed.

I sink to the ground as I hear Aaron let out a curse.

If I were in the right state of mind, I would tease him about the fact that he is cursing, but I am not in the right state if mind.

I try to say something, but all that comes out is a sob as I sit amidst the shredded remains of my paintings.

She tore them. 

Every. Single. One.

A/N: And once again, we have come to the end of another chapter. Sorry for the cliff hanger btw.

I am so happy that Kayla and Aaron are on the road to being a real couple but Alicia is so... 

And she tore the paintings. Every single one . Now what is Kayla going to use in the art competition?

Please vote and comment your opinions. I cant wait to see you in the next chapter loves. 💋💋💋