KYLIE

My heart had began to beat faster as we walked into this venue. Roman and I hadn't said too much to each other, we both knew exactly what we wanted to bring up and now wasn't the right time. I felt his hand in mine and it instantly calmed me down.

"Hey, you got this." He whispered in my ear. I squeezed his hand and looked around, seeing all eyes on me. I took a deep breath and laid eyes on Eva and her friends. We all got together, talked and even took a couple photos.

"So are you and Roman together?" Eva asked pulling me aside.

"It's been kind of awkward. We still have to talk about what happened."

"Just follow your first mind. You and Joe love each other, I can tell. But if you feel like it's best for you to leave all of that behind, do that. Follow your brain, the heart can be very deceiving." She explained. I looked past her to see him standing across the room, lost.

"Thank you Eva."

"No problem. Have a good night, you deserve it." She hugs me again and walks away. I make my way toward Roman.

"I think we should talk after this." I told him.

"Good idea, I think it's finally time we talk this through and see where we wanna go from here. But now, let's just savor the moment and dance."

Before I could answer back he took my hand and led me to the middle of the dance floor, placing his arms around my waist. As we started dancing I couldn't focus on him. All eyes were on me, it became uncomfortable.

"Hey, just focus on me okay? Just move with me." Roman said, noticing. I took a deep breath and looked at him, relaxing again.

"You're doing great, and you look great. Forget what everyone else is thinking."

I listened to him and laid my head on his shoulder, shutting my eyes to avoid the stares.

-

It seemed like we had been dancing forever, back to back with up beat and slow songs until principal Paul announced it was time to announce prom king and queen.

"Here to do the honors, Brianna and Nicole Bella." They came up on the stage, taking the microphone and talked a little bit before announcing them.

"Introducing, your prom king.. Joe Anoai!" Everyone erupted in cheers and the smile on his face was genuine as he let my hand go and walked toward the stage, accepting his crown.

"Anything you'd like to say to the school?"

"All I can say is thank you. Everyone's been good to me, it's been a pleasure representing this school and coming here everyday no matter the negative circumstances I endured.. Im thankful for Kylie as well, thankful she's here and trying to enjoy herself. Kylie, you're amazing and there's nobody I love more than you'll ever know." The crowd awwed and looked my way, causing me to give him a small smile.

"Thank you again." He took a step back and took the next paper from Nicole.

"Are we ready to hear prom queen?" He asked. The crowed cheered in response. I felt a hand come behind me and it was AJ, touching my shoulder.

"How'd you feel about that?" She asked. Before I could answer back I heard my name being called.

"Kylie! You won prom queen! Go!" She pushed me forward. Nervously I chuckled and walked up as people cheered for me. I grabbed Roman's hand as I went up the steps, accepting the crown from Brie. I hugged them both and went up to the microphone, waiting for the crowd to quiet down.

I began with a strong sigh, taking in all the people that was watching me in silence. AJ gave me a reassuring smile.

"When I first came to this high school, I had this perfect plan that I would just come here, do my work, make a couple friends and get out. I had no idea my life would be turned upside down and back. There's a huge elephant in the room, and im sure you guys would love to know what actually happened, but honestly, me standing up here trying to get you guys to understand would be a waste of time."

"If I were to say my side it would still be twisted some way, and I don't owe any of you anything. You guys had your story way before you knew, and you all should be ashamed of yourselves. We all attend the same school, and we should have stuck together like one, but instead we all let ourselves down, not me. The things I wanna address here at this school that needs to stop is bullying, sexism, and slut shaming. And it's not just the men, it's also the women."

"I've heard so many things. Kylie is a slut, she sleeps with any man she breathes next to. Kylie might as well be a pornstar, she already has done it on camera. I've also heard other young women here shame another woman just because they heard a man doing the same thing. It's outrageous, disgusting and you ought of be ashamed."

"We don't know what people are truly going through, we don't. Even if they told us, we never know. There's a lot you guys don't know. Did you know, that Roman was the first man I had ever been with? Did you know that the camera was planted in there without neither of our acknowledgment?"

I chuckled at the silence and gasps. "Exactly. I don't wanna say too much, but just that we have to do better as human beings, so that the same cycle won't go on and on in the future. Let's set a good example for our freshman's, our sophomores and junior class. It's time to grow up, it's time to be considerate and selfless. Im honored to be prom queen but honestly, all of these women that have went through hardships in this school are queens in their own way."

I wiped my eyes before continuing. "My friends Paige, Eva, the twins right behind me, Natalya, Celeste, Layla. I love you girls so much, thank you for being there and empowering me, and letting me face these hard times head on instead of suffering in silence. Thank you all for voting for me. Love one another, that's all I ask. Make this a lesson. Thank you."

I stepped back from the microphone and smiled as everyone clapped and cheered louder, chanting my name. Roman pulled me to him and planted his lips on mine. I kissed him back and put my arms around him, embracing his hug as he whispered in my ear how proud he was of me.

I couldn't wait to stop all of this pretending and to just talk.

"You think we can skip the dance and go talk?" I asked, pulling away from him.

"Yeah, after pictures. Face this way." He pointed to the camera. I put on a smile and cozied up next to him, trying the best I could before we went outside.

I found a secluded park across the street with a bridge over it, staring out at the moon and the stars.

"Isn't this beautiful?"

"Yeah." I faced him, taking a deep breath. "Roman, I-"

"You've said enough, and you've done enough. It's my turn to talk now." He interrupted. I nodded for him to go on.

"I tried to practice this in my head so many times, pace back and forth in my room and practice lines to get you to understand and I still haven't came up with anything, but seeing you step out today put everything in perspective. I didn't know before but I know now how much you mean to me Kylie. Im in love with you. Deeply in love with you and there's not another person out there for me than you."

"Roman.."

"Let me finish. I regret ever putting you through this much hell. I tried so hard to fit in and keep up this bad boy image when all I wanted was to change for you. But I couldn't. I couldn't man up and think for myself, I admit that, and I am terribly childish and sorry for that. I want another chance. I want us to finish this year off strong. I want us to forget about all of this and move on like we deserve. I want you to forgive me. I want-

"Stop. Just stop." I screamed. Shocked by my sudden outburst, he stopped talking.

"Do you hear yourself? All I'm hearing right now is I want, I want, I want. Im sorry, I want, I want. I want. The things you're asking out of us can't ever be fixed. This will never be forgotten and you know that."

"I know it can't, and I'm willing to fix it just tell me what I need to do." He begged, taking my hands. I started to cry, thinking of everything.

"We put each other through so much shit Joe, things we couldn't handle or things we shouldn't have let happen."

"But they did, and now it's up to us to change the story and not leave it off like this. Hating each other."

"I was pregnant Roman." I blurted. His eyes widened in panic.

"W-Was? What do you mean?"

"Weeks after that tape came out and I tried to end my life the doctor let me know I was expecting, but lost it." I began to sob and he pulled me into him, trying to hold back tears of his own.

"Im so sorry. I didn't know. Im sorry I'm so sorry." He pleaded with me, hugging me tighter.

"I know how much you hate me, and I don't blame you."

"I don't hate you. I love you. Im in love with you." I said. He pulled away from me and took my face in his hands, kissing me hard and passionate. I kissed him back the same way, feeling nothing at that moment. I came to my senses and pulled away, stepping back from him

"I love you. But I can't be with you."

"What?"

"I can't be with you. I can't. It's too much. As much as I love the sound of you growing up and giving things up for me, you're truly not ready."

"Kyl-"

"I'm sorry Roman. I truly hope one day we can find our happiness without each other. As hard as this is for me, it's for the best. We can still be-

"No. I love you, I'm never gonna stop loving you. Don't you understand that?" Seeing the look of heartbreak on his face ached my heart even more.

"I have to follow my brain over my heart this time. Im sorry." I let go of his hand and walked away from him, biting my lip to fight the urge to run back and just comfort him. But I couldn't do that anymore.

I couldn't wait around for hope and expectations just to get let down again or forgotten about. I couldn't let him control me again and treat me any kind of way he wanted because one thing went wrong. As much as I loved him, this was for the best to focus on myself and actually have a mind of my own for once. Find something new.

I got into my car and drove to my destination, following my brain this time. I got out of the car and went to the front steps, knocking loudly on the door.

The door swung open, and our eyes met with the same intensity. I didn't even have to explain why I was here, he knew why. He immediately pulled me into the door and got me out of my dress, kissing me hard. My hands snaked around his neck as I deepened the kiss, ready to forget about any and everything to just enjoy this moment with him.

He pulled away briefly and leaned down to connect his forehead to mine, breathing heavily.

"Kylie, are you sure?"

"Yes, Cass. I am."

-

WHEW!

first of all let me say it's been a long time since i updated any of my books, or even have been writing, apologizes for that but your girl has been hella busy.

this book will be over soon, but don't be sad i have a lot more in store, so stay tuned! comment and vote, i missed you guys so much. xo - RRG

what do you think of kylie choosing cass?

do you guys think she made the right decision?

do you think kylie and cass will last together?

will kylie and roman ever become friends after this?