The airplane ride home is smooth. I sleep, making up for the time I spent thinking of Aden last night. Now, I know it was all a waste of time. Aden Arrington doesn't give a fuck about me.

This entire trip, he used and abused me. He leaned on me emotionally, had access to my body for the night, took our first kiss and threw it back in my face. He has no regard for me or what I want - none at all.

At home, I simmer all day.

Even the most clueless person in my family notices my odd mood. My father tells me I'm strung up and demands to know what's bothering me. I refuse him and go to my room, burying myself in my books. I hardly focus though.

Hours later, I plop down on my bed, exhausted from sitting upright and not moving for so long. I don't know why I trusted Aden. He's a celebrity. He's never had to play by the rules of my world. He's never had to display common decency. Everyone justifies the lack of it as celebrity antics. I did it too. But it's different when you're up close; when you watch them wield your heart and crush it in their hand.

He used me then callously discarded me. And here I was feeling sorry for him. I should have found a way to make him help me get a scholarship after all he put me through. But now that he's gone, I can focus and get myself some other funding.

When I see his number flashing on my screen, I cringe. I'm not ready to speak to him. But right now, I have the upper hand because he's calling, so I answer carefully.

"Hello?"

"McKay."

"Why are you calling me?"

"Calm down, please."

"You don't get to tell me what to do anymore."

"I wanted to tell you that Danatha forgot her purse here."

"I'm sure Jude could have told her."

"He doesn't have her number anymore."

"You could have texted me."

"I didn't want to."

I shake my head.

"Does your statement have a point or is that it?"

"McKay, I'm trying here."

"Really? I've been trying from the start of our relationship, if I can even call it that. Where were you during all that time?!"

"I'm sorry about-"

"That's not good enough for me, Aden. You know what? I had standards before I met you. I made all these exceptions for you and look where it got me. Now that I'm home, I've had time to think about everything that's happened between us and I have to say, if you were just another Joe from the corner shop or any Bob from across the street, I never would have allowed myself to be disrespected the way I did with you."

"But-"

"Let me finish. I deserve to be treated better and I shouldn't have to beg anyone for anything. From the beginning, I have been begging you for things and I'm done. If you don't think you should work your ass off to impress me with compliments, attention and gifts - that is your problem. I have better things to do with my life than to entertain this messy pretext for a romantic relationship."

"You know-"

"No! Now, I'm done, but I never said I was going to hear what you have to say. You had your time. You had a whole fucking weekend, and now it's fucking over. You want to get to me? You're going to have to show me that you want me. And that, Aden, does not translate to whatever half-baked apology you're cooking up in your head right this second. I'm hanging up now."

I seethe as I watch my phone light up with a text.

Aiden: I was trying to tell you about Danatha's wallet. I was never going to apologize.

The audacity of this idiot.

Me: I said what I said, and I meant every single word. If you think it doesn't apply to our situation, then make use of the incredible technology of closing this text and moving the fuck on with your life.

"Oh my God." hollers Danatha once I hand her the phone the next morning. "It's about time, Kay."

"I can't believe how long I let this go on for. I never would have let any of you accept this type of behaviour. I was so desperate for him, I ignored all the red flags. But I have to say, I feel so much better now that I got to tell him off."

"I bet you do. Look, I'm sorry I never said anything. I felt bad because I knew how much you wanted him."

"Yeah, I probably wouldn't have listened to you in any case."

I block his number, sure I'll never hear from him again anyway - especially after what I said. But I'm proved wrong a few days later when Danatha comes to me after lunch with her phone pressed to her chest.

"In my defence, I was scrolling through my inbox to delete those sneaky messages Jude started sending me after he saw me in lingerie. I wasn't trying to read it."

I look at her questioningly. I can't piece together what she's trying to tell me. I know that five days ago, Jude showed up at Danatha's door out of the blue when she was setting up a seductive rendezvous with JD, but she's not giving me anything real to go on.

"He sent me a DM on Instagram. I couldn't say no after everything he told me."

"It's Aden, isn't it?"

She nods and hands over her device as I shake my head at her. I answer, watching her scuttle away to give me space.

"Hi."

"Princess, it's Aden."

"I know."

"Yes, of course. I was hoping to talk to you."

"Sounds like you did more than hope since I'm talking to you on Danny's phone."

"McKay-"

"No, why are you calling?"

"You're still mad."

"I'm sorry, did something change since our last conversation that I didn't notice? When we last spoke, you told me you're not going to apologize to me."

"No, I won't."

"Alright. Good talking to you."

I hang up hastily. Obviously, he calls again. I consider handing Danatha her phone and telling her to block his number, but I end up picking up anyway.

"What?"

"Not yet."

"What?!"

"I'm not ready to apologize yet. Don't hang up, Princess. I beg you."

"Why shouldn't I? You keep disrespecting me like-"

"I don't want to apologize because I want to start over. You were right. I haven't been treating you the way you deserve to be treated."

"Of course, I'm right."

"Please stop being mad at me. I know we're not together and I don't get to tell you how to act, but I really want to fix this."

"Why do you want to fix this? What changed?"

"Nothing changed. The difference is whether I'm fighting to stay with you or away from you."

"Why did you even feel the need, Aden? I know we fought, and it got ugly fast, but that's what couples do. They fight, and they work through it until it's dealt with."

"I know."

I'm relieved when he doesn't deny that we were a couple, but I'm still angry enough to continue.

"You obviously don't."

"There's a lot you don't know about, Princess. I'm trying my best to balance it all and stay true to myself."

"And that meant leaving me behind?"

"I thought it did."

"That's why I'm asking you what changed."

"Fine, okay. I wanted to let you go because I have an image to upkeep. I'm meant to be dating someone as famous as me.
"I should be dating a model or a singer, or at the very least a popular actress. I've been circling this drain for weeks and the more we fought, the more I felt it would be easier for me to do what my label wants me to do."

I swallow dry air. I completely forgot about that.

"Do you understand now? Are you still there?"

"I'm still here."

I can barely speak through the lump in my throat. I can't believe I've been dating a popstar and forgot that he needs to be one. He's right. Dating someone famous is what is going to help his image - not me.

"Wow, I never thought I would say this," I laugh tiredly. "But your label is right."

"No, McKay. My label is paid. There's a difference.
"I decide what facets of my life they get to lay claim over, and right now, I have feelings for you. My heart goes wherever you are. Not only can I not, but I will not take it from you for money. I can find other ways to increase my popularity. It's not up for discussion, by the way."

I exhale. When I feel my damp cheeks, I'm surprised. Did I even know how much I craved to be chosen, deep down? I can't help it. Of course, I want him back. I love him.

"I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll give me another chance. I can make this right; I know I can."

I gulp, hoping I'm making the right decision.

"Okay then; make it right."

"God, Princess. I was clutching at my chest this whole time. I miss you so much. I can't bear to lose you."

I smile, playing with the necklace he once gave me. It's hard to put my anger and indignation away, but it's just as difficult to not react to his cute show of relief.

"But Aden, how will I know that the minute things get hard, you won't bail?"

"I might bail; but the question is, will I be able to stay away?"

"I don't know if that's enough for me." I say quietly.

I don't mean to be difficult. I want some sort of assurance of my position in his life.

"I understand."

"What do you mean you understand? That's it? You quit?"

"What? No! McKay..."

"Sorry." I mutter, instantly feeling silly.

"Jesus."

"What?"

"I didn't realise how much your trust had eroded with everything we've been through."

"Oh," is all I can say. I know he's right. After all the back and forth, there's no way I can look at him the same. "Make me fall in love with you again?"

"You were in love with me?" he asks in a hushed voice.
"I guess I was well on my way."

"I need to go soon, but please open the messages I sent you."

Oh yeah, I blocked his number.

"Okay."

I know I'll need privacy to read whatever he wrote to me, so I wait until class is over to skip afternoon activities. Once I'm in my room, I unblock his number, but nothing happens.

Me: Could you send me the messages again? They're not appearing on my phone.

Aiden: Give me a second...

Aiden: I won't send everything. Only what you need to know

Me: No, send it all

Aiden: It's a little convoluted

Me: Aden

He's going to have to swallow his pride, because I need to know everything.