I went back inside and closed the door behind me. First thing I did was to dial Mr Stinson and let him know I wouldn't be coming in to work as I had some 'family issues'. He was surprisingly understanding, which made me think he knew what exactly it felt like to have family issues. I kind of expected him to yell just a little bit, since I hadn't given any previous notice. I could just imagine Elena bristling when she found out and the image had me snickering for a minute or two.

I also called Grayson my supervisor at the lab and he was okay with it, just grumbled that he would have to get someone to cover for me. Once that was done, I got out the stack of pancakes I set aside for myself in his microwave and ate silently at the kitchen island. I cleaned up the little mess I made from cooking and then went over to his living room and began to watch the episodes of Dance Moms Noah had recorded.

I knew I was stalling going back home and having that much needed talk with my mom but it wasn't totally my fault. Who knew the next time I would have a 70-inch HD TV all to myself?

After two episodes, I finally pulled myself up off the couch and forced myself back to the guest bedroom to shower and change back into the clothes I was wearing yesterday. Once I was dressed and fairly presentable, I picked up my bag and left Noah's house making sure to lock up carefully. It was probably just a formality; Noah no doubt had a bad ass security system living here all alone.

I got into my car and shut the door, pulling my phone out of my bag immediately I was seated. I had switched if off since last night, not wanting to deal with anyone in my emotional state. As soon as I switched it on to call Mr Stinson earlier, voicemails and texts began pouring in from my mom, Walden and Rob.

None from Maya, I thought sadly.

I listened to the voicemails from my mom first. In the earlier ones, I could hear the tears in her voice as she pleaded with me to come home as she still had a lot she wanted to explain to me. Hearing her sound so distraught sent a painful pang through my chest.

A couple more voicemails from Walden basically echoing the same thing my mom had said. And then some from Rob at first asking how I was and how I thought he did at dinner. Then others asking why I wasn't picking and finishing with some erratic sounding ones asking where I was and if I was alright.

He was probably freaked out that I hadn't been picking for so long. I quickly sent my mom a text saying that I would be coming home soon and then called Rob to at least put his mind at ease.

It rang just once before Rob picked up.

"Oh my gosh, babe I've been trying to reach you forever. Are you alright?" came Rob's worried voice over the phone.

"Yeah yeah I'm fine. Just had a rough night after you left that's all", I tried to inject some cheer into my tone to reassure him.

"I was so damn worried. Are you at work? I want to come see you"

"Oh no, I didn't go to work today"

"Are you at home then?"

"Ummm... no"

"Then where the heck are you?" his voice was slowly turning from worried to suspicious

"I slept over at a friend's", I shook my head not liking one bit where this conversation was going but unable to stop it without outright lying.

"Maya's? Give me directions and I'll come get you"

"No... Ahh... you know what? I'm already out so why don't I come meet you wherever you are?"

"Well, okay..." he sounded a bit bummed that he didn't get to be the knight in shining armour coming to rescue me, the damsel in distress "I'm over at Melrose with my dad. He's flipping a property here and I'm helping him out"

"Melrose, okay. Text me the address and I should be there in about twenty minutes"

"Okay, babe. See you then"

I shuddered at his repeated use of the word 'babe'. It didn't make me feel good or anything, it just felt weird.

A second later, my phone beeped confirming the receipt of Rob's text. I turned my car on with a turn of my key in the ignition and drove away from Noah's house.

Approximately twenty minutes later, I had found myself in Melrose, driving slowly along the street trying to figure out which house bore the address Rob had texted to me.

I called him and placed it on speakerphone while peering at house addresses as I passed.

"Ellie, are you close yet?" he picked up almost immediately.

"Well, I'm kind of here, I just can't figure out the addresses..." I squinted as I came close to the next house and something familiar came into view "Oh I see your car! And now I see you standing right next to your car"

I ended the call and pulled over on the side of the street. Rob who had been standing out, dressed in a pale blue checked shirt tucked into tan slacks came towards my car and tapped on the window.

"Hey", I forced out my brightest smile while unbuckling my seat belt "Should I go in and say hi to your dad?"

"Well he's really busy with contractors right now. Maybe some other time", Rob said bending over to talk to me through the window "Can I come in instead?"

"Oh yeah, sure", I kept my closed mouth smile plastered on while I watched Rob open the door and slip into the passenger's seat beside me.

"Hey", he returned my smile "I missed that cute smile of yours".

Too bad he couldn't tell it was fake.

I just shrugged. "You saw me yesterday"

"Well, the way we left things... I really wanted to hear back from you", he looked at me searching my eyes a bit anxiously.

Oh, I remembered now. I was supposed to go back and try to remember how things had been between Rob and me in high school so we could progress in our relationship.

Funny how that was now the furthest thing from my mind.

"Wow... Yeah", I ran my hand through my hair then turned to face him "I'm sorry I couldn't really think about that, I had a huge blowout with my mom last night. It was really awful"

"Really?" he sounded disbelieving for a second "You and your mom? You guys are pretty close"

Well, I had thought so too.

I just shook my head sadly.

"Well, then tell me about it. I'd like to hear what happened"

I took a deep breath and did just that. I gave him the shorter version though, including the one with Maya but leaving out the part where I had spent the night at Noah's, ending vaguely that I had slept over at a "friend's".

Rob seemed surprised but not all that emotionally invested, but I could see he was trying. He wasn't really great with emotions; I knew this because I had been with him during those formative years of high school. Even when his parents had been having problems and it seemed like they would split, Rob would just brush it off like it was no big deal. I always wondered if he was really good at suppressing feelings or he was just the kind of person that only worried about surface stuff and what people thought of him.

"I'm so sorry, Ellie. Really I am", he sounded like he was trying to convince himself "But I don't see why you didn't just call me"

Seriously? Even though I didn't actually have a good answer to that, I bristled at the fact that he just had to make it about him.

"I'm sorry... I guess I just didn't want to bother you", I supplied even though I knew it was a weak excuse.

"Hmm", he gave me a queer look, almost suspicious "Well, what are you going to do now?"

"Well I was just on my way going home before I called you. I really need to sit and talk with my mom"

"Oh really?" he sounded disappointed as he reached out to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind my ear "I was thinking we could grab some breakfast together since you're already here"

I itched to slap his hand away from my face. Was he being for real right now?

"Well, I've already had something to eat so I'm not hungry", I subtly turned away from his fingers "And I really need to meet with my mom, like immediately"

"Okay then, can we meet up when you're done?"

I shook my head. "Umm... no. I'd like to meet up with Maya after that and apologize"

He rolled his eyes at the sound of Maya's name. "That can't wait? It's not like she's going anywhere"

I whirled on him suddenly. "Oh well forgive me for trying to salvage my relationships with people I care about!"

"And what about me? Don't you care about our relationship?"

Actually thinking about it now, I realized that I really didn't ... at least not as much as I should. But, I wouldn't say that out loud, I just crossed my arms and leaned back into my seat.

"Ellie I'm sorry if I'm being insensitive..."

"Yes, you are. You are being really insensitive"

"... But you know what I'm saying is true. Maya is just a spoilt brat constantly seeking attention and you keep making it worse by giving it to her"

I shook my head, not believing Rob was choosing this moment to air his grievances about Maya.

"That girl is my best friend. She has been my best friend forever and I said some downright awful things to her. I used things she confided only with me about against her and I feel terrible about it and you're implying I shouldn't apologize to her?" I was getting riled up and Rob wasn't helping matters.

"Look, all I'm saying is that she knew you were sad. She was aware you had a bad night with your mom and instead of helping you out, she got mad at you. You really shouldn't encourage her. She's just really spoiled, always used to getting what she wants. I mean in high school, she dated half the football team just because she could. Just because she knew everyone thought she was hot. She probably dated the male teachers for a good grade too. If that's not a whore, then I don't know what is. I never knew what you saw in her anyway"

I was fuming so hard, if I was a cartoon you would probably see red steam coming out of my ears. My friend dated a lot of guys just because she was a hopeless romantic and always looking for love. I said a lot of nasty things to her last night but hearing this from Rob was like a punch to the gut. I could imagine how painful it had been for her hearing those things from me, her best friend. Maya had her flaws, yes. But calling her a whore? That took the cake.

"Rob?" I said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah?"

"Get out"

"What?" he scoffed "You cannot seriously be throwing me out of your car because of Maya. What's so damn special about her?"

"Well that's exactly what I'm doing"

"Ellie", he gave me a cold, serious look "If I leave this car, it's over between us"

And what a relief that would be. Rob was toxic and I couldn't believe it had taken me this long to do something about it.

I smirked at him then leaned over and tugged at the handle of the passenger's door sending it flying open.

"Then I guess it's already over", I crossed my arms and met his disbelieving stare.

He looked regretful. "Ellie..."

"Just leave"

He became angry again. "This isn't even about Maya. This is about that Noah kid, right? That's who you were with last night. Don't even bother denying, I'm not stupid, Ellie"

I kept quiet because he was partly right and it didn't make sense for me to argue.

"I never pegged you for stupid, Ells but that's what you must be if you're delusional enough to think he'll ever leave his girlfriend for you. He probably just wants into your pants and I don't see why because you're just not as hot"

I slapped him.

"Get the fuck out of my car, Robert!"

"Arghh", he groaned and climbed out the car slamming the door in my face as he did "You'll regret this, Ellie. You just made the worst mistake of your life!"

I started my car, revved up the engine and drove away. And as I watched Rob nursing my hand imprint on his cheek in the rear-view mirror, I was certain that I had actually made one of the best decisions so far.

A/N: Poor Rob :(. Lol jk jk. Well hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote, comment and share with friends! I would really love more readers. P.s I'm not American but my story is set in America so I probably make a couple of mistakes in my story telling. Just forgive them, lol. Xoxoxoxo.