It's been a week since my breakup with Jesse. And it's been hell.

After that day that Daniel surprised me with donuts, he's been distant. Not that I blame him, though. I've been equally as distant—eating later dinners, or in my room, staying in the living room with Mary Grace so I can have a quick escape to my room when Daniel gets home.

And what has that alone time earned me? Nothing but time to simmer in my anger for Jesse.

Raina and Jesse have tried blowing up my phone, but I haven't answered. I'd hear he was trying to find me on campus and I'd hide out in the nearest empty classroom. Or that she just wanted to 'talk', but if she came in my face right now, I was scared I'd hurt her.

I talked to my mom about it. And she told me that anger is normal, but I can't let it control my life.

Which is exactly what I've been doing. And I'm not letting anger, Jesse or Raina control me anymore.

Especially now, that I'm being bombarded by my best friends.

"Come on, Anna." Iris tugs at my arms. "We haven't been clubbing in so long. Even before dickhead did what he did. I think that we all deserve it."

"I know I do," Shelby grins. "Pearson is busting my ass and this is my first weekend assignment free."

I sigh. I glance at Shelby, envying her clear, olive skin. Her parents are Filipino, and Shelby was actually born in the Philippines, but moved here when she was super young. But I've always envied just how naturally gorgeous she is: the dark, tanned skin, the slender, dark eyes, her cute round nose, circle lips, perfectly arched brows and dark black hair that framed her round cheeks and cascaded down her back.

And Iris? God, Iris was even more beautiful. Dark skin, pouty lips. Her nose was slender and upturned, eyes round, even darker brown than Shelby's. Her eyebrows were dark brown and rounded beautifully, and her face slender, a beautiful heart-shape. Her hair a beautiful caramel brown in tight curls that framed her flawless face.

I swear, in this situation, I'm the ugly friend. Even Raina is gorgeous, with her green, mesmerizing eyes and freckled high cheek bones. Fair skin and (dyed) platinum blonde hair.

I'm easily the least one to get picked up at a bar next to these girls.

"You gotta come, Anna. Your boss gets home at, like, seven right? That's perfect, we can pick you up and go from there."

I let go of a defeated breath, fighting a smile. "Alright, alright. You win. I need a night out."

They both squealed, clapping their hands together. "Finally!" Shelby exclaims.

"Have your ass ready by eight. We'll pregame and head to Tossica around ten." Iris grins.

I can't help but smile as we finish our lunch together. We'd headed out to the small cafe right off campus, called Gina's. Gina's is super cute and quaint. It's a cafe you'd find in a small town, with soft yellow walls and red leather booths and a white, retro countertop with black stools. There's even a juke box in the corner, lots of vintage décor throughout the walls.

I'm actually close with the owners here, since I spend a lot of my free time in here. Randy and Jillian are a super cute and sweet older couple. They sadly lost their daughter, Gina, when she was fifteen. But from what they told me, she loved to bake with her mom and learn how to make coffee from her dad, and she was sadly taken from life too soon. But they built up Gina's in honor of her. They had told me, once, that she'd be in her late twenties now, and that having me around was almost like she was still with them.

It definitely sealed the deal for me spending my time here.

It's crazy to see how many people place pick-up orders and don't take the time to sit down and enjoy the environment that they provide here. It's so cozy and warm, I couldn't imagine not studying in here with their world-famous milkshakes or hot chocolate.

Not even Shelby or Iris spend a lot of time here unless I drag them here. I blame the more modern burger-slash-pub place right across the street. But everyone else's loss is my gain.

Once Shelby and Iris finished, they took off. I stayed back, finishing my notes on my required learning and cognition class. I was getting ready to finish my bachelor's degree, but I needed to finish this class with exceptional grades so that I can get a good internship at a school of my choice.

That's the dream, at least.

I push my stray hairs that'd fallen from my messy bun off my face and set my pencil down. I look at my phone, slightly horrified that it's almost three and I didn't hear Bruce's text come through fifteen minutes ago.

I frantically text him where I'm at and slam my books closed. Jillian comes up to my table with a warm smile and a pink box in her hand.

"Here you go, sweetie." She places the box on the table next to my books. "Rushing off?"

"Yeah," I blow a breath. "Late for my job."

"Oh, dear. I had no idea you found a job. Is it the internship?"

"No. Another job I swear I'll fill you in on the next time I'm here." I smile at her. "You're gonna get me fat with all these goodies."

"Nonsense. You're perfect the way you are."

Yeah, right. Tell that to my hips that are too wide and my thighs that are too thick and my stomach that's too pudgy.

"Thanks, Jillian," I say instead. Then pull out my wallet.

But she places her hand over mine. "On the house."

I shake my head. "You're too good to me, Jillian. Thank you."

"You just come back around."

"Always will."

//

When Bruce dropped Mary Grace and I off at Daniel's house, the first thing I did was throw the box on the counter and walked away from it. I had three of the seven pastries Jillian gave to me on the ride over here. This is why her sweets are a problem. I can't stop myself from eating them. Or, really, any sweets. I think I have the worlds worst sweet tooth.

"Have at it, Mary Grace." I sigh as I sit down on the couch. "Please."

Mary Grace smiles and opens the box, digging into a danish. She walks over with it in her hand, unzipping her bag.

"How was your day?" I ask her, putting my chin on my palm.

"Good," she smiles. "Made a hundred on my spelling test. And on my math quiz."

"You're a superstar, MG!" I hold up my hand for a high five, which she enthusiastically gives me. "Told you that you got this."

She grabs a folder from her bag, one I've become familiar with as her homework folder. "I finished almost everything at school. Just a few more math questions and I can start my sign study early today."

I smile. "Hey. Do you maybe think on the weekends you'd be willing to teach me some sign?"

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Of course," I nod. "I'd love to."

"Sure! Yeah, that'd be so fun!"

Being around Mary Grace always puts me in such a good mood. She's always happy and willing to learn. She's such a good kid. I couldn't imagine anyone not wanting to be in her life.

"I'm gonna study with you, okay? I gotta get ready for this final paper."

"Okay." She nods.

I stand and grab my stuff from the counter. I fix my skirt before I sit and cross my legs, bringing my notes to my lap. I dive immediately into my text book. I notice after a while MG switch from her paperwork to her iPad with her headphones. She places them over her ears and I smile softly as I watch her start signing different things with whatever she's learning.

At the same time, my heart broke a little at the fact that some idiots mistakes caused this little girl something precious to her. Half the time, I take my hearing for granted. And here she is, struggling to cling onto hers for as long as she can. She doesn't even deserve it, is the sad part.

Why is life always like that?

I don't even realize the time when I hear Daniel come through the door. He calls for Mary Grace, but stops when he finds us in the living room.

I lightly tap her shoulder, gesturing to Daniel. Mary Grace beams, pulling off her headphones. "Hey, daddy."

"Hey, princess." He comes over to her and kisses the top of her head. "What are you guys up to?"

"Adi and I are studying together."

Daniel looks at me and I have to push the butterfly feeling down. "Oh yeah, she's a great study partner."

Mary Grace smiles, then looks up at her dad. But quickly, the smile vanishes. "What's wrong?"

"What? What makes you think something's wrong?"

"Your face. What is it?"

I noticed it, too. He had a look of sadness behind his eyes, almost hiding behind that mask he puts on for everyone. But I could already see his frown tugging at his lips.

"Your mom called, princess. She wants to take you on a trip for the weekend."

"What? Why? I saw her a couple weeks ago."

"Yeah, hon. It's about that time to spend another weekend with her. But this time, she wants to take you to the mountains."

"I don't wanna go to the mountains."

"She promised you back by Sunday night."

"I don't care," Mary Grace threw her hands up. "I don't wanna go."

Daniel got down on one knee, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me, princess. I don't want you to go, either. But she has rights to you, too. I get to keep you so long as she gets her weekends. At the end of the day, she's still your mother. And she deserves to see you, too."

Mary Grace whines. So I put a hand on her back, Daniel's eyes on me as soon as I did that. "It won't be so bad, Mary Grace. I went on a bunch of trips to the mountains with my parents when I was a kid. Trust me, you'll love it there. And when you get back? We'll study our butts off together just like we promised. But only if you try to have fun. Deal?"

When a smile finally broke across her face, I felt victorious. "Deal."

"My mom always tells me that the mountains is a good way to feel close to heaven. The beautiful nature, the peace you feel when you're there. Trust me, you'll feel a thousand times better once you come back home."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

I press my lips together and turn, catching Daniel's eyes on me. I feel like the breath was knocked out of me with the intensity behind his eyes. I take a deep breath and step back.

Daniel clears his throat. "Why don't you go pack your bag for the weekend, princess? Mom will be here soon."

Mary Grace nods, walking up the stairs. Daniel stands, turns away from me, but then stops and turns back towards me. I wait to hear what he has to say, but the doorbell ringing tore his attention away from me.

He holds my gaze for a moment longer before he turns and walks towards the door. I start picking up my stuff when I hear the conversation start.

"Daniel," a very sophisticated-sounding voice started. "You look good."

I hear him scoff. "And you look posh, Nancy. Something I bought for you?"

I hear her scoff. "Please. I do make my own money, Danny. It's not always about you."

"Don't call me that," his voice was low. Then, suddenly, alert when he said: "who the fuck is that?"

"Oh. That's Andre. My boyfriend."

"You didn't tell me anyone else was going on this trip, Nancy."

"I don't run my life by you anymore, Danny," she emphasized. "You may have controlled me when we were together, but—"

"That's a fuckin' lie."

"Not anymore." Nancy finished. "Andre is paying for our trip. He wants to meet Mary. There's nothing you can do about it."

"Like hell there's not," Daniel warned in that dangerous tone. 

"What are you gonna do, hit me?" She taunts. "Do it, I beg you."

"You're a fucking piece of work," Daniel says. "I can sure as hell not let Mary Grace go with you."

"Don't do that, Danny. My lawyer is just begging for a reason to get more money out of you."

"I bet." Daniel spits.

That's it. I can't take it anymore. I step out from behind the wall, Nancy's eyes snapping to me. And holy shit, she's gorgeous. She's tall, skinny. Her blonde hair is cut below her chin, pin straight. Her eyes a beautiful hazel color. She was dressed in an expensive-looking navy blue dress with a huge fur coat engulfing half of her body.

I can imagine her and Daniel together, like a superstar couple. They're beautiful. But Nancy's personality? Kinda shit.

"What is that?"

I snort. Seriously?

Daniel looks at me, then back at Nancy. But she beats him to it. "You keep going for these young girls, Danny. This one looks barely legal. What's next? An actual—"

"Shut your fucking mouth, Nancy." Daniel lifted his hand to stop her. "My sexual affairs are none of your concern, anyway."

"So wait," Nancy snorts. "You threaten not to let me get my daughter with my boyfriend while you have your little whore prancing around the house? Real classy, Danny."

"For one," Daniel starts. "Don't you ever refer to her like that again. Two, she's the new nanny. Because, newsflash, MG actually likes spending her time with her."

That stung. I saw Nancy take a step back, but quickly regain her posture. "I'm sure you'll just sleep with her and fuck her up, too. You just can't help yourself, Daniel. It's who you are."

Daniel had no comeback to that. I saw his grip tighten on the door as Mary Grace finally bounced down the steps.

"Hi, mom."

"My baby," she smiles. "Let's go, huh? Big weekend waiting for us."

"Okay." She turns and hugs Daniel. "Bye daddy, love you."

He finally breaks out of his trance, hugging her small body back. "Love you, princess. See you soon."

She pulls away from him and, surprisingly, runs to me. I laugh lightly as she wraps her arms around me. "Bye Adi."

"Bye, kiddo. I'll see you soon, huh?"

She looks up at me. "Soon, yeah."

She grabs her duffle bag and starts dragging it outside, but her mom stops her. "I got it, sweetie. Go to the car."

Mary Grace waves at us one more time before running off. Nancy looks at me, gives me a disgusted once over, then she just chuckles before turning around and walking off.

Daniel shuts the door, pressing his forehead against it. I bite my lip.

"Well, she sucks."

That gets him to laugh. "Yeah. She does." He turns to face me. "I'm sorry about what she said. It—"

"Not your fault," I quickly shake off. "Don't worry about it."

He pushes his hands in his pockets, just watching me. Really watching me. Eyes trailing down my body slowly, then back up, leaving a trail of fire as he did so. I could feel the heaviness around us, my heartbeat starting to pick up its pace. 

"Are you hungry?" He suddenly asks. "I can make us some dinner." 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. That's what I wanted to say because I'd be stupid not to. 

And yet.

"Actually," I sigh. "I have plans tonight. I'm sorry." 

Daniel nods once, standing straight. "Of course." 

I frown, wanting to change my mind about everything and stay here with him tonight. But that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid, isn't it? Because as much as I want to, I can't. I can't blur the lines. 

So, giving him a tight-lipped smile, I turned away and walked to my room. I shut the door, leaning against it, and took a deep breath. 

Strength, Adrianna. You can do this. 

With a bit of feigned confidence, I toss my books on my bed and decided to get ready. Maybe I can find a bit of a distraction tonight and release some of this...tension. 

Maybe. 

A girl can dream. 

A/N

ahhh, I love them so much, I can't even. I have all these plots going around and around in my head and can't wait to share them with you guys!! 

thanks for reading, lovelies! don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33