I rush inside.

Mom smiles at me. "How is that poor Owen?" I give her a quick smile. "He's doing better! Is Dallas still here?"

She nods. "In Tom's room. Why-" "Thank you!"

I run to Tom's room and slam open the door. They look startled, and I glare at Dallas. Dallas, who has tears on his cheeks. 

He gulps when I point in his face. "You better make up, Dallas! Be a man and tell him you're sorry!" I tell in his face.

He winces. "Scarlett, I-I can't," he mutters. I scoff. "Of course you can't! I'm Dallas, and I'm popular! I care about my reputation more than I love my boyfriend," I mock him.

He stands up, glaring at me. "You know that's not true!" he yells. I scoff again. Dallas takes a step closer, but Tom jumps in between and pushes us both backwards. Dallas sits back on Tom's bed, and I lean  against the door, which is closed now. Mom doesn't need to hear.

"You know, Dallas, for once in my life, I had thought those popular boys aren't that bad. But now, I think they're worse. You let Dylan, who loves you, fall like he's nothing to you!"

I expected Dallas to yell at me again, but he starts sobbing. I frown at Tom, who shrugs. "Scarlett, he's everything to me! But I just- I only hurt him," Dallas whispers.

I roll my eyes. "Bullshit. If you truly loved Dylan, then you would have figured it out. But no, you just ditch him and expect him to be okay with it," I say, anger boiling through my veins.

Dallas' shoulders slump. "You're right," he mutters, staring in front of him. He stands up and looks at me with big eyes. "You're fucking right, Scarlett! Thank you," he smiles and runs out of the room.

I scoff, "I'm always right." Tom chuckles. Then, he glares at me. "I'm popular. I'm not bad," he says. I laugh. "I had to make it dramatic, little bro."

He keeps glaring at me. "I'm older than you, so shut up." 

I shrug, grinning. "I was first, so you must shush." Then, I walk out of his room.

I hear him call something after me, but don't listen and lock my door behind me.

I jump on my bed and pull my phone out.

Me: I think he got it

Dylan: Thanks Scarlett, but I don't know if he should anymore

I roll my eyes. He was crying just half an hour ago!

Me: What do you mean???

Dylan: Maybe we really weren't meant to work out

Dylan: But really, thanks for trying!

Me: I hope you'll be okay <3

Really, all I care is that he's okay. With or without Dallas, I just want a happy best friend. But if it's without Dallas, I won't be so lonely at lunch anymore...

Dylan: We'll see about that

I nod and lay my phone on my nightstand. We'll see it tomorrow, he's right.

*********

Owen brought me to school this morning.

He said he felt way better and would go to the shop.

Now, I'm walking into school. I'd meet Dylan at our lockers, so that's where I'm going. But when I turn around the corner, I see him talking to Dallas.

Smiling, I watch them from here. But my smile quickly drops when I see they're both sad. Wait, what's going on?

Should I help?

I think it's better if I stay here, but Dylan seems to need help. So, I walk over to them. Dallas sees me coming and quickly rubs in his eyes before smiling at me. I frown. Was he crying?

"Scarlett! How are you?" he politely asks. I see tears forming in his eyes again, but don't say anything. "I'm okay. How are you, both of you?"

Dallas says, "Horrible," just when Dylan says, "Fine."

They look at each other, and Dallas' shoulders slump. "Babe, I'm really sorry I didn't make time-" He's cut short by Dylan, who's holding his hand up.

"I don't care anymore, Dallas. And stop calling me those names, we're over." My jaw drops. I thought it was going better when I saw them talking, but they were breaking up all over again.

Dallas lets his tears stream down now, int he middle of the hallway. He doesn't care about his reputation, for once.

Dylan notices it too, and I see change in his face. It's softer now. "Dallas, you said it yourself. We don't work out," he whispers before turning to me. "Let's go."

I nod, not able to speak. I look at Dallas over Dylan's shoulder, and see him sobbing. I give him an apologetic look, but he just shrugs and gives me a weak smile.

"Really?" I whisper to Dylan as we walk away. He shrugs. I don't even see tears. "He was right. We didn't work. He was always busy, and expected me to follow him like a lost puppy. Nope, that's over."

I nod, still shocked with what just happened. They actually fit together, I can't imagine them not being together all the time anymore. 

"And I'm sorry I abandoned you like that, Scarlett. I really am. I guess I was just overwhelmed," he apologies, and now I do see tears in his eyes. Frowning, I hug him. "It's okay, Dyl. As long as you're okay."

He sniffles, but nods. "I am, apparently. It was just a fling, I guess," he shrugs. We walk into class and sit down.

Just a fling? I don't think so.

And apparently, Dallas doesn't either, because he doesn't attend to class the whole day.

"Aren't you worried?" I ask Dylan after school. We're chatting on the parking lot, him waiting for me to be picked up by Owen. 

He shrugs. "I mean, it's not my business. But no, he can handle himself." He sounds so... uninterested. I never imagined Dylan would be like this.

"Ah," I mumble. He smiles at me, but it looks fake. "Hey, I need to go home. Mom asked if I could help with the groceries. Should I drop you off at the shop?"

I nod, happy with the offer. I don't know why Owen isn't here, but it doesn't feel right.

Dylan drives me to the shop, and I wave at him until he's around the corner. Then, I walk in. Owen's car is still parked here, so he is working.

When I get in, I don't see him at the check register. Frowning, I walk further. Maybe he's taking a break in the private room?

Yep, there he is. With my mom. I hop in, and Mom turns around so fast she almost loses her balance.

"Scarlett! Thank God, you're here! He's having a panic attack, honey!" she mutters. I look behind her at Owen, who's hyperventilating. 

I quickly walk over to him. "Poor baby! Come on, Owen, deep breaths," I whisper into his ear. I hug him, rubbing his back.

His trembling hands find mine, and he opens his eyes to look at me. That's good. I nod, smiling. He's still hyperventilating, but I can tell his trying.

I squeeze his hands, and he softly gasps. "I-I... trying," he pants, and I nod. "I know, baby, I know. Take your time. Deep breaths in and out."

I do it with him. Slowly, his breaths slow down and his hands stop trembling. I pull him in a hug and he sighs. "Thank you," he whispers.

I kiss his forehead. "No need, cutie. Are you feeling better?" He nods, but holds me tightly. He pulls me on his lap and tucks me to his chest. Well, if this helps him...

"I missed you," he says. He sounds better. I smile and give him another kiss. "I missed you too, sweetie."

************

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