"Aubrey? Are you almost ready, Kiddo?" My dad called up the stairs.

I stood in the room with my suitcase beside me, looking around at the now bare space that I'd called my haven for eighteen years. I’d really miss this place. I let out a low sigh as I took one last look at my bedroom. With my hand on the doorframe, I shouted, "Yeah Dad, I'm coming."

I picked up my suitcase and mentally said goodbye to my old room, life, and Aubrey. I then strutted out of the door, more than ready to start my new chapter. I decided to leave my old existence behind me and start again as a new and improved version of myself. The college I'd chosen was out of state, and I couldn’t be happier that my best friend Payton would be the only one there who knew me, which meant I could be whoever I wanted to be. I could finally leave the mess that had become my life behind me, and I was determined to never let anyone hurt me again. My plan was to study hard and play hard. I refused to let stupid feelings get in the way this time, I just wanted to have fun, and enjoy my time at college.

I made my way down the stairs, halting when my eyes landed on my dad, mom, and little brother waiting at the bottom. My mom had tears in her eyes. She was a very caring woman, and we had a very close relationship, so I knew she would miss me terribly. My little brother wasn't too bothered with me leaving. He was a great brother, and we had a wonderful relationship, but he was a typical sixteen-year-old boy. These days he was more interested in sports, game consoles, girls, and his friends. Even now, his fingers moved over the keys of his phone, texting away while sneaking short glimpses at me to make it look like he was paying attention.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I placed my suitcase on the floor, and no sooner than the tiny wheels hit the hardwood, my mom's arms were tightly wrapped around me. She hugged me, and as she did, I inhaled the floral scent of her perfume. While pulling away, she held my shoulders.

"I'm really going to miss you."

I looked into her tear-filled eyes and replied,

"I'm going to miss you too, Mom, but I'll call all the time, and I'll be home for every break, I promise."

"I know you will, Brie. I'm just being silly, I'm so proud of you. I can't believe how lucky we are to have such a smart and beautiful daughter. How did you turn out so amazing?" She asked me, as the tears gently faded from her eyes.

"She gets it from her Daddy," my dad joked.

My mom rolled her eyes, and I laughed as my dad picked up my suitcase. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, then chuckled and left to put my case in the car, with the rest of my things. Mom pulled me in for another hug, and whispered into my ear,

"I love you so much, Brie."

"I love you too, Mom," I replied softly as I hugged her tight.

She let me go and slowly moved aside so that I could see my brother. He didn’t even notice that we were both staring at him because he was still texting. She tutted at him while snatching the phone out of his hand.

"Mom, what’d you do that for?" He whined.

"Stop being so damn rude, Austin! Go say goodbye to your sister," she demanded as she folded her arms across her chest.

He rolled his eyes and huffed as he casually made his way over to me. I wasn't offended. I knew that he loved me, but he was a typical teenage boy and didn't want to let his feelings show, so he acted like he didn't care at all. As soon as he reached me, I grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug. He stiffened up but gradually relaxed into it.

"I'm going to miss you, Austin. I love you, little bro," I said, and to ease the tension, I smothered his face in tiny kisses.

"Ah man, stop it, Brie, come on, that's not cool," he groaned as he tried to push me away.

My mom chuckled, and I finally stopped my onslaught and let the poor boy go. He wiped his face and his expression was one of disgust, which made me chuckle.

"I'm going to miss you too. Oh, can I have your room?" He gave me an innocent, doe-eyed look.

"Austin!" My mom shouted.

"No, you can't, Dweeb," I replied as I ruffled up his hair.

"Oh man! That's so unfair. It's not like you're going to be using it!" He moaned.

"Austin, leave it—she hasn't even left yet. Here, take your phone and go upstairs," she demanded.

I was going to miss my family so much. I was so lucky to have them. My parents were high school sweethearts and were just as in love now as they were when they met. They were hardworking and kind. My father ran his own auto shop business, and my mom was a nurse. We had a beautiful home, and I couldn't ask for more supportive or loving parents. Austin was a good kid, he was smart and had astonishing grades, he was handsome and popular, and had even been picked recently to join the football team.

We were an all-American family and were very lucky. I had been popular at high school since I’d been on the cheerleading squad and had even dated the quarterback. Our lives were pretty much a cliché, but I didn't care, I loved our life. Even though mine fell apart by the end of high school, I still appreciated it all. Everything was great before this last year, and even though I broke down for a while, I'd had enough support from my family and Payton, so I was able to build myself back up. Now I was strong and confident again, and ready for my new adventure.

"You ready to go, Kiddo?" My dad asked as he came back into the house.

I smiled at him and replied,

"Yeah, I'm ready."

My mom kissed my cheek and hugged me one last time. I hugged her back and then followed my dad out to the car. I took one last look at my family home, and with a tear in my eye, I got into the car. As we pulled away from the house my phone buzzed with a text from Payton.

Hey girl,

We’re nearly there, I'll see you at Murston. I'm so excited, we’re going to have so much fun. College, here we come! xxx

I smiled and replied, telling her that I was excited too, and couldn't wait for us to be roomies. I then sat back and watched as my hometown flew past my window. Lots of memories flashed before my eyes, and I was beginning to regret leaving. When we reached the traffic lights outside the local coffee shop, I saw a bunch of people crowded outside, their loud laughter ringing through the street.

Scanning over the group, my eyes met his, he had his arm resting over the shoulders of a pretty brunette while his eyes twinkled with laughter. She didn't notice me, but he sure did. His hand glided through his wavy black hair, sweeping it out of his gorgeous face. His dark-brown, regret-filled eyes burned into mine, and his expression saddened. It took all my strength not to burst into tears, as I watched the pretty girl hanging all over him. Seeing his arm around another girl was still hard for me, and I didn't think I'd ever get used to it. I'd loved Kyle for as long as I could remember, and when he cheated on me, it ripped me apart. I swore that day I'd never let a bad boy steal my heart again.

Everyone warned me he was no good, but I didn't listen, and for two years I fell blindly in love with the guy. I never believed people when they told me that he was seeing other girls, but I couldn't deny it after walking in on him and another girl at a party. It broke me that day, and my life quickly crumbled. Once word got out, he spread it around the school that he had to get it elsewhere because I was frigid. He said that I was boring, and the only reason he was with me was to prove to his friends that he could take my virginity.

Everyone at school began teasing me and calling me names. I guess it was better than being called a slut, but it still hurt. Because he was the quarterback, all of my cheerleading friends followed him and dumped me. I got kicked off of the squad, and the only friend I had left was Payton. I kept to myself and focused on my studies, making sure I kept my grades up. I wanted to be able to choose a good college—one as far away as possible.

I glared at Kyle, making sure he knew that I wasn't bothered by his sad expression. I watched as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He typed on it, before glancing back up at me. My phone buzzed, with a text from him. It read:

Brie,

I’m so sorry for what I did to you. I really did love you. I still do. Please don't leave. Stay here with me, we can start again. I won't ever hurt you again. Please, you are the best thing that ever happened to me.

Kyle x

The girl with him tried peering at his phone, but he skillfully tilted it away while planting a kiss on her lips. I scowled and shook my head as I witnessed a move that he’d used on me so many times before. With my lips pursed in frustration, I typed on my phone, grinning at him as I hit send. He appeared hopeful, but his face grew with anger as he read my text. While glaring at me, a guy grabbed the phone out of Kyle's hand and read out the text. The whole group erupted in laughter. I winked at him before looking away with a huge grin on my face. I knew what I said was going to make his blood boil, and that thought made me the happiest I’d been in a very long time. It was about time he felt rejected and unwanted for a change.

The text I'd sent read:

Kyle,

I would never give you another chance. I'm not frigid, I just never wanted to sleep with you because once I saw the tiny cock you had to offer, I didn't see the point in wasting my time.

The only reason I didn't dump you sooner was because I felt sorry for you and your micropenis, and I enjoyed your money.

Have a great life and thank you for all the gifts you bought me over the years, I pawned them all, and went on vacation with your cousin Trent. Who by the way, was an incredible fuck, with a huge dick.

Oh and PS. That girl you're with was in my mom's clinic last week, good luck getting rid of chlamydia, you douchebag.

Brie xxx

I knew it was a lie because I still had all the stuff he'd ever given me, boxed up and stored away at home. Also, I never slept with his cousin, but I knew that Trent had a crush on me and he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to say that he'd slept with me, especially if it meant getting one over on Kyle. The lights turned green, and as we pulled away, I was more than happy to be leaving all that crap behind me.

Murston, you best be ready for me, because here I come!