Dylan's Point of View Of course, there's no discreet way of moving on. I don't want Kay, and Lacey doesn't want me, so that's the only thing left to do. Move on in a way that will keep everyone away. After Reece's birthday trip, I stopped talking to him. It's wrong, but I don't want to involve everyone in my shit, especially if it has to do with Xavier. I couldn't stand to be around Kay anymore, and if there's no hope with Lacey, then there's no reason to keep things up with Kay. Breaking up with Kay is hard. Not emotionally. She just doesn't want to accept the fact that I'm leaving her and besides making it all about her, she makes it about Lacey. She can't understand what's special about Lacey, and I don't think she'll ever understand. In true Kay fashion, she tells Xavier about our breakup and he comes after me. Instead of beating the shit out of me, we make a deal. Knowing things won't work out with Lacey, I hit up other girls. Nothing goes further than making out. It doesn't feel right with other girls, and it only makes me angrier. I can't be hung up on her forever. Zoey has been into me since last year and I always turned her down. She's a blonde with blue eyes and big boobs and tends to go from guy to guy, but I'm not judging. Blondes aren't usually my type, but I'm trying to branch out. I always thought she just wanted to fuck, but when I hit her up she was down for a few dates. I probably won't ever sleep with her. She seems like the needy type. For a minute, I feel really into her. Her hair is soft between my fingers, and her eyes remind me of a Dasani water bottle. I let my eyes wander from her for one second and I catch a glimpse of Lacey talking to her douchebag ex. I've seen them together a lot around school. I know Lacey said she won't ever take him back, but it still makes me curious. They spend a lot of time together from what I've seen. Zoey says something, bringing my attention back to her. It's hard to focus on her while Lacey is near me. I steal another glance at Lacey, who is getting into her ex's truck while he holds the door for her. A snort almost comes out. They look cozy. Too cozy. I'm going to think about it anymore. Lacey gave up on me, so I need to give up on her. It stays out of my mind until Zoey wants to get ice cream later that evening. She wants to go to the ice cream shop I took Lacey to, and I want to say no because it seems like it should me mine and Lacey's spot. Then I remember how miserable Lacey was when she broke up with Jacob, and I don't want to end up like that. Moping over the same shit every day isn't how I want to live. Walking into the ice cream shop, I can't fucking believe that Lacey is here. And with her ex of all people. And not only him, but the girl he cheated on her with. What the hell is she doing? I try to ignore them as best as I can. Zoey doesn't know about the whole thing with Lacey and I want it to stay that way. She doesn't need to know about every person I've dated in the past. She doesn't even know about Kay. After a while, Lacey's group gets up to leave. I keep my eyes on Zoey so I'm not tempted to look at Lacey until that fuckhead passes by and kicks my chair. I'm not in the mood to deal with his shit. "What the fuck?" I stand up and make sure he knows who he's dealing with. I stare at him until he holds up his hands, trying to act innocent. "It is an accident, dude. Chill." Like hell it was an accident. "Let's go," Lacey says to him, which ticks me off. Of course she's trying to be the peacemaker. Playing puppet, he nods. "Fine." He has no idea how much I can't fucking stand him. Everything he's put Lacey through feels personal somehow. I want him to know how much she was hurting at the beginning of the year. He isn't getting away that easily. "Fucking bitch," I say. All hell breaks loose. Jacob comes at me, which is what I want, forcing both of us to the ground. I struggle against him for a minute, allowing him to swing at me and he lands a punch on my cheek. I roll over on top of him and get in a good punch to his jaw. He holds his face and I jump up, causing him to stand up too. I'm about to take another jab when Lacey wedges her way between us. She's leaning on Jacob while looking at me and all I can do is stare at her. I don't know if she's trying to protect him, or protect me. "Get the hell out of my store, all of you, before I call the police" the manager comes out and yells at us. I grab Zoey's hand and we all rush out of the shop. Once outside, Lacey pushes Jacob hard against his chest, saying "I told you to leave it alone, dammit." "I'm trying to do the right thing," Jacob points to me. Is he trying to prove himself to her? If they aren't together, he's clearly trying to get her back again. "Come get your ass kicked then," I shout at him. The only dutiful thing he can do is let me beat the shit out of him. Lacey suddenly whirls around to me, which I'm not expecting. "Will you stop?" she snaps. "I don't know what your problem is, but this is not you." I want to piss her off and make her see that I've changed, that I've moved on. "Hanging out with Xavier does that to you," I say, making sure I look as carefree as possible. She despises Xavier, and knowing I've gotten on the same side as him will mess with her. I don't want to feel guilty for moving on. There's nothing wrong with it. But even as I put my arm around Zoey, and feeling their eyes on me, I feel like a piece of shit. Zoey asks questions, and I have to answer honestly. She doesn't like the fact that there is drama behind dating me, but she sticks around after the incident at the ice cream shop. As I get to school on Monday, Anthony's car is already in the lot and I head straight for it. I slow down once I see Lacey sitting in his car, talking to him. Angry, I turn away and park quickly. By the time I get out, she's getting out of Anthony's car and starts to walk away. Watching her, I can't help but look her over. Her long brown hair swayed behind her. She has on a giant scarf over her jacket. Her jeans fit her perfectly in all the right places, as usual. She never looks out of place, even when she doesn't try hard. I wonder if she told Anthony about my fight with Jacob. Was she asking for advice?