Chapter 1 Chapter 1

The cold atmosphere made it hard for me to sit still in the car. Even with the windows rolled up and the heater on full blast, I was freezing.

I pulled my jacket closer to my body and leaned my head against the fogged up window in my dad's BMW. I sighed, hating the unfortunate events that have unfolded in my short seventeen years of life.

My dad cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Julisha," my dad looked at me through the rear view mirror. "Can we talk? I'm sorry."

I rolled my eyes and turned up the volume to my music, making sure I couldn't hear him speak. I'm tired of his "sorry" crap. He's been trying to apologize to me for a week, but apologies just don't cut it anymore. I couldn't wait until I got to my mother's house. Just thirty more minutes and I'll be able to smile again.

My father was making me move in with my mom because of his bitchy, evil new wife, Sandra. She hated my guts because she wanted my dad for herself. More likely, she wanted his money to herself. Just then, her irritating voice popped into my head.

"Just wait, you little brat. When your father and I get married, you are going to be so gone. You're going to move back with the monster that made you."

My father did give her everything she wanted, but I didn't expect him to grant that one wish of hers. Right now, that pissed me off. He chose her over his own daughter. I know right? What a dedicated, loving father.

I moved in with my dad because my mother was a hard worker. She was a famous designer who made clothes for celebrities. Her brand, "Lovely Avenue" was a hit. Because of that, she constantly traveled place to place. She sacrificed seeing her daughter every day because she paid for my tuition so that I could follow my dreams to open my own bakery. My father went against that. He thought I should be a surgeon, just like him. That was one of the reasons my parents are divorced. He wanted my older brother and I to live our lives the way my father wanted.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket, waking me up from my reverie. I pulled out my cell phone.

'One New Text Message From: Chase,' it read. I sighed and opened up the text message.

"Baby, I miss you. I hope you forgive me. I'm sorry for all the crap I have done. I'm sorry. I love you." I rolled my eyes once again. This time, I was on the verge of crying. Another man I loved in my life that let me down.

Chase was my boyfriend. I loved him very much. He had short, curly blonde hair and brown eyes. We were together for two years and I always thought we were going to be together. I always thought we would've gotten married and have kids. But I was foolish to believe in love. Look where it led me. My parents divorce, my dad leaving me and Chase cheating on me with my best friend, Ali.

I felt a pang in my chest just thinking about it.

*Flashback*

I was heading over to Chase's house to rant about how my dad chose Sandra over me. That was the day my father broke the news about me going back to live with my mother. I was angry and my tears just kept rolling down my face. I turned into Chase's street and pulled up into his house. There was another car there and I knew instantly from the Hello Kitty sticker on the bumper that it was my best friend, Ali's car. She probably came over to tell him about me moving.

I walked in without knocking, like I usually do. I going up the stairs and froze when I heard moaning and grunts coming from upstairs. "Oh my gosh, Chase! Faster," a distressed voice said. I heard another moan. I knew that voice. That was Ali.

At that moment, I felt like the whole world turned against me. Everyone I loved was stabbing me in the back. Why fate chose for it all to be on the same day was beyond me. I could literally hear my heart breaking. But, it wasn't the time to think about that. I had to hold my head up high, I was strong. I wasn't angry, I was infuriated. The moan from Ali's mouth sent me stomping up the stairs and barging into Chase's room. My heart broke some more.

I saw Ali's red hair poking out from under Chase. Chase looked back at me at the doorway with the look of horror on his face. They both scrambled to their feet. "Oh, why did you guys stop? It was getting to the good part," I said, venom dripping from my voice. They were scrambling, looking for their clothes that were thrown all over the floor. I saw Ali's bra and threw it at her. "You may want to use this." Her face was red.

"Juli, it's not what it looks like," Chase said. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Oh yeah, let me guess." I paused dramatically. "You guys decided to get to know each other like I had been insisting all this time," I spat. Both of them flinched. Ali was looking at the ground and she was quiet the whole time. Something she did often when she was scared. "Ali, I can't believe you. We've been friends since the first grade!" I yelled. I looked at Chase. "And you, I loved you." I turned on my heel, stalking out of the house. Chase kept yelling my name, telling me to come back and saying how much he was sorry and how much he loved me.

*End of Flashback*

I used to be happy, care free, bright, and thought love was the most amazing thing in the world. I used to go to parties, make out with my boyfriend, made new friends, and do the unthinkable. I used to love sky diving, surfing, and riding the most terrifying rides at the amusement park.

Now, I'm sad, serious, and dull. Now, I prefer staying at home watching re-runs of Pretty Little Liars, eating tubs of Ben & Jerry's strawberry ice cream, and trying to avoid my social life.

Most importantly, I don't believe in falling in love.