Sophia and I have been looking at what feels like a million apartments. She hates every single one of them.

"Soph, I'm starting to think you hate all of them because you don't want me to move out." I say.

She chuckles, "the thought crossed my mind. But, I have valid reasons."

I shake my head, "not having a window in the dinning room, is not a valid reason."

She twists her mouth to the side, "yeah it is, because you enjoy drinking coffee at the kitchen table and looking out of a window. If you didn't have one, you would become depressed and spiral down into this deep dark depression. You then would become a zombie and no one would know what to do with you. I would have to save you and let you come live with Caleb and I, so that you had a window to look out of, getting the sunshine you crave."

I cry from laughter, "you're so ridiculous."

She starts laughing too, "Okay, okay, how about this one? For real. It's not bad price wise and it overlooks the ocean."

I nod my head.

We walk into this apartment. It has gray walls and white cabinets and countertops. It's very beautiful. The living room, kitchen and dinning room are all connected. I like it. Sophia steps into the dining room.

I smirk, "it has a window."

She chuckles and starts walking through the rest of the apartment, while I talk with the manager.

Sophia and I walk out, arm in arm. "It's a little smaller than I would have liked, but it's really nice. Okay, Soph, what don't you like about it?" I ask, exasperated.

She chuckles, "I like it. I think it's perfect for you."

My eyes widen. She's finally given up on me moving in with her and Caleb.

Later I sign the papers for my new apartment. I had everything shifted to storage after the incident with Henry and Nick.

I start to move my stuff into my apartment, with the help of my family. Everything seemed to come together. Soon my family starts to leave, kissing and hugging me goodbye.

I walk back into my apartment. Dad and Sophia are sitting at the kitchen table. "Hey sweetheart, Friday I'm closing down the restaurant early for the welcome home party. You can leave at noon, if you want."

He gets up from the table and kisses my cheek, "I'm glad your focusing on your mental health. It makes me happy to see the light come back." I smile. He walks out of the door, leaving me with crazy Sophia.

She eyes me, "if for some miraculous reason you decide to show up to the welcome party on Friday, the attire is semi-formal. Wear a nice dress. It starts at 5." She winks at me.

I shake my head, "Sophia, I'm not going."

She grabs her keys and heads out of my door. "Okay." She says, looking at me from behind the door.

The week goes on and I keep thinking about Aiden. This is bullshit....why do I feel like my heart wants to forgive him and go running into his arms. Ugh...

I've been running and doing yoga more, trying to think clearly. We all know why...the one person that keeps clouding my mind.

Friday...

I arrive at work and I see Sophia and Julia hanging up decorations. I go behind the bar and start getting ready for the morning rush. I watch Sophia and Julia laugh and talk about Caleb and Lee. I sigh, thinking about Aiden. Fucking damnit...get out of my head!

Finally it's noon and I get ready to head home.

I decide to go to the farmers market on my way home. As I'm looking at fruit, I look up to see Lee, staring at me. I walk towards him, "hi Lee. Glad to see you made it home safe and sound."

He smiles, "good to see you too Mia. Um...I know we aren't super close, but all of us were talking about going clay pigeon shooting in a couple of weeks. Would you be interested?"

I sigh, "I don't know Lee..."

He sighs, "that's okay Mia, I get it. See you around."

Wow...why am I the one that feels like complete shit. So much for the farmers market.

I go home and unload the fresh produce. I pace the apartment, thinking about whether or not I should go to this stupid party. No, your not going. Stick to your guns.

I sit down and start reading. I look up at the clock and every hour ticks by slowly. Why am I watching the clock?

I start reading again and I look up at the clock again - 4:15. Fuck it...I'm going. I walk into my bedroom, finding a dress I had previously bought to wear on a date with Aiden. I hadn't gotten the chance to wear it yet. Sophia had convinced me to buy it. I put it against my body and looked down at it. As if, I could go back in time and tell him everything about my past.

I sigh, going into the bathroom, curling my hair and putting makeup on. I walk back into my bedroom and slip the dress on. The black dress hugged my body, while the center had a mesh lining.

I leave my apartment at 5, knowing I'm running late.

I arrive at the restaurant. I walk-in, scanning the room for Sophia. I see her and finally I catch her eye. She looks directly at me and smiles from ear to ear. I make my way towards her and instantly realize she's talking with my Dad, Caleb and Aiden. I take a deep breath and notice I'm standing only a foot away from her. I look up and notice all four are staring at me with widen eyes.

"Hi." I say.

Caleb pulls me in for a hug. As soon as he does I turn and look at Aiden. He looks away, taking a drink of his beer. As Caleb has his arms around me, I notice Aiden's left arm is bandaged from his wrist to his elbow.

Aiden takes notice I'm staring at his forearm. "I'm fine." He says.

Caleb let's me go. Things start racing in my mind. Things that could have happened to Aiden while he was gone. God...he could have been killed and here I am being pissed off at him.

I stand in between Caleb and Sophia. Caleb is telling us stories about them being overseas. I can see Aiden at the corner of my eye, watching me as he takes sips from his beer.

My Dad pipes in, "hey, Mia, I'm probably going to head home. I'm getting a little too old to be staying out too late."

I smile, "okay, I talk to you tomorrow?"

He nods and bends down to my ear. "When I said I'm glad your focusing on your mental health, that includes your happiness." He shifts his eyes towards Aiden. My dad leaves the restaurant.

I notice a woman walk towards us. She had brunette hair and could pass for a model. She wore an extravagant, short dress, that had a deep plunging v-neck line, showing off her breasts. She walks up and links her arm into Aiden's.

I try showing no emotion, but I wanted to rip her hair out. Although, I know I shouldn't feel this way because I won't give Aiden a chance.

I can tell Aiden is really uncomfortable and unlinked his arm with hers. Ah!

I turn and see Caleb clench his jaw. "What are you doing here Emily?"

Fuck, she's Aiden's ex and she's drop dead gorgeous. No wonder he fell for her.

Emily turns and gives Caleb a glare, "Well I found out you guys came back this morning. I asked Aiden if we could meet for dinner and talk. He said he was coming here to meet friends. I thought I would come and surprise him. I didn't come here to fight, Caleb." She spat.

I can see Aiden in the corner of my eye, just watching me. Almost like he is trying to read me.

I soon see, I not only have caught Aiden's eye, but Emily's as well. She doesn't seem too happy that Aiden's attention is focused on me.

I can't believe she was so shallow to leave him for a richer man. I'm feeling super uncomfortable and I go to turn and walk away. Sophia catches me.

"Hey, why don't you sing. I'm sure the guys would love to hear it." She says.

I take a deep breath, "I don't know...Sophia."

Caleb pushes me towards the stage, "come on, you have a beautiful voice. I'm sure Aiden would love for you to sing a song in his honor." He says.

I turn back to Caleb to give him a glare, but instead, I see Emily giving him a scowl.

I nod my head and get on stage.

"Uh...hi everyone. I'm going to sing a song in honor of our military. The song is called Champion, by Carrie Underwood."

I'll be the last one standing

Two hands in the air, I'm a champion

You'll be looking up at me when it's over

I live for the battle, I'm a soldier, yeah

Aiden step towards the stage. I see Emily pull his arm and start leaning into his ear and talking. It's making my blood boil.

I'm a fighter like Rocky

Put you flat on your back like Ali

Yeah, I'm the greatest, I'm stronger

Paid my dues, can't lose, Imma own ya, ay

I start getting flashbacks of Nick beating me. I soon realize this song, maybe too emotional for me to sing.

I've been working my whole life

And now it's do or die

I can feel tears welling up.

I am invincible, unbreakable

Unstoppable, unshakeable

They knock me down, I get up again

I am the champion

You're gonna know my name

You can't hurt me now

I can't feel the pain

I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win

I am the champion....

Tears start streaming down my face and I run out of the building.

I get outside, holding the rail to steady me. The flashbacks of Nick punching me to the ground consume me.

I feel arms wrap around me and turn me into their chest. I sob more, knowing it's Aiden because I can smell him.

I beat my hands on his chest, "I hate you....I hate you. You left me. You said you never wanted to see me." I sob more.

He rubs me back, "I know baby. I didn't mean it, I was angry. Please, let's talk. Let me in, just a little."

I push him away, "no. I can't do this."

I walk away from him, leaving him dumbfounded. I get in my car and drive home.