Hey hey hey ! ! ! !

I should totally make you guys wait for this but being the nice person that I am..... I'm not gonna!!!

Enjoy.

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Abby's POV

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were down here." He smiled and said.

"Its okay. I was just watchin tv." I sat down on the couch next to him and smiled.

"Why are you still up? I thought you went to bed already."

"Couldn't sleep." I nodded and turned to the tv.

"Hey Abby? Your not still upset about that guy are you?" I looked at him surprised at his question and then shook my head.

"I'm not that upset anymore. But... I'm dealing with it." I gave him a reasurring smile and he nodded.

"That's good. I'm glad your hangin in there other wise I would have told you to get over it." He said that last part jokingly and I looked at him.

"And I would have said. He broke my heart. How do you get over something like that?" He stopped smiling and shrugged.

"I guess by not letting your heart... Turn to stone." I nodded and said.

"How do I do that?"

"By finding someone who'll love you better."

"Okay. Well what if the person... Who'd possibly love you better didn't love you at all?" He looked at me and said.

"Look. I'm not gonna give you that there are plenty of fish in the water speech because to be honest that crap isn't true. I mean. You can fish all day and not catch a single one! And take from me I know." I started laughing and he smiled at me and said.

"But I will tell you this... I've learned that you can't make someone love you... You have to be patient and know that if your meant to be together... Then you will be." I smiled and pondered on what he said. He is a really advice giver. Now I know who I'll come to with the rest of my problems!

I turned to him and sat up.

"Thanks. I really needed that." He smiled and I walked away.

"Goodnight Abby." I turned my head, looked at him, and smiled.

"Goodnight Joe."

~*~

"He did what ! ?" I turned around and looked at Ava.

"He went to Abe's house and beat the hell out of him." She looked at me wide eyed and I looked back at her in the same way.

"I told him not to do that! Why would he do that?"

"Well I mean... You are his sister." I closed my eyes and rubbed my forhead. I cannot believe him! I mean I know he hurt me but its not like beating him up would change that.

Just when I opened my eyes Greg walked through the door all happy and smiley.

"Really Greg?" He looked at me and nodded.

"Yes. Really." Then he winked at me and went up staires and I heard him say.

"Well. Glad that's off my chest." My mouth dropped and I shook my head. He is such an animal!

~*~

"Happy birthday Abby!"

"My mom walked in my room with homemade chocolate cake. Mmmh! My favorite!

I smiled at her and logged off of my computer.

"Mom. You didn't have to bake me a cake!" She sat it on my desk and said.

"Yes. I did. It's your birthday! Plus I'm in the mood for cake. Now blow out your candle and eat up." She smiled and knelt down beside me.

"Make a wish." I closed my eyes and wished with all of my heart that... Yeah right. Like I'll tell you guys! That'll totally ruin it!

I blew out the candle and she clapped.

"Yay! Cake time!" She kissed me on the forehead and Greg walked in with a hand full of gifts. I smiled and turned around.

The only thing I like about birthdays are the gifts.

He sat them on my bed and I started bouncing up and down.

"Okay! Who are they from." He smiled and shook his head.

"Your still the same Abby alright nothing's changed but your age." I narrowed my eyes at him and sat on my bed.

I picked up the biggest box and shook it.

"Who's this from?" Greg sat by me and said.

"Me. Duh." I looked at him for a minute and started to open it.

"This is not from you- Mom!" My eyes widened and I hugged her like hell!

"I can't believe you brought me an iPad!" She smiled and nodded.

"I know. I know. I out did myself this time. Do you like it?"

"Do I?" I looked at it amazed and Greg scoffed.

"It was my idea." I smiled at Greg and shook my head.

"Okay let me see your's." He smiled and picked his up. It was in a tiny gift bag. I saw a card in it and pulled it out.

"Um... Greg? Why did you buy me a poster of Justin Bieber?" I looked at him and he laughed.

"I couldn't help it. It was there and I had to buy it." I smiled and shook my head then pulled out the real gift which was a necklace with my birthstone that spelled out my name. Which is ruby.

"Awww! Greg this is so pretty."

"Yeah. And it cost me alot of money so you better where it." I smiled and put it back in the box.

I looked at my bed and noticed way more presents then necessary. I turned to Greg and said.

"Who are these from?"

"Everyone."

"As in..." He pointed to all of them and said.

"Okay. They are from. Taylor, Mona, of course Anna, Darci, Cassie, Nick and I think that's it."

"Oh! And don't forget Joe." Greg rolled his eyes and mom smiled. I think he left Joe out on purpose.

"Who are those flowers from?" My mom grinned and said.

"Those are from Nick." I blinked a few times and said.

"Nick... Brought me those?" Greg nodded and I said.

"I don't feel like opening anymore." Mom grinned and said.

"So its cake time!" I smiled and nodded and they left.

I wasn't in the mood for cake so I just stayed behind. I looked at my gifts and forced myself not to think about why Nick brought me a hdozen roses and not jewelry.

I scanned throught the gifts and stopped on the one that said 'From Aly'

I picked it up and opened it. I wasn't expecting her to give me anything but I guess I wasn't expecting her to forget about me either.

When I opened it, it was a picture of me and her. It was in a pretty glass frame that said this is what friendship look like and it had our names on the bottom. I smiled and sat it on the bed so I can look at the card that came with it.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you I just

didn't want you to hurt.

Happy birthday.

-A

I folded it back up and started thinking about why she didn't tell me. If I was in her shoes I would be confused too. But I'd tell her and I really wish that I didn't yell at her like that. I was just hurt and and angry.

I sat up, grabbed my cell phone, and texted her. Within the next ten minutes I heard the doorbell ring a hundred times and flew down staires.

I opened the door and saw her smiling at me. I smiled back at her and we both spoke at the same time.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry." I smiled again and said.

"You go first." She cleared her throat and said.

"Abby. I'm really sorry. I just knew that if I told you, you were gonna be hurt and start crying and I just wasn't ready for that.I just wanted to wait for the right time to tell you and everytime I tried you would tell me about how much you loved him and how much you liked being with him and I couldn't bare to tell you." I smiled at her and stepped outside to huug her.

"I missed you Aly. And trust me Abe was so not worth my time." I backed up and said.

"Turns out. He was with Ava the whole time. She didn't know and as soon as she found out that her 'awesome' boyfriend turned out to be my ass of an ex... She dumped him. Can you believe that?" She looked at me wide eyed and gave me a weird smile.

After giving eachother another hug I dragged her in the kitchen. Where we met my mom, my brother, his girlfriend, and his best friend. (the girl one) all chowing down on MY cake.

"When did you guys get here?" Darci walked up to me with a mouth full of cake and said.

"Earlier. This cake is good." She walked in the living room and I smiled and shook my head. That girl really makes me wander.

I smiled and said.

"I want a giant piece!"

~*~

"Awww! Eli!" I was lying on the couch reading a book that Cassie got me called Along For The Ride by Sara Dessen. It was really good so far.

Mom was out with Joe who was STILL. HERE. That man does not wanna go home! And the other night I actually heard them talking about moving together. I just hope were not moving to New York. Its not that I don't like it because believe me I do. Its just that this is my home.

I sighed and the doorbell rang. I got up and opened the door.

I don't know who I was expecting. All I know is it definately wasn't him.

"Abe... What're you doing here?" I wasn't mad I was actually beyond worried his eyes were blood shot red and he was crying. I hope it wan't because of me because I would feel so torn. He looks like shit. And his eyes are all puffy like he hasn't slept in three days or something.

"Abe. Are you okay?" He looked at the floor and said.

"Abby. I am so sorry for what I did to you. It was stupid and selfish and I feel like crap. And I know that I have no right to ask you this but... Will you please forgive me. Because I need you and I don't know what to do anymore."

"Abe what are you talking about?"

"My... My mom died and I don't..." He stopped talking and I stepped out side and closed the door.

"Abe? Are you okay?" Geez! That was such a dumb question. Abby could you be more retarded? What's he supposed to say? 'Oh sure I'm fine. I'll just wipe away my tears and leave' Duh.

While I was talking to myself I didn't even notice that he was now knealing on the floor in front of me... Crying.

I bent down and touched his shoulder.

"Look. I forgive you. Okay? So don't beat yourself up about it."

He looked at me and said.

"Its my fault she's gone. If I would have just been good to you-" I cut him off and said.

"Dude! You just cannot blame yourself for this. Its not your fault." He nodded and said.

"Yes it." I hugged him tight and said.

"No its not Abe." Gosh! How did he even tie that together?

He was still crying in my arms and I didn't know what I could say or do to make him feel better. All I knew was this was breaking my heart. So I sat there with him and cried too. We cried together. And the worst part was, after everything he did to me. After everything he caused. When he needed me... I was right here for him. Any other person would have turned him away, but I didn't. So what does that say about me?

He hurt me more then I deserved. I never did or said anything hurtful to him. And he hurt me. And now look at us.

~*~

I looked in the mirror and said.

"Behold the maiden. I might as well start buying my cats." Aly laughed at me and shook her head.

"You are not a maiden! Shut up. You'll find someone else."

"I'm not sure I want too." She narrowed her eyes at me and stood up beside me.

"Don't worry. I'm sure Megan the great will get tired of him soon enough."

"Aly. To be honest I don't think so. You know I should have never dated Abe. I should have just kept on loving Nick. From a distance." She laughed and shook her head.

"I cannot believe you still like him. You know its been two whole months since you broke up with Abe?"

"Yes Alison. I am fully aware of that. You know, you don't just stop feeling something for someone just because you start feeling something for someone else." She shook her head and said.

"You know at first I thought you had a stupid crush on him now I see that he's like an incurable disease."

"Whatever. Do you like your bride's maid dress?"

"Do you? I still don't understand why we have to be in her wedding. Does she know that your extremely shy?" I laughed and shook my head.

"Yeah I think she knows." I looked at my dress and lost my train of thought. How is it that my own mother falls in love before I do? Of course if Nick would just realize that I'm here I could be but NO. He has to be with stupid whorish Megan. He knows exactly how I feel about him and I don't how he feels about me! I have never been in this situation before. You know if Megan hadn't ran me down in that bathroom I would have been went after him.

Speaking of. He stopped by the house a couple of times but I just pretended I wasn't there, seeing as Greg is gone to college now and he knows that. I have no Idea what he wants! He even called me but I just sent him to the voicemail. I'm thinking about blocking his number. How did he get mine anyways?

Aly's right once again. I think its time to get rid of stupid childhood dreams and move on. Though we all know what happened the last time I listened to her.

I turned around and faced Aly who was arrogently embracing herself in the mirror.

"Does Megan look like... I don't know... Fat to you?" She scoffed and turned around.

"Fat? More like hefty." I laughed and said.

"I don't know. To me it just looks like she's pregnant." She started laughing really hard and then I soon joined her.

"Just imagine. Megan Sommers'... Pregnant. Its hilarious." Greg and Nick walked in in their suits and Greg smiled and said.

"What's hilarious?" We stopped laughing and Aly looked back in the mirror. I looked at her and then Greg and said.

"Nothing." I looked down and started pacing from foot to foot.

"Well don't you just looked dashing." I looked up and noticed Greg talking to Aly. She narrowed her eyes at him and said.

"But you like it though." He scoffed and looked me then Aly and said.

"Look's better on my sister." Nick laughed through his nose and I looked at him and then away really fast. I can't avoid him like this! I grabbed Aly and said.

"Well we'd love to stay and chat but... We've gotta go to the mall and find our shoes, then there's the jewelry, and then I have to go clean my room, Aly has to be home by nine. Busy busy busy.Bye!" I pulled her out of the fitting room and sighed.

She laughed and shook her head then said.

"What? Was Nick kidnapping your heart?" I rolled my eyes. Why does she always do this?

"Kidnap my heart. And take me with you! Kidnap my heart Make my dreams come true!" I covered her mouth and dragged her back in the room.

"Sorry. We forgot something." I smiled and we grabbed our clothes.

~*~

Weeks flew by and in time it was my mother's wedding. I was so happy for her. She deserved to be happy and I'm glad Joe's the one she's marrying. I like him alot. He's nice and fatherly. Oh and did I tell you their expecting? Yep. I'm gonna have a little something soon.

During the wedding I noticed that Nick wasn't here with anybody, not saying I wanted him to be but... What happened to Megan? Come to think of it. He doesn't pick her up from school anymore. and I don't catch them together anymore I just catch them alone. But whenever I see them I just run really fast.

Its weird how I invited Abe to be my date but he stood me up. And no were not together. I've just decided that exing him out of my life would be childish and besides, he was going through a really rough time when his mom died.

We were now at the reception and everyone was having fun but me. Its not that I was depressed or anything, its just that I was sitting here single and dateless.

Can you say loser?

I sighed and wacthed everyone on the dancefloor in...cluding Nick. The maid of honour's daughter had clung on to him all night. I laughed through my nose and shook my head. Didn’t she know she was wasting her time? Didn’t she care? Didn’t she have any self respect?

Didn't I? I mean surely I wasn't phsically clinging to him but I sure as hell am emotionally. Maybe it is time, like really time, to let go of him instead of sitting here with my back turned to the dancefloor.

I just couldn't bare to watch him out there with her whoever her is. How come he has enough time to go out and make other girls fall in love with him, but doesn't have enough time to pay attention to the one girl who already is. That's it. I should be out there having fun! Fun that doesn't include him!

"Hey! Abby Normal. How come your not dancing?" How wrong was that? I was in love with a guy who looked at me and thought of a character from Young Frankenstein. How much more proof do I need?

"Abby?" Awesome. He wants to talk. Note the sarcasm.

I slid around in my chair and raised a brow.

"What?" He smiled at me and said.

"Hey. Why are you... Sitting in a corner?"

"What's it to ya? Did you get tired of your lingering slut?" He looked at me confused and I rolled my eyes and pointed to the girl he was dancing with.

"That girl has been your own personal barnacle since the dancing began." He gave me a smug smile and said.

"Hey. What can I say? Girls just like me." I scoffed when I realized I said that same thing to him in New York.

I flicked my hand in a shooing matter and said.

"Go away. I don't need you." He laughed until he realized I was serious then he stopped smiling all together and squatted down in front of me. Poor guy wasn’t used to being ignored by anything female. Well, it was time I grew a backbone and started a new trend. Of course, I doubt it would ever become a popular trend, because chances are no one without a Y chromosome would jump on the let’s pretend Nick Walker doesn’t exist train with me.

He took my hand and I started getting paranoid. I don't him to touch me! And I especially do not need him to hold my hand. I tried to make him let go but he wouldn't.

"What is with you? Let me go. I told you I don't need you." With a sigh he stood up and sat in the empty chair beside me.

"Abs. Why are you acting like this? And why are you here alone anyways? I haven't seen you alone in ages. Not that I've seen you in ages." I srtared at him and thought. Yeah, because up until now I'd decided I couldn’t deal with being in your presence.

"My date couldn't make it."

"Oh." Great! Now why the hell are you still holding my hand ? ! This cannot happen. I'm moving on! Remember?

"So is he the reason I never see you around anymore? Are you two... Together?" I jumped up and he let me go. Because it was either that or pull my arm out of the socket. And Nick would never hurt me. I knew that for a fact.

"Again! What is your problem? Why do you care? Oh! I get it your just getting information for my brother who is now a million miles away." He stood up and was now standing in front in me.

"This has nothing to do with Greg. Now answer the question. Are you... With him? Is that whyyou never return my calls?" I tried to push him out of my personal space, but couldn’t budge him an inch. So instead, I went on the defensive, stood up on my toes, and got right in his face.

"I told you! I don’t need another big brother. So back. Off!"

Um. Oh-oh. Maybe going on the defensive had been the wrong tactic, because instead of backing off, he stepped in, grabbed me by the waist, and swung me around. And now he was all the way into my personal space. My back against the wall – literally – and Nick using his body to press me into it.