When I finally stop running I'm so out of breath I have to bend over hands on knees, so I don't pass out. I've never wanted to run away from something so much in my life. I still can't quite believe what just happened, how did I not see that Skylar is one giant asshole? Actually, the better question is, how did he hide it so well?

I hear a dog barking and look up to realise I'm at the beach, the exact spot I would go to after my dad died. I'm on top of the sand dunes surrounded by long grass. This is why I always came here, I could hide away from the world but still enjoy the sound of the crashing waves; feel the sea breeze on my skin; smell the salty sea air.

My legs collapse beneath me, once again I'm trying to hide away from the pain that life keeps throwing my way. Why do the men in my life keep disappearing or letting me down, or both!

I've pushed away my closest friends and for the first time in my life, I feel like I don't have anyone to turn to.

"Where did it all go so wrong?"

I say looking up at the sky as if waiting for a response. I know he can't answer me but I know he's listening. After dad died I would come here all the time and sit and talk to him as if he was sitting right next to me.

I haven't done that in a while which makes me feel a bit guilty, but I know he would understand.

"I'm sorry I haven't talked to you lately dad, but I've made such a mess of things and I wish so much that you were here right now!"

A wave crashes loudly on the beach and I take that as a sign that he's here and he's listening.

"What am I going to do? I've neglected Sienna for someone who turned out to be a complete waste of my time."

Whenever I saw people ditching their friends for their boyfriends I always vowed never to be one of those people. Then the minute I get a proper, full-on boyfriend I do just that, what is wrong with me!

"Then there's Hunter, I miss him so much, dad! I tried to pretend I was ok, that I could move on with Skylar. But who am I kidding, he consumes my thoughts! I wake up wondering what he's doing, I go to sleep wondering how his day was, without even realising it."

I wish I could dig a hole right here and hide away forever. I'm too humiliated to face Hunter and Emily or Sienna and I would like to avoid having to tell my mum. Word would've gotten around the school by now of what happened, how do I show my face there now without feeling completely embarrassed.

"Dad, can you please do something for me? I'd be forever grateful if you could zap Skylar with lightening. Maybe you could talk to the big man upstairs and get him to make Skylar's hair fall out, or cover him in pimples or even better give him never-ending bad body odour!"

I start giggling and a loud wave crashes again and this time I feel like dad is laughing with me. I lie back and let the laughter overtake me, I can't stop which makes me laugh harder.

Then just like that the laughter turns to shaking and sobbing, I roll to my side and curl up letting a river of tears fall. When I finally calm down I stop shaking and silently cry into my hands.

After what seems like hours of crying in the sand alone, a strong pair of arms scoop me up. I don't have to open my eyes to know it's Hunter, I would recognise the smell of sea salt mixed with his musky deodorant anywhere and I know the feel of his arms around me all too well.

He sits me on his lap with his arms still wrapped around me, I rest my head on his shoulder and continue to quietly sob. He starts stroking my hair, it feels so good and I finally manage to calm down and stop crying and I stay completely still in his arms.

I jolt awake and sit straight up. I'm in my bed and it's dark. How on earth did I get here?

Hunter must have brought me home after I fell asleep in his arms, I wonder if he's still here?

I search the lounge and kitchen but no one is there, not even mum. I check the time on the microwave, it's 8.20pm. I search the rest of the house but no one is home so I head back to my room where I find my school bag next to my bed. Hunter must have picked it up when I dropped it this afternoon trying to keep Skylar and him apart.

I pull my phone out of the side pocket, there are a bunch of messages from Sienna and Hunter and even Zoe. Oh god, I hope she didn't see what happened!

They all want to know if I'm ok and the last one from Hunter is him apologising for telling my mum what happened. Great! I rub my hands down my face, was she here when Hunter dropped me home? Where is she now?

Oh crap! I silently pray she doesn't know where Skylar lives.

I'm about to ring her when I hear the front door slam shut. When I go in search for her I can hear her mumbling to herself in the kitchen.

"Mum," I say hesitantly before reaching the kitchen.

"In here honey."

I poke my head around the door frame not wanting to fully commit to entering the kitchen. She's sitting at our little dining table in the corner, she looks up at me and without saying a word opens her arms out to me, I immediately run into her arms for a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm so sorry mum, I knew you didn't like him but I just thought you were being judgemental."

"You have nothing to apologise for honey, that little shithead is the one that should be standing here apologising!"

I pull back a little to look at her face.

"Where did you go?"

"Where do you think?"

"You didn't!"

"I did! No one treats my daughter like that and gets away with it."

"What happened? What did he say?"

I sit down next to her wanting to know what went down.

"Skylar wasn't home so I had words with his dad."

She doesn't elaborate.

"And?" I ask.

"And I can see why Skylar is a little delinquent, that father of his is as useless as tits on a bull!"

This makes me smile.

"Tried selling me some bullshit on how boys will be boys."

"Mum, language!" I say smiling.

"Oh please, I know you use much worse."

"So then what happened?" I ask, quickly trying to change the subject.

"I told him if his son goes anywhere near my daughter again he'll know what a woman scorned looks like. He said he'd have a word with him, but I have my doubts."

"You're the best mum!"

I go to hug her but she puts up her hand to stop me.

"You haven't heard the best part yet."

I give her a questioning look, what could be better than telling Skylar's dad where to go?

"Whilst driving home I just so happened to see a certain little shithead walking along the side of the road....."

"And you ran him over!" I say a little too excitedly.

"The thought did cross my mind, but no, I'd rather not go to jail over that degenerate. But, I did still had a melted frape in my car from earlier in the day when Hunter called me to tell me what had happened and I came straight home without finishing it."

The mention of Hunter distracts me for a moment.

"Earth to Madison!"

"Oh sorry, I'm listening."

"As I was saying, I noticed the now melted frape and before I could stop myself I hurled it out the window at him and to my complete surprise, I nailed him right in the face. You should have seen it, Maddie, it was the most perfect shot and the look on his face was absolutely priceless!"

I try biting my lip to hold it in but I can't, I burst out laughing and mum joins me. That is the coolest thing my mum has ever done in my opinion.

"Oh my god...I love you...so much!"

I tell her between laughs.

"No treats my little girl like shit and gets away with it!"

And once again she confirms what I already knew, she's the best mum ever!