New York City

Ashley sat on the edge of her bed, not crying... just sitting. Ashley Beaumont didn't cry. Ashley Beaumont never ever cried. She was far above that Yes, her heart had just been shattered, and her pride bruised, but crying was out of the option. Her friends didn't even know yet. How could she possibly mourn before she had a gaggle of sympathetic teenage girls at her side? That was how things normally went. She would call up a friend (or five) and cry to them, asking them to come over. Then she would cry into her pillow as they told her that she didn't deserve that F on the exam, or how a month of detention was way too much for posting some girl's weight (give or take ten pounds... or so) all over the internet. What stopped her from calling then was unknown. Maybe it was that, this time, she was actually upset.

Ashley picked up her phone, holding the tiny thing in her hand as if it were some sort of life-line. She was upset, but the stabbing in her chest was now accompanied by something else called anger. She wanted to hurt him instead, make him sorry for leaving her. She had done EVERYTHING for him. She had loved him even, and how did he repay her? By leaving her over fucking text message. He had never been very romantic, but over text message? That was low. It didn't give her a chance to throw whatever she had in her hand at his face. It gave her no chance to slap him, or kick him in the groin. Hell, she couldn't even yell at him. She had no closure...So maybe it was a mistake. Her opinion changed quickly, as it often did. But seriously, maybe he had made a mistake. People sent overemotional texts all the time. Maybe he was just upset. Ashley stood up hurriedly... and then sat down again, covering her moth with her left hand as a small sob escaped it. No, it wasn't a mistake. Her brain had flipped again, this time to the right side. There was no use in deluding herself anymore. He didn't love her. He never had, had he? She should have known a long time ago. Ashley opened her phone again, gazing back at the text message, not quite feeling that it was over. She had just kissed him yesterday.

Hey, Ashley, it's me, Yoru. I think we should see other people. Honestly, it's me, not you. I hope we can still be friends or something like that.

~Yoru"

Reply

Can we talk about it? Please... I'm sorry

-Ash

After sending out that pathetic text, Ashley wiped her tears (When had she started crying?) away with swift, jerky movements and laid down. For a few minutes, she did nothing but stare at the pink ceiling. And despite the pain that she was in, she fell asleep that way.

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Now, she wasn't quite sure how she got there, but two hours later, after a box of tissues, half a pint of mint ice cream, and with her phone tightly in hand, Ashley was standing a few blocks away from her family's apartment. This building was all too familiar, as she had walked past it many times on her way to Yoru's house. She had never gone inside, not for the AA meetings held their every week, not for the book clubs every Wednesday, and certainly not for the Heartbreakers Inc. office. She remembered having laughed at the concept of Heartbreakers Inc. Who would even go to something like that? Well... apparently her. Ashley stepped inside and made her way to the office, not quite sure what she would do, just sure that it would probably be stupid and out of character.
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"Hey, baby. It's me, I just wanted to see if you were ok. I know...that I um, That I am in the wrong and I'm sorry for following you, not trusting you." Eric waited a few seconds and listened some more, trying his best to keep a calm composure "Um, I get it Eric. And I wish you nothing but a wonderful, happy life.....I love you. Bye."

"Listen, uhm, if you have a girlfriend... I'm just going to go." The red-head in the backseat of his truck sat up and pulled on her shirt, brushing her fingers through her hair and biting her lip nervously. She reminded him a lot of Emmie... except for her personality. And for a reason that he wasn't sure of, that broke his heart even more. He should have been happy. He had just slept with a beautiful woman, broken up with his clingy girlfriend, and spent a night away from his family. But he was anything but happy. First off, he missed his family. Rigt now, he deserved to have the shit beat ot of him. He deserved worse. He had just broken up with someone who was beyond perfect. And he had loved her.

Yet, instead of calling her back, he turned to the girl beside him and kissed her "She was no one, just some girl who liked to follow me around. A bit of a stalker really." He flashed her one of his famous smiles and placed a hand on her waist. "Don't worry about it beautiful, I like you. Don't let her ruin it." After he was done spewing out lies, he kissed her again. And like most kisses with girls that he had never learned the name of, one kiss turned into over an hour of messing around in the back seat of an old blue pickup truck. he entire time, he was thinking of Emma though. He was thinking of her hair and her eyes and her lips and just... her. He was thinking of the tears in her eyes the last time he had seen her.

"Leave," Eric said harshly to the girl nestled against him, "Just go. Now." He had pulled away mid kiss, all signs of affection gone. Only a second ago he had been snogging her, now he wanted nothing more for her to leave as quickly as possible.
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For a 'stalker,' Emmie was certainly having an effect on Eric. Half an hour later, after his unnamed red-headed lover had left in a hurry, he was drinking. It started with one shot, to stop him from crying. One shot didn't work though; it never did. If anything, it just made him more upset. One shot turned into five; that stopped the tears. Five turned into twelve and over the span of three hours, twelve turned into more then he could count. That night... well at three in the morning, he found himself drunker then he had been in a while, with his cell phone in hand which was never a good combination. The first number that he dialed was his friend Emmett's, a complete mistake due to trembling hands. The second number was the right one. Of course, Emmie wasn't awake when he called, she was more sensible then that. But that didn't stop him from leaving messages, each one more slurred and angry then the last. In one he recalled calling her a "fucking Jesus-freak who didn't give a damn about anyone but herself,"... and that was one of his first calls.

Hudson's heart sunk as he heard Rob, his manger tell him the news. Or, the commands. He knew it'd been coming, it was bound to happen soon. Seeing that he wasn't even 21 yet, these people seemed to run his life. Heck, he was an adult, a young one, but he should be able to make his own choices right? Apparently not. You have to dump Rose. Like yesterday. Just the harshness in Rob's voice bite him a bit. Part of him wanted to lash out, punch him in the face, and fire him. Who needed him anyway. Dodger was all he wanted.. The other part of him said, Rob's helped you so much.. You've gotten so far, it's just one girl.. You can always find her again one day, come on everyone's counting on you.

His eyes lowered, he bit down on his tongue, thinking hard. Rob stood completely casual, like nothing was out of the ordinary. His agent Steve walked over, "Hudson, you're on in like," he started, and checked his watch, "ten minutes! Hurry up, kid." Steve ran away then, checking on everyone else. They were backstage of a talk show, ready to talk about Hudson's new movie. The reason the break up had to be so sudden was that he and his co star were revealing their 'relationship' to the public. Which he had no interest of having in the first place. Yeah, she was hot, but she was no Dodger..

After moments that felt like hours, he looked up to Rob. "Alright. I'll do it." Rob nodded, putting his hand on on Hudson's shoulder. "You're going places, kid. Remember that." And walked off. Maybe they were trying to help him, but he felt terrible. How could he tell the girl he loved that it was over? So he could date some random celebrity? He guessed he'd do what he did best, act.

Stepping outside, he check the time on his phone as he clicked the power button. The screen lit up, and showed him he had 8 minutes to get it over with. He pressed the number 2. He remembered back to when he got the phone, she was there. He'd even disguised himself and they went to the mall together. When they were dating he'd do whatever he could to let her have a normal relationship, she didn't seem too interested in his fame anyway. He recalled her being the first number he added, and his first speed dial. He sighed, pressing send on the phone.

His heart felt heavier each time the phone rung. Once.. Twice.. Three times.. Right before the forth ring started, she picked up. He didn't even hear what she'd said when she answered. He was too focused on the subject. He took a deep breath, exhaling, and said, "Dodger, we have to break up.." he quickly thought up of a reply, not wanting to give her room to talk yet. What he'd said seemed like the truth, and he needed a good reason to back it up, even if it was a lie. He didn't want to tell her the actual reason because, he was somewhat ashamed he had to do it. "I'm just not the into you anymore." a moment of silence passed, maybe she was shocked? when he heard Rob call for him. They were on in two minutes. "I have to go now.. Please don't call this number anymore." and he hung up, feeling terrible.

He walked beside his co-star, Natalie. She smiled, at him, and he looked down at her, and forced a smile back. At their cue, they linked hands, and he lead her onto the stage. The host had greeted them and introduced them as they sat down, and he put his arm around Natalie, on the back of the couch they were sitting on. He felt like maybe he'd feel alright, just for now, until he realized Dodger would probably be watching the show, to see him. He wondered if she would now.

Dodger turned the tv on in her room. She couldn't wait to see how Hudson would do at the talk show. She grabbed a big bowl of popcorn, and sat on her bed, watching the tv like it was the only thing she could look at. She wanted to call him to wish him good luck, but she knew he was probably busy anyway.

Just then, her phone rang. She looked at the screen, and sure enough, it was him. Dodger couldn't help but smile. She planned in her head exactly what she was going to say.
She picked up on the fourth ring, and started to say,
"Heyyyyy. Good luck Hudson, i know..."
"Dodger, we have to break up.." he said rather quickly.
"What...."
"I'm just not the into you anymore."
Dodger practically dropped the phone. Was he acting, or was he serious? Maybe she could ask him, but as soon as she could talk to him, he said,
"I have to go now.. Please don't call this number anymore." he said. And it was over. He hung up.

Dodger was awfully confused. What did he mean by, "I'm just not into you anymore"? No, he was still in love with her. He had to be. Maybe he was just angry, or pre-talk show anxiety or something. But as soon as she saw how he treated the girl sitting next to her, she knew it was over, and she could feel the heart inside her chest pounding louder then ever.

That night was awful. Dodger couldn't help but cry the night away, using up all the tissues in the house. To make matters worse, there was a thunderstorm, and the power was out.

The week was even worse. Nobody really knew about the relationship between Dodger and Hudson, but there were always those stupid reporters who just knew EVERYTHING about EVERYONE, and they were constantly coming up to Dodger whenever she was out and about. Supposedly, one nasty reporter made the article seem as though Dodger CHEATED on Hudson, and naturally, all the other reporters believed. Dodger knew it was just her luck. She wasn't surprised by all the death threats that came to her door, and all the fangirls that beat her up in school. It just seemed like everything was back to normal.


On saturday, Dodger found herself at the front desk of conquest comics. She was still upset, but not as much as before. Maybe Hudson deserved someone like Natalie. She would suit him better.
Just then, she could hear her co-worker, Matt, holding in a laugh. He was over by a laptop, looking at something, and then shifting his eyes towards Dodger.
"What's so funny?" she asked him.
"ohhhh....nothing...." he said, but his chubby face was still red with laughter.
"Let me see...." Dodger said, moving towards Matt, but he started to run away, and it ended up being a chase, and Dodger had to pin him down. It was easy, since he was out of shape.
It turns out he was looking at the meme known as "the bull girl". It was dodger, making horns next to her head.
"Not YOU TOO!!!" Dodger said, her head in her hands.
"heyyyyyyy...........chill, chill. It's fine. I wasn't laughing AT you, i was laughing........with you. If that made any sense...." he said.
"DON'T ASK WHAT I WAS DOING!" She said, running away to the counter.
"Ummm...i think i can guess"
"oh yeah?"
"were you.......scaring an old lady away?"
"ummm..no."
"then it has to be something with Hudson" he said. Dodger nodded.
"ding ding." she said.
"was it revenge of some sort?"
"ding ding ding." she said again. Matt knew her too well.
"and a reporter took an embarrasing snapshot of you?"
"ding ding ding ding"
"and now its a meme on the internet and now people know you as the bull girl and people even notice you on the streets?"
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ENOUGH, YOU WIN THE GRAND PRIZE." Dodger said, aggravated. Dodger was leaning against the wall, looking up towards the ceiling.
"Well, i know it's not like you, but i know a way you could get revenge. I mean, after all, you deserve it." Matt said, standing next to her.
Dodger thought for a while. Did Hudson really deserve revenge? Then again, did Dodger really deserve the new life Hudson handed her on a silver platter?
"....alright" Dodger said, skeptical. "What's your plan?" she asked him.
"Well, when i was in a relationship with good ol' Kelsey Rogers...you know, the girl who broke my neck because i wouldn't......ANYWAY, after she dumped me, i called these guys...WELL girls, known as heartbreak inc., and they taught ol' Kelsey Rogers a lesson she never forgot."
Matt then grabbed a coupon from the counter, and scribbled something.
"Here's the number" he said, handing her the sheet of paper.
"You should really think about it Dodger. You know, you deserve more than bull girl.." Matt got closer, "and all the nicknames.." and closer, "and everything else...."
Dodger pushed away from him. "Matt, ummmmmmmm...........i'm sorry but....im not gonna make out with you. just ummmm... a little warning there."

That night, dodger went home and set the number as one of her contacts. She held the phone, debating whether or not she should do it. Finally she did it, and she waited for someone to pick up.

Hudson started leaving the set in a huff, obviously bothered. At least on camera he'd been alright. Natalie quickly followed him, and looped her arm around his. She slid her hand down his forearm, and entwined her fingers with his. She pulled on his hand then, causing him to stop. He turned and faced her, looking a bit distraught. She leaned her head closer to him, and whispered in his ear. "You could at least pretend I'm not the last person you want to be with.." she sighed. He looked down at her, feeling a bit bad. "You know it's not like that.." he trailed off. He'd never really talked to her about Dodger, or anything really personal. But she did know him as a person pretty well, and they'd become friends. "Then pretend I'm the girl you actually love when we're in public okay?" she said, as she began walking again, tugging on his hand to pull him along again. But I just broke her heart.. he thought. He let himself be dragged along, and outside where all of the paparazzi stood, waiting.

"Come on, show us a kiss!" "Yeah, give us something good Hudson!" were a few things shouted at them. They both put on a few smiles, posed together, and acted like they were the most perfect couple. Their limo was about 10 ft away, and they moved through the crowd to get to it. As he opened the door for Natalie, she quickly pressed her lips to his, kissing him. He heard tons of clicks, and saw many camera shots. Startled, he sort of froze, and she stepped into the limo. The cameras didn't stop as he stood there, and after a moment he awkwardly got in the limo as well.

"What the hell do you think you just did?" he asked Natalie, still shocked, and a bit angry. She shrugged, acting like nothing unusual had happened. Completely causally, she took a bottle of already opened champaign, and poured it into a wine glass. Taking a sip, she finally answered. "I gave the people what they wanted, Hudson." He sat silently, deciding it wasn't really her fault. She was just doing what everyone wanted her to do, like he had to.

~

After going back to his home, he decided he needed to get out. Go somewhere. Somewhere far. Just for awhile. Making a few calls, he got it to happen. Hopping on his jet, he flew to his home in Miami. He headed to his balcony, hoping to catch the sunset. Leaning on the railing, and stared out onto the water. He had his arms on the rail, and he sunk his head into his hands, running his fingers through his hair. Even the sun sets in paradise. He thought. Though the sun was setting, he could still feel some of its warmth. The golden sphere dipped into the water, and its reflection made it seem like it was melting. He felt his heart sink. There were countless times he and Dodger had watch the sunset together.

Not wanting to see anymore of it, he walked into his bedroom. He paced, with his hands on the back of his head, back and forth across the room. He sat around, thinking. Flopping on his bed, the more he thought about everything, the more angry he got. He punched one of his pillows, and stood up. Grabbing a vase from his beside table, he threw it as hard as he could against the wall.

It was dark by now, and he sat on his chez lounge, with his head in his hands yet again. His head throbbed. He felt a bit choked up. He wondered when this would all be over. He had to forget about her. There were other girls. Other girls with cute smiles, long pretty hair, a great personality, and other good traits. He bit his lip hard. Wandering to bed, he collapsed among the pillows, and waited for sleep to come.