"Wakey wakey." I hear and groan, turning over and covering myself with the blanket.

"Come on, sweet cheeks." I feel a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist and remember what had happened last night and that this was just Astor.

"Mm." I groan and snuggle into the bed.

"Rebecca, come on, we have to leave for school in 20 minutes." I feel him get off the bed and then shriek when the covers are pulled off.

"ASTOR!" I bolt up and glare at him.

"I told you to come on!" He retorts.

"You didn't have the yank the damn blanket off me!" I stand up and walk over to my dresser, pulling out a pair of light jeans, some clean underwear, a bra, and a black shirt. Heading to the bathroom I grab my makeup bag and close the door.

"You don't need that, ya know!" I here Astor pronounce on the other side of the door.

I peak my head out.

"What are you blabbering on about?" I ask, impatiently.

"You don't need your makeup bag." He pushes past me and grabs the bag. "You are beautiful without it." I try to reach it but he keeps it out of reach.

"Ya know, that's not cool. Yes, I'm short, I know. But you shouldn't do that!" I keep jumping but have no luck so I give up and close the door after pushing him out.

I look in the mirror after I change and see... Nothing... Just a girl who's too fat, ugly, and stupid. I don't understand what others are seeing. Because it's two complete opposite of what they think.

"See, you look amazing without the makeup." I hear from behind me and jump.

He holds up his hands in surrender.

"Literally just got in here I swear. Just telling you that you have 10 minutes before we need to go." He walks out but doesn't close the door.

"Thank you..." I whisper, hopping he doesn't hear. Watching his retreating figure I sigh happily when it seems he didn't.

If only I would actually feel as good as he says I look... Because, being honest, I'm tired of feeling weak. Maybe Astor was all I needed to realize that. Because he sees me. The real me. And for the first time, I find my self thankful for having not died with Elizabeth, because I wouldn't be here if I had.

~~~

"Oh my God, did you see who she just came in with?" Is the first thing I hear when I walk through the doors with Astor, since he had given me a ride.

"Ignore them, they are just jealous that they aren't friends with this hotness." He points down to himself, making me laugh.

"Oh no! Do you have a fever? Do you need to see a doctor?" I press the back of my head to his forehead, annoying him.

"Oh my Lord, stop!" He grabs my and laughs.

"Aww, you're a party pooper." I pout.

"Nah. I'm not the party shitter, I make 'em great." He winks at me and I noice he still had my hand captive.

"Yeah, great for a one way ticket to the toilet." I snap.

"Woah, little too far. What's wrong?" He stops me by pulling my hand.

"I just want to go back to everything was. I'm tired of the stares and the rumors. I just want to go back to being a nobody..." I look at my feet.

"Rebecca, listen to me. You are not a nobody. You never have been and never will be. You are a sweet, caring, beautiful girl who anyone should be happy to even be friends with. You make people smile and you have this light, that shines so bright it's almost blinding. You are an amazing girl who would do something really stupid and silly just to make people laugh. You don't need to be a somebody..." He whispers. "Because you already are to me."

"I don't see what you see in me. I see what people call me. The bad names."

"Rebecca, don't let them get you down. They only try to bring you down because you are already above the stars." He kisses my forehead.

"Thank you." I mumble.

"Anything for you." He smiles and lets go of my hand so we could leave for class but I pull him back to me.

"What?" Surprise on his face.

Instead of answering, I just go on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. I feel him stiffen in shock before he kisses me back.

"What was that for?" He asks after we part, resting his forehead to mine.

"Everything." I smile and grab my bag as the bell rings.

"Well thank you." He smirks.

"Anything for you." I use his words from earlier which make him smile.

"What's your first class?" He asks as we walk down the Halls, some people still staring.

"Dance." I respond as I look at my schedule. I feel something slip into my hand and look down to see our hands entwined.

"Alright, I'll walk you." He swings our hands alittle as we walk and I realize that maybe he is all I truly needed to be happy. Because my mom once told me "If a guy loves you he will love all of you. Not just the good but the bad too. And he will do anything and everything to see you happy and whole. Even if that means hurting himself". And I think I may have just found the one she is talking about.

•••

Thanks to those who actually read this! You're the best!

•Marissa