I tell my parents that me and some friends are going out to dinner at the Pizza Plaza, and they say I can go, so I go upstairs and plan my outfit. I'm no longer Miss Nice Guy anymore. I don't care if it feels like I'm ripping out his heart and tearing it in half anymore. Jackson is going out of control. Threats and all. What's next, he's going to make it so something bad happens to me. I need to hit Jackson as hard with my words as I did with my punch. And by the way, that punch felt really, really good. And I think his sister is pretty cool.

I open up my closet and start choosing an outfit. I need to look cute so he is upset when I break up with him for the second time, but I need to look casual so it seems like I don't care about this 'date.' Because if it looks like I care, then he's more likely to try and make us back together again. I choose a simple tank top that is a bright purple with white lace flowers sewed onto it and some white denim shorts that are about mid thigh. I look at my clock to see what time it is. 12:23. I still have a while until 6:30. I lay my outfit choice on my bed and go downstairs for some lunch. I make some mac and cheese and eat it while watching more TV. The day passes by and eventually the time comes to 5:30. I decide I should probably go upstairs and get ready.

I run upstairs and go into my room. I change into my outfit and pick up my phone. There are three texts from Jackson. One says "did you get my message?" The next one says "hello?" The third one says "remember what I said if your not there by 7......" I decide I should text back. I text saying, "yeah, I'm coming, but don't expect me to be bright and sunshiney." I add an emoji with a disgusted look and send it. There, he gets the memo that I don't want to come.

I walk into my bathroom and brush my hair. I keep it down because I dont feel like putting it up. I pick out some concealer and fix my pimples. I then grab some mascara and lip gloss and call it good. I spray some fruity perfume on. Perfect. I grab some white sneakers and pull the, on. I take a quick look in the mirror and call it good. I grab my phone and look at the time. It's 6. I should probably get going since I'm walking there. I put my phone in my back pocket and run downstairs. I grab my white denim jacket and tell my parents I'm going and head out the door. I run the whole way because I want to get this outing over with. I get there ten minutes early and decide to wait out in a park near the restaurant until I should go inside. I wait until 6:45 to go inside. I head inside and see Jackson waiting for me in a bench in the waiting area.

"Hey, Tara." He says, walking over to greet me.

"Hi." I say with a look of disgust. He tries to hug me but I push him away and cross my arms. "I don't want to be here, so can we just get this over with?" I say.

"Fine, cutie." He says with a supposed to be charming grin. It makes me want to puke. He walks up to the host in front of us and asks for a table for two. The sound of those three words makes me feel nauseous. The host shows us our seat and gives us our menus. I cross my legs and use the menu to hide my eyes from him. I choose my pizza and my drink and set the menu down. "Did you decide what you want?" He says, still looking at the menu.

"Yeah." I say.

"Good." He says.

Our waiter comes and asks for what we would like. I tell him what pizza I want and that I want lemonade. Jackson asks for a different pizza but then ask to make my drink into a bigger one with two straws. Oh great. The waiter left and that left Jackson and I alone. "Hey, Tara," Jackson says, "we need to talk."

"About what?" I say, rolling my eyes.

"Why do you not like me?" He asks.

"I've told you," I say, "I just don't like you like that. And with how desperate you are, right now I don't like you in general."

"Wait, you actually like me as a person when I'm not desperate?"

"Just as much as I like any other human being when they aren't annoying me."

"Oh," he says, seeming disappointed with my answer. The waiter comes with our drink. "Well, Tara I do like you a lot." He says.

"Yeah I've kinda noticed with the subtle threats and kissing attempts." I say.

"Yeah, I guess I am kinda desperate." He says, looking down at his feet. "But I won't stop trying. Tara, I really like you."

"Jackson," I say, "I'm sorry to say it, but we just don't connect. I need to break away from this. For real this time. You will not come running back to me, even if you see me out. No more texting me little hearts. I'm serious. I don't like you like that."

"I know," he says sadly, "but can you at least finish dinner with me?" He asks. He gives me puppy dog eyes.

"No," I say, "I'm not going to stay here just so you can feel sympathy. I'm leaving." I start to stand up, but Jackson stands up too. "I need to go." I whisper between clenched teeth.

"No you don't." He whispers back. He leans into kiss me again. I push him away and stomp out. I can hear him yelling my name and my walk turns into a jog. And that jog turns into a run. I run home and open the door. I tell my parents I'm home and I run upstairs. I pull my phone out of my pocket and then change into my pajamas. I look at my phone. Jason's been trying to text me. I text him saying "hey sorry I went out to dinner with my family." A few seconds later, he replies. "It's fine. What are you doing?" It reads. "Nothing much. I'm sitting in my bedroom." I reply. "Cool," he replies. "What are you doing?" I ask. "I'm watching TV." He replies. "Sweet." I text. I smile and lay down on my bed. "Can we hang out tomorrow at the Pizza Plaza. I'll bring homework so if anybody recognizes us, we can explain without explaining correctly." He asks. I reply quickly with, "sure do you want to get there at noon?" "Sounds good." He texts,"good see you then." Jason and I continue texting for hours. I look at the time. It's 10. I quickly text good night and we say goodbye. I put my phone on a charger and lay down on my bed. I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.