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---Rosie's POV---
Paul? What was he doing here? Oh, yeah, he wants to "talk". I guess I should say something. I open my mouth to speak…but nothing comes out.
"You look," he started, "amazing, you know that? It's a…uh…a beautiful color for you."
This was awkward and strange. I didn't want to feel that way around him…but I guess that's just how it was going to be.
"Paul…." I sighed, "Why are you here?"
"I wanted…to apologize. About what happened in Seattle…"
"Stop…please."
"No" his voice picked up some, "Rosie, I've been going crazy since the day you left! I've missed you more and more every day I haven't seen you!"
He sighed and looked at me with sad eyes.
"Rose…I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. That's why I was so upset when I thought you were with Ryan…I told him that I loved you…and I just…I thought…"
I nodded, understanding what he meant.
"Everything makes me think of you. The first crack of light in a dark room, the songs the birds sing. I see you in every song I hear, the sound of your heart beating."
He placed his hand gently on my arm. His touch was so soft…like I had remembered. It still sent shivers down my spine.
"You have no idea how badly I've wanted to tell you. I love you Rosie and I swear to never hurt you again."
I felt the tears burning my eyes. He loved me. He forgave me…no, he begged for me to forgive him.
"Paul" I leaned into his touch, "I've stayed up crying for months over what happened. I felt like I was going to die without you. I dreamed and begged and prayed for you to one day find me and love me again."
I saw the tears forming in the corners of his eyes and the slight smile on his face. Why did god have to answer those prayers?
"But it's too late." the tears fell and his smile shattered.
"Rosie?"
"I love you Paul." I said, trying to make sense of my words so he would understand me through my tears, "I love you so much and begged for you. But we both know that this wont work. We need to move on, Paul! We need to get over each other."
That's when I broke and started crying hard. He held me close and tried to calm me. He rubbed my back and I felt his own tears burn into the bare parts of my neck. He kissed the top of my head and stoke.
"Can…can we at least stay friends?" his own shakily voice evident.
"I…I don't honestly think we can."
I know I just threw the stone that broke the last of his glass heart. I could feel it ache from within his chest. Or maybe it was mine? It may as well have been both of ours.
" I can't honestly say that I won't be able to move on if I'm around you."
He nodded as more of his tears fell.
"Am I ever allowed around you again?"
His voice was so quiet and so strained. I knew holding onto him as tight as I was, really wasn't helping the matter. I wanted to comfort him, and I didn't want to let him go. I wanted to love him and let him love me…but we couldn't. We needed to find people our own ages.
"….I don't know…" I whispered.
I felt him shudder and more tears fell. I needed to leave. I couldn't do this.
"I…I'm going to go now."
"please", he begged as he held me tighter.
"And we aren't going to talk again."
I managed my way out of his arms. I looked at his broken and tearful face. I held his face in my hands and moved so I could look him in the eyes.
"Paul, I want you to remember something okay?" he nodded, "There will always be a special place in my heart just for you. No matter what happens, I will always love you."
"Please don't leave me." he whispered.
"I have to." More of my own tears fell like rain drops, "You be good, you hear?"
He nodded, eyes closed and tears streaming down his scruffy cheeks. I leaned forward and softly kissed his cheek. With that, I pulled away and slowly walked out the door. The leaned my back against the door. I heard him hit his knees and cry. I broke our hearts…again.
---Paul's POV---
My heart was shattered. I felt like my world was crashing down around me. I loved her; I never wanted to lose my dear sweet girl. I wouldn't lose her. Not without a fight.
---Rosie's POV---
I had quickly walked over to where the girls sat. They were talking with the guys and George. The guys had taken a short break and Neil was supposed to go up afterward. I walked up to them, Keith saw me first and his face fell when he saw my tears.
"Rosie what's wrong?" he stood, concern in his eyes.
They all looked at me now. Tears were still running down my face. I wasn't even going to try to hide them.
"I'm going home."
"Rosie, you cant leave!" Gabs whined.
"I am going home. Just um…don't worry about me, alright?"
I turned to walk away then I remembered.
"Also, don't let Damo drink the punch. My asshole date spiked it."
"Wait Rosie!," Damian called, "You still have to talk to Paul!"
"Paul?!" the girls chimed in, "You mean your Paul?! He's here?!"
"I already did," my voice broke and a load of tears fell, "Thanks by the way. Its best that it got sorted out."
I turned around and headed for the door. That's when I hear the microphone click. That meant that someone was using it.
"This is gonna hurt, this is gonna hurt like hell
This is gonna damn near kill me, sometimes the truth ain't easy
I know that you're scared of telling me something
I don't wanna hear, but baby believe that
I'm not leaving, you couldn't give me one good reason"
It was Paul. He was on stage, tears still streaming down his face. He was singing to me, looking in my eyes. I knew this song. I knew what he was talking about.

"Love don't run, love don't hide
It won't turn away or back down from a fight
Baby I'm right here and I ain't going anywhere
Love's too tough it won't give up no not on us
Baby Love don't run

Let's lay it on the line, I don't care if it takes all night cause
This is gonna make us stronger, it's gonna make forever longer
I know it'd be easier walking away but what we got is real
And I wanna save us, baby we can do it, Baby we'll get through it 'cause..."
At this point, I'm in tears…again.

Love don't run, love don't hide
It won't turn away or back down from a fight
Baby I'm right here and I ain't going anywhere
Love's too tough, it won't give up no not on us
Baby Love don't run
Baby love don't run"

He smiled at me, more tears rolling down his face.

"So come over here and lay down in my arms
Baby tell me everything that's on your heart, 'cause...

I won't run, and I won't hide
I won't turn away, I just wanna make things right
Baby I'm right here and I ain't going anywhere
Love's too tough it won't give up no not on us
Baby Love don't run
Baby Love don't run"
The music slows and eventually stops. Everyone is clapping, but not me. I look at him then over at the others. The girls are crying and looking at me like, "Take him back!" and the guys are just wide eyed and worried. I look back at Paul; he's still on stage, still waiting for my answer. So I give it to him.
I shook my head, tears gushing from my eyes and I ran out the door and out of the school.